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This weekend's Derby prep races were rather uninspiring to say the least. I haven't been one to criticize 3-year old crops in the past, but jeez this group just doesn't seem to step up when the spotlight's on. Maybe it's because they are pretenders and those that already have the necessary graded earnings are only pointing towards a peak effort on May 7th.
Mucho Macho Man, who is basically already in, finished third versus a rather ordinary bunch, which included a couple hopefuls in Machen and Wilkinson, in the Louisiana Derby. Pants on Fire, with Rosie Napravnik aboard, netted the win and at first glance all this horse will be is a public interest story come Derby Day. His only win came on a sloppy track in seven efforts before hitting the Fair Grounds. After poking around his pedigree however, his grandsire is A.P. Indy and his damsire Cape Town won both the Florida Derby and Bluegrass Stakes. So the jury is out on this one.
The Spiral Viral or whatever it's called was run at ice cold Turfway Park and it could have been a Disney Theme Park for all it mattered since a horse named Animal Kingdom took it down. He did make a nice move at the top of the stretch, but no horse has come out of this race (other than Hard Spun) since it's been run on synthetics that's even sniffed the winner's circle in Louisville. Interestingly (and for what it's worth), his sire is Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), who also sired the longshot claimer who finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby, Crimson Knight. To think that ESPN used to actually cover this race as a Derby prep makes one chuckle.
The Sunland Derby was won by a 25-1 shot Twice The Appeal. Well, at least he beat Beer Meister this time. Has a nice wet rating, but can't see him finish any better than 10th. Some will say Astrology (finished a tiring second) has a shot, but I just don't see it. An easy toss.
The race that probably produced the best contender of all, but probably won't show up, was a filly. The UAE Derby winner, Khawlah, was very impressive at Meydan Race course in Dubai, for Godolphin, who had a particularly good day during the World Cup Carnival. She would spice things up if she came across the pond to race the U.S.' best.
If ever there was a year where a Triple Crown was there for the taking, this has to be it. Maybe I should be following the Oaks...that may just turn out to be one helluva race.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Uninspired
Monday, March 21, 2011
ThoroFan Making Some Noise in NY
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As many of you know, I'm involved with the Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc. (aka ThoroFan) as both a Board Member and the TBA liaison for the weekly edition of their Handicappers' Corner.
The Chairman of the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) group was recently invited to present at the March 8th meeting of NYS Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee hearing. The group's motto is "The Voice of the Fan," and based on recent happenings, it appears that it is making inroads, at least in New York State, for having a seat at the table. Earlier this month the aforementioned Senate Committee unanimously passed three amendments to the New York State Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law (S3759-2011).
The bill has three major components that amends current law all initiatives pushed by ThoroFan:
1) Establish a fan advisory board
2) Establish an annual Horse Racing Farm Award and
3) Establish an "I Love NY Racing" Marketing Campaign
This bill has the potential to be landmark legislation for horse racing and one that will likely be replicated across the country. If the bill gets through the NYS Assembly and is signed into law by Governor Cuomo, New York would be the first state to statutorily allow fans an opportunity to advise the regulators of their sport on issues important to them.
The group is asking NYS residents to write to their Assemblyperson in favor of the bill. A sample letter and instructions from ThoroFan can be found here. Even if you do not live in New York, we would encourage you to send the letter, especially if you enjoy the Saratoga Race Course in the summer, Belmont in the spring/fall and well, even Aqueduct in the winter if you're really a true fan. It only took me about 10 minutes today to email and fax the letter to Assemblyman Hoyt.
What I find the most encouraging by the bill is the Marketing Campaign. The I Love NY marketing campaign is by far and away one of the most successful campaigns ever. Imagine the traction that the tracks could gather with a focused campaign bringing back the creative slogan and logo and adding RACING to it? This would not only benefit the NYRA tracks, but the harness tracks across the state, so I would implore those marketing directors to jump on the band wagon also.
