World Series of Horse Racing?

Tweet While checking out some of John Daly’s funky golf pants the other day, I started thinking about the Skins Game, a made-for-TV golf event, usually held around Thanksgiving which would bring together that year’s hottest names in golf. This led me to thinking about what kind of made for TV event could bring horse racing back into the mainstream again after the Triple Crown Season is put to rest. Also, in my thought process was how can we get Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra into the same race. Golf used to put together its four major winners into the World Series of Golf match that was a made-for-TV event, which is now the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. This got the gears (squirrels) spinning in my head even further. Using Ernie Munick’s idea of a race during halftime of the Thanksgiving Day Lions game, which would be the perfect time to produce my dream event called the World Series of Horse Racing, which could be held during the fall meet at Churchill Downs. Can you think of a better time slot for promoting horse racing to the masses?

Here’s how a horse would qualify:
1) Must win a Grade I over 8.5 furlongs
2) Must be at least 3 years old
3) Field limited to top 14 qualifiers based on set criteria (i.e, standings, earnings)

Based on the above criteria, here is the list of the top 20 horses through June 30th that would qualify for the WS of Horse Racing event if we used the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance Standings based on a point system for graded wins:


That’s a pretty impressive list of horses vying for the national championship of racing. You’ve got the Classic winners, you’ve got the Dubai Cup winner, you’ve got Zenyatta, in addition to quality 3 year olds like I Want Revenge, Quality Road and Pioneerof the Nile and quality older horses like Einstein and Macho Again. Talk about a monster race that would generate some unbelievable chatter, not only in horse racing land, but in the main stream.

Of course there are a slew of other issues to work out like weight assignments, purse money, distance (1 3/16ths?) television rights, my vig (thought I’d slip that one in there), how it affects the Breeders Cup (too close?), etc. Of course, Wayne Lukas will probably put this out there next year as his idea anyway.

Could it work?

Halfway There....Mid Year Bests and Worsts

Tweet As we approach the midpoint of 2009 this week, I thought I'd list MY five best and worst moments in horse racing so far this year. It was fun to look back at my 2008 midpoint list and how much has changed since then. I put them in order of impact for me....let me know if you think I missed the boat on any and list any you can think of that would top these!

Best Moments in Racing - midpoint 2009

1 - Jess Jackson purchases Rachel Alexandra, spurs Filly Fever
When Jess Jackson bought Rachel Alexandra after her Kentucky Oaks romp around the Churchill oval, racing history was about to be made. Becoming the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years places her in the record books. Any filly that can draw 13K+ at Belmont Park on a non-Belmont Stakes day must be special. She's starting to be mentioned in some circles in the same breath with horses like Secretariat and Seattle Slew. The only question that remains is how legendary will she become.

2 - Longshot Mine That Bird wins Kentucky Derby at 50-1
Talk about your David and Goliath scenario. MTB slew the monsters on Derby Day and some folks cashed some huge tickets. The little gelding and his now infamous rider captured a nation and was water cooler talk for more than a week, grabbing the first Sports Illustrated cover for horse racing in many years.

3 - Churchill Downs turns on the lights
In a brilliant marketing move, Churchill Downs erects temporary lighting for Friday night races to reenergize horse racing in the racing temple. Back to back Friday nights draws over 28K for the opening night and just less than that last week. After working out the kinks, things look bright for night racing in Louisville, introducing a younger more enthusiastic crowd. Hopefully some of them stick and becoming racing fans for the long run.

4 - Reality television meets horse racing
Back in February on Animal Planet, the new reality show Jockeys was aired for the first time. Featuring the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita leading up to the Breeders Cup championships last October, the SoCal jockey colony was front and center. Joe Talamo, Mike Smith, Chantal Sutherland and Aaron Gryder were right in your living room discussing what it's like in one of the most dangerous professions around. The series was renewed and will be back for another season.

5 - Social networking infiltrates the racing world
Boosting marketing efforts through such social networking as twitter, facebook and various web marketing ploys, horse racing is now inundated with information. Want the latest scratches - check; want to know a bridgejumping opportunity - check; need a paddock report - check; meetup spot for groups going to the track - check. Wanna know which jockeys have been out all night and maybe you shouldn't bet them the next day - check. The site that has really integrated its membership with meetups, contests, etc. is Ernie Munick's Thoroughbred Racing in New York (TRNY) facebook group.

Honorable mention: Thrilling Belmont Stakes win by Summer Bird, I Want Revenge's unbelievable comeback in the Wood, Fabulous Strike's incredible time in the True North holding off late surging Benny the Bull; Plate Trial and Queen's Plate Stakes double by Eye of the Leopard (Canadian edition only), Zenyatta dominates SoCal racing.

Worst moments in horse racing - midpoint 2009

1 - Rene Douglas' tragic spill at Arlington Park
Douglas suffered serious injury riding in the Arlington Matron aboard Born to Be, who was euthanized after the fall. Jockey Jamie Theriot was suspended 30 days for causing the accident. Theriot riding inside of Douglas, forced his way out, jostling with Douglas’ mount, and resulting in Born to Be clipping heels, throwing Douglas to the ground, and then rolling onto the fallen jockey and causing severe damage to his spine.

2 - The Paragallo travesty
Ernie Paragallo faces 22 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty following the highly publicized April 8 raid of his Center Brook Farm in upstate New York. Authorities seized 177 starving, neglected Thoroughbreds. Three horses had to be euthanized. We were fortunate enough to see one of his saved thoroughbreds arrive at Old Friends while we were there in April.

3 - Magna Entertainment files Chapter 11
In March, Magna filed voluntary petitions for reliefunder Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. This put many of the tracks owned by Magna into an aura of uncertainty. Magna owns tracks in Maryland (Pimlico and Laurel), Florida (Gulfstream) and California (Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields) to name a few.

4 - Injuries plague three major Derby hopefuls
The Pamplemousse, Quality Road and I Want Revenge left the road to Louisville before the call to post for Derby 135. All three were major players on their respective prep circuits and would have made this an even better Derby had they made it to the gate. IWR was a Derby morning scratch by his connections, leaving the field at 19 for the Run for the Roses.

5 - Trainer Mullins caught with syringe in Aqueduct detention barn
Jeff Mullins was observed attempting to administer an over-the-counter product called Air Power to Gato Go Win in the security barn. He had also apparently taken a syringe into the security barn. He was suspended two weeks for his actions by the New York State Racing & Wagering Board.

Honorable Mention: The Kentucky Slots issue, Turf writers near extinction, Past posting issues continue to plague tracks

Well, we're halfway there and Del Mar and Saratoga are about to heat up....

Easy as 1-2-3

Tweet a buh-buh buh buh-buh.

You start feeling old when those you followed as a child die at such an early age. I like to remember him more as the cartoon character I watched as a young boy and the megastar we danced to while clubbin' during our high school and early college days, rather than the freak show he became. It's ironic, he pretty much started and finished his life as a cartoon character. I sure loved his music though. Back to the matter at hand....racing.

I only wish the horse racing game was easy as 1-2-3. I'm in a bit of a slump since the Belmont and trying to avoid falling into bad habits and staying with my handicap. We all go through it, just wish it would end soon...haha. Ironically as I type this I sit alive through 3 legs of the guaranteed $100K Pick 4 at Churchill tonight (fingers crossed) and am alive in the Monmouth Survival at the Shore contest with my life preserver and sitting in 123rd place (go figure).

La Chica Rica returns tomorrow night at Charles Town after a bit of a layoff. She was entered into two turf races hoping they would go off the turf but to no avail. She will go 4 1/2 furlongs in Race 7 for Western New York's Bella Cavello Stables in a $36K allowance. The main competition looks to be Coronado's Strike and Hesogoodwithmoney. Interestingly, Chica's normal rider Deshawn Parker is aboard CS for the race. Not sure what to make of that. The real hunch play on the race is Bettin on MJ for obvious reasons!

Speaking of Charles Town, I watched Big Drama's huge win last Saturday night in the Red Legend Stakes and if you read this blog, you'll know I've been a big fan of Drama's since his Jackpot win in January at Delta Downs. He had a horrible trip, but still finished strong in the Preakness, but it looks like he could be a force in shorter races. I think the King's Bishop would be a great spot for him to point to next (and would love to see him on Travers Day). Should he go that route, then the BC Dirt Mile or Sprint would make sense to complete his campaign.

OK...time to watch that final leg...go An Heir of Magic. [Update: Heir got hooked in a speed duel and faded in stretch...the slump continues...ugh]

Mexican Standoff

Tweet Based on what I heard today, we won't be seeing a Zenyatta-Rachel Alexandra matchup anytime this year. Jackson all but discounted an appearance at the Breeders Cup championships at Santa Anita in November. Zenyatta's owners have stated that they are going to stay home in California for the rest of the campaign. What we have folks, is an 'ole Mexican Standoff. Jackson said Zenyatta will "have to come East" if she wants any part of Rachel. "She's a dirt horse" and "I'm not going to run her on plastic, we don't need to risk her," Jackson replying to questions on a potential matchup with the undefeated Zenyatta. Should be good fodder for the next few months.

Jackson stated potential future races could be the Coaching Club, Del Cap, Haskell, Alabama or Travers. The rest of the campaign appears to be under wraps and going the "one race at a time" route. Good news for Spa fans, looks like Calvin will be riding during the summer meet.

If at first you don't succeed....

Tweet ....don't try sky diving.

All the talk seems to be about the filly, Rachel Alexandra, this week, but ya gotta think that jockey Calvin Borel can't wait for his second lick at Big Sandy come Saturday. He's got the horse and the invaluable experience (well, one race anyway) from his last trip to the house that Secretariat built. Maybe the chatter will start up after his press conference tomorrow, but I'm sure redemption is first and foremost on his mind. Of course, he's not exactly facing the next coming of the Slew, but there's black-type to be made in them there parts. A grade I is a grade I, no? The Saratoga Resident reminds me that there's a reason they run the race and sometimes we all get caught up in the hype. So true.

The Space Gal would like a pink bracelet, can anyone help a brother out? She's obviously too young to yearn for a mood ring.

You would never know how difficult it was passing the Peace Bridge today around 2pm (literally a minute from Fort Erie Race Track) but the temptation subsided.

I was too slow on the trigger on Sunday when I saw the bridgejumper tweet regarding the Cocoa Beach (Floral Park) race at Belmont, I literally was scrambling to get a place bet in on the #1 horse (With Flying Colors, the eventual winner) and totally botched it and they paid boxcar place bets. Ugh. I was so focused on the Queen's Plate that I wasn't paying attention and blew the opportunity.

Speaking of the Queen's Plate, what an awesome race. Of course, I threw out the favorite and boxed the 2nd, 3rd and 4th finishers. Next time, make a note to just check the Turk's site and box his top four. Take note fellow readers as the man is on fire and a 'capping machine.

I got my first hit ever from Turkey. Google search used: "Space Invasion" Wonder if he found what he was looking for?

Personally, I'd Prefer a Mood Ring

Tweet What?!?? Only females get in free?!? Boys, I think we have a gender discrimination suit on our hands. How come mood rings got the shaft?


Of course, that should be the highlight of the day, as only three others look probable to take on the princess on Saturday in the Goose (G1). With West Point Thoroughbreds' Justwhistledixie pointed at the Test in Saratoga, it looks like Alan Brodsky’s Don’t Forget Gil, Godolphin Stables’ Flashing and Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer are the remaining likely starters for the nine-furlong Mother Goose, according to NYRA.

So what're the odds that there will be some pink bracelets left over (first 10,000 fans)? And will you be making a place bet against Rachel?

Saturday Shorts

Tweet

Big weekend in these parts and we'll even get to watch the big race come Sunday on TVG based on a new deal inked this week with Woodbine Entertainment Group. The Buffalo News' Happy Handicapper Bob Summers penned a column this morning on Friday's walking ring parade of seven of Sunday's thirteen entries in the Queen's Plate. He was most impressed with Roger Attfield's Rapid Release and the morning line favorite, the filly, Milwaukee Appeal. CanGamble likes the "other filly" Tasty Temptation and his long shot play is Keino West, who Triple Dead Heat touted as his longshot in Friday's post. Check out today's horse by horse capsule. My pick: Mr. Foricus Two U with Mike Smith flying in from California to pull the upset. Unfortunately I won't be headed up the QEW tomorrow as my nephew from Syracuse (4 goals in his varsity debut as a frosh) is in a tourney here in Buffalo this weekend as well as my first father's day with the Space Kid.

A little tired this morning after staying up to watch the Downs After Dark, which seems to come off very well as over 28,000 attended the inaugural races under the lights at the iconic track. I have to say watching and lightly wagering on twinspires TV, the sights (especially in HD) were quite spectacular. Kudos for CDI for trying something new and to get the young crowd involved. Of course, that morphed into switching over to the night racing at HollyPark and ended up being a late night.

Survival at the Shore status: Yours truly - $346.90 (life preserver in tact, 376th place) and Space Gal - $288.40 (raftless, 926th place). Had to throw Space Gal a line after a non-chalky Friday where I imagine more than a few lost their preservers - see Red Rock or Bust (funniest blog title ever).

The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance, of which I am a proud member, is rolling out a new-fangled website (with a new addy), check it out and let us know what you think. The TBA is a collection of bloggers that are fans, horsemen, former journalists, handicappers extraordinairre, trainers and from all parts of the world. A group that started as six bloggers, has grown nearly tenfold over the past three years. Our efforts financially support Old Friends, a retirement home for race horses, a truly wonderful charitable organization. Our writers have been featured at the Rail, the Blood-horse blog stable, and belmontstakes.com by NYRA, to name a few. We've also served on panels before the NTRA and the Racing Symposium at the University of Arizona. We're alive and kicking in our hopes to effect positive thinking and positive change on the sport we love. Be sure to stop by and see us and our sponsors (all featured in the standings in the left margin).

Queens, Crowns and Plates

Tweet I was watching TVG this afternoon to see if anyone would hit the Pick 6 carryover at Hollypark (one ticket alive for $522K - lost...so another carryover tomorrow!) when Emilio Estevez joined Ken Rudolph on screen. I guess his dad, Martin Sheen, used to drag him to the track as a yute to play the ponies and he has been enamored ever since. What interested me more about the interview was that he mentioned that he was directing a new movie called Johnny Longshot with a harness racing theme. I guess it's been in the works for several years to be his next film since he shot Bobby in 2006. "He equated the new screenplay both with the sports drama aspects of The Mighty Ducks and with his life over the last ten years. It will be a family film about harness racing that he describes as inspirational." I love the name of the movie, and I know the Saratoga Resident will too.

I'm with John of Not to the Swift blog on Rachel Alexandra running in the Goose next Saturday. While I'm happy for the folks in New York that will get to see her live, I think there are bigger fish to fry for Team Rachel. What's the upside? Beating three or four other outmatched fillies? Say she loses, doesn't that really hurt her chances at HOY or legendary status? Seems like a no-win situation to me. Beats me why they picked this spot, other than to give NYRA a mulligan for passing on the Belmont Stakes. Can the Triple Tiara (not that anyone outside of racing knows what that is) be the goal? Anyways, I'm perplexed to say the least. Let's hope they come back to their senses and show up at the Spa in August for the Travers.

Speaking of the Tiara, the wiki site has a section title "possible future of the tiara" stating that over recent years prominent filly owners have petitioned the NTRA (?) to change the races making up the Tiara. The proposed races would be the Kentucky Oaks, the Black Eyed Susan and the Acorn to make them coincide with the colts' Triple Crown. Interesting thought. Since there's not a lot of tradition established with the current structure (they've already switched out the Acorn for the Alabama) who outside of racing purists care? I would think if they changed this and moved the Acorn to Friday and built another big racing day, Belmont and NYRA would benefit for the bump in attendance. Guess what attendance was on June 5th this year. A whopping 3,563. Are you kidding me? Seems like a no-brainer. Apologies in advance to the purists, just callin' it like i see it.

It's a big weekend for our neighbours (note the CDN spelling) to the North, so keep an eye on Triple Dead Heat's coverage of the Canadian Derby (err Queen's Plate) up through the big event set for late Sunday afternoon. I'm sure CanGamble and Pull the Pocket will both chime in with some opinions before the weekend's over on the first leg of Canada's triple crown. Of course, I'll chime in with some American thoughts.

I've found another addicting website that's had me busting a gut, beware, you could spend hours there.

Not Exactly the Twin Spires

Tweet Our field trip to Fort Erie Racetrack resulted in the following: Fort Erie Racetrack 1, Geno 0. While that may have been the score at the windows, the enjoyment of being at the track versus the office with a fun group of gents made the day all the more enjoyable. If we had a guess the attendance pool going, the over/under number would have been somewhere around 500, even for a perfect weather day across the border from downtown Buffalo. My border crossings took less than 5 minutes on both ends and with the new passport rules, that's a huge accomplishment. My only disappointment was answering the border agent that I was not bringing back any significant amount of currency.

While not a lot has changed over the years at old Fort Erie, we spent the day in the Turfside Lounge enjoying the air conditioning, being served all day, two personal tellers with no wait times, and a great view of the course just before the clubhouse turn. Our group was diverse, some harness guys, a DRF handicapping contest two time qualifier, and several other delightful gents who knew how to handicap and play multiple tracks at once. Our host and my Toga opening day co-pilot G-Money organized an awesome day bringing together some of his worlds into this Canadian wonderland of the polar opposite of Royal Ascot. Dr. Beck (our contest guru) even brought the Sheets (for Fort Erie, are you freakin' kidding me), and educated us all on the blessings of Len Ragozin. Just what I need, something else to preoccupy my obsession. And if you think you can't hit some big ones here at the Fort, check out the prices on the winners: Urn in the 1st ($12.20), Just Like Perry in the 4th ($36.50), Costa Cat in the 5th ($13.90), Greater Peace in the 7th ($81.40) and Vikrant in the 8th ($39.20). Holy cow. We had some big winners in the group, the names are being withheld for reasons that don't need explanation.

Some wacky stuff in the PP's too. In the 7th (a 1 1/16th turf race), Folio was coming off a 4 1/2 furlong race at Los Alamitos. Huh? After racing at SA, GG, SR and BM all in turf or synthetic route races. How about Vikrant, the winner of the 8th, who had run at 17 different tracks according to the Sheets, and his last 7 tracks since September were Fairplex, GG, Turf Paradise, Hollywood, Santa Anita and Los Al....try reading those PP's and figuring out what to do. Hopefully they were getting some decent frequent flyer miles. We had a ton of laughs, and there certainly weren't any bridgejumpers on site.

We also figured out why there was such a delay in between the last two races. Word was that a horse had overheated in the 7th, but in actuality the Fort at 5.15EST was the only track currently with a race in NORTH AMERICA. It had to be the only show in town on the big screens in the Vegas sports books. There was a good 45 minutes between the races and I'm sure the signal percentage rake was growing as it was the track in bizness during that time frame. Don't ever say the Canadians don't know what they're doing. The only downside of the day was that some of our group didn't realize the new rules as to only being able to wager with Canadian coin, so a few scrambling moments ensued. We weren't exactly under the twin spires, but you couldn't tell us any different....

A few random pictures from our day follows....

I took this one for Fran over at the Hoof Blog...there was a guy under the doorway who thought I was taking his picture and I told him it would be on the interweb thingy. Oops, looks like he'll have to wait for his 15 minutes...


Ernie, Ernie, Ernie....get your passport ready....

Our view from the Turfside Bar & Grill, notice the standing room only crowd at the rail.



A shot of race 2 approaching the clubhouse turn where Woodbine shipper Brienanna Cat has the lead, only to be out done by none other than Lucky Day for his second win in a row after heading south to our lovely B track (check out that infield!).

Looking forward to our next trek to the border oval...

Field Trip

Tweet After a few more days of racing detox, we're taking a little field trip today up to the Fort. I hear we have an eclectic group heading to the Turfside Lounge on the 3rd floor for a little lunch and to get our racing-jones on. The 1:45pm post time at Fort Erie makes it perfect to get in a half day of work and over the bridge for lunch with eight races on the card today. We're going to ignore the high takeout and the inconvenience of betting Canadian dollars and still find some way to having some fun, with a forecast in the low 80's and no humidity. Full report tomorrow.

Our filly, Higher Authority, debuted yesterday in a tough spot at Delaware Park, finishing last by a nose. All in all, a good learning experience and Frank at That's Amore keeps us more than informed on her progress, which is great. As a first foray into a racing partnership, I've enjoyed the reports getting her ready to race and look forward to meeting her this summer as she progresses along and moves forward in her career.

Since I didn't jinx myself last weekend when I mentioned my Survival at the Shore status, I'll uneasily state that both Space Gal and I have our life preservers and are both very much alive after 16 days of competition. I'm in 376th ($308.50) and she's in 963rd ($254.00), as we join 1,493 of the original 4,226 entrants. We've both picked 15 winners (almost 1/day, leader has 25). Fingers crossed.

North-South or East-West?

Tweet If you're lucky enough to be at Monmouth Park today, there's a Big Brown Bobblehead giveaway, which begs the question, will it bobble north/south or east/west? I need to know these things. I also debated writing back/front or side/side for those of you who may be direction inhibited.


Speaking of bobbleheads, I have a major collection of three. Todd Pletcher, Angel Cordero and Cal Ripken. There you have it. Not much else to say about that. Of course I got a late start on the racing game and my pals in Albany have always taken care of me that is when NYRA was giving away bobbleheads at the Spa. Hopefully with the new marketing team, they'll bring back the bobblehead. I would love a Johnny V one, and have been searching eBay for it.

Quickie post this morning as the Space Station is being prepared for massive arrivals of family for the Space Kid's christening tomorrow. The Saratoga Resident is in town to do his best Marlon Brando tomorrow. Today we'll play a little golf at heavily-trapped (90!) Niagara Falls Country Club. Yikes. So not much chance to handicap other than the Survival at the Shore races. The Monmouth Stakes looks like a monster race, I am leaning towards Proudinsky and Presious Passion (who I was on at the Sword Dancer when it was my turn for the big show pool bet where he finished fourth..ouch).

Have a great weekend everyone.

Happily Ever Always, PETA and Organic Peas

Tweet I'm going to sneak a quick post in while the Space Kid sleeps. I learned today that he doesn't like organic peas, based on the fact they ended up all over the front of me.

Did anyone see the 8th at Monmouth yesterday? I was interested as it was the last Survival at the Shore race of the day and I needed to hit the board to not risk my life preserver. Did I just say that? Anyways, I was on the favorite, Ever Always who was taking all the money and moving between 1-5 and 1-9 (she ended up at 0.05!!). She crushed this 3YO and up allowance field for non-winners of two (this was her third race) by 15 1/4 lengths (Rachel-like) as the only 3yo filly in the field. I tell you to watch the replay on this race, she was simply awesome. One to put in the watch list, for sure.

On Sunday, upon completing the first leg of my trip home from NYC, I arrived in Altoona at the in-laws who happened to have ESPN on their miniature kitchen TV and I recognized Michael Blowen from Old Friends on screen. I was fortunate to meet him during our Lexington trip in April the same day a Paragallo horse was being rescued. So, my in-laws and I continued to watch the Outside The Lines segment on horse slaughter and Michael and a representative from PETA were going back and forth as to the best way to save Charismatic and War Emblem, both currently over in Japan. The PETA rep was so focused on the negative, while I thought Michael was very well spoken and handled the issue with compassion and thoughtfulness. The clip is here if you missed the seven minute plus segment shown for the first time on Sunday.

I was reading Dan Illman's formblog last night and ran across Alydar's past performances. Pretty impressive, indeed. I remember as a teenager the triple crown duels with Affirmed. It's amazing that the highest odds he ever went off at were 2.10....amazing. Not to mention he raced 26 times...

Ok, back to the washing machine...gonna try and Shout it out...and maybe sneak in a race or two from the Shore.

Madoff Bets

Tweet As I was handicapping Monmouth last night, I noticed a couple financial based entries within the Survival at the Shore contest races. So I started going through all of today's entries came across a bunch of financial/investment/banking type entries today....Since I am doing some handi-sitting for the next two days, it's apropos I also ran across Father Eugene (4-1) running at Presque Isle Downs wearing #10 (my old college hoops number) so I won't be making that mistake again.

So even though this isn't my schtick...here goes:

Monmouth 2nd - Excel (5-1)
Monmouth 4th - Libor Rate (6-1)
Belmont 4th - Market Bust (15-1)
Charles Town 4th - True Yield (5-2)
Delaware Park 4th - Independent Banker (12-1)
Indiana Downs 1st - Need Money Dad (6-1) - my favorite
Indiana Downs 2nd - Dancingforthegreen (4-1)
Penn National 5th - Certified Return (6-1)
Suffolk Downs 9th - Recommend This (20-1)
Evangeline Downs 2nd - Credit Union (15-1)

Unfortunately Bella Cavello's Marty's Hunch couldn't wait another day to enter as he took a sixth place in the 2nd last night at Mountaineer.

Triple Crown Detox

Tweet It's one of those opinionated days after a couple days of racing detox....

- I stayed away from the interweb for a couple days and played my first round of golf this spring on Monday. Today daddy day care duties commenced for the next three days....which can mean only one thing...

- Monmouth Park on TVG tomorrow! (Well, only if the Space Kid is napping). I've been following this meet more closely than usual due to the Survival at the Shore contest (The Space Gal and I are still alive with live preservers - just jinxed myself I know).

- Was thinking how I can teach the Space Kid about takeout and figured if I buy him a package of M&M's then eat a quarter of them and give him the rest, I can tell him "sorry the takeout is 25%, but enjoy"

- Alan has a nice tribute to the Jockeys over at The Bug Boys. Since we're on the topic, I think that racing can thank C. Borel for the bump in ratings this weekend, I think the general public ate his act up and tuned in to see if he could pull off his own triple. For the third year in a row, we get a rider that's getting ripped in the press and the blogosphere (Gomez, Desormeaux, Borel). Whether the public beating is just or not, Calvin gave us and the masses plenty to talk about and hopefully it generated some interest in the sport and a few new fans along the way.

- It's been a few years since I've been up to Woodbine, so I'm looking forward to going up for the Queen's Plate (first leg of the Canadian triple crown) in a couple weeks. Wonder if I can make it in less than 2 hours?

- I miss eating Quisp in the morning. Not sure why I just wrote that.

- Formulating my Saratoga contest this year, looking to add a few new twists...stay tuned...it's only 49 days to opening day. Val at Foolish Pleasure is the defending champ and will be looking to defend her title. Speaking of opening day, I noticed gas is slowly creeping up to the $3/gallon, I'm sure it'll get there by the time I have to make my first cross-state trip...geez.

- It sure seemed like there were more than 52,000 on hand Saturday at Belmont Park, didn't it? And what's with the PA system? And the war zone that was the parking lot after the race? It made Rich Stadium's lots after a Bills game look like a home and garden show.

- The Saratoga Resident called me as the Manhattan went off, as ABC for the second year in a row didn't show the Grade I turf race, instead showing some personal interest story. Why can't they take the two minutes to show a quality race and get back to their features, doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it?

- Kudos for the NTRA and ESPN for showing the undercard from noon to five. I have been a critic in this area in the past, giving credit where credit is due. Hopefully they didn't break the bank.

- I really enjoyed Gomez' last blog post on his view of his Belmont trip. He takes a couple shots at NY racing (very interesting) when commenting on his return to California for the next few weeks and discusses Garcia, JV and Calvin's rides on Saturday. It's a must read.

Ice Ice Baby

Tweet One man's defining moment can be another man's icing on the cake.

2009 Belmont Stakes champion trainer Tim Ice who described the feeling as "unexplainable" went on to say "If my career goes nowhere from here, I've got a Belmont win. They can't take it away from me." Yesterday's terrific come from behind win by Summer Bird topped off quite a day for the former assistant trainer at beautiful Belmont Park. Making an equipment change (blinkers on) for a major race like this can be a turn-off for a lot of handicappers, this trainer knew it was the right thing for the "other" Bird, "I think adding the blinkers let him focus. I think Kent Desormeaux helped a lot. With the blinkers and Kent, they put it together and won the third leg of the Triple Crown."

For HOF jockey Kent Dersormeaux, the victory solidified the completion of his personal triple crown, the icing on the cake. Eluded twice under Triple Crown threatening colts Real Quiet and Big Brown, KD completed his personal crown with a resounding fourth victory of the day. The media made sure they reminded Kent of his past Belmont disappointments in the post race press conference, particularly last year's race. Kent coolly answered all of the questions, but you could sense the relief in his voice, "I can't tell you how much I'm going inside, how well it feels to have that contentment and to be able to go home and rest at ease knowing I've won the three American classics."

For me, it was a special treat, bouncing around the vast expanse of Belmont Park yesterday. It made the over 20 hours or so of driving this weekend all worthwhile. My day started off on the right foot with a chance meeting of TRNY founder Ernie Munick and NYRA Director of Communications Dan Silver, where we chatted about the big race and exchanged pleasantries. After that, the highlight of my day was meeting Edgar Prado who was signing his book "My Guy Barbaro" outside of the NYRA store (I asked him if he read our blogs, he said he's not so good with the computer, so I gave him a pass). I met up with Robert at They're in the Gate and Alan of The Bug Boys, hopefully we'll catch up again at the Spa this summer. I spent a few races with my pal JB and his boys and the last three races by myself just taking the experience in. The roar of the crowd when they turn for home in the Belmont, is the best sound in all of sports.

The rest of the racing day has been covered elsewhere, but I'll leave you with the Day in Pictures for me (with my usual commentary)....

When you get to the track two hours before first post, why not get a quick trim for $10?

2006 Kentucky Derby winning jockey Edgar Prado (needs help with computer, can anyone help a brother out?)

Plenty of media folk on site, first HRTV's Laffit Pincay (chugged at least two Red Bulls while I was watching) with another guy I was too lazy to look up (cuz I don't get HRTV!!!!) (Update: It's Jeff Siegel...hat tip to Elizabeth)

ESPN's Jeannine Edwards in the paddock.

The other Toddster, from TVG, mouthing a few words of the National Anthem.

A little fly-by after the Anthem, I don't know about you, but it got me a bit unnerved, as I wasn't expecting it and it seemed a tad close...for NYC.

The always dapper Todd Pletcher. Do you think he was getting a text from Mrs. P? Honey, bring home two milks, toilet paper.....

Zito: "And get this, my horse, Da'Tara, no one goes with him and he wins the freakin' thing!"

2008 Belmont Stakes winning jock Alan Garcia.

Kieran was a very charitable man to give his time to pose with JB and the boys. I hung out with the handicapping crew under their Belmont tree in the backyard and got them off their two year Belmont Day show pool schneid with My Princess Jess.

Gio Ponti cruising home in the Manhattan.

And they're off in the Belmont!

Happy Connections: Champagne on Ice!

Note: special thanks to Dan Silver and Ashley Herriman of NYRA for making it a great day.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Tweet "Those aren't pillows!" ~Steve Martin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The streak is alive. I'm heading to my fourth consecutive Belmont Stakes and super psyched about it. I won't exactly be taking the same route as last year, which ended up being about a ten hour train ride to Penn Station from the B-Lo, but as usual I will be attempting a circuitous route to the Big Apple via Altoona, Pennsylvania through Allentown PA (to handicap and sleep) onto Elmont Saturday morning. It's a long story, so don't ask. I've never driven to Belmont Park, so I'm sure that will be a treat in itself, and hoping Mr. Tom Tom can guide me safely into the east side parking lot of the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Huge props to the Space Gal for encouraging me to take the journey while she attends graduations and visits with her folks.

The Belmont undercard looks pretty fabulous and I look forward to seeing Hull and Kensei again in the Woody Stephens, they ran 1-2 in the Derby Trial on opening day at Churchill during our Kentucky trip. I'll start my handicapping tonight, but I better have my Belmont pick for the office tomorrow, I think some of my admin staff are now regulars at the Niagara Falls Boulevard OTB (geesh what have I done). Who woulda thunk it that I will be seeing back to back races for Better Talk Now, who last ran at Keeneland during the aforementioned visit to the Bluegrass State. The Manhattan Handicap (G1) looks like a monster race which I'm thinking I'll have to go pretty deep on my Pick Four play. That race will be my first live looks at Court Vision, Gio Ponti and Cowboy Cal.

As someone who's office is off of Audubon Drive, my initial thoughts on the Belmont are focused on Mine That Bird, Summer Bird and Flying Private (the Audubon Triple). I'm actually liking Flying Private to hit the board, his race comments show one nightmare trip after another. But I could be reaching...more analysis required...

A bonus on Saturday will be to see local Saratoga favorite My Man Lars, who scored nicely on a tip from the Puma last 4th of July. He'll be running on the undercard in race 5 for owner Jimmy Olson (no relation to he of Superman lore). People have asked me why I nicknamed my pal the Puma...gotta be the socks...now you know. We'll be checking in late tomorrow night from A-town. Drop me a line if you'd like to meet up in the backyard.

Death and Taxes

Tweet I laugh to myself whenever I peer outside my office window to see the mortuary that stands right behind my accounting firm's building, thinking of the famous Benjamin Franklin quote: "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." Apparently one Calvin Borel has taken that one step further and has guaranteed that his horse, Mine That Bird, will win this weekend's Belmont Stakes (G1). Someone's going to have to notify Benny F, that those aren't the only things that are certain.

Of course, I love his braggadocio and swagger that makes him crack my top five list of famous sports guarantees. Here they are (in order):

1) Broadway Joe Namath - Who else would be #1 than Joe, who backed up his "We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it," with a victory over the 17 point favorite Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

2) Mark Messier - Who can forget the famous back cover of the NY Post proclaiming Messier's promise that “We'll Win Tonight,” regarding Game Six of the Stanley Cup Semifinals in 1994, and backed it up with a stunning victory over the NJ Devils.

3) Mike Vanderjagt - This one didn't work out so well. Matter of fact, it was downright ugly. After guaranteeing victory over the rival Patriots in January 2005 during the NFL Playoffs, QB Peyton Manning replied "our idiot kicker went out and got liquored up again." It played as locker room bulletin board fodder for the Pats who waxed the Colts that day, 20-3.

4) The Boise Burn - Nothing beats Guaranteed Win Night, especially when pizza is involved. Trying to halt a six-game losing streak, the team guaranteed victory or every fan would receive a free pizza. Bet you never thought an Arena Football game would make my list...

5) Borel cracks it with today stating before a packed house during a Belmont Stakes media luncheon at Madison Square Garden: “He'll win. That's what we're here for.” (source: NYRA press release)

Am I forgetting any other memorable guarantees?