JC / Railbird

News Archive

Trainer Phil Johnson Dies

Phil Johnson, the trainer who won the 2002 Breeders’ Cup with Volponi, died on Friday at age 78. (New York Times)
Related: “New York racing loses a gem” (Daily Racing Form)

Posted in News, Trainers/Training on August 7, 2004

Magna Still Pursuing NYRA Franchise

“Magna Entertainment Corp. continues to pursue efforts to replace the New York Racing Association or partner with the organization, which operates the franchise to run the state’s three top Thoroughbred tracks, Magna Entertainment President Jim McAlpine said on Tuesday.” This, despite losing more than $25 million in the second quarter of 2004. (Thoroughbred Times)

Posted in News on August 5, 2004

From the NTRA Notebook

Comes this bit of history: “Aug. 17, 2000: Zippy Chippy, loser of all 86 of his lifetime races, was defeated again — this time by minor-league baseball player Jose Herrera in a 40-yard dash. The race, called the ‘2000 Red Wings Derby,’ was held prior to a home game of the International League’s Rochester Red Wings.”
Related: “Zippy Chippy: A horse with no shame” (Failure Magazine)
Also in this week’s notebook: Inductions to the National Racing Museum Hall of Fame will take place Monday. “Three humans and three horses receive this year’s honors: Trainer Claude Shug McGaughey, jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Jimmy Winkfield and Thoroughbreds Bowl of Flowers, Skip Away and Flawlessly.”

Posted in News on August 5, 2004