Michael Amo, ThoroFan chairman, was on "Down The Stretch" with Dave Johnson and Bill Finley on Sirius Radio on Saturday and discussed the bill and potential impacts it can have in the future. Take a listen. For once we're not just throwing ideas out there, we actually did something concrete. If you can spare a few minutes for the sport you love, please write a letter of support.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
My Favorite Sports Day
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By far this is my favorite sports day of the year and office productivity all over the country will be at an all time low!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
It's Black & White To Me
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I’m going off the board tonight (as I do sometimes) although I’ll work in some horse racing references for good measure. I’ve been consumed for the past two days watching the events unfold after the controversial (soon to be acclaimed?) ESPN documentary “Fab Five” that aired on Sunday evening. I am most interested as a former college baller, albeit Division III in the mid 80’s, as I donned the tight shorts that were mocked early in the broadcast (please don’t laugh too hard at the picture).
I missed the initial airing of the episode on Sunday night, as the Space Gal and I were watching the wretched Celebrity Apprentice, but I was monitoring the tweet activity that was extremely high on the documentary. Intrigued as I was, I decided to invest two hours at 11pm to watch an eye-opening and fascinating illustration of how five freshmen came together and started a national championship game in 1990.
The controversial stuff involved how the Fab Five, particularly main producer Jalen Rose and guard Jimmy King portrayed their main rival, the Duke Blue Devils. If you know me, you know I’m a big Duke hater, and not a big Coach K fan. The vitriol directed towards Duke was interesting in that they called the Cosby sweater wearing All-American Grant Hill “a bitch” and Buffalo-based center Christian Laettner, “a pussy.” Granted they were speaking their feelings as 19 year old kids, but the reverberations have been heard throughout the hoops world over the past three days. Grant Hill has gone as far as to issue an eloquent editorial to the New York Times defending him and the Duke program.
Jason Whitlock also chimed in (I am not a fan) with his typical Al Sharpton-like thoughts, defending Hill and the Dukies. I thought the shots he took at Michigan coach Steve Fisher were pretty uncalled for and without much support. When reading the comments to the post, it becomes apparent that the former ESPN writer just holds a grudge about his former employer. I basically wrote off his analysis of the matter as a biased onlooker. I just don’t get this guy, who admittedly used the Fab Five to advance his own career.
What I really wanted to write about tonight is that all folks are different. I played on an all-white high school team that was ranked 19th in New York State as a senior who ultimately was defeated by Syracuse inner city schools (i.e. mainly black) in sectional finals and semifinals, respectively in my final two schoolboy years. I went on to play in college and for the first time found myself as a minority on my team, as one of four Caucasian players. What I did learn from my black teammates was how to dance, how to rap, how to have each other’s back and how to laugh and bond together. Most of the guys I played with weren’t well off, some didn’t even know how to swim, but they were genuine guys and some of the funniest fellahs I ever met. I still correspond with my two closest teammates, both of whom drove 300 miles from the Bronx to surprise me on my 40th birthday.
They taught me how to treat others regardless of the color of their skin and that life is all about respect. It’s funny when you go to war with teammates you become engrained forever and I think that’s what happens. The Fab Five all happened to be black inner city kids trying to break out of difficult family situations and all of them ended up successful businessmen or professional athletes. But they went to war together and they will forever be branded as a unit.
To me, that’s what’s important, not the name-calling that has been proliferated in the mainstream media. What those five guys accomplished should be celebrated, even if they didn’t secure the big prize. Some of what they said may have been taken out of context and taken too literally, I know, when you ‘re 18 years old you feel like you’re on top of the world and sometimes you don’t think about what you say. I know. I played in that era. To have five freshman take a team to two straight championship games in nothing short of outstanding.
Ok, if you’ve made it this far, the horse racing connection, is Duke’s point guard, Bobby Hurley has always been a horseball. He owns Devil Eleven Stables and had a Derby prospect in Songandaprayer in 2001, winning the Fountain of Youth. He was one of those guys I rooted hard against, but I’m sure Grant Hill thought he was one terrific point guard.
I guess the point I was trying to get across in this post is that everyone seems to try and make race an issue. The Fab Five guys did, the Duke guys did, the mainstream media did. But when it comes down to it, it’s how you treat your fellow man (or woman) what counts. Why can’t everyone grow up and enjoy what was truly a magical time in college basketball.
