Revisiting Big Sandy

Tweet As many of you may know, I became obsessed with this great sport in August 2004 at the ripe age of 40, several months after watching Birdstone upend Smarty Jones's bid for the Triple Crown while on vacation with the Space Gal down in Key West. This year will mark my fifth consecutive Belmont Stakes and Belmont Day, which I feel has one of the top five cards in racing the year has to offer. So before we start our sojourn down to Big Sandy for the weekend's festivities, I thought I'd reminisce a little on my first four Belmonts and some of the memories I'll never forget.

2006: I had attended my first Derby to see Barbaro rock the racing world. Who can then forget the fateful moment at Pimlico after being reloaded after an early gate break that led to Bernardini's victory and the fate of a great colt. It was a motley crew assembled for the '06 Belmont that included the Derby runner up Bluegrass Cat and the fourth place finisher and deep closer Jazil, who stole the day for Fernando Jara's first (and currently last) Triple Crown ride. Derby show horse Steppenwolfer finished fourth and west coast stalwart Bob and John just didn't fire that day. Best memories of the day: 1) having the first bloody of the day at the Blarney Rock across for the Garden reading the Form in anticipation of a great day; 2) the Saratoga Resident had us in supreme box seats just past the finish line and with a great view of the winner's circle; 3) being way too close to the Toddster and posing in some pictures behind him for laughs and; 4) watching Gorella close like a freight train in the Just a Game

This is what too many Heineken 24 ouncers can do to a guy.












2007: My favorite Belmont to date. Seeing history is always special. Ranks up there with seeing a Stanley Cup celebration (even though we lost), a World Series home run (Joe Carter) and a Final Four buzzer shot (Keith Smart) to win a national championship. Rags to Riches became the first filly since 1905 to win the Belmont. Beating Horse of the Year, Curlin, made it all the more special. Again, the Saratoga Rez had us in tremendous seats (even better than 2006) down near the finish line and the place went crazy in the stretch drive. Memories from 07 include: 1) being in the box in front of the Imawildandcrazyguy owners who were having a good 'ole time; 2) seeing the Toddster's reaction four boxes over after winning his first TC race; 3) bloodies at the Blarney Rock (of course); 4) seeing Old Blackie (Better Talk Now) win the Manhattan with a powerful close; and 5) hanging in the Meat Packing District at Balthazar on Friday night with the boys ("A storm is coming")


Rags and Todd making their way from the paddock to the track. Johnny V up.












2008: Big Brown. 94,476 in the house. 95 degrees in the shade. Bathroom failures. Pregnant Space Gal. Empty bank account. But still had a whale of a time! While there was disappointment that we didn't get to see history, the card was terrific and thanks to the Toga Rez we had good seats just after the break and access to bathrooms that saved the Space Gal's day. 2008 Memories: 1) Benny the Bull winning the True North; 2) J Be K winning the Woody Stephens; 3) bringing the Space Gal to the Blarney for a Virgin Mary (do you see a pattern?); and 4) return trip to Balthazar on Friday and Da Marino on 49th for Saturday night's dinner and wine-inspired singalongs with the piano guy.

Jockey Shaq was in the house!













2009: Made the trip solo and roamed the vastness of Belmont Park all day long. Highlight of the day was meeting my pal Ernie and Dan Silver early in the morning and casually mentioning how much I liked Summer Bird. Was fortunate enough to attend the post-race press conference to see the joy of trainer Tim Ice and jockey Kent Desormeaux who achieved a tad of redemption after past Belmont failures. Memories include: 1) driving to Belmont for the first time and making it out of the war zone that was my parking lot after the day was over; 2) seeing blog comrades Alan H. and Robert from the TBA who I only see a few times each year; 3) getting my picture taken with Edgar Prado after his book signing and asking him if he reads my blog (he not too good with computer - umm, that's a negatory). 4) hanging with JB and the boys under their special tree for a few races and banging out a few show pool bets.

