In an earlier post, I reported on the “resignation” of Lou Raffetto as president and COO of the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC).
Did I say resignation? Sorry. I meant firing.
In a different earlier post, I gave thanks for Magna, which, I said, had worked hard to improve Maryland racing.
Did I give thanks? Sorry. [...]
Yesterday’s second race at Laurel had not one, but two somewhat curious entries.
It’s a race I’d studied rather thoroughly, since That’s Amore Stable’s own Abbicadbra was entered. She ran pretty well and finished third (read more here) — atta girl, Abbi!
But she wasn’t a curiosity yesterday; in fact, coming off a well beaten third [...]
Reports on the wire today indicate that Lou Raffetto, president and chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, has resigned. The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), owned by Magna, owns and operates Laurel Park and Pimlico, the two big dogs in Maryland racing.
Huh? Where’d that come from?
As always seems to be the case [...]
Nearly 12,000 fans packed Laurel Park on Saturday to watch the G1 DeFrancis Dash and three other stakes races.
A small army of trainers, exercise riders, jockey, hotwalkers, groom, and other backstretch folk — but hardly any owners or fans — dotted the backside early Sunday morning. I was there to check in on some [...]
Perhaps I’m turning into a cliche in my dotage, but on the other hand, if you’re not going to count your blessings at Thanksgiving, when will you?
And while there’s plenty in horse racing to make us grouchy, there’s still plenty for which a word, or a thought, of thanks is the least we can do. [...]
So says the Bloodhorse in an article posted here.
The short version: the Maryland legislature, after years of wrangling, kicked the slot machine ball down the road by deciding to hold, in 2008, a referendum on the issue. If the voters authorize slots, the Old Line State would eventually see about 15,000 of the one-armed [...]
In which we inaugurate a new feature, observing with amusement those who don’t quite get it.
Winner number one is Paul Saylor, erstwhile owner of Fleet Indian, the mare he recently bought back (and subsequently sold) from the Keeneland November sales, after she didn’t meet her $3.9 million reserve price. Here’s what he had to [...]
After yesterday’s post regarding Mario Pino’s 6,000th career victory, we received this comment, from Larry:
Has Pino ever ridden any of your horses?
Funny you should ask, Larry. He sure has. In fact, he rode a gelding named Alden’s Malibu, of whom we owned just a piece in a partnership managed by Country Life Farm, [...]
Two milestones for the taking at Laurel Park today, one realized and one denied.
Mario Pino, Maryland veteran jockey who burst on the national scene this year with his efforts on Derby-Breeders’ Cup runner-up Hard Spun, reached his milestone: 6,000 riding wins, a level achieved by just 14 North American jockeys previously. His well-handled ride [...]
The Breeders’ Cup may be over — but there’s still plenty going on in our little corner of the racing world. For instance…
* Silmaril, blogged about earlier on this page, tries for a second time to become a millionaire on Wednesday at Laurel. She headlines a compact field of six in a money [...]
