Monday, April 27 2009

RIBAUDO STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT BRIBON

When New York’s 2008 Grade 1 season came to an end last November in Aqueduct’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile, trainer Bobby Ribaudo was feeling pretty good.

Granted, Marc Keller’s French-bred Bribon ran third in that race, but he was beaten by two solid players in Tale of Ekati and Harlem Rocker. Tale of Ekati emerged the winner by disqualification, and it was only three-quarters of a length back to Bribon.

QUALITY ROAD RECEIVES PATCH FOR SECOND QUARTER CRACK

Kentucky Derby hopeful Quality Road returned from a mile and three-quarter gallop on the Belmont Park training track with a tinge of blood from a newly-patched quarter crack, but his connections remain optimistic he will make the May 2 “Run for the Roses.”

A five-furlong breeze Monday morning will be the determining factor on whether the Elusive Quality colt makes the trip to Churchill Downs.

Sunday, April 26 2009

April 25, 2009 CONFERENCE CALL WITH TRAINER JIMMY JERKENS

Opening Statement from Jimmy Jerkens, trainer of Quality Road:

“It was decided just to give him a jog today because he hadn’t had much time for the crack to dry out. So, instead of galloping him, which probably would have put a little too much stress on him, we just jogged him a couple of miles and he handled that very well and jogging obviously is a lot easier on the horse in all ways, respiration wise and on the legs than galloping. It’s not quite as good a conditioner…but it’s all we could do to be on the safe side and he came back, the crack looked dry and there was no blood seeping from it, so we’re planning on patching him at 7-o-clock tomorrow morning and galloping him at about 9:20 after the second harrow break.”

MR. FANTASY REBOUNDS FOR WITHERS VICTORY

By Francis La Belle Jr.

Mr. Fantasy, thwarted in the Gotham by the overpowering performance of Kentucky Derby-bound I Want Revenge, turned back to a mile Saturday afternoon and got help from hard-to-handle Supreme Summit as he rode the rail to a 1 ¾-length victory over favored This Ones for Phil in the 130th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Withers for three-year-olds.

The Withers was the final graded stakes race of Aqueduct’s spring meet. The Big A will close after Sunday’s races, and live racing will move to Belmont Park for the 64-day Spring/Summer Meet on Wednesday, April 29.

BELMONT PARK OPENS WITH OVER 50 FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

Belmont Park will open its Spring/Summer Meet on Wednesday, April 29 with more than 50 improvements to the facilities, including upgrades to the spacious main building, the beautiful backyard, the vibrant backstretch area, and the legendary racetrack surfaces.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve our facilities,” said Charles Hayward, President and CEO of The New York Racing Association, Inc. “With the multitude of upgrades in place, our fans, horsemen, jockeys, backstretch workers, employees and horses will be treated to a safer, more efficient, and aesthetically pleasing Belmont Park.”

Saturday, April 25 2009

JERKENS HOPEFUL AFTER QUALITY ROAD QUARTER CRACK IS TREATED

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens expressed optimism Friday afternoon that Quality Road, a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby, would be able to make the May 2 “Run for the Roses” after noted hoof specialist Ian McKinlay treated a second quarter crack in the colt’s right-front hoof at Belmont Park.

“Ian closed the crack up with laces [this afternoon],” said Jerkens. “We will jog him tomorrow, if there’s no blood we can patch him. He can gallop Sunday and breeze Monday, and if he is sound Tuesday we’ll ship to Kentucky.

NYRA TO PROVIDE BELMONT SHUTTLES FOR LIRR PATRONS

Beginning on Wednesday, April 29, The New York Racing Association, Inc. will provide free shuttle bus service between Belmont Park and the Queens Village station of the Long Island Rail Road for its patrons affected by the suspension of the “Belmont Special” by the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

“We remain optimistic that train service to Belmont Park will be restored,” said Kenneth Cook, NYRA’s Vice-President of Security. “In the interim, in order to fill the gap left by government cuts, shuttle service is a way to accommodate those who depended on the train to bring them directly to Belmont Park.”

Thursday, April 23 2009

MANTECA LOOKS FOR RETURN TO FORM IN KINGS POINT

When Anstu’s Stables Manteca returned from a seven-month layoff for then-trainer Charlton Baker in December, the Aptitude colt picked up right where he left off the previous spring – with a win.

Now, after a short winter break in Florida and starting for new trainer Todd Pletcher, Manteca will try for his second stakes win in Sunday’s $65,000-added Kings Point Handicap for New York-breds three-years-old and up going a mile and eighth. The Kings Point, Sunday’s featured seventh race, will be the last stakes contested at Aqueduct this season. Live racing shifts to Belmont Park for the 64-day Spring/Summer meet beginning Wednesday, April 29.

BELMONT PARK FACT SHEET

64 Days

Wednesday, April 29 – Sunday, July 26

WHEN: Dark Mondays and Tuesdays, except open on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) and dark on Wednesday, May 27 and Sunday, June 7.

WHERE: Belmont Park, 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, N.Y. The track is located at the intersection of the Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike on the border of Queens County and Nassau County on Long Island. On racing days after 10:45 a.m., Exit 26D off the Cross Island is best for both North and South traffic. For non-racing days or before 10:45 a.m. use Exit 26B,, except on Belmont Stakes Day, June 6.

GET UP, GET OUT AND GET BACK TO BIG-TIME RACING AT BELMONT

A potent stakes schedule run at one of Thoroughbred racing’s grandest facilities awaits fans when Belmont Park begins its 64-day Spring/Summer Meet on Wednesday, April 29.

With its historic paddock, spacious backyard, playground, picnic facilities and tree-shaded paths, Belmont Park allows its fans to enjoy a day outside and get close to the horses as they savor a day of quality Thoroughbred racing.

Friday, April 17 2009

QUALITY ROAD BREEZES THREE-QUARTERS AT BELMONT PARK

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said all systems are “go” for Kentucky Derby hopeful Quality Road, who Friday morning breezed three-quarters of a mile on Belmont Park’s fast training track in 1:12.03.

Daily Racing Form clockers caught the strapping bay son of Elusive Quality and exercise rider Juan Moreno galloping out in 1:25.55.

Thursday, April 09 2009

Patrick Mahony promoted to NYRA Senior Vice President

A respected expert in Pari-Mutuel operations, Patrick Mahony has been promoted to the post of Senior Vice President of Mutuels, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today. His previous title had been Vice President of Pari-Mutuel Operations. Mahony joined NYRA in 2003 after a distinguished career at Gulfstream Park, Calder, Hialeah, Atlantic City Race Track, Garden State Race Track, and Monmouth Park.

“At NYRA, Pat has worked diligently to position our Mutuel department as one of the finest in the industry,” NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. “He’s put a solid management team in place while establishing the highest standards of credibility and integrity. In addition, Pat has worked with the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and industry organizations on national tote strategies and protocols.”