RSS Feed for this Blog

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Tuesday Morning Notes - Feb 26

- Ross Morton, the only track announcer in the history of the Finger Lakes racetrack, passed away after suffering a massive stroke over the weekend. Morton called the races at Gulfstream for 23 years, and I didn't recall that he also announced them at Hialeah, for five. He called the races at GP when I first started going there in the 70's, when I saw Prince Thou Art win the '76 Florida Derby, and Sonkisser win the FOY the following year. Ross Morton was 74.

- Curlin's 800 meter workout in 50.50 was a little less than a half mile (.497 to be precise), so the champ was obviously just cantering in preparation for his race on Thursday. He's no doubt expected to win, though probably not as easily as say, War Pass, in a field with some fairly accomplished performers; Kandidate being the most recognizable of those. He must shoulder the massive top weight of 132 pounds, spotting his opponents from 19 to 29 pounds. [BRIS]

- I imagine that those who were enamored with Pyro's rally in the Risen Star were undeterred by War Pass' return; and Asmussen's colt prepped for the March 8 Louisiana Derby with a six furlong work, in company with Zanjero (aiming for the Razorback at Oaklawn on the same day), in 1:14.

The horses finished strongly, running the final quarter-mile in 23 1-5 seconds. Continuing past the finish line, they completed seven furlongs in 1:27 3-5 and a mile in 1:42.

"They just looked fast," trainer Steve Asmussen said. [Times Picayune]
Z Fortune also worked, five furlongs in 1:02, and is being pointed for the Rebel at Oaklawn on March 16.

- It was a late night for election workers in NY's 48th District after the state's highest court ruled that Darrel Aubertine could not keep Republican William Barclay off the Independence Party line in today's special election. Aubertine's campaign manager told the NY Daily News:
''It's unfortunate that Will Barclay's need to have his name on the ballot three times is going to cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars in overtime costs, but we're excited about tomorrow's election."

1 Comment:

Anonymous said...

Totally off topic, but as my wife pointed out .... trainer Bobby Frankel's daughter Bethenny is yet again on another tv reality show.

She was made a run on the Matha Stewart apprentice show and now is going to be on Bravo's 'Real Housewives of NYC' starting in March.

Who knows maybe the show filmed at the Big A - although doubtful.