The thoroughbred retirement facility will be featured on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric! (Note to Swifty…) this, in addition to the Barbaro documentary, might help potential fans get past some of their apprehensions with the industry.

[Bloodhorse]

With Prado up… that leaves Desormeaux, Jara, Domiquez, Bejarano & Sutherland for my Slew’s Tizzy wishlist. Add JJ Castellano, he’s also been riding well at Belmont.

[DRF requires log-in]

In a Belmont Prep Notes article on the New York Racing Association site, this little tidbit was uncovered about Tiago:

Unlike most horses, Tiago is given bottled water. In California, Shirreffs has a water purification system in the barn.

“When our horses ship out of town and the water is different, they can taste it and don’t drink as much as they should,” Lael said. “The bottled water tastes pretty good to them, though.”

How much bottled water does Tiago consume in one day? According to Lael, it’s about three cases of 24 500ml bottles. Such a thirst costs about $80 per day.

This makes me like Tiago even more… I would never go to the track and not bring my own water!

[NYRA]

Pletcher couldn’t get Garrett Gomez back but Greg Fox was nice enough to let John Velaquez take the mount on Rags to Riches.

Who will ride Slew’s Tizzy? His regular rider is Robby Albarado, who is on Curlin. I would offer it to Kent Desormeaux, he’s been doing really well at Belmont as of late. Prado, Jara, Domiquez & Bejarano all seem to be available! How about Chantal Sutherland, actually, it would be excellent if she were riding Rags to Riches!

[Bloodhorse]

Rags to Riches is running in the Belmont!!

[DRF requires log-in]

In his blog at the Daily Racing Form, Dan Illman mentioned the following:

“One of the perks of working for DRF, along with the complimentary papers and free soda, is getting the opportunity to pore over the vast database. I’m no computer whiz so it takes me longer than it probably should to narrow down parameters, etc. I believe that the data comes from a combination of The Jockey Club, Equibase, and the Daily Racing Form. It’s pretty cool.”

This prompted me to ask if there any plans to allow access to those very coveted databases to folks (like myself, racing crazy + data obsessed) could run our own queries.

He posted the following response:

“…Do you know if there is any plans at DRF to allow access to these databases to your subscribers? Having the ability to run these type of queries against multiple databases would be fantastic!”

– superterrific

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we start offering products like this in the future. Right now, we have daily products that are helpful such as “Sibling Summary,” “Key Race Report,” and “ROI Report.” Don’t be surprised if we broaden the spectrum a bit down the road, and allow more access to the computerized “brain”.”

Could it be his age?

Nice story about a still winning 11 year old that’s going to stand for research.

Also an update on McCann’s Mohave, who was vanned away after a race on Saturday with some bleeding. Seems like he’s ok.

[DRF- required log-in]

Apparently OTB is opening a new “upgraded” parlor soon.

I personally think there should be more OTB bar/restaurants, and or coffee houses.

I love the idea that they’re going to have a big shin-dig in Times Square for the Belmont Stakes. It’s a great way for them to generate both buzz and interest.

[NY Sun]

NY Daily News also has a story.

And of course, Gothamist, where I posted a comment as “Off to the races”.

This week’s Stretch Drive (formerly known as Wire to Wire) features a look at Ruffian.

The ESPN Ruffian movie debuts the night of the Belmont Stakes.

[NTRA]

I saw the Sprint Ad I mentioned a few days ago again last night. Two people are sitting sitting in a coffee shop holding PDAs. One asks the other who their provider is… one has Sprint, the other Cingular.

At the same time they go to access the internet… the bell sounds and you hear the sound of gate opening. Poof, Trevor Denman pops in behind them… “And they’re off!”. No “full of run” comment but great nonetheless!

I just looked on YouTube for it with no luck, I’ll post it here once I find it.