Spring has sprung, even though the so-called experts say it’s too early to call it and even though Christmas lights can be found without looking too hard in spots. So it might be a bit early, and it doesn’t quite feel the same as the last few winters that packed a serious wallop, the warm weather is still very welcome.
Countdowns are underway in earnest: six days until the start of the Cheltenham Festival, eight days until St. Patrick’s Day, 11 days until the first day of spring, 18 days until Easter, 30 days until Opening Day at Keeneland, 37 days until offseason training gets underway in Saratoga at the Oklahoma and 59 days until the Kentucky Derby. Whew.
Now that we just rolled out a bunch of would-be candidates for By the Numbers, enjoy the rest of this week’s collection of tidbits from the world of racing.
Worth Repeating
“Know you had a lovely winter up there – but don’t get cocky.” – Churchill Downs’ John Asher after TIHR’s Tom Law mentioned Saratoga’s “winter of a lifetime” via email earlier this week
“It’s kind of lonely out there on that limb!” – Hurstland Farm’s Alfred Nuckols Jr. after reading the first installment of the Saratoga Yearling Diary last month
“Three more hours. Do you want to keep talking?” – Cary Frommer, when asked how much longer she had of her drive from Ocala to Aiken last week
“No, we’re just going to get the money.” – Fasig-Tipton President and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. when asked if he was going to do anything non racing or sales related during his stay in South Florida earlier this month
“If I were you, I’d get it done. If it was me, I wouldn’t.” – Jack Fisher, about neck surgery
“Like nothing you’ve ever experienced.” – HRRN’s Mike Penna, about racing in Barbados
“He introduced us to Rednecks & Cowboys. Classy spot.” – Andrew Motion about Baltimore tour guide Ryan Clancy
“Just saw a Piedmont Foxhounds sticker on a car.” – Jack Clancy, in the parking lot at Salisbury University
“Legend.” – Bloodstock agent Matt Coleman, after Pennsylvania-bred Lil Rockerfeller won a Grade 2 hurdle stakes at Fontwell
“I still haven’t gotten over it.” – Retired jockey Gus Brown, after seeing a photo of Flasher nosing out Praise The Prince in the maiden at Nashville in 2000
“We’re moving to Canada.” – Miles Clancy, 7, after Donald Trump’s latest primary victory
“We were behind the gate and Zulu started acting up, he got pretty close to us, my horse didn’t move, I grabbed the mane, thinking he would back away from the other horse, but he just looked at him, like, ‘Are you with me, or what?’ Nothing bothers him.” – Jockey Junior Alvarado, about undefeated Mohaymen
“As far as the ones I’ve ridden, I’d say, she’s probably most like Inside Information, high cruising speed, gears, well balanced. In saying that, it’s hard to compare any of them, they’re all so good in their own ways. She’s done absolutely nothing wrong, hope we can continue to grow and get better and see where it takes us.” – Jockey Mike Smith, about undefeated Songbird
“Grand Tito, that’s a good horse.” – Trainer Gustavo Delgado about Grand Tito in The Saratoga Special last summer. The 6-year-old won the Mac Diarmida Saturday at Gulfstream
“Bad luck, sorry to hear you’re missing the pilgrimage…but I thought former jump jockeys were made of sterner stuff.” – Daithi Harvey, after reading about Sean Clancy missing Cheltenham because of a bad neck
By the Numbers
4: First-timers up for election to the Racing Hall of Fame. Champions English Channel, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta join three-time Eclipse Award winner Ramon Dominguez.
6.4: Percentage increase in handle on U.S. races for February 2016 – $812.9 million, compared to $763.8 million in 2015.
76: Degrees in Saratoga at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, easily a record.
$62,301,741: Total U.S. purses for February 2016, up 2.4 percent from the same month a year ago.
Good News of the Week
Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are on the ballot at the same time – and both for the first time – for possible election into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. The nominating committee’s decision to put them both on the ballot avoids the tired argument and debate about who is better that followed the two champions during their racing careers. Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, who are likely inductees, are joined on the ballot by trainers Steve Asmussen and David Whiteley, jockeys Ramon Dominguez, Victor Espinoza, Garrett Gomez and Craig Perret and champions English Channel and Kona Gold.
