Notes: Feb 1

- JOCKEY GARY BOULANGER remained in critical condition Monday at Regional Memorial Hospital after undergoing surgeries to eliminate a blood clot on his brain and remove his spleen. [South Florida Sun-Sentinal]

- LOST IN THE LOONIES - Andy Beyer on Lost in the Fog and his owner Harry Aleo, who has been fending off offers for his undefeated colt, against the advice of his trainer Greg Gilchrist ("If it had been my call, he'd be running for somebody else."):

But it is the owner's call, and the owner is a man of firm opinions. Aleo has operated for 57 years out of the same storefront real-estate office in a San Francisco neighborhood that has become a bastion of liberalism. In Aleo's window is a sign that reads: "This is an island of traditional values in a sea of loony liberals."

Nobody is going to tell Harry Aleo what to do with a horse. "People keep calling me, and making me offers, and calling me back, but this horse is not for sale," he said. "I couldn't buy this kind of excitement and adventure for any price.

"I'm 85 years old. What am I going to do with more money? I'd just buy more horses anyway."

Loony liberals? Hey, that’s not going to endear him to the staff here at Left at the Gate! But his attitude indicates that should Lost in the Fog go on to bigger things, he won’t be so quick to retire him to the riches of the breeding shed. So, we’ll give him a pass.

- SUPER SATURDAY - Wow, no less than six graded stakes on tap for Gulfstream this Saturday, highlighted by the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at a mile and an eighth, in which two horses that unsuccessfully chased Ghostzapper last fall, Roses in May and Saint Liam, are expected to meet. Also possible for the Donn is Eddington, whose 4 yo debut at the Gulf a couple of weeks ago was the most visually impressive race I’ve seen thus far this year. The Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes for 3 yo at the same distance is expected to be the two-turn debut for High Fly (Atticus), who is unbeaten in three starts with a combined winning margin of 21 lengths, and a 108 Beyer in the one mile Aventura at Gulfstream on Jan 8.

[CORRECTION] High Fly earned a 100 Beyer in the Aventura, not 108. Though the race was on 1/08 (thanks Marc).

- SUNSHINE MILLIONS overnight ratings decrease 5.9% [Thoroughbred Times]