social media

So as I explained I'm twitterless, but anyways I'm wondering how social all this media and stuff is. So I'll post where I am and if u find me well hopefully I'm not that drunk and we can say hi in the real world. I'm at the 4th street experience at sullys, I'm 1earing a black fleece the name is patrick and ill buy you a drink if you find me, with a bachelor party. Have fun More drunk posts later

in indy

Well my company phone has blocked twitter and I never got around to setting up the text service, anways I need more than 140 to talk. So I'm in indy right now 2 hour drive to kentucky. Who else is in route?

Mr Irrelevant

Nowhere to Hide - Congratulations, if you get the first pill I hope you choke on it. The system ain't broken, but c'mon do we really need 20 this year? I'm thinking more like 14-16 and that's pushing it.

2yo Filly on the Mind

Did I tell you I named a horse? Peace Rules - Zaylah by Pulpit = Higher Authority. I just imagine Marv Albert saying YES! as she crosses the wire WITH AUTHORITY!!! Anyways, I named a horse and by some crazy luck nothing bad has happened. In fact, she's done everything pretty much as she should. I won't say too much as not to jinx it. I'm finally in a partnership where I know what's going on. Here are some pics of our little girl courtesy of Laurie Asseo. Some off color comments after the photos(that hopefully don't jinx it)... Goddam that's a real looking racehorse right there. I'm no confirmation expert, but fuck to the yes on how this girl looks. To me she looks well balanced front to back, and looks like her daddy Peace Rules in color and in the rear legs. No idea what any of this means in terms of her ability to race, but count me thinking Oaks... screw that DERBY next year. I hope we nominated her. Gotta go check. Here's Peace Rules: Here's Pulpit...

What If

As many have noted this might be one of the deepest fields the Derby has seen in quite a time. True, we won’t know for sure till many more races are run. However, in this week’s Kentucky Derby what happens if one of the more favorable horses goes away and hides and wins by a pole? The Preakness would be a given, no new shooter would be lurking, and with no son of Better than Honour to worry about in the Belmont the Triple Crown would look pretty doable. What could that mean for racing? I’ll add in more good news: The chances of the horse being whisked away to the shed on June 7th might have diminished with the current economy as well. Could there be a savior to racing? We deserve one after Mullins, Paragallo, and everything else we’ve suffered through over the last few years. But will it help long term? I could make arguments for both sides, but maybe you all would like to get the ball rolling in the comments. And just to add a little craziness to all of this speculation you should know this is the year of the Ox, the best year for Triple Crown winners. [Past Ox years gave us Silver Charm, Spend A Buck, Secretariat, Carry Back, Ponder, & War Admiral] So would a Triple Crown winner help racing, and for how long?

Good Luck Safety and Integrity

Wait a While tested positive for Procaine, a level 3 anestetic. And the word is that it will be appealed. Not because the parts per million is really low, or because there's some confusion between interstate drug laws or because Todd gave it to her infront of $15/hour rent a cops, but because it wasn't FLOWN between Santa Anita and UC Davis. A 6 hour drive. The problem facing the S&I committee will be when they actually tackle a difficult issue like raceday medication. Yeah, everyone can get behind outlawing steroids, and actually keeping track of breakdowns and track maintenance. Why it took a Eight Belles death to do this is beyond me. I digress. However, when they actually try and make some change in the sport, difficult change how will that come about? What's the penalty for all this? The purse is redistributed, ok that hurts the owner, but again it might as well be factored in the cost of doing business w/ the likes of the super trainers today. Everyone complains that the takeouts are behind the times, that our tote is behind the times, that the rules are behind the times. OUR PENALTIES AREN'T EVEN IN TIME!!! Hopefully this is enough outrage, but we're all pretty hardened by what seems to be a yearly event (a rash of cheating). You know I was pissed when they took down Brass Hat in the World Cup, because that seemed to be a technicality. However, the more I think about it the more I like it that way. It'll be a shame that some horses will be penalized (like Brass Hat), but to know that there are stiff fines and hard rules I'd feel a lot more confident in the system. I think you could probably find some trainers who think the same.

How Much Info Can You Take?

