Keeps going, and going, and....

- Approaching two years after his Derby victory on Funny Cide, Jose Santos’ libel suit against the Miami Herald for their picture and story suggesting that he used a battery device during the race has been thrown out of federal court. However, it ain’t over. Attorney David Travis of Louisville, who is handling the case for Santos, said he is exploring refiling the case in South Florida. Travis said the suit could be refiled in a few weeks. [Miami Herald]

- 4,000 winners for Richard Migliore, and the classy Mig dedicated his milestone to a fellow rider who didn’t quite make it.

Richard Migliore won his 4,000th career race at Aqueduct on Friday, then dedicated the victory to Mike Rowland, a Midwestern-based jockey who was killed in an on-track accident last year with 3,998 lifetime wins.
.......

"I'd like to give this win to him and his family in my mind," the 40-year old Migliore said. "I recognize how close he came to a fantastic milestone. Not only did he not get the milestone, but his family lost a really good man."

[Bloodhorse]

- The Friends of New York will let us know just what the hell they’re up to later at a press conference later this month.

Magna Entertainment, which has expressed interest in taking over New York’s tracks, is one of Friends of New York Racing’s founding financial contributors. But Smith said his group’s goals and work would not be influenced by contributors.[Thoroughbred Times]

Sounds like a politician insisting that his or her policies won’t be influenced by their corporate campaign contributions.

- The Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita is another race with possible Derby implications today. GIACOMO (Holy Bull) was only a length behind 2 yo champ Declan’s Moon in the G1 Hollywood Futurity and comes into the race off a solid string of workouts for trainer John Shirreffs. ICED OUT (Comic Strip) competed in maiden claimers at Golden Gate just last November, but since switching to Doug O’Neill’s barn, he’s finished second in two stakes, including a closing second to Spanish Chestnut in the G2 San Rafael. (Spanish Chestnut worked a half mile in a ridiculous :45 for Patrick Biancone on Friday.) GOING WILD (Golden Missile) has impressed for Lukas at 6f but is being asked to do a lot today in his first try beyind 7f. If he takes money, it could create value for others.....there are any number of improving horses here who could conceivably jump into the picture.

Take a peek also at the second from Gulfstream, a NW1X for 3 yo’s. SURVIVALIST (Danzig) is a Phipps homebred who broke his maiden by 8 1/2 last fall at Belmont and returns after four months off for McGaughey. ANDROMEDA’S HERO is a Nick Zito-trained son of Fusaichi Pegasus who impressed at Calder, and AROUND THE CAPE (Carson City) has the top Beyer in the field, a 93 he earned breaking his maiden for Mott at the Gulf last month.