Your regularly scheduled horse racing blog will now continue its scheduled programming.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Show Me The $$
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Sometimes on the big racing days, I just sit back and make show bets all afternoon to pass the time and take in some great racing. I usually play my own little show pool and keep letting it ride. For some reason yesterday, I just played it straight each time probably because I was just trying to beat the bridgejumpers on Pluck in the 7th....but a funny thing happened...
I made show bets at Tampa Bay Downs on Races 7-9 before the Hillsborough and Tampa Bay Derby and all three I made bets on ended up winning their respective races. Lil Bit O' Fun ($10.80 $5.40 $6.80) won the 7th, with the 3-10 favorite Pluck missing the board. Then we liked the closing style of Pay The Man who upset the field at 20-1 ($42.40 $17 $8.80). So when I backed it up with a show bet on Denomination ($26.20 $9 $5.60), I was wondering if I should head over to Wegmans to grab a lottery ticket. Of course, the multirace player in me was dying that I wasn't making a killing.
The rest of the day I just sat back and watched until the San Felipe where I boxed Awesome Patriot, Premier Pegasus and Comma to the Top in an exacta and made a last minute adjustment and through Jaycito in underneath to make it a pretty good day for laying off the wagering button. While Premier Pegasus was impressive (96 Beyer), I thought Comma to the Top ran a good race and put to bed thoughts he can only run on synthetics. I'll keep my eye on him in the next race.
I can't seem to find my Derby horse (rooting interest only). I'm leaning toward Santiva, looks like he'll try the Blue Grass at Keeneland next. I guess I could make a case for Soldat if he comes up big in the Florida Derby. Right now it looks like Mo's to lose. Wonder how many will show up at the Big A to take him on in the Wood? Wouldn't it be something if the first Triple Crown hopeful in the last few years drew the rail for the Derby? At least it would make for some interesting storylines.
Next weekend brings the Rebel Stakes from Oaklawn, and am interested to see what Astrology, Sway Away and Alternation bring to the table and whether or not the Southwest Stakes winner Archarcharch is a flash in the pan.
Made two futures bets. Win bet on 31-1 Silver Medallion (who dropped dramatically from 60-1 in the last twenty minutes before Futures Pool 2 closed). I also made a silly exacta bet key-boxing Uncle Mo with Soldat and All Others. You're welcome for the donation.
Say a prayer for our racing brethren in Japan - international TBAer Kate Hunter had this report yesterday on the safety of US horses in Japan.
Nice tribute by the Sabres lifting their sticks in the air, after defeating Ottawa tonight, to the #7 Rick Martin banner in the rafters, who died of an apparent heart attack in his car today. Our firm does the accounting for the Sabres Alumni Association so I've had the opportunity to meet him several times, he always seemed like a class guy. RIP.
As they sit in the last playoff spot tied with New York, it looks like those Ranger tickets I have for the 30th could end up being a huge game in the hunt to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
I'm not too disappointed in the Cuse's draw in the tourney. If they should get by first round opponent Larry Bird's alma mater Indiana State, they will have a tough second round game against Cincinnati-based Xavier in Cleveland on Sunday. I think they match up well with North Carolina and you have to face a #1 at some point so being in Ohio State's bracket doesn't faze me. Should be a fun few weeks.
Monday, March 7, 2011
To DQ or Not To DQ?
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I'm all for a DQ....Dairy Queen that is. I think the blogosphere has blown up with all this Big Cap controversy. I was watching on TwinSpires Mobile when the inquiry occurred on Saturday and was quick to show the Space Gal, as I know she's a big Chantal fan. I didn't bet the race so I had no dog in the fight. No, it wasn't because I was boycotting, I just didn't like Twirling Candy but couldn't decide on who to play instead. I had toyed with a Baffert box, just for fun, but decided to just sit back and enjoy.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Live From Budokan
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Not really. But I was a huge Cheap Trick fan as a yute (casual drop of a Vinnie Gambini reference).
You're looking live at the SpaceCapsule as we're going to take this ordinary ole' Sunday of racing and live blog our way through the NHC Tour contest. Top Four spots go to Vegas next January for the national tournament.