Bird is the word.















2010: ??????

We'll have some race thoughts up tomorrow evening before the Space Gal and I head out to Big Sandy.

Weekend Funnies

Tweet It's been a long week and a little comic relief can't hurt. I've been working on my new fast food blog since my traffic spike due to the McDonald's Filet o Fish ad and subsequent lovefest regarding the Shamrock Shake.

I went to the University of Buffalo (UB) - Bowling Green (former SU star Louie Orr coaches the Falcons!) hoops game the other night as a guest of the UB Athletics department and met an old time horseplayer who is involved in the sports program at UB within the sports medicine phase (the Doc). We shared some stories (mainly his) and I found him truly fascinating. He told me how he had a chance to buy into Summer Squall back in the day, and that didn't one of his prodigy win won of the big races last year? Ha! Indeed he did (Summer Bird!). Well, we'll be headed to the Fort or Woodbine this summer together with some of the UB Athletics staff and I can't wait to spend a full day with this gentleman.

Oh yeah...he also shared a couple jokes with me I'll pass on....

Doc: So, Gene did I tell you that I had a horse that went off at 5 to 2 today?
Me: No, what happened?
Doc: Well he came in about a quarter to 3.

Much laughter ensued.

Ok...this one is better....

This horseplayer was sitting at the kitchen table reading the Form when his wife came out of nowhere and cracked him on the head with a frying pan. The horseplayer yelled in pain and asked his wife "Why did you do that??" She said that she had found a piece of paper in his pocket that had the name "Jane" on it. He responded that that was just a horse he had a tip on the previous day and made a bet on it. She apologized and she got him a bag of ice for his head.

The next day the horseplayer was once again sitting at the table perusing the Form and lo and behold his wife cracked him on the head again with the frying pan. Once again, he yelled in pain and asked her "Why did you do that again??" The wife responded, "Your horse just called."

Enjoy the weekend Derby trail stakes races....you know there will be an upset in at least one of the three big races. Don't forget to join the TBA league (54 entries and climbing) set up in the Road to the Roses fantasy contest which starts today. (League ID: 3173203388 and Activation Code: 2247553444). In today's big races I like Tempted to Tapit in the Risen Star, Dublin in the Southwest and Eskendereya in the FOY....but I'll be sitting on the sidelines just enjoying the races. Good luck if you're playing.

Cold As Ice

Tweet It seems like yesterday when Tim Ice and the Jayaramans were standing in the basement of Belmont Park at their winning press conference where Dr. KKJ was lavishing praise on his trainer. But in the theme of "what have you done for me lately" the Jayaramans relieved Ice of his training duties of 25 horses, rendering his barn practically empty (six horses remain). Five of these horses were nominated to the 2010 Triple Crown. While I'm sure you've already heard the news, I took a burn to this, mainly due to my affinity for Summer Bird and his terrific 3yo season wherein he won the Belmont Stakes, the Travers Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. KKJ cited "communication issues" with Ice. From where I come from it takes two sides to communicate and I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't cut a guy who delivered him a Triple Crown race some slack. Ice did a fabulous job training the Bird during his Eclipse winning season (don't forget he was 6th in the Kentucky Derby and 4th in the BC Classic to boot), winning over $2.3M in the process for the Jayaramans. His move to put blinkers on Summer Bird before the Belmont was a terrific job of training. Not too shabby. But I guess his current Oaklawn meeting numbers (2 for 15) for the doctors just aren't cutting it so....thanks for coming.

Ice said during the Belmont press conference, "If my career goes nowhere from here, I've got a Belmont win. They can't take it away from me." Let's hope he can pick up the pieces and some new, more appreciative owners in the process. He's still has this fan in his corner.

Ups & Downs

Tweet It was one of those roller coaster weekends with lots of ups & downs...let's take a look:

Big Ups

- The emergence of several exciting 2yo's in the weekend stakes races were well documented around the interwebs. Personally, my hunch (Derby?) colt will be Buddy's Saint (childhood nickname).

