Opening Day

Tweet There's nothing like Opening Day. Whether it's at the ballpark for a AAA minor league ball team or at the Spa in July (personally one of my favorite days), the excitement surrounding Opening Day and the anticipation of a new year with high hopes of a championship season or fruitful meeting awaits. So for my opening blog, the same type of excitement has been flowing through the blood the past few days in anticipation of the opening post. Here's hoping to a fruitful blog and sharing my thoughts on the sport that captured my fancy five years ago while summering in Saratoga. I'm holding off on the naming rights for now…

Twists and Turns on the Derby Trail

This has been an interesting week to date, with Monday's report by John Asher that left-coast hopeful Georgie Boy, winner of the San Vicente and San Felipe, has pulled out of the Kentucky Derby due to a pulled back muscle. One of three west coasts Derby hopefuls, it makes Saturday's SA Derby a battle between Colonel John and El Gato Malo, with Yankee Bravo looking for a breakthrough to add to his graded stakes earnings. From high hopes to a dismal Florida Derby showing, it looks like Elysium Fields is probably going to drop off the trail, I really liked him last weekend, but could tell he was troubled during the post parade. That's why they call it gambling. Looking forward to the three big preps this weekend and prognostications are forthcoming (not that anyone should follow, I actually thought of naming the blog "Bad Cap!")

La Chica Rica Romps at Mountaineer

Kudos to Bella Cavello Stables, the Buffalo connections of La Chica Rica ($4.20) who wired a 6F allowance race in the slop under the lights at Mountaineer on Monday night. The win adds $24K to the five year old mare's lifetime earnings, bringing it north of $275K. The boys at BCS found a good spot for her to pick up a nice check. She's been running terrific as of late, out of trainer Crystal Pickett's Laurel barn, placing two weekends ago in the Conniver Stakes. She's one to keep an eye on. Next up for the Buffalo contingent is a Box of Twenties in the third at Laurel on Friday in an $8K claimer who has been unraced since January. Good luck fellahs.