JC / Railbird

News Archive

Noted: April 18

– In Derby Watch: Sinister Minister — War Emblem or Bellamy Road? Plus: Baffert calls Sinister Minister “tired” after the Blue Grass, Bob and John and Point Determined work at Santa Anita, and whether Keyed Entry starts in the Derby will depend on how he trains at Churchill this week.
– Fantasy Stakes runner-up Miss Norman, who lost the race after running erratically down the Oaklawn stretch, will start next in the Kentucky Oaks. “She’s come out of the race very well,” said owner Greg Norman. Unsure what caused the filly to duck out twice in the Fantasy, Norman will ask Churchill officials to allow him to work Miss Norman between races on April 29 or 30 to test her reaction to the crowd.
– Claiming activity was intense at Oaklawn this year: “The claiming has gotten insane and that really works against the smaller outfits,” said general manager Eric Jackson, who said that the “frenzied” claiming was partially responsible for Oaklawn’s shrinking fields in the meet’s waning weeks and could lead to revised policies for next year.
– The numbers are tumbling at Texas racetracks: “From 2001 to 2005, total attendance during thoroughbred season at those tracks declined 21.2 percent, from 1,067,357 to 840,923. And during the same period, the “live handle” — money wagered at the tracks on live racing — fell 32 percent, from $65,124,381 to $44,267,788, according to Texas Racing Commission data.”

Posted in News, Racing on April 18, 2006 / Tagged Kentucky Derby

Noted: April 16

– Sun King, with a mad rush up the stretch, won the Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland by 2 3/4 lengths. “When I needed him in spots, he was there for me,” said jockey Corey Nakatani. Also on Saturday: Wend won the Jenny Wiley Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. “She just did a super job,” said jockey Edgar Prado.
– It was 50 years ago this spring that Needles won the Kentucky Derby, but retired jockey Dave Erb’s memories of the race are still fresh.
– Legendary Calumet Farm, having survived the death of star stallion Alydar, bankruptcy, and the death of its most recent owner, is rebuilding with the goal of making it into the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle once more. “Calumet is not a museum,” said farm manager Bill Witman. “It’s a thriving, working horse farm every day.”
– “Jockey agent John Faltynski, who works with 18-year old Anna Rose Napravnik, recalled a recent post position draw in the Laurel Park racing office for one seven-horse field that turned comical. The officials began matching the posts with the entries, and nearly every trainer had his Napravnik named to ride.”

Posted in News on April 16, 2006

Noted: April 14

– It looked as though longshot Miss Norman would wire the field in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn today until the filly blew the stretch turn, losing “at least 10 lengths.” Ready to Please won instead. Miss Norman, after ducking out again, finished second.
– Miesque’s Approval delivered an upset in the Maker’s Mark at Keeneland this afternoon, beating 1-2 favorite Artie Schiller by a nose. “The other horse was coming on so fast, I don’t think [Artie Schiller] saw him,” said jockey Garrett Gomez. “But it was a really good effort for him coming off a layoff.” It was an even better effort for the seven-year-old Miesque’s Approval, who was running five or six paths from the rail and came from well off the pace.
– The Fair Grounds is returning to New Orleans. The track, which held its fall meet at Louisiana Downs after Hurricane Katrina destroyed most of its facilities, applied for racing dates on Thursday.
– Champion filly Smuggler, who hasn’t raced since winning the Coaching Club American Oaks last July, may start next Saturday in the Bed o’ Roses Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Aqueduct, said trainer Shug McGaughey. “If she works good Monday, I’ll run,” McGaughey said.
– Rockport Harbor has been sold to Darley at Jonabell Farm, where he’ll stand at stud.

Posted in News on April 14, 2006

Noted: April 13

– Perfect Drift made his season debut today, finishing second in a 1 1/8 mile allowance race over the turf at Keeneland today. The seven-year-old veteran will start next in the Woodford Reserve at Churchill on May 6. “We’re staying on the turf, because it’s softer on his feet,” said trainer Murray Johnson. In other results: Diplomat Lady wired the field in the Beaumont, finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Lake Alice.
– Everyone loves Rafael: “America’s hottest young jockey is having a breakout season and fans are leaping aboard for the ride.”
– New Jersey racing officials handed out suspensions and fines to harness driver Eric Ledford and others accused in the horse-doping case that broke at the Meadowlands earlier this month.

Posted in News on April 13, 2006