- Kodiak Kowboy's big win in the H&D Cigar Mile gave him 3 Grade I's this year and us blogger types another Eclipse Award debate for Sprinter of the year (although not sure a mile win qualifies as a sprint).

- The 'Cuse hoops squad! They are for reals, yo! Next Dome trip, Feb 10th vs. UConn...Dome dog report: very tasty.

- The Bills! TO is TO bound this week....and so am I. A trip to Woodbine Thursday after noon followed by a date with the J-E-T-S in the SkyDome....err Rogers Centre. Woodbine report on Friday.

- My fantasy football team. Thank you Mr. Brees, for delivering the 13 points I needed tonight before halftime, my body thanks you. Which reminds me, I loved the TVG fantasy horse racing stable game/league I was in a few years ago where each competitor selected five colts and five fillies and had 25 or so free moves. Points were awarded based on hitting the board in graded stakes every weekend. I would so do it again, and what a great way to get young techie type fans involved.

- The Space Gal....for unloading an early Xmas present on me.....HRTV online!!! I no longer need my HRTV! I watched the "Tribute to Bobby" special tonight on my computer as my first foray into HRTV....I think I'm gonna like this.

Down in the Dumps

- Summer Bird. I was distraught Saturday night when the Paulick Report was first to break the story about his injury in Japan a week before he was to run in the Japan Dirt Cup (G1). Best wishes for a quick recovery to one fo my favorites.

- Notre Dame Football. Really, you voted not to go to a bowl game. Really Notre Dame? They're kidding, right? Funny, I heard Jimmy Clausen's postgame interview on Saturday night and it sure sounded like he wanted to go bowling. They need to get over their own selves (not sure that's proper grammar, but no one's grading this blog, so I think I'm safe).

- Elin Woods. Poor club selection, a driver was the obvious pick.

-Lady's Secret. Even though I had to look up her achievements, she was obviously disrespected by the decision to yank the name of her race and give it to Zenyatta. Big thumbs down.

Thanks for Coming!

Tweet It's the time of year to give thanks and I'll jump on the bandwagon to give thanks for a few things. It's fun to look back at last year's Thanksgiving post to see what I was up to and where I've degenerated to (mainly so I don't repeat myself)

- #1 on the list is always set aside for the Space Gal and the joy she brings me each and every day. How anyone could put up with my nonsense day in and day out is beyond me. Not to mention the wonderful gift of the Space Kid that she gave me this year. You're the best.

- The Toga Resident came through with the EquiSpace suite once again during my summering in Saratoga and makes for the best host and takes care of me every year. It is much appreciated.

- Being a member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance has been a wonderful experience, meeting great friends and sharing ideas. The opportunities this group has presented me over the past year at the Bloodhorse (latest post over there is up to 58 comments - a record for me!)and the NTRA were tremendous.

- I'm thankful that I was able to cross a few tracks off my list this year and they were both spectacular: Keeneland and Santa Anita. Our Kentucky trip was filled with great memories and meeting new friends. The Space Kid was able to knock off two great tracks (KEE and Churchill) in his first year of life. Experiencing the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita was definitely one of the year's highlights for me.

- I'm thankful I was able to visit Old Friends, and our guide Mercer, gave us a great tour of an outstanding property. We were so fortunate to be on hand to see EscapedFromNewYork (a Paragallo horse) arrive on the scene.

- I'm thankful we still have a pro football team in Buffalo (well, at least one that dresses up like one).

- I'm thankful that Fort Erie Race Track was able to stay open for quick jaunts across the bridge to get a quick fix.

- I'm thankful for $0.50 Pick-3's and Pick-4's.

- I'm thankful that I was able to meet some horsemen over the past year (the Obviously NY Stable guys and Bona Venture Stables) that have supported me and this blog.

- I'm thankful for having the opportunity to partially own a horse with Frank at That's Amore Stables, who did more than you could ever ask for as the managing partner. While it didn't end well for Higher Authority, Frank was professional and did what was best for our filly all the way through.

- I'm thankful I was able to attend my fourth consecutive Belmont Stakes (courtesy of NYRA's Media folks - thanks!) to see my favorite horse Summer Bird take the cake.

- Finally, I'm very thankful for everyone who stops by to check out this site and leave a comment every once and a while. I hope you enjoy your stay while you're here...so thanks for coming.

- I'm thankful for having a sense of humor.....even during hard times.

So off to the 'Cuse for the holiday weekend with the extended family. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

The Lost Weekend

Tweet Why the post title, The Lost Weekend? Because every single thing I did, gambled on, rooted for or enlisted in, well ya know, lost. I thought we started out smokin' at the Buffalo Wehrle OTB winning the first two races in the NYS OTB handicapping contest, but it was a downhill spiral from there. The results (welcome to Loserville, population: Me)....

OTB Handicapping contest: 3 winners.
Equibase handicapping tournament: Lucky to hit double figures.
UB football vs. Central Michigan (with side bet with the Mi Bred-Claimer - the gold bullion is in the mail): 17-10 loss.
Belmont Super Saturday: Played two P3's and the guaranteed P4 @ Belmont on Saturday: Lost both P3's in the last leg and the P4 blew up on contact (see Kodiak Kowboy, see Interpatation). I couldn't even turn the Summer Bird victory into a score because I left out Spa City Whatever His Name Is off my late double ticket.
Syracuse football: Close at halftime, kablooie in second half by South Florida.
Indiana Derby selections: My top four selections at my free NTRA blog finished 8th, 1st, 5th and 9th, respectively.
Meadowlands Survivor Pool: After finishing in the top 100 at Monmouth, I missed the board all day Saturday. (Space Gal, on the other hand, hit the board on all 3 of her selections?)
Sabres Home Opener: Crushing OT loss even though they outshot the Habs twofold.
ESPN Streak for the Cash: Entered the weekend with a six game streak, exited with a 3-4 record.

And that was just Saturday. At least I was dry and drinking cheap beer.

Sunday would go not much better.

Arc d'Triomphe: I watched on TwinSpiresTV and made a small wager to no avail. My ADW account is in the shop until the Breeders' Cup. (Side note: WTF TVG...Meadowlands reply show so I could watch my crappy picks lose again versus the freakin' Arc??? They lost some viewership opportunities on a Sunday morning, for sure.)
Fantasy Football Team (with Drew Brees): tied going into Monday night vs. Vikes defense (pretty much cooked). If you're wondering how my survivor pool pick did, I was eliminated last week.

Finally, the creme de le creme: The Buffalo Bills. Now wasn't that special.

Thank goodness there was no Top Chef programming this week, my man Eli would be sure to be packing his knives....

I'm just trying not to get hit by a truck while walking my trusty Tanner Jones around the block tonight.....and look what I found coming live from Orchard Park....in 1986...maybe I'll get lucky tonight (going with Pittsburgh, which means you still have time to call your bookmaker to play San Diego).

Bird Bath

Tweet Well it looks like that bird poop was lucky after all and thank goodness as I was getting killed all day long at the Saratoga Race Course on Travers Day 2009. Not only did Summer Bird come through like his poppy, but a lucky break from the stewards gave Capt Candyman Can the King's Bishop in a DQ helping on to a solid Pick 3 and a winning day at the grand ole race course.

To boot I picked up 3 points in the Toga Party contest (standings updated) with the closest $2 tri payout guess thanks to the place by Hold Me Back. Hell yeah. The Saratoga Resident was beside himself as he had Vineyard Haven in the contest (and at the windows) and was beaten by his friends, the stewards, just a week ago.

