Saratoga: Banrock to be examined for liver problem

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − Trainer Tom Bush said he scratched Banrock from Thursday’s West Point Handicap at Saratoga because Banrock potentially has a liver disorder.

Bush said Banrock has a high bilirubin level, which measures a horse’s chemistry. He was sent to Dr. Rodney Belgrave at Mid-Atlantic Equine in New Jersey to be examined.

“He’s a terrific medicine man, and he’s done some very difficult cases for us in the past, and we have to turn it over to the experts because this is just an unusual kind of area that we are dealing with,” Bush said. “If Banrock doesn’t ever run again, that’s not a problem. We can take care of him in other ways, so hopefully, we can get him back to health. That’s the main thing.”

Banrock has won 12 of 39 starts, including eight stakes and has earned $830,815.

Jockeys to sing for charity

Several Saratoga jockeys will be singing karaoke Monday night as part of a charity function to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The event will take place at Vapor Night Club at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Tickets for the event are $100, which includes a buffet dinner, jockey karaoke, and karaoke/dancing after the show. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.pdjf.org or by phone at (630) 234-6691. A limited number of admissions will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Among the jockeys expected to participate are John Velazquez, Ramon Dominguez, Javier Castellano, David Cohen, Alan Garcia, Jorge Chavez, Maylan Studart, Robby Albarado, and Julien Leparoux.