Jarting Around...

Tweet For those younger readers, you may have never played jarts, the lawn darts game outlawed by the National Product Safety Commission in 1988 (Canada followed a year later) was a favorite game of the family back in the day. Of course, it was dangerous as all get out, but I think that made it all the more fun. No one got killed at our family picnics and as long as you were paying attention your chance of getting hurt was slim. Why is this important? It's not. I was just thinking about that cool game that I wish we still had stashed somewhere. Of course, a quick spin on eBay, finds a set for $18.99, or a "Jarts don't kill people" tee shirt for $14.99. I think the fam will stick to ladderball this weekend.

So let's jart around the racing and sporting world and see what's making news or what we can make fun of....

- NYRA announced today a partnership with Betfair TVG to try and revive interest in the Triple Tiara, defined this year as the Acorn (Belmont Day), the Coaching Club American Oaks (early in the Spa meet) and the Alabama (weekend before the Travers). If a filly wins all three Grade 1 races, the owners get to pick a charity to donate a $50,000 bonus to. Sorry boys, no colts allowed.

- I wonder annually why Belmont and NYRA doesn't make the Friday before the Belmont a big racing day and highlight the Acorn, similar to Oaks Day and Black Eyed Susan Day. I guess Acorn Day just doesn't have the same ring to it. Unfortunately they lose my business every year as there's no reason to get there for a Friday card that doesn't have a string of stakes races...

- Or for that matter why isn't there a filly Triple Crown that mirrors the Triple Crown races (Oaks, BES, Acorn)...

- Can anyone challenge Quality Road this weekend in the Met Mile? I really wish he would have tried the Dirt Mile on Breeders Cup day last year instead of the disaster that ensued for the Classic.

- I've never been to the Indy 500 which rolls on Memorial Day weekend, it seems to have lost its luster over the years, no? I'd like to go some year (low level bucket list item)...

- Does anyone else think LeBron = Dr. J? Fabulous highlight film stuff, but no ring until someone like Mo Malone (fo-fo-fo) shows up? The King just quit on the Cavs. Not good.

- I was rooting for Lee. Dude could sing.

- Top Chef DC starts up in a couple weeks, gotta rev up the gambling pool. Breaking out a brand new Zoku for the kiddos this weekend, can't wait. Putting it in the Ice Box right now....

- My iPad showed up last week, it is very cool and I'm still messing around with it. The one downside is it doesn't play nice with Adobe Flash which kills my HRTV online, but there is a work around for TwinSpires using the mobile feature. It's great for surfing. Thanks again to my pals over at Horse Racing Nation.

Enough jarting around....stay safe and may all your tickets be winners this weekend.