Saturday Morning Notes

Well, it's an absolutely gorgeous day here in the borough of Queens, a perfect day for racing at.....Aqueduct? I can't believe I actually complained a few weeks ago that Belmont was opening too early this year. As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been done with the Big A for some time now; ever since the main track opened, really. This horseplayer needs a clean break from time to time, and I'm looking forward to the opening of Belmont this week.

However, the relative handful of folks who depend on the Long Island Railroad to get to Belmont - just 100 hardcore fans per typical day according to the LIRR - will have to make other plans. Even before lawmakers in Albany give up on reaching agreement on a bailout plan for the MTA, it has terminated its service from Penn Station to the track. And objectively, who can really blame them? By cutting the service, the LIRR could save itself operating funds estimated to be $112,000 annually. [Franklin Square/Elmont/West Hempstead Herald]

NYRA will try to compensate by providing free bus shuttles from the nearby Queens Village station. And the MTA will run the trains on Belmont Stakes day. “Ridership can jump up to 20,000 to 30,000 people on that one day." Imagine what that $112,000 figure would be without that day.....which I'd guess is like imagining what NYRA's bottom line for the Belmont spring meeting would be without its signature race.

- Summer Bird gets the thumbs down from Mike Welsch in his workout report from Friday. But on the other end of the spectrum, the Form's clocker reports that I Want Revenge looks as good as any member of the field presently on the grounds.

- Rangers coach John Tortorella, who benched Sean Avery for his lack of discipline, faces possible disciplinary action from the NHL after throwing a water bottle at some unruly Caps fans in the third period of the Blueshirts' 4-0 loss last night. It's not clear whether his outburst was or was not prompted by getting doused by some beer. Tortorella also unleashed Colton Orr and Aaron Voros to run around with their sticks up high in the third period, and the Caps did a good job in remaining restrained. It's a weird series in what has been a strange season for the hometown heros, leading the series 3-2 despite being outscored 12-7 overall; seven goals in five games?!? They've been outshot by 170-119. But only by 21-20 last night. Call me nutty, but I thought they did some good things defensively on a night when Henrik Lundqvist surrendered four goals on only 14 shots (before being rested for the third), one a weak prayer from the side of the net that went through his pads. I anticipate him to bounce back with a strong effort, and, optimistically and with the hope that one or more of their top players will actually score a goal, for the Blueshirts to wrap this thing up tomorrow afternoon. They better....or else..