4 minutes to post, time for a commercial!

Has anyone else watching Santa Anita via simulcast found the commercials during the parade maddening? I can’t figure it out. Besides the race, the parade is the only other thing I want to see. NYRA, who’s been tearing it up over on Twitter, does faaaaabulous parade camera work on the simulcast.

I’ve had a private little boycott of SA going since the inception of the parade commercials that I broke to play the excellent Big Cap card. I should have stuck with it as I had a rotten day at the virtual windows. At least I kept my wagers light, thanks to the commercials.

Meanwhile, back on the east coast Kiaran McLaughlin summed it up by joking:

They’ve got good races out on the West Coast. Why didn’t (I Want Revenge) stay out there?

I’ll move I Want Revenge in to my top 10 list and look forward to seeing him in the Wood. I was never a Haynesfield believer, at least not for the Derby, so no surprise there. I like Val’s read on Imperial Council. I liked the way he closed as and will keep an eye on him, although he might be improving just a hair too late for the Derby.

I’m not sure I put any stock into the idea that I Want Revenge’s win validates Pioneer of The Nile. I like PoN but I Want Revenge’s performance in Robert B. Lewis was just so-so, not the strong performance of yesterday plus there’s that pesky synth/dirt question for PoN. GbG commenter and all around smart guy o_crunk probably has PoN’s number as a turfer.

As impressive as I Want Revenge was, even more impressive is Mr. Ernie Munick’s video of Gotham day at the Big A! Sights include a walk down wind tunnel memory lane, race caller smack down, Brooklyn Backstretch with Derby fever, local fans supporting their local jockey colony (as long as they’re winning) and a little holiday ballet on the fence. Fun stuff… it even made me wanna go to the Big A!

And how about Einstein? Kate of Keiblog shares this sentiment:

Einstein should inspire more horse owners to race their champs beyond 3 and 4. Japan does it. And obviously a champ is a champ! Go Einstein!

I won’t disagree, it’s great to have such a versatile talent around to show the rotten kids how it’s done!

Posted by dana on Mar 08 2009    
Filed Under: Einstein, Aqueduct, 2009, Twitter, I Want Revenge, Santa Anita, Kiaran McLaughlin, Grrrr, Derby Trail, Race Callers, NYRA, Racing

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

11 Comments »

Alan Garcia and Shakis before the 2008 Manhattan (Sarah K. Andrew)

Sad news of Shakis today, euthanized after sustaining an injury galloping out after a 4f work at Hollywood Park over the All Weather Track.

Particularly sad as he was prepping for his last race prior to retiring to stud as 8yo… eight! I had no idea. His stellar 2007 Bernard Baruch isn’t on YouTube, if turns up I’ll add it here.

2008 Bernard Baruch:

Kiaran McLaughlin Interview after the 2008 Bernard Baruch:

2007 Manhattan:

Rest in Peace Shakis and many condolences to your connections.

Update: nice piece in the LA Times by Bill Dwyre.

Posted by dana on Nov 21 2008    
Filed Under: YouTube, Sarah K. Andrew, Farewell, 2008, Kiaran McLaughlin, Alan Garcia, Race Replay, Injury, :(, Turf, Racing

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

6 Comments »

Alan Garcia, Saratoga’s 2008 title holder, after winning the Belmont (~ RAYMOND)

Alan Garcia and Kiaran McLaughlin held on to win the Jock and Trainer titles for Saratoga… congrats to both of them!

I’m also happy to report that I’m exiting the meeting on a winning exacta ticket! I couldn’t believe it when Cribnote blew the turn in the Hopeful and came back to place! I wasn’t originally planning on including him but he looked great in the parade. While I remain down on the meet, the last three days were (modestly) in the black… John Kimmel wasn’t the only one on a roll!

Anak Nakal finally got a win in the PA Derby! I always felt he had a slightly worse wrap than he deserved and that he had been quietly improving all year. I’ve certainly been putting little bets on him since the Wood. I also liked Acai, one of my Saratoga picks, and Smooth Air (you know, the high paying trifecta).

At the last minute I made my way to Twinspires prepared to make a little $2 exacta box of Anak Nakal, Acai and Smooth Air but didn’t see Acai in the selections. He was listed as 14F at DRF for the program number and 12 in the gate. There was no 14 to select and when I moused over 12 it said it was Wishful Tomcat. Naturally, I thought Acai scratched.

Imagine my surprise when the race started and not only was Acai running, he was looking like the winner! They also listed the result as 12. Only after looking at DRF a couple of more times did I put it together that Wishful Tomcat, Alaazo and Acai were all rolled into #12… but why?

I’m trying to let the fact that I picked them override my annoyance at Twinspires for not making that more clear. Arrrrrrr!

Posted by dana on Sep 01 2008    
Filed Under: 2008, Twinspires, Raymond Haddad, Anak Nakal, Internet, Exacta, Saratoga, Alan Garcia, Kiaran McLaughlin, Racing

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

6 Comments »

Wow! Sadly, I had the wrong upset winner… Rosinka, but for a moment there it looked it really good for her!

Lahudood, how about it! That’s the last time you’ll get her at 21-1. What a great inside move… I have to admit I dismissed her totally. My only note was that her last race was too big of a jump in class… not this time!

On a bias note, Alan Garcia/Kiaran McLaughlin have now won 2 today. Also it’s Alan Garcia’s first G1, congrats to him, it was a great ride!

Posted by dana on Sep 29 2007    
Filed Under: Alan Garcia, Kiaran McLaughlin, Lahudood, Rosinka, 2007, Racing

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

No Comments »