Dynamic Duo

Tweet Looks like Johnny V has taken his rightful spot next to his main main, The Toddster. Upon opening the package Monday morning, my first thought was that the guy who I bought it from (on eBay) colored in a mustache on the bobblehead, but I guess he had the porn stache going back in the day. It was Johnny V who gave Pletcher his first Triple Crown victory with the filly Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont Stakes.

The reunion on my shelf reminded me of my first race track experience at the Spa. The Saratoga Resident and I had gone to the races in August 2004 and he was teaching me how to read the Form, when we came across a horse Johnny V was riding. He immediately educated me about the love affair the Spa crowd has with the jockey/trainer combo of Pletcher/Velazquez. He told me the horse would be underlaid (like I knew what that meant) and hugely overbet (that's more like it), but never to discount the combination as they were perennial winners at the Spa. Fast forward to Sunday's opener at Gulfstream and the combo grabbed back to back winners with Blues Street and Quality Road and a third place with Inner Groove.

So that being said, I wanted to actually see how well they've clipped over the past five years (by year). Try finding that information on the web. Via Equibase I could find individual statistics for each, but not the jockey/trainer combo wins and percentages. Why is it so hard to put my fingers on this kind of information? Why is it so frustrating, when you can grab MLB batting averages, NFL QB ratings or Tiger's 2009 greens in regulation? All for free, mind you. Ease of access to information for horseplayers and fans didn't make Alex's year end wish list, unless you count "improved education and development efforts for new fans," but I don't think that's what he meant. Help me, people, help me!?!

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.