We had a super weekend with the best accommodations (other than staying with the Saratoga Resident, of course) as I treated the Space Gal to the Batchellor Mansion B&B, which I highly recommend for those looking for a great place with character and charm to bring your own gal for a getaway weekend sometime. We arrived Friday after a modest 4:20 from Buffalo (more on this later) with a stop for some Starbucks and headed over to the track for a Hattie's chicken sandwich (can't go wrong) and a Roast beef Po' boy from One Caroline at Restaurant Row. For the first time in the five years I've been summering at the Spa I didn't watch one race live. We hunkered down in the Jim Dandy bar for the day and it was a revolving door of clients, blogging friends, friends and we made some new friends. It was great catching up with everyone and meeting some for the first time ever. We had a nice dinner at Tiznow (one of my favorite places) and headed to 9 Maple for a nightcap.

Saturday was a great day starting on the backstretch, to the Turf Terrace for a great day of racing, the back yard to see some of my fellow EC alums, and finally to the Lodge for a great dinner. It's amazing that the rain didn't dampen our spirits one bit, we were just out having a grand old time. Who wouldn't bet on Get Stormy on a rainy Travers Day?? Who would've predicted that three of the biggest races of the year (Kentucky Derby, the Haskell and the Travers) would all be run over sloppy tracks. Go figure.

Sunday, I ended up having a chance encounter at the Mobil on Broadway with Steve Crist as we were both heading out town in different directions with sub-4 hour trips on our minds. He actually mentioned our brief conversation on his Cristblog today....comedy gold. This stuff only happens to me....

P.S. I limped home in a 4:15....needing a much needed break (Dunkin' Donuts' Ice Coolata did the trick) at Junius Ponds....oh well, there's always next year.

Some pictures from the trip:

Naughty New Yorker ran a nice second in the Funny Cide Stakes (not my best work).

The jocks heading to their mounts...

Pletcher saddling Cowboy Cal before the Bernard Baruch (G2), where he finished second.

A very dapper Kiaran McLaughlin before the Baruch sizing up the competition on paper for Justenuffhumor.

Tell me Alan Garcia on Justenuffhumor isn't giving me the "you better bet my horse on top" look. We turned that positive vibe into a nice triple.

On Travers morning we met Dan Collins, managing partner of Bona Venture Stables at trainer Leah Gyarmati's barn and got to visit with It's the Big Cat. We had a nice visit after meeting him at the track on Friday and he was the perfect host during our visit to the backstretch.

And they're off on the sloppy track in the 6th on Travers Day! I liked Barcola (the #15) but it wasn't meant to be as The Roundhouse (#3) was the winner.

Saeed bin Suroor of Godolphin Racing putting the saddle cloths on the winner of the Victory Ride (G3) Sara Louise, the last horse to defeat Rachel Alexandra, in the paddock. The Sheikh had a huge day and was one DQ away from three graded wins.

Bird Poop

Tweet It's a sign. No, I'm not describing the picture to the left. I'm talking about the bird poop that landed on my left shoulder today during my afternoon walk with the Space Kid and my trusty dog, Tanner Jones. I remember reading somewhere (Simmons maybe?) that you'll come into good luck if a bird poops on you. I'm taking it to a different level as I don't know the specie of bird that did his thing on me. But it might mean....

Summer Bird is the word for the Travers. I liked the way he ran in the Haskell, changing tactics by staying close to the pace in order to stay up with whatshername. The mile and a quarter could be just the right distance for the other Bird to romp home and overtake Kensei and Quality Road in the stretch. With the weather being iffy...an attendance number in the low 40s wouldn't be out of the question.

The King's Bishop looks like a monster race. I'm hitching my wagon to Captain Candyman Can at 7 furlongs. Big Drama and Munnings both loom large, but I'm looking for the Captain to steal one here. How's that for expert analysis.

Looking forward to the Baruch tomorrow. Justenuffhumor and Cowboy Cal will duel. I think I played against Baruch College back in my college hoop days, think we whipped their arses too. Maybe tomorrow will be a lucky day after all...