With the amount of information available to people for the Derby you'd think the favorite would be 1-10 and win 95% of the time, but that's not the case. And where would the fun be in that? Bloggers and pros get in the act of compiling and sorting, and it's all good information, what you do w/ said information is another thing. BRIS pp's for contenders. DRF you have to go to the contenders to get the BSF's. Jessica Chapel: Current Runners & Kennedy's Corridor who doesn't have a public sheet up yet, but will be discussing the Derby shortly. And one you haven't heard of too much is the spreadsheet put together by the people who bring you Dosage. (Please hold your booing till after you check it out). They've really stepped up their Derby coverage this year, check it out. At the end of it all your great Aunt will cash a $16,000 superfecta ticket cause the last 4 digits of her phone number came in. ----- If you'd like to build up some good Karma for the derby think about donating to one of the causes on the homepage. Rerun was just added this morning. ----- I was voted #2 Independent blog by Case the Race. Pretty cool to see my mom isn't the only one who reads this (and I doubt her anyways, her IP never shows up). I'm really proud that out of the 10 blogs mentioned 6 are members of the TBA.

My Derby Bet

There are going to be literally thousands of picks out there coming over the next few days, and really they are all worth the paper they are written on. I would surmise people do it more because they can say, "See I told you to keep an eye on X," more than actually wanting to help you folks. And count me in that same community! ;-D Remember I did pick Barbaro the January before the Kentucky Derby. So here's my bet, I'll keep it short and sweet w/ a Trifecta: I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile, Friesan Fire/I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile, Friesan Fire, Square Eddie/I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile, Friesan Fire, Square Eddie, Quality Road, Win Willy, Mr. Hot Stuff, Advice, Papa Clem, Dunkirk, West Side Bernie That should be $81. Of course I'll be watching the works hoping for someone to blow me away or take themselves out of contention, but going in this is my bet. And check out Bodog for all online Kentucky Derby betting.

Planning for the Derby

I'm sure everyone right now is mentally preparing their bankrolls for the 2 minutes come the First Saturday in May. So before you mentally tucker yourself out I'd like you to consider all the hard work being done to keep our athletes healthy, cared for, & happy. The TBA is doing a fund raiser between now and the Derby. We've put up some paypal widgets on the homepage, so NO money is going to us, we're just here to help spread the word about some great charities in our industry. The TBA believes that if you enjoy this sport it's only fair to give back a little to something that has given all of us so much, and no time is better than now when every eye is on the sport. The widgets accept payments as low as $5, so maybe you take one horse out of your 12 horse exacta box you were going to bet on the Derby. Think of it as good karma. Good luck to everyone.

Driving a Ferrari

Wow Again, Thanks to John Shirreffs Also Again, this and many other great videos from Youtube are kept in an aggregated feed on the homepage.

Emerald Downs Helmet Cam

I wrote a post a while back about a $200 helmet cam that I thought would be absolutely sweet in horse racing. No surprise here, I WAS RIGHT!!! (I can be so humble at times) The footage comes at around the 2:40 mark, but I suggest watching the whole 4 minutes as you can see what a great job Emerald Downs is doing. Now the GREAT news. The stewards may approve this for in race footage, obviously needing jockey, trainer, and owner approval, and a few more practice runs in the morning, fingers crossed that happens. This footage has appeared on local news stations in the Washington area. How excited are you for opening day! Emerald Downs also has their own Youtube channel here. The preseason pass episodes seem to feature a mix of workouts, small interviews, and some backstretch work. #9 features stem cell treatment. All of which has been added to the TBA feed.

Dear General Quarters - SWITCH JOCKEYS!!!

EIbar Coa is a useful jockey, but I've seen first hand some boneheaded clutch time decisions lead to the take down of both Big Drama and Harlem Rocker. If Julien Leparoux is calling, pick up the phone.

