we saw that...

Frank Sinatra given the boot at the Belmont!
June 4, 2010 at 7:21 pm by Tim Wilkin
blog.timesunion.com

ELMONT — You’ve got to be kidding me.

The New York Racing Association has laid a dinosaur egg on this one. The staple song for the Belmont Stakes, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” has been sacked. Instead of having old Blue Eyes belting out those famous lyrics when the horses come out of the tunnel for the Belmont, we have this:

The song by rapper Jay-Z, “Empire State of Mind.” The song that will be out there will be the version by Alicia Keys, (it will be sung by teen recording artist Jasmine Villegas) which isn’t that bad but it’s not Frank at the Belmont. I will boycott it, turn on my new iPod and listen to Springsteen.

Whoever made this bonehead decision at NYRA should have to sing a duet with selected legislators from the state at next year’s Belmont. This is a stupid idea. Frank, if he were alive, would be apalled, I bet.

“New York, New York” is a staple at the Belmont, has been since 1997 when it replaced “Sidewalks of New York.” If I was a horse, I would turn around and go back into the paddock when this new song is sung.

Maybe next year, this NYRA genius can get a new song for the Kentucky Derby. Sure! Get rid of “My Old Kentucky Home.”

One last thing: this is a dumb idea. Did I say that yet? ~ source

Stonestreet Stables and partner Harold T. McCormick announced May 8 that Calvin Borel has agreed to ride Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra for the current racing season.

Stonestreet said it plans to run the filly in the May 16 Preakness Stakes.

In making the decision, Borel selected the filly over Mine That Bird, whom he rode to an upset victory in the 135th Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird is also being pointed toward the Preakness.

“It came down to the facts that he (Borel) knows and loves this horse, that he knows how to get the most from her, and he knows how to win,’’ said Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables and proprietor of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates. “They were an amazing team at the Kentucky Oaks—winning by over 20 lengths. We think this is a perfect match of rider and horse.’’

Jackson said Rachel Alexandra will continue her workout schedule under trainer Steve Asmussen.

“If she continues to be in perfect condition, our intention will be to run her in the Preakness,” Jackson said, adding that the final decision would be made next week.

Click here to watch a podcast and read a transcript of Calvin Borel's Talkin' Horses chat