Railbird

At Least

Railbird — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

... man and horse look like no harm came to either: Photos by Easy Goer, on Raceday 360 Wire via Flickr. * This latest little blogging hiatus continues for a short time longer while I wrap up a couple projects. Back to regular posting soon.... Read More...(read more)

Updating

Railbird — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Rolling out a new look on Railbird today, just in time to get back to writing about Curlin, opening week at Oak Tree, and the run-up to the Breeders' Cup. Over the next couple days, I'll be refining and tweaking different parts of the site. Pages...(read more)

In the Stretch

Railbird — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:45:00 GMT

- A reminder: Deadline for entry in the SAFC DIY marketing presentation contest is two days away! All the details, including that of our amazing prize, can be found here. And keep those submissions coming ... - As Patrick notes, the online horseplayers...(read more)

No Walkover Next Out

Railbird — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:05:00 GMT

Music Note points to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Classic following her absolutely effortless win in the Gazelle on Saturday. The 3-year-old filly may turn out to be no match for Zenyatta or Ginger Punch, but with several top horses across divisions...(read more)

David Foster Wallace, RIP

Railbird — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:35:58 GMT

Reported by Edward Champion, confirmed by the LA Times: David Foster Wallace, the novelist, essayist and humorist best known for his 1996 tome "Infinite Jest," was found dead last night at his home in Claremont, according to the Claremont Police...(read more)

Alternate View

Railbird — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:10:00 GMT

Perhaps not despite the fact, but because there were: According to Equibase Company, the official statistician of horse racing, wagering on all races conducted in the United States through August is down 3.99% compared to last year, from $10,273,868,002...(read more)

The Latest Meme

Railbird — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:30:00 GMT

... promoting racing to sports fans. Bob McNair, recently divested of his thoroughbred holdings, on the idea: "We don't have enough sports fans in racing," he said. "It's frustrating because racetrack operators cling to the notion...(read more)

What's Lost

Railbird — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:00:00 GMT

... when newspaper reporters on the racing beat are laid off or retired, then replaced by general sports writers, who might be fine journalists but have little understanding of the sport or the industry and its ongoing stories, is exemplified in this...(read more)

It's Awesome

Railbird — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Version 1.2 of the MLB At Bat iPhone app wins raves from baseball fans. And makes this racing fan a little envious. Imagine: Results from any track? Final times, fractions, and odds? Chart comments? Video highlights? All on my mobile device? Yes, yes...(read more)

The More, the Merrier

Railbird — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Feeling left out of the NTRA marketing summit fun? Have some great ideas of your own about how to market racing to a new generation of fans? Put together a few slides then and enter the Self Appointed Fan Committee DIY Marketing Presentation contest!...(read more)

In the Books

Railbird — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:30:00 GMT

Curlin entering the winner's circle following the Woodward. - Onward to the fall championship meet at Belmont, opening Friday, and the upcoming Breeders' Cup, but first a farewell to the 2008 Saratoga season, which passed too quickly. This was...(read more)

Closing Weekend

Railbird — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:57:00 GMT

Saddling jumpers before the Thursday NY Turf Writers Cup. Six weeks have nearly passed and Saratoga comes to an end on Monday, despite my fervent wishes that the meet go on and on. In honor of Curlin Day (and the other, official holiday being celebrated...(read more)

Noticing

Railbird — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:55:00 GMT

Ran into Alan of Left at the Gate near the paddock before the seventh, which was won by 7-2 Easy Ashley for Wesley Ward. Barely had the filly crossed the wire and Alan was pointing out that the trainer now had a Saratoga record of 20-8-1-3, a quietly...(read more)

Leading Pair

Railbird — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Alan Garcia aboard Stream of Gold in the winner's circle. - Alan Garcia surged to the lead in the rider standings with three wins on Wednesday, bringing his total to 33. Two of those wins were for Kiaran McLaughlin, now leading the trainer standings...(read more)

Great Idea

Railbird — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:40:00 GMT

... not so great execution. NYRA announced today the launch of Curlin's Corner, a "multimedia site" that "will give fans an interactive experience" as they follow Curlin to the Woodward on Saturday. Here's how Curlin's...(read more)