Did You Know...

Tweet This month's edition has a bit of a triple crown flavor to it. March 24th (yesterday) was certainly a signifcant day in horse racing history.

- That 2 (count 'em two) triple crown winners were foaled on this date? Both Omaha (1932) and Count Fleet (1940) were foaled on March 24th!

- That Omaha was the only triple crown winner to be sired by another triple crown winner, Gallant Fox? How cool is that?

- That Upset, the only horse to defeat the great Man o' War died at age 24, the following year in 1941. The term "upset" is thought to have originated from this surprising accomplishment. That I did not know.

- That in 1953, Saturday programming for nationwide televising of 10 of the richest races being run in New York and Delaware, was announced. NBC and ABC provided network coverage for the broadcasts, which ran from mid April until mid June. Kevin, there's still hope for Take Back Saturday!

- That in 1997, an underwriting company (Assicurazioni Generali) agreed to pay a $25 million claim filed by Cigar's owners Allen Paulson and Coolmore Stud on their congenital infertility insurance policy.

- That the original Derby poll is over at the CJ? Does that mean Ray's is extra crispy?

- That one of Microsoft's interview questions (so the Space Gal tells me) is: Why are manholes round? Answer: A round manhole cover can't fall into the manhole no matter how much you twist and turn it. A rectangular cover can, all you have to do is tilt it sideways. There you go. Bill Gates, beware your little secret is out.

Remember for the best history lessons within the TBA, check out the resident expert, Colin's Ghost.

Light it Up...

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Ok now that the tryptophan is out of the system I can get back to business....

One of the best handicapping overlays I have ever taken advantage of (and actually jumped on) was Purge's (see inset) Cigar Mile upset in 2005. I was sitting in an OTB passing some time while the Space Gal was home visiting relatives and noticed that the 10-1 morning line Purge was creeping upwards to 25-1. After spending some time with the PP's there was something I really liked about this horse and had played him underneath in my exotic wagers. With a minute to post I decided to pull the trigger and went across the board with him. Garret Gomez experiences a dream trip and pace scenario to close late for Todd Pletcher and win! "The 4-year-old son of Pulpit covered the mile in 1:34.26 and returned $53, $21.80 and $18.40." It was one of those moments that you get a shot at only every once and a while. Lately, I've passed on them (see Slambino on Travers Day...couldn't pull the trigger)....anyhow tomorrow's big race is once again the Cigar Mile and it has a tremendous field going a mile at the Big A.

This race has a little bit of everything. A couple of west coast stars (Monterrey Jazz and Arson Squad), a sprinting start stretching out to a mile (Kodiak Kowboy), several Classic trail horses (Visionaire and Tale of Ekati), an elder warrior (Wanderin Boy), a Canadian Classic champ (Harlem Rocker), a horse taking a major step up in class (Bribon) and an undefeated late blooming 3yo (Storm Play) also making a big class jump. Wow, where do you start?

I'm looking towards the old guy, Wanderin Boy (#6), who appears to be in great shape (two consecutive bullet works), and well rested (last raced 9/27) after losing to Curlin by 3/4 length in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. I also favor Monterrey Jazz (#8), coming off a layoff, who handled the dirt and some decent competition at Lone Star Park. I think TofE will bounce after a career best and that Visionaire (#1) should rebound after losing to TofE in the slop last out, and I'll use him underneath with Harlem Rocker (#3), Bribon (#4) and Kodiak Kowboy (#9).

I'm thinking of two plays a trifecta and an exacta:

6,8 with 6,8 with 1,3,4,9 $1 tri cost: $8
6,8 with 1,3,4,9 $1 exacta cost: $8

Good luck, let's hope to light that victory Cigar in honor of the past champ!

Did You Know...

Tweet that today in racing history marks the following?

In 1894, Aqueduct Racetrack opened its doors for the first time. It was rebuilt in 1959 and the winter inner track was opened in 1975. Hall of Famer Cigar won the first two races of his magical sixteen race win streak at Aqueduct. Fittingly, it is today's date that Curlin will try and upend Cigar's bankroll record this afternoon in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. It is also the site of the first and only triple dead heat for win in a stakes race. In the 1944 running of the Carter Handicap, Brownie, Bossuet, and Wait A Bit hit the finish line at the same time. (see also a new blog of the same name Triple Dead Heat I have started to follow and the picture of the feat in the men's bathroom of the Grey Gelding in Saratoga!)

Also on today's date in 1924, in the second his three specially staged international races, the French colt Epinard was defeated by a nose to Ladkin at Aqueduct where a crowd in excess of 40,000 (!!) were on hand for the race. What are the chances a quarter of that shows up for today's terrific card at Belmont, weather permitting.

And finally, in 1947, Armed, then the world's leading money-winning thoroughbred (see a pattern here?) met 1946 Kentucky Derby winner Assault in the first $100K winner-take-all match race, held at Belmont Park. Armed earned an easy 8 length victory over an ailing Assault and went on to win 1947 HOY honors.

Why I am no means the history expert in these parts, I found the links to Cigar and Aqueduct interesting with today's race and his record in jeopardy on a date already steeped in racing history. For real history reporting, check out Colin's Ghost, who has a nice entry up on today's Jockey Club Gold Cup race.