Kentucky Derby 2009 Race Replays of the Road to the Roses

Only going to focus on the 3yo campaign. 1/10 Lecomte S. (G3) FG, $100,000g, 3yo, 8f. Friesan Fire Patena Au Moon 1/17 San Rafael S. (G3) SA, $100,000g, 3yo, 8f. The Pamplemousse Square Eddie Ryehill Dreamer 1/30 Hutcheson S. (G2) GP, $150,000g, 3yo, 7f. Capt Candyman Can Hello Broadway Bee Cee Cee No Video 1/31 Holy Bull S. (G3) GP, $150,000g, 3yo, 9f. Saratoga Sinner Bear's Rocket West Side Bernie 2/7 Whirlaway AQU, $100,000, 3yo, 8.5f. Haynesfield Cellar Dwellar Mike From Queens 2/7 Risen Star S. (G3) FG, $200,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Friesan Fire Flying Pegasus Uno Mas 2/7 Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) SA, $200,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Pioneerof the Nile Papa Clem I Want Revenge 2/14 El Camino Real Derby (G3) GG, $200,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Chocolate Candy Massone Rendezvous 2/14 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) Tam, $225,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. General Quarters Sumo Musket Man 2/16 Southwest S. (G3) OP, $250,000g, 3yo, 8f. Old Fashioned Silver City Buzzin and Dreamin 2/28 Sham S. (G3) SA, $200,000g, 3yo, 9f. The Pamplemousse Take the Points Mr Hot Stuff 2/28 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) GP, $250,000g, 3yo, 8f. Quality Road Theregoesjojo Beethoven 3/7 Gotham S. (G3) Aqu, $200,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. I Want Revenge Imperial Council Mr Fantasy 3/14 San Felipe S. (G2) SA, $200,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Pioneerof the Nile Feisty Suances Jeranimo 3/14 Rebel S. (G2) OP, $300,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Win Willy Old Fashioned Poltergeist 3/14 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) Tam, $300,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Musket Man Join the Dance Justdontcallmejeri 3/14 Louisiana Derby (G2) FG, $600,000g, 3yo, 8.5f. Friesan Fire Papa Clem Terrain 3/21 Lane's End S. (G2) TP, $500,000g, 3yo, 9f. Hold Me Back Flying Private Proceed Bee 3/28 UAE Derby, Nad Al Sheba, $2,000,000g, 3yo SH 4yo, 9f. Regal Ransom Desert Party Soy Libriano 3/28 Swale Stakes (G2) GP, $150,000g, 3yo, 7f. This Ones for Phil Big Drama Custom for Carlos 3/28 Florida Derby (G1) GP, $750,000g, 3yo, 9f. Quality Road Dunkirk Theregoesjojo 4/4 Illinois Derby (G2) HAW, $500,000g, 3yo, 9f. Musket Man Giant Oak His Greatness 4/4 Santa Anita Derby (G1) SA, $750,000g, 3yo, 9f. Pioneerof the Nile Chocolate Candy Mr Hot Stuff 4/4 Wood Memorial S. (G1) Aqu, $750,000g, 3yo, 9f. I Want Revenge West Side Bernie Just A Coincidence 4/11 Blue Grass Stakes (G2) Kee, $750,000g, 3yo, 9f. General Quarters Hold Me Back Massone 4/11 Arkansas Derby (G2) OP, $1,000,000g, 3yo, 9f. Papa Celm Old Fashioned Summer Bird

Mike Watchmaker - Am I Missing Anyone

Mike Watchmaker brought up the fact that the current situation on choosing the Derby field is broken. That is a fact. While no horse has ever proven it to be true it's just a matter of time until a horse like Rock Hard Ten sweeps the other 2 legs and dominates in every race they run. The problem is not created by the AGSC, but by Churchill Downs. The value of winning the Gr I Blue Grass today was $450,000, close to that of winning the Delta Jackpost, the worth of winning it compared to the Jackpot is very different. The AGSC didn't create this, CD did. Mike's idea is to give points to these Graded Stakes and go from there, and I couldn't agree more. The TBA is all about standings, whether to choose 20 horses for the First Saturday in May or to help name end of year champions. So, I've taken this year's results and added them to 50% of any 2yo points horses earned. I've included the 3yo filly standings at 50% as well. Looks like the cut is around 70 points, from there you could use earnings to fill the final hole.

A Little Mainstream Coverage

I'm not one to just post press releases, but this does seem pretty straight forward. CNBC has a history of doing some really great 1 off news pieces about current events. I'm hopeful this will be in the same light. Personally I just enjoy the fact that horse racing for once will do the pre-empting, this time of Deal or no Deal. No word about what the show might cover, but I'm hoping Paragallo, Mullins, IEAH the Sheikh, online betting, and the new Safety and Integrity Alliance. Anyways, can't set your DVR yet, just try and remember. CNBC'S "RUN FOR THE ROSES: THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND THE BUSINESS OF HORSE RACING" TO PREMIERE ON APRIL 30TH CNBC'S "RUN FOR THE ROSES: THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND THE BUSINESS OF HORSE RACING" TO PREMIERE ON APRIL 30TH (ALL TIMES ARE ET) A CNBC Original, "RUN FOR THE ROSES: THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND THE BUSINESS OF HORSE RACING" will premiere on Thursday, April 30th at 9PM and 1AM. The show will repeat on the following dates: Saturday, May 2nd at 7PM (pre-empts "Deal Or No Deal") Sunday, May 3rd at 10PM Monday, May 4th at 9PM/1AM

