JC / Railbird

Races/Results Archive

Go Away for a Day …

And the Google Alerts really pile up. Most that landed in my inbox in the past 36 hours are about the Sunshine Millions, the eight races being run today at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I haven’t even looked at the past performances of any of the entrants in these races. It’s been a bad week to get any handicapping time. Others, though, know what’s going on: Bill Christine offers some good analysis (LA Times) and Eddie Mac some picks (ESPN). Also see: Ellis Starr’s thorough look at the Classic (NTRA), and Left at the Gate’s contrarian view on Midas Eyes.
Related: Lost in the Fog could be jockey Russell Baze’s chance at a Derby win. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Unrelated: I saw a mention of this story on the Derby List on Thursday and thought it had to be a joke. Guess it isn’t. Oklahoma Senator Frank Shurden has a plan to save the state gamefowl industry: Give roosters boxing gloves. Cockfighting was banned in Oklahoma in 2002 because of its lethality; gloving the roosters would make the sport non-lethal and fun for all, argues Shurden, who’s filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session. If Shurden’s bill is passed, cockfighting would be monitored by the state’s racing commission and, “Shurden believes it could be incorporated into horse racing, providing the boxing between horse races.” Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. (Sun-Sentinel)

Posted in Races/Results on January 29, 2005

The Right Thing to Say

“When the Grade I $200,000 Hollywood Futurity is conducted Saturday (post time 6:05 p.m.), Hollywood Park will win the attention of the horse racing world because the word is out that the result will determine the winner of the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old colt. Here’s the proper response to a statement like that: ‘What a horrible thing to say about the Hollywood Futurity.'” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Posted in Races/Results on December 17, 2004

Rockport Takes Remsen

“Rockport Harbor proved he has as much heart as he does talent. Galloping Grocer proved his talent won’t limit him to success exclusively in New York-bred company. Rockport Harbor and Galloping Grocer — a combined 6 for 6 entering Saturday — staged a memorable battle in the Grade 2, $200,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, with Rockport Harbor having just enough to hold off Galloping Grocer by a neck.” (Daily Racing Form)
More: “Rocky handled his first dose of adversity in admirable fashion … Bounding out of the gate to snare an early lead in the field of six 2-year-olds, Rockport Harbor was cruising through the first turn when it appeared that Pavo, racing right behind him, stepped on the back of his right heel. Rocky never broke stride and turned back the challenge of Galloping Grocer, the New York-bred who had also been unbeaten, as the duo made the Remsen into the two-horse race everyone had expected.” (New York Daily News)
Official results (Equibase)
Watch the race (RaceReplays.com)
Related: Deborah Kral of the Final Turn has posted several stunning photos of Saturday’s races online, including a close up of Rockport Harbor showing the gouge caused by Pavo, and a great shot of Rockport and Galloping Grocer galloping out at the end of the Remsen.

Posted in Races/Results on November 27, 2004