Year in review: Part II
Threats to close Aqueduct
I was kind of hoping that this idea, which has had several reincarnations over the years, would just go away.
Despite its reputation as being less inviting than Belmont and Saratoga, Aqueduct has been the workhorse of New York thoroughbred racing for decades.
I was also hoping that the flood of new revenue from the Genting racino would result in an upgrade of both the racing and the facility.
Instead, the first Aqueduct meeting with that money became tarnished by racehorse fatalities and the Genting plan to expand and build a convention center.
Should the Big A close, it is inevitable that Belmont and Saratoga will expand, and the one thing we don’t need is more racing in this city.
One of the few supporters of Aqueduct is State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, chairman of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee.
He came to Aqueduct’s defense early this year and is one state politician who understands the New York industry.
Death of James F.
Edwards
New York thoroughbred breeding and racing lost a top man with the death of Jim Edwards at age 94 in January.
He was the owner of Keane Stud and The Stallion Park, and raced numerous stakes winners including Image Maker, Solar Deputy, Dewars Rocks, Solar Halo and Audio Cassette.
Virgil’s Closes
Plenty of racing discussions took place in the warm atmosphere of Virgil’s Coffee House on Henry Street, owned and operated by Kathleen Quartararo and Jim Hahn.
After five years in business, the place closed in July.
Kathleen and Jim, along with a friendly staff, did a terrific job at Virgil’s, making all feel welcome.
close a chaotic week at the downstate track.
The State Racing and Wagering Board issued security protocols for the Belmont Stakes horses that were over the top.
I hasten to add here that the SRWB had good reason to be extra vigilant in the days prior to the Belmont.
On appeal during the classics campaign, I’ll Have Another’s trainer Doug O’Neill would ultimately serve a suspension for a positive post-race test in 2010 for a carbon dioxide overage in a horse.
Still, forcing all horses to be in a security barn three days before the race, coupled with restrictions on food and beverage and even what paths one could walk from the stable area to the track, were ridiculous.
I’ll Have Another did not race again following his Preakness victory.
He won all four of his starts in 2012, including also the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis and Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
I’ll Have Another is now at stud in Japan, which I’m having trouble getting my arms around.
Why is one of our Derby and Preakness winners, the son of Travers winner Flower Alley and grandson of super-sire Distorted Humor, from a female family loaded with stamina broodmare sires, not in this country? Breeders’ Cup, which banned the medication for its juvenile races.
Repole also voiced his displeasure on the Breeders’ Cup continuing to ignore Belmont Park as a site.
Repole made those statements in October, and said his own Breeders’ Cup would be the annual Thanksgiving weekend races at Aqueduct.
Rival owners are hoping he doesn’t make any more such pronouncements.
Repole won the Grade 3 Fall Highweight on Thanksgiving Day with Caixa Electronica, and on Saturday won the Grade 2 Demoiselle with Unlimited Budget, the Grade 2 Remsen with Overanalyze, and the Grade 1 Cigar Mile with Stay Thirsty.