Speaking of unlucky, my pal, Double-G, missed the Del Mar P6 ($17K) by one horse today who lost by a nose (in the third leg). Now that's a tough beat.

Have a great weekend and see ya at the Spa!

Put the Lime in the Coconut

Tweet When you put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better.


Rachel's going to the beach and at least for now, for the first time since the 1996 Travers, we'll have two of the three Triple Crown race winners in the same race (where Preakness winner Louis Quatorze and Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note met). If we can get the New Mexicans into the picture we'd have the Grand Slam of Racing in our midst. Not since 1982 (!) have all three triple crown race winners clashed. The 1982 Travers featured Derby winner Gato Del Sol, Preakness winner Aloma’s Ruler, and Belmont Stakes winner Conquistador Cielo at the Spa. Looking at the condition book it doesn't appear that Rachel Alexandra will get a weight break like she did in the Preakness where she carried 121 lbs. to the colts' 126 lbs. The Condition Book reads as follows for the $1M Haskell Invitational:

Weight : 122 lbs. Non-winners of a triple crown race allowed 2 lbs; Non-winners of a Grade I at a mile or over in 2009 allowed 4 lbs. A bonus of $25,000 per race will be given to both the owner and trainer of any horse that has won a leg of the Triple Crown and starts in the Haskell.


So things are little more fair this time around and Summer Bird's trainer Tim Ice has already laid down some smack saying, "Good horses should meet. If we beat her, then Summer Bird is the best three year old." Rock on, Ice Man...let's get this party started.


Anyways, we got ourselves a horse race, and let's hope Munnings and Big Drama continue to point at this one, as it will make the race even more intriguing. Drama had an awful start to the Preakness, but still finished strong and can only be getting better as he matures. I hope he doesn't decide to pass on this one.


Still hoping she gives the Travers a shot so I get to see her....


I'll take my coconut with lime please...


Here's the 1982 Travers featuring all three triple crown winners all to be outdone by a longshot Canuck named Runaway Groom (courtesy cf1970)...

Ice Ice Baby

Tweet One man's defining moment can be another man's icing on the cake.

2009 Belmont Stakes champion trainer Tim Ice who described the feeling as "unexplainable" went on to say "If my career goes nowhere from here, I've got a Belmont win. They can't take it away from me." Yesterday's terrific come from behind win by Summer Bird topped off quite a day for the former assistant trainer at beautiful Belmont Park. Making an equipment change (blinkers on) for a major race like this can be a turn-off for a lot of handicappers, this trainer knew it was the right thing for the "other" Bird, "I think adding the blinkers let him focus. I think Kent Desormeaux helped a lot. With the blinkers and Kent, they put it together and won the third leg of the Triple Crown."

For HOF jockey Kent Dersormeaux, the victory solidified the completion of his personal triple crown, the icing on the cake. Eluded twice under Triple Crown threatening colts Real Quiet and Big Brown, KD completed his personal crown with a resounding fourth victory of the day. The media made sure they reminded Kent of his past Belmont disappointments in the post race press conference, particularly last year's race. Kent coolly answered all of the questions, but you could sense the relief in his voice, "I can't tell you how much I'm going inside, how well it feels to have that contentment and to be able to go home and rest at ease knowing I've won the three American classics."

For me, it was a special treat, bouncing around the vast expanse of Belmont Park yesterday. It made the over 20 hours or so of driving this weekend all worthwhile. My day started off on the right foot with a chance meeting of TRNY founder Ernie Munick and NYRA Director of Communications Dan Silver, where we chatted about the big race and exchanged pleasantries. After that, the highlight of my day was meeting Edgar Prado who was signing his book "My Guy Barbaro" outside of the NYRA store (I asked him if he read our blogs, he said he's not so good with the computer, so I gave him a pass). I met up with Robert at They're in the Gate and Alan of The Bug Boys, hopefully we'll catch up again at the Spa this summer. I spent a few races with my pal JB and his boys and the last three races by myself just taking the experience in. The roar of the crowd when they turn for home in the Belmont, is the best sound in all of sports.

