JC / Railbird

News Archive

Noted: May 3

– Trainer Dave Hofmans may not have a starter in the Derby, but he does have the favorite in the Oaks.
– “Magna Entertainment Corp., Frank Stronach’s labour of love in the sport of kings, warned yesterday that its ability to continue as a going concern is in ‘substantial doubt’ amid high debt, poor cash flow and delays in a key asset sale.”
– “A new generation of jockeys positions itself for the next run toward household fame.”
– Giacomo gets his own casino chip.

Posted in News on May 3, 2006

Noted: May 2

– A full field of 14 will start in the Kentucky Oaks this Friday, including Ashland upset winner Bushfire and morning line favorite Balance.
– “Officials of Breeders’ Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association have announced that total purses for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships have been raised to $20 million, an increase of $6 million from last year.” That’s not bad, but the increase still falls $1 million short of the world’s richest day of racing, the Dubai World Cup. As Alan observes over on Left at the Gate, “Wouldn’t you think they could scrape up another million or two to match Dubai? Seems kinda like Barry Bonds getting to 754 homers and then going, ‘ah, that’s enough.'”
– TVG is launching 11 new shows and revamping its onscreen graphics beginning May 10.
– Trainer Todd Pletcher has 175 horses in his stable, a third of them three-year-olds, which means Pletcher has more three-year-olds in his barn than most trainers have total horses. “I feel like it’s probably the most powerful stable ever assembled,” said WinStar farm vice president Elliot Walden. “What makes him special is that he’s as young as he is. He has a chance, no question about it, if he stays sober and doesn’t get divorced, to be the all-time greatest.”
– “Eureka Downs is fading away, and the town that supports it might not be far behind.”
– A freak accident kills New York stallion Gold Token and leaves another in critical condition.

Posted in News on May 2, 2006

Noted: April 29

– Keeneland’s spring meet, which closed on Friday, was a record-breaker, with new highs posted for attendance. The spring meet also broke handle records: “Wagering from all sources during the 15-day meet [surpassed] $143.4 million.”
– Churchill Downs opens today; Derby week begins.
– The oldest living Derby-winning jockey will visit Churchill for the first time in 70 years next Saturday. “The reason I haven’t gone back is really television more than anything else … I found out you could watch it on television and get great coverage. I never missed a Derby. I never lost interest in it. I just figured, here’s television. You can watch it right here.” Ira Hanford is not only the oldest living Derby-winning jockey, but the only apprentice jockey to ever win the Derby.
– First Samurai has an excuse for his fifth place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes: The colt came out of the race with two broken ribs. “In some ways we’re relieved,” said owner Lansdon Robbins. “His performance in the Blue Grass was difficult for us to understand, and if he sustained this at the break when hit the gate, then it gives us some perspective.”

Posted in News on April 29, 2006

Noted: April 25

– Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Shirocco returns to the races on May 7 in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. Trainer Andre Fabre plans another international campaign for the five-year-old, including the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on June 2.
– Declan’s Moon worked today for the first time since last summer. The 2004 juvenile champion worked three furlongs handily in :37.8 at Hollywood Park this morning. An early favorite for last year’s Kentucky Derby, Declan’s Moon was sidelined with a chipped knee after winning the Santa Catalina Stakes. He returned to training in August, but suffered another injury that kept him out of training until last month, when he began galloping over the Hollywood training track.
– Santa Anita closed on Sunday with big gains in attendance and handle. Gulfstream closed the same day, and while the track wouldn’t disclose specific numbers, handle was reported to be up, attendance down (which is no surprise). President Scott Savin said the track would make some changes before next year, such as the stakes schedule. “We want to have a better progression of distances,” said Savin. “Maybe the Holy Bull will be run at a mile and the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby are run at 1 1/8 mile.”

Posted in News on April 25, 2006