News and Notes - Aug 22

- I found a spot for the wireless router and a corresponding and conveneient one for the laptop that seems to be holding together. The wireless internet technology still has a ways to go. I think I should get some Crazy Glue and nail them down in place.

The Head Chef's friend Eileen has still not made it up here. She missed the early train from New York this morning, and says that she'll be on the later one. I'm making it 8-5 that she doesn't. If she does, the train arrives at 6:17, and we can shuttle her straight to Siro's. But I do hope she makes it soon. Without the kids here this year, it's the only shot I have of making it to the trotters one night.

Another cloudy and cool day here in Saratoga, but no rain on the radar. It's supposed to warm up dramatically - they're talking 90 for Friday - this weekend, and the forecast calls for the possibility of passing storms for Friday and Travers day. As if the meet's definitive stakes hasn't already taken enough of a beating with all of the non-appearances.

Street Sense worked five furlong in 1:00.14 in his final drill for the race. "When Calvin asked him, he went :23.3 down the lane, and galloped out [six furlongs] in 1:12.4," Nafzger told the NY Post.

- Charles Hayward defended NYRA's proposed $125,000 a year contract with Getnick and Getnick.

Hayward said the monthly $125,000 fees are considerably less than what Getnick charges some clients.

"You can't put a price on integrity," he said. "It's a lot of money, but there's a lot of good services coming as a result of that."

Hayward defended the lack of competitive bidding, saying that Getnick & Getnick is experienced, familiar with NYRA and committed to its reform. [The Saratogian]

But he didn't address the issue, as raised by Bennett Liebman in the article, that the awarding of such a contract to a firm that wrote such a glowing report on NYRA at the conclusion of their stint as their federal monitor has the appearance of conflict. And that's because....it has the appearance of conflict.

Capital Play will make a public presentation in town here on Thursday at 11 A.M. Maybe I'll go. Or maybe not..

- Authorized won the Juddmonte International, a length clear of Dylan Thomas at the wire.

Notnowcato was another three lengths back in third place, which seemed to confirm that the Eclipse was decided by jockeys, not horses.

"Ryan Moore outfoxed me in the Eclipse," Dettori said. "It was the one that got away, but today there was nowhere to hide and we put the record straight. [Guardian Unlimited]

You can watch the race (with the French race call) on Youtube.