MMQB

Tweet - After four straight days in the race book followed by a football-filled weekend, it's back to work and a normal schedule. Vegas sure can do funny things to you.

- I imagine I was the only one of the 45,000 plus patrons at the Carrier Dome watching the Monmouth Stakes during the second quarter of the rout that was taking place over my hometown Orangemen. Of course, my slingmobile went out just before post time, but I made a quick recovery and saw the race in its entirety on my two inch screen. I thought for sure Proudinsky would catch the Brown one in the stretch, but he held on gamely.

- I immediately was bombarded with emails and texts from my crew, half taking a stand against BB, half still on the proverbial bandwagon. I'll admit it, I played against him with an exacta box of the three older horses (and 2-3-4 finishers) and Kiss the Kid (who I also threw a $2WP on). The Puma quickly pointed out it was a weak field. The Saratoga Resident said he beat a bunch of older horses. The good doctor and NJ resident was present and fawning over the victory calling for a Curlin hookup at Oak Tree.

- My initial reaction was "a win is a win" and he held on in the stretch gamely against some decent turf horses. On second thought, however, Proudinsky and Shakis, 5 and 8, respectively, had raced just three weeks prior in the Bernard Baruch on Travers Day in a difficult and hard fought race, and that these probably aren't the best G1 turf horses in the land. Big Brown was pretty well rested and fresh from his Haskell victory early in August. So I agree that it was a fine effort, but I will go back to the drawing board to beat him in the Classic. Colonel John, Go Between, and Casino Drive should provide some decent competition for him on 25OCT on racing's remaining biggest day of the year.

- Tricky Dick overheard in the winner's circle: "Rev up the wienermobile Ivy, Californy is the place we wanna be."

- I watched the race replay last night after a day of NFL watching (yes, my Bills are 2-0, baby) and thought Larry Collmus' call was terrific. Being able to see the race more clearly was nice, the 2 inch screen just didn't do it justice. I guess the result was the best possible one for racing, as now the media ball is in Jess Jackson's court and whether we will get to see a BB-Curlin matchup in the Classic is anyone's guess. The IEAH connections will surely playback Jackson's quote about "you know where we are" regarding the Woodward, in similar fashion regarding the Classic. It would be good for racing and spark television ratings for Men's Day at the Breeders' Cup.

- Saw the new statue of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, unveiled on the SU quad to coincide with the premiere showing of "The Express" starring Dennis Quaid (who was honorary captain on Saturday - didn't help). Davis, who hailed from Elmira, NY (where I attended college) died of leukemia in 1963 after being selected by the Cleveland Browns after graduating from the Cuse. I used to see his mom every day (she was the lunch lady at the college) and ask her to tell me stories about the Elmira Express. Can't wait to see the movie.

- So while I was present with SpaceGal and her family and their fawning over State Penn's big win in the Loud House, ten minutes from our home back at UB Stadium, lightning struck with a visit from Hail Mary...watch this amazing finish: