Saturday Shorts

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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).