Thursday, May 15, 2008
Barn Notes: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
BRANDON BLOODIED – BUT UNBOWED AND UNFEATED
First – the good news. Young Brandon Meier, son of veteran Illinois jockey Randy Meier, won with the first mount of his own career in Sunday’s third race.
The not-so-good news is that the mare Houseboat, who provided the 19-year-old with his first winner, reared up entering the gate banging him solidly in the mouth to make for a bloody winner’s circle photo. However, there is more good news. Despite three stitches on the inside of his mouth, four more on the outside, and some fractured teeth, the Elk Grove Village teenager plans to ride Saturday.
Monday, May 12, 2008
EARLY PICK FOUR CARRYOVER FOR THURSDAY, MAY 15
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (May 11, 2008) – There will be a $8,788 carryover into Thursday’s Early Pick Four pool at Arlington Park. For the first time this season, Arlington’s Pick Four carryover rule will come into play. Since there were no perfect tickets on Sunday’s Early Pick Four, those who had three of four correct received a consolation payoff of $8.20 on a $1 ticket.
Sunday’s Early Pick Four winners were:
2nd Race -- #3 Gold Spike ($11.40)
3rd Race -- #7 Tradeup ($40.00)
4th Race -- #3 Houseboat ($4.00)
5th Race -- #3 Fandemonium ($10.60)
JOCKEY BRANDON MEIER DEBUTS AS WINNER
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (May 11, 2008) – Apprentice rider Brandon Meier, 19, son of popular local reinsman Randall Meier, made his professional debut a winning one when he guided Frank C. Calabrese’s Houseboat wide entering the stretch to draw off to an easy 4 1/4-length win in the fourth race at Arlington Park on Sunday, May 11.
Despite the ease of the victory, the younger Meier came back to winner’s circle battled and bloodied as the result of his mount throwing his head back entering the gate, banging into the “bug boy’s” mouth.
A large throng greeted the Elk Grove Village-born rider upon his return including his father Randy; his sister Emily, who works at the track as marketing coordinator; trainer Wayne Catalano; and Calabrese.