You won't find live blogging at this space during the big race days, Congressional Racing Hearings or even the Eclipse Awards, but the 6th of March? You've found your spot.
So what are we looking at today, besides the ocassional diaper change or bottle for the Space Filly? Ten contest races, kicking off at Oaklawn and the Fair Grounds, winding down to South Beach and Gulfstream Park and finally back to Oaklawn and wrapping up at little Sam Houston Park. The fifth and sixth races in the sequence are five minutes apart and eight minutes between contest races two and three, so that should be fun to navigate...
After reviewing the contest card last evening while watching a chick flick with the Space Gal (Love & Other Things - too sappy for my liking), I noticed a number of one mile turf races at tracks that I don't usually frequent. This could get really ugly. Not very high expectations for a wintry Sunday in Western New York, certainly not the 26th place finish last weekend in the Equibase tourney. Ok....let's get this show on the road...
2:45pm (all times EST): Today's strategies - 1) Don't get shutout. 2) Go big or go home. 3) See #1.
3:00pm: First race is up in 27 minutes from Oaklawn (Race 3). A 6-furlong optional claimer for 4-year olds and up. I'm taking The Elevator to the top of the leaderboard here, let's hope we don't need the emergency stop button. Won three straight at Hawthorne last year before being claimed by Jamie Ness. Has been on the shelf since last April so hopefully his odds will reflect same. Ness is 30% off the claim and 25% off the 180+ day layoff. Some dude named Birzer has the mount. Giddy up.
3:25pm: First curveball of the day - off the turf at Fair Grounds. Need. To. Pay. Attention. Plus Oaklawn is behind about 8 minutes so first two races are butting up against each other. Speed-capped the Fair Grounds races, but still have time to change my mind. Jumped on Why Not Be Perfect, Sicomoro.
3:42pm: Swing and a miss. 0 for 1. Can't believe I didn't play the Asmussen horse that won at 7/2. Especially with the Space Gal taking the Space Kid to Sesame Street Live today, wouldn't Herecomesbert be the play to start off the contest? Duh. Space Filly watch: still asleep.
3:55pm: Ok, we're on the board, no shutout today. Sicomoro takes second ($4.40 to place) behind the chalk. Move on to Gulfstream Race 7 and looks like we're off the turf there also....which is three races to re-handicap. We're a little chalky here with Salary Drive to try and build some base for the later races which I think are wide open. Total = $4.40.
4:09pm: Huzzah! Budokan strike. Salary Drive ($6.20/$3.00) with the Double U at 2-1. Not a huge price, but like I said, need some base before going bombing. We'll head over to Oaklawn next for Race 5. My initial inclination last night was to go with Ready to Thrill with Jon Court up sporting matching Beyers, but I have some time to study the board. Total = $13.60. Space Filly watch: stirring.
4:24pm: Tried switching off Ready to Thrill with 7 minutes to post and forgot it locks on the NTRA post time of 1 minute before post (4:21pm in this case). Damn..was going to jump on Smarty Springs. Ok...stuck with the chalk..come on Court! Space Filly update: She just rolled over!
4:40pm: Never should have been on the chalk there. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Not that I woulda had Nuckster, at least Smarty finished strong. Good-bye Oaklawn, we won't miss you. Back to Fair Grounds and another maiden race. We're on Chaleco, currently at 8-1. Still stuck on $13.60 (Tied for 611th place/1,815) will need to step it up. Space Filly update: 1 diaper change, 1 bottle...all is well.
4:50pm: Oops...looks like we have another race later in the contest at Oaklawn (Race 10, contest race 9). Looks like I have another shot at vindication at Hot Springs. Chaleco down to 4-1 as they approach post...one time, baby.
5:00pm: Swear to God, I was on Stold Da Gold and hopped off him for the higher odds (at the time) Chaleco, who took late money and went all the way down to 5-2..ugh. This is why I shouldn't change my picks. We're on the #9 horse Zister at Gulfstream at 7-1 (at the moment), not jumping off. We may go bombing from here. Live and learn.
