JC / Railbird

Track Notes Archive

Union Drive Comes to Naught

“Known as the Fox, [Diego] Sotelo assumed the role of labor agitator in an industry historically unwelcoming to unions. At Santa Anita Park, about 15 miles east of Los Angeles, he threatened a strike by the stable hands — the grooms, hot walkers and exercise riders, known as backstretch workers and hired by the trainers — just before the racing season resumes the morning after Christmas.
“Backstretch workers in California have lived in such squalor that the state, embarrassed by newspaper reports, passed a battery of laws three years ago guaranteeing minimum pay and living standards in an industry to which they did not apply.
“Mr. Sotelo says little has changed.” Unfortunately for him, and California backstretch workers, track security guards put an end to Mr. Sotelo’s union organizing efforts and he has been banned from Santa Anita. (New York Times)

Posted in Track Notes on December 15, 2004

Tampa Transformed

Ten years ago, Tampa Bay Downs was a cheap track without a turf course and little to offer horseplayers. Since then, “The transformation has been remarkable. Someone at Tampa Bay Downs figured out they key to success is to give the horseplayer what he or she wants: grass racing, big fields and competitive races that produce sizeable payoffs. More so than perhaps any track in the country, Tampa Bay Downs offers a nice portion of all three.” The racing at Tampa isn’t the classiest — the track is one of the few places cheap claiming horses from tracks such as Suffolk Downs and Finger Lakes can run during the winter — but players don’t seem to mind. The opening day handle totaled more than $3.1 million. (ESPN)
Related: “Tampa Bay Downs sets records” (St. Petersburg Times)
For Suffolk fans: Those interested in keeping track of Suffolk jockeys and trainers this winter at tracks such as Tampa, Charles Town, and Philadelphia Park should check out the frequently updated Simo-Steam page on the Downs’ web site.

Posted in Track Notes on December 13, 2004

When Visiting

Tampa Bay Downs opens two weeks before Christmas and visitors to the track are reminded: Don’t bet on 3-5 favorites. Don’t fall in love with jockeys. “Finally, do not yell ‘Die, you 4! Die like a dog!’ at the television screen.” (Bradenton Herald)

Posted in Track Notes on December 5, 2004

It’s Perfect

Everyone loves the new TurfTrax training surface at Keeneland: “The consensus is that horses love the surface, with those a bit gimpy literally finding a spring in their step. Trainers rave that the semi-synthetic surface will help keep horses sound.” (Courier-Journal)

Posted in Track Notes on October 21, 2004

Keeneland Woos Women

With a track Diva Day. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Posted in Track Notes on October 19, 2004

Blending Change and Tradition

“One might say this is not your father’s Keeneland, given all the change swirling around the pastoral Lexington thoroughbred track these days.” A padded gate, a new surface, and the introduction of the Mutuel Fun wager head up the list of alterations at the fabled track. (Courier-Journal)
More: “Innovation meets nostalgia at fall meet” (Daily Racing Form)

Posted in Track Notes on October 7, 2004

Dramatic Ending to Fair

“Two jockeys were injured in separate incidents. Two horses were euthanized in different races. And a horse good enough to run in the Preakness last year finished next-to-last in the closing-day stakes yesterday at Timonium. It was a bizarre conclusion to the eight days of thoroughbred racing at the state fair.” (Baltimore Sun)

Posted in Track Notes on September 8, 2004

Rock. Turf Races Draw Crowd

Rockingham’s experiment in running three Thoroughbred turf races this afternoon appears to have been successful. “General Manager Ed Callahan estimated the crowd at ‘20% larger than a normal Sunday.’ Others observers thought the crowd was considerably larger. Some vendors ran out of track programs, there were lines at concession stands, and seating areas often empty on earlier racing days were bustling….” (Thoroughbred Times)
More: “Rockingham rides again” (The Union Leader)

Posted in Track Notes on September 5, 2004

No Shortage of Racing This Weekend

There’s no shortage of Thoroughbred racing in New England this weekend. The Northampton Three County Fair opens Friday, Rockingham runs three turf races Sunday, and Suffolk Downs offers three stakes races on its Saturday and Monday cards. (Daily Racing Form)
Related: “Sharing is part of program” (Boston Globe) and “Now 0-for-98, Zippy Chippy to try again” (Blood-Horse)
From Equibase: Northampton’s Friday entries and Rockingham’s Sunday entries

Posted in Track Notes on September 2, 2004

Northampton Fair Opens

The Northampton Three County Fair opens this Friday, September 3, with racing scheduled for September 3-6, 10-12, and 17-19. Post time is 1:30. Zippy Chippy, a horse famous for losing 98 races in a row, may run at the fair on opening day: “He’s been training hard at Finger Lakes … Maybe this will be the year,” says fair Racing Director Sandy Staniszewski. (The Republican)

Posted in Track Notes on August 29, 2004