Saturday Notes - Oct 15

- Despite questions over ownership and amidst negotiations with the state for a bailout, NYRA is proceeding with their land and art sales. The paintings are slated for sale at Sotheby’s.

The auction will be in early December at the New York City auction house and include 15 paintings.

"I know one of the paintings that is probably worth the equivalent of the others combined," [Charles] Hayward said. [Newsday]

- My Breeders’ Cup day betting strategy will prominently include Folklore not winning the Juvenile Fillies. I don’t even remember the exact reasons why now, I’ve just gotten the notion firmly implanted in my psyche. At Keeneland, Juvenile Fillies hopeful Folklore worked six furlongs in 1:13 yesterday at Churchill Downs for Wayne Lukas. [NY Daily News]

- Pennsylvania has a ways to go with all the political red tape still to be cut before slots actually come to the state. In the meantime, field size and quality at Philadelphia Park leaves much to be deisired, contributing to an estimated $20 million decline in betting handle in the state thus far this year. Wednesday's program featured a four-horse field, three five-horse fields, and a pair of six-horse fields, resulting in an on-track handle of $65,652, an amount similar to some friendly neighborhood card games. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

- Scrappy T is more likely for the Discovery Handicap on the Breeders’ Cup undercard than the Classic. Trainer Robert Bailes was not happy with Ramon Dominguez’ ride in the Indiana Derby, especially during the early stages, when the colt seemed to be under stout restraint.

"I didn't care much for the trip, but whether it made a difference of winning and running second, who knows?......I can't say now Ramon will or will not ride him. We'll leave our options open." [Delawareonline.com]

- Another setback for unbeaten Declan’s Moon as it was discovered that the injury that sidelined him before the Derby was more extensive than originally thought. Trainer Ron Ellis said: "He's back on the shelf. He's going to take the next two months off, and I don't think he'll run again until around April of next year. It's a real disappointment." [Baltimore Sun]