Posts from April 2008
Go, Buy a DVD
Get a hat while you’re at, and perhaps a shirt… don’t forget a poster!
Where? The First Saturday in May store, that’s where!
Posted by dana on Apr 30 2008
Filed Under: 2008, Internet, First Saturday in May, Hennegan Brothers, Marketing
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Hello Belmont!
Mr. Umphrey and Divine Park in the Westchester, opening day at Belmont (~ RAYMOND)
Pardon my lack of posting today, because you know, this is the week when all bloggers are posting at least 6 posts a day… wait till Friday, I’ll be a posting machine!
Brief thoughts:
Belmont, yay!
Loving the ML odds of the Derby.
Love the parrot story, thanks SF!
Speaking of SF, look for Brooklyn Backstretch at Superfecta while SF is out of town and BB works out annoyance with blogger.
I heart Pyro.
Churchill Downs has the best sweet corn muffins.
I love my friend Joan and talking horses with her, she says “Tale of Ekati — I have this thing against Tale of the Cat offspring. I have this problem with the sire and cats in general.”
Looks like anyone wishing to play the Derby/Oaks under cards can do so at bricks-and-mortar simulcast facilities. (Phew, and thanks Jessica!).
Take a look at Big Brown’s feet for yourself.
David shares non-derby related a view from the inside.
And Franks shares some favorite Derby memories… glad to hear Pyro works for the “the system”.
Special Railbird correspondent “Blinkers Off” wins the best report from Churchill… even Ray Paulick thinks so!
Posted by dana on Apr 30 2008
Filed Under: Signal Wars, Raymond Haddad, 2008, Pyro, Belmont, Derby Trail, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...I Heart Jim Squires
Man, Jim Squires, owner of Two Bucks Farm in Versailles, Ky, is quickly becoming my favorite read over The Rail, or anywhere for that matter.
His current post, “Why the filly has a chance“, not only discusses both Eight Belles and Proud Spell, but shares some interesting insights into fillies & colts in general.
Forget that nonsense that intimidation is a male prerogative in the equine world, too. Young females often run the colts off their food in the pasture. And a lot of big handsome colts have had to be moved to safer quarters just to protect them from a dominant, mean-tempered little filly.
and
But there are two big obstacles for fillies facing colts for the first time, that could be easily overcome by experience in earlier prep races. When running against one another, fillies do a lot of talking in the gate, shrill whinnying for the most part. But the sound of colts in the gates is different, more slamming around, grunting and snorting. Colts seldom whinny in a race gate. This can be unnerving to fillies, who are often in a hurry to leave, sapping adrenaline as object of a chase.
And his post from Sunday entitled “The Last Winstrol Derby?” is still drawing some eye opening comments!
Posted by dana on Apr 29 2008
Filed Under: Internet, 2008, Drugs, You Tell 'em!, Derby Trail, Kentucky Derby, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Derby This & That
Churchill Downs (blake seely)
Note to self, “if you had more PTO you could theoretically take the week prior to the Derby off just to read all the reports coming out of Louisville”.
A few things caught my eye as I bounced around the internet today.
Cheers to glimmerglass for an excellent comment on fellow TBA-er Alan’s Rail Piece that speculates on the potential brouhaha if Eight Belles scratches.
Eight Belles is 4-0 this year; if one of the boys possibly “bumped” by her has accomplished that and earned as much graded money as she has, then they wouldn’t be on the outside looking in.
There are more then a couple colts going who haven’t a prayer but no complaints exists when they are still being entered.
And a special nod goes to commenter Joe for noting that there are already about 6 too many horses running anyway.
Over at fellow TBA-er Thoroughblog I noticed this quote from Asmussen about Pyro:
I’m not looking to run him on a synthetic track again.
Read no Breeders’ Cup for Pyro.
Steve Davidowitz reminds us to not overlook the Derby under card [DRF+]. That is, if we’ll be able to play it if we’re not literally at Churchill Downs.
Posted by dana on Apr 28 2008
Filed Under: Churchill Downs, Internet, 2008, Signal Wars, TBA, Pyro, Derby Trail, 3yo, Steve Davidowitz, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Lava Man & Noe Garcia
Lava Man and his beloved groom Noe Garcia before the Khaled Stakes at Hollywood Park (Charles Pravata)
Charles Pravata was kind enough to send me this great shot of Lava Man and his groom Noe Garcia prior to the Khaled in the paddock. While he didn’t win, I thought he ran well and was definitely not the checked out Lava Man of his prior 3 6th places.
His connections seem to be eyeing another try at the Gold Cup! And while trainer Doug O’Neil was disappointed he didn’t win, he felt that Lava Man would probably need a race or two to get back into good form. Only fair for 7yo!
I took a look over at YouTube to see if I could find the race. Not only did find it, I found two excellent “extras”!
Here’s a clip of handicapper Rich Perloff discussing Lava Man. While discussing works he also points out the difference between breezing vs. handy between the east & west coast tracks. Someone in the crowd also raises my point about Lava Man’s 3 flops coinciding with his groom’s absence.
Here’s some footage of Lava Man preparing for the race.
And finally, the race itself…
Welcome back old man!
Posted by dana on Apr 28 2008
Filed Under: Geldings, Charles Pravata, Hollywood Gold Cup, Doug O'Neill, 2008, Corey Nakatani, Workouts, YouTube, Lava Man, Fans, Handicapping, Race Replay, Turf, Hollywood Park, Racing
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