The rest of the racing day has been covered elsewhere, but I'll leave you with the Day in Pictures for me (with my usual commentary)....

When you get to the track two hours before first post, why not get a quick trim for $10?

2006 Kentucky Derby winning jockey Edgar Prado (needs help with computer, can anyone help a brother out?)

Plenty of media folk on site, first HRTV's Laffit Pincay (chugged at least two Red Bulls while I was watching) with another guy I was too lazy to look up (cuz I don't get HRTV!!!!) (Update: It's Jeff Siegel...hat tip to Elizabeth)

ESPN's Jeannine Edwards in the paddock.

The other Toddster, from TVG, mouthing a few words of the National Anthem.

A little fly-by after the Anthem, I don't know about you, but it got me a bit unnerved, as I wasn't expecting it and it seemed a tad close...for NYC.

The always dapper Todd Pletcher. Do you think he was getting a text from Mrs. P? Honey, bring home two milks, toilet paper.....

Zito: "And get this, my horse, Da'Tara, no one goes with him and he wins the freakin' thing!"

2008 Belmont Stakes winning jock Alan Garcia.

Kieran was a very charitable man to give his time to pose with JB and the boys. I hung out with the handicapping crew under their Belmont tree in the backyard and got them off their two year Belmont Day show pool schneid with My Princess Jess.

Gio Ponti cruising home in the Manhattan.

And they're off in the Belmont!

Happy Connections: Champagne on Ice!

Note: special thanks to Dan Silver and Ashley Herriman of NYRA for making it a great day.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Tweet "Those aren't pillows!" ~Steve Martin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The streak is alive. I'm heading to my fourth consecutive Belmont Stakes and super psyched about it. I won't exactly be taking the same route as last year, which ended up being about a ten hour train ride to Penn Station from the B-Lo, but as usual I will be attempting a circuitous route to the Big Apple via Altoona, Pennsylvania through Allentown PA (to handicap and sleep) onto Elmont Saturday morning. It's a long story, so don't ask. I've never driven to Belmont Park, so I'm sure that will be a treat in itself, and hoping Mr. Tom Tom can guide me safely into the east side parking lot of the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Huge props to the Space Gal for encouraging me to take the journey while she attends graduations and visits with her folks.

The Belmont undercard looks pretty fabulous and I look forward to seeing Hull and Kensei again in the Woody Stephens, they ran 1-2 in the Derby Trial on opening day at Churchill during our Kentucky trip. I'll start my handicapping tonight, but I better have my Belmont pick for the office tomorrow, I think some of my admin staff are now regulars at the Niagara Falls Boulevard OTB (geesh what have I done). Who woulda thunk it that I will be seeing back to back races for Better Talk Now, who last ran at Keeneland during the aforementioned visit to the Bluegrass State. The Manhattan Handicap (G1) looks like a monster race which I'm thinking I'll have to go pretty deep on my Pick Four play. That race will be my first live looks at Court Vision, Gio Ponti and Cowboy Cal.

As someone who's office is off of Audubon Drive, my initial thoughts on the Belmont are focused on Mine That Bird, Summer Bird and Flying Private (the Audubon Triple). I'm actually liking Flying Private to hit the board, his race comments show one nightmare trip after another. But I could be reaching...more analysis required...

A bonus on Saturday will be to see local Saratoga favorite My Man Lars, who scored nicely on a tip from the Puma last 4th of July. He'll be running on the undercard in race 5 for owner Jimmy Olson (no relation to he of Superman lore). People have asked me why I nicknamed my pal the Puma...gotta be the socks...now you know. We'll be checking in late tomorrow night from A-town. Drop me a line if you'd like to meet up in the backyard.