I’m not closely following all the hootin’ and hollerin’ going on about Santa Anita too closely. However, I will say that I’m not a fan of takeout hikes in general, but perusing the weekend cards for the past two weeks has uncovered something odd, at least to me. Both weekends saw very similar races in the same division carded both days of the weekend.

Last weekend in the handicap division:
Saturday 2/5: Strub Stakes - 9F G2 $200,000 (7 entrants)
Sunday 2/6: San Antonio Stakes - 9F G2 $150,00 (6 entrants)

This weekend in the distaff division:
Saturday 2/12: Santa Maria Stakes - 8.5F G2 $150,000 (5 entries)
Sunday 2/13: La Canada Stakes - 9F G2 $150,000 (4 entries)

In each instance both races are carded on the same surface with little or no difference in distance. The handicap division had slightly better turn out but could have easily been one race with 13 entries. This weekend’s distaff races are far more glaring with only five entries in the Santa Maria and four in the La Canada (after scratches).

I suspect that owners and horseman prefer it this way, but is it in the best interest of racing in California with sinking handle? I honestly don’t know, but am guessing some of you might have an opinion or two!

Update: apparently not re: an opinion!

Posted by dana on Feb 13 2011    
Filed Under: California, 2011, Industry, Santa Anita

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The son of AP Indy out of Balance who eventually went for $4.2 million

Last night Keeneland’s September Sale got underway (and apparently off to great start!). As many do, I enjoy watching the live feed of the auction. The auctioneer and the announcer have a great chemistry and can be downright funny when trying to whip a bidding frenzy. All and all, it’s quite enjoyable, even for those of who don’t know a heck of a lot about pedigrees.

In uncharacteristic timeliness I made my way over there right as the auction kicked off. Much to my surprise there were two folks at a desk discussing the upcoming sale. This seemed like a fine addition, a little intro never hurt anything. Then I started to notice that first auction had started and that they were still talking. They’re going to stop soon, right? The next HIP came up, and then the next… still talking.

Folks on Twitter and Facebook started grumble (me being one of them). And then the most miraculous thing happened… Keeneland responded… quickly! They got rid of the running commentary and the live feed was back to straight-up auction action. They even responded to complainers both on Facebook and Twitter to let them know they had addressed the issue. Why can’t everything be that simple?

Common sense dictates that if you’re going to have multiple digital media channels, that you respond to feedback, input, grumblings, etc in a timely manner. But what Keeneland did last night was nothing short of miracle, particularly for a racing entity! So, a big thumb’s up to Keeneland for swiftly responding to the outcry of their users, perhaps there’s hope after all!

(and PS… hi, I miss you guys too. Come visit!)

Posted by dana on Sep 13 2010    
Filed Under: 2010, Keeneland, Auction, Yearling, Racing

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I’ve been at both of Forever Together’s winning Diana’s and both were impressive. Moronic planning is keeping me from personally attending this year’s rendition, but I’ll watching and rooting (but playing a win a bet on Shared Account, who I think really has a shot… see, one can be a gambler and a fan!).

It should be noted in the work prior to last year’s victory Forever Together worked a gaudy 57H! Looking at her current works makes me think that today is the day she’ll break her losing snap (and yes, I’ll also have a sizable exacta of Forever Together over Shared Account… see Kevin’s excellent post on Playing Favorites at Hello Race Fans!).

Here’s the champ (I’ll always call her that, even if she’s not a reigning a champ this year) after last year’s Diana. I love how pleased her groom was and the crowd really cheered as she walked by, it was a great moment.

And now the replays…

2009 Diana Stakes Replay

2008 Diana Stakes Replay

Even though we’re not together this year, I hope the champ gets her third Diana, a race I will always think of as hers.

Update: Forever Together put in her usual classy effort but got third in a head bob to Proviso and Shared Account.

Posted by dana on Jul 31 2010    
Filed Under: Hello Race Fans, 2010, YouTube, Turf, Race Replay, Saratoga

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(Jason Moran)

Eagle-eyed photo Jason Moran spotted something interesting during Sunday morning workouts at Belmont.

Some insight from the morning work outs. On the inside is the very capable Munnings. On the outside, with I believe Johnny V., is a horse that was listed as completing the 5 Furlong work in 1:00.46 Breezing. Munnings was caught in the same time but was classified as doing it Handily, (note this photo is 30 or so yards after the finish line). Here is the kicker, the outside horse is an unnamed 2 year old (AP Indy-Madcap Escapade) that was bought for a million bucks in last year’s September Keeneland Sale. Think they were trying to figure out what they have here? Look out for this one.

Hmmm, very interesting indeed. And good work Jason!

Posted by dana on Jun 21 2010    
Filed Under: Jason Moran, 2010, Workouts, 2yo, Belmont, Todd Pletcher, Racing

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Player at Belmont today, looking like he just got kicked out of the P6 (Jason Moran)

You may think that the only thing I blog about these days is thanking sponsors, and you’d be right, in part. I’ll cover a few other items but not without thanking sponsors first!

NJSEA, the folks who run Monmouth and Meadowlands, have decided to continue to use the Hello Race Fans Ad Network to promote their summer activities. I’m happy to report that I’m still Surviving at the Shore (narrowly) and hope to make a trip to Monmouth this summer… and you should too! Check them out (by way of clicking on their ad) as they have a whole summers worth of cool stuff to promote.

Sam Houston loves all of Texas, and the Hello Race Fans Ad Network! They’ve widened their current geo-targeted campaign to include all of Texas, so all you fun-lovin’ Texans should check them out (by way of clicking on their ads!).

And finally, we welcome Churchill night racing to the network! They kick off their Friday night racing with a little disco. Of the many genres of music that I love, classic 70’s disco is the top of the list (I was singing Odyssey’s Native New Yorker to my dog just the other day. Inner Life’s Caught up in a One Night Love Affair (which I’m NOT having!) is also in high rotation on my ipod). Why go to some stupid bar on Friday night when you can stay home and play Churchill? Or, better yet, play Churchill from the bar, unless, of course, you’re in the Louisville area. In which case you should boogie on down to Churchill.

But seriously, many thanks to our sponsors. If you like the blogs and sites and in the Hello Race Fans Ad Network, you should occasionally click on the ads. Every click helps!

In other news, you’d be surprised how many people search for things like “how to bet horse racing” or “learn to bet on horse races”. It’s heartening to see HRF getting decent search traffic from these sorts of searches after the Triple Crown. Here a few of the search terms that led folks to Hello Race Fans! today:

learn to bet horse races
reading a tote board
how to bet on horse racing
simple tote
what to look for in horse behavior in post parade
filly triple crown
how to interpret horse racing forms
playing superfecta
horse lineage terminology
horse race lingo

Also heartening was that Rachel Alexandra going to the Fleur Di Lis was picked up by AP (via Lane Gold).

Finally, you can support your fav racing bloggers (or at least some of them!) by going to the first, presumably annual, Horse Racing Blogger Awards and voting. Voting closes June 21.

Posted by dana on Jun 09 2010    
Filed Under: Jason Moran, Twitter, 2010, Churchill Downs, Monmouth Park, Ads, You Can Help, Racing

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