Stick to the Links

First I'm happy Equidaily actually named a blogger by name. Second, about the rest of the post, he couldn't be more wrong. And I'm not even talking about the crazy use of "we." No Seths (is that the correct plural form to use if he uses we?) says guys like me are "fanning the flames" of bad press for racing, basically I guess he thinks we should be like, "nothing to see here, move along." When has that ever worked? Supposedly us bloggers are saying that there are "implications of nefarious intent" Well if the rule states you can't touch a horse in the detention barn and Mullins waltz's in there with a bucket of anyting what are his intentions? Mullins is on record saying it was over-the-counter cough formula, but did the horse have a cough? EN to the Oh (no). So, is it nefarious to give a horse, with no cough, a cough medicine at a time when the horse is not supposed to be touched? He was trying to get an edge plain and simple. I'm all for race riding or using a race as a training run, but to so clearly flout the intent of these rules is more than stupid, it's stupid w/ an intent. And let's look back at prior Mullins' problems. The milkshake incident(pdf warning). His excuse: "It's not like it's morphine," he said. "It's a feed program. It's something I've been feeding my horses for 25 years. We're not trying to beat the system here." Does that sound familiar? And on to the conclusion of Seths' post. About how us bloggers should just sweep this under the rug or explain to neophytes of the game that rules are bendable or confusing, and Jeff Mullins, though he has a long rap sheet and has been in the business long enough to know the rules deserves the benefit of doubt here. That it's all just a misunderstanding. Give me a fucking break. If that's what will "help" horseracing I'm out. Maybe if we had any writers left (more than the 5 who cover racing) that could write about this w/o fear of losing advertisers our sport would be in a better position. If you want to leave this up to the people at PETA to frame your argument, well, good luck Seths you guys are on your own. (and you wonder why the link depository doesn't link here) If you want all the news from all the majors and some minors, twitter updates, what's going on YouTube, road to roses results, check out the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance.

Dark Week - A Fan's Rant

Emailed to me from Jim, and I agree w/ every bad use of the hyphen, the double hyphen and triple hyphen. Tell me you all don't feel like below. [edit. note: I've added the hyperlinks where applicable.] If one who is a racing fan were to read the subject line (another dark day?), would he think it was a "dark day" as in no racing or to figuratively connote that something malevolent has once again reared its ugly head in the sport? Just read the news in the early morning Thoroughbred Times' newsletter -- Jeff Mullins was accused by NYRA security of administering a substance via a SYRINGE to his Bay Shore entrant! Will the future racing game of Clue go like this: "It was Jeff Mullins, in the detention barn, with a syringe, and of a horse about to run in a stakes race." Stewards will be holding a pow-wow during the week, but what will an outfit like IEAH do.....if Mullins acted in an illegal manner? Iavarone has gone on the record about Dutrow, saying no illicit trainer ways would be tolerated, so what would he do with Mullins for I Want Revenge? The crux of the Mullins' mess may very well be this and it correlates to the Eight Belles' death --- Eight Belles' death was both an accident and tragic. No illegal meds were found to be involved, but it brought such light to racing that steroids were banned in, for racing's sake, record time. It was also absolutely hilarious to see that Dutrow backed out of appearing before Congress last year because, in all likelihood, he would have been asked about administering illegal meds to horses, maybe Big Brown, and the question could have been all encompassing as to refer to meds other than steroids. Now, if Mullins is found to be using something legal, though any administration of drugs on race day other than legal ones, is illegal, and to top it off happened in the detention barn and with a syringe, maybe racing brass can come to another rapid fire path of two things -- ban ALL meds and then set a stiff suspension for trainers' horses to be banned from racing as long as they are under suspension. It could also establish a set limit of time for appeal. It's absurd for trainers to take their "medicine" when they see fit (like Dutrow vacationing with Frankel in Rio earlier this decade). Once the courts rule on Plaxico Burress, you'll see NFL commish Goodell rule on his playing status (and it will be at least a 4 game ban, maybe more because it could be a felony conviction). Owners needs to adopt the ways of Giants' brass, including Coughlin, which was to suspend from playing (suspend from training any horses), and then part ways permanently. It wasn't just a dark day for racing, it was a dark week! Midnight Cry Stable was convicted! MEC got additional funding. The owners of what may be the leading older horse are headed to serious time in the pokey, Magna will ultimately lose a bunch of tracks, and the leading runner for the Derby is once again tied to a trainer under investigation. MLB's drugs era is one thing, then there could be racing' era in which horses of the year (Curlin, Curlin again, and maybe I Want Revenge) would have been trained by people who have all been caught in and during the era of when then these horses were in active training. This is all the DRF has had to report on the matter ---- from an article on Capt. Candyman Can's win posted on Sunday at 10:24 a.m...... "Gato Go Win was scratched due to what the stewards called a "detention barn violation," though they would not elaborate. Trainer Jeff Mullins declined to comment." 2009 Derby list of trainers with positives (and resulting suspensions) in this decade.........Pletcher (headed to the Hall of Fame), Mullins (he's been caught before), Mott (yes, even the Hall of Famer has been named for illegal meds), O'Neill (how bout that Lava Man who could never win outside of CA) and Baffert (used poppy seed bagel defense and who may go into the Hall this August). That's one-quarter of the field............. As for the news on Quality Road (quarter crack)....did any beat reporter report this before the Pool 3 closed? The DRF article states that Jimmy Jerkens knew of it right after the Florida Derby after seeing him jog back and getting his picture taken. A patch was applied and then another and then there was some heat and blood detected. If QR never makes it to the Derby gate, CD should refund all Pool 3 wagers. And it's even more appalling that the news wasn't mentioned on the weekend broadcasts of both NBC and MSG+. Forgot to add the Paraneck horses to the "dark week" mention. Collectively, what a way to start Spring for racing. One thing lost in the whole Mullins mess is: Pat Valenzuela was banned for what is essentially a lifetime in CA for his own drug use. They lumped alcohol into the drugs list for him, though most of his issues were with cocaine. They gave him countless chances, kind of like MLB did with Steve Howe of the Dodgers back in the 1980s; so why not correlate people like Mullins to P-Val and ban him for all of these positives? Paulick's post of Mullins' offenses is interesting. Can't wait to see if Andrew Beyer jumps into all of this................after writing the article on Marty Wolfson and all. And as for a national body of uniform rules and all.....though P-Val is banned in CA from riding, he's cashing paychecks for riding horses in LA. Like there has ever been any corruption in LA............