5:20pm: Speed kills. Zister was cooked at the quarter pole. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Another slop race coming up at Gulfstream. I'm letting my dog pick the next race. Tanner Jones says Freedom Land, with an emphatic woof. I'm thinking about trying jai alai.
5:21pm: Chili! I forgot I made a nice ground chicken chili earlier in the day. Some nice peppers/onions added to crushed tomatoes and seasoned chili beans. Eat your heart out Richard Blais. Time to feed the beast and root my dog's pick home.
5:43pm: Even TJ doesn't have his mojo today. Freedom Land finished third, nothing left in the stretch. This chili's good though. Off to Sam Houston, he was a famous Texan, no? We have a 45 minute break in the action. The Space Filly likes Del Rio in SH2 and she also enjoys a good bottle of milk and savings bonds. Mired deep in the standings at $13.60.
5:47pm: On a more positive note, I'm not gambling today and haven't let this bad handicapping get in the way of my bankroll!
6:04pm: I lied. I figured since the contest is pretty much dead and we have two races left from Sam Houston....let's play a 50 cent Pick 3 from Texas! Easy single with Valid Performance in the first and we're 5x3 in the next two legs and hoping to catch a price on that huge $7.50 ticket.
6:07pm: It's a pillow fight for 1,315th place. I'm tied. It's time for a Bud Light. Maybe things will get a little more interesting...we have a Pick 3 to bring home now.
6:14pm: The Space Filly asked me to switch off the chalk and go with Oro Verdadero, which is ok with me as he is in my Pick 3 play, also. Touche. Was tempted to override her and go with the longshot, Demis Cleverchance, who has a win over the strip in an allowance, albeit on a muddy track. We'll stay with Oro and go bombing in the last two races.
6:47pm: Good news, bad news. Good news is Makin' Rhythm was in my P3...live to 5, 6, 10 here in Sam Houston Race 3. Bad news is our contest pick finished third. The family's home so here's the last two selections: Oaklawn: Private Offering and SH3: Catillac Cutie.
7:55pm: Last check in. Catillac Cutie led the whole way but surrendered in the stretch to finish second ($3.80) bringing our grand total to $17.40 (1 win, 2 places and a whole lotta nothin'). On a lucky note, my 6 horse (Blushed) scratched and I was put on the favorite in the P3 who beat my 5 horse and so we cash a ticket for $14 on a $7.50 play. So all is well with the world. Thanks for following along, we'll do it again someday.
I surrender...
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Rolling Along
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So while Lady Gaga rolled into town last night, I was enjoying a nice relaxing story at Barnes & Noble where Clifford the Big Red Dog made a special appearance. Needless to say, the Space Kid was beside himself. Priceless stuff.
So next up for him is the Sesame Street Live show that the Space Gal will be taking him to tomorrow afternoon, which leaves me and the Space Filly alone to tackle the NHC Tour online tournament.
We'll attempt to live blog the action through the action in between bottles and diapers...should be some good laughs. So check back tomorrow and see how we're coping in the Space Station and whether my new little good luck charm can add to the fun. I will say that as much as I criticize the NTRA on this site, they did make a good move in lowering the NHC tour buy-in to $45 this year. It enticed me to join and play the online tournaments and maybe jump into the higher buy-in tourneys once busy season is over. The good side of the ledger has at least one lonely check mark.
I did the live contest blog back in November on Delta Jackpot day and had some fun with it, so we'll give it another shot. The contest races are from Fair Grounds, Sam Houston and Oaklawn, 3 tracks I do not play often and Gulfstream Park. So basically it will be a good exercise in crash and burn tactics or watching a train wreck for those tuning in from home.
I did have some time this week to analyze the Gotham Stakes for The Buffalo News, take a peak at who I think will emerge from the Big Apple and an interesting longshot possibility.
Volume III of the Wireplayers.com Derby Dozen was issued earlier in the week and the list was shaken up quite a bit with the loss of To Honor and Serve and wins by Mucho Macho Man and Soldat since the last poll was out. The comments are very funny and add some spice as its not your ordinary, everyone-has-one type of Derby poll.
Back in sixty seconds....(not really, but I'll be back tomorrow with the live contest blog).