Hockey, Horse Racing, & ESPN

Read this h/t to Puck Daddy & Puck Media who did the article originally. Why you horse racing fans should read it: That's where [Hockey} belongs in ESPN's hierarchy, because there are some bozos sitting in the accounting department in a bunker in Burbank, California running Disney, who look at the numbers and completely ignore the passion of hockey fans. They say "Poker gets better ratings because we can attract more compulsive gamblers to the screen than we can passionate hockey fans, so just for the sake of that number, we're gonna' run poker instead of hockey. We're gonna run women's basketball instead of hockey."

A Test of Integrity

This will be the undoing of the Safety and Integrity Alliance; a problem like which Jeff Mullins poses. The real debate of this weekend's past episode isn't whether what was inhaled/injected legal or not. The fact is a rule was broken. BLATANTLY. As one email to me noted, Mullins was caught in the detention barn, with a syringe, and a horse was scratched. It doesn't take a board game to figure out the guilty party. There are 3 problems the NTRA will have with this. NTRA Rule #1 The health and safety of our human and equine athletes and the integrity of our sport are our highest priorities; If you have a top ranked trainer blatantly sloughing off the rules your integrity is shot. This 1 trainer has broken the #1 rule at a premier race circuit. This is an affront to what this track is trying to do, and what the NTRA S&I Alliance is set up to do. The track should act accordingly... with a severe ban. The 2nd problem the NTRA will have is the debate about what was injected/inhaled; what if it was legal? The NTRA should work to squash that debate right now. I don't care if Mullins was in the detention barn giving his horse a mint. These rules have to be hard. And then the debate will turn to race-day medications: problem #3. I've noted before how this debate will tear the Alliance apart. I honestly hope it doesn't, but the Alliance has to take a stand, for em (might as well buy the placards for PETA now) or against em (sign up some powerful trainer names to bring the NTRA through the mud). It's a no-win situation that will make the alliance look weak or too high headed. Again, they need to look for revenue.

Jeff Mullins is So Stupid.... How Stupid is He?

Who cares what he was doing. If you're an owner and he's your trainer why would you hire someone so stupid as to bring a syringe into a detention barn? Really!?!

Good Day - Proof it Could be Better

Belmont is on ABC, so I'm guessing they couldn't show the Wood w/ the SA Derby on NBC. Yet again something a central authority could do. Way to go everyone!

Horse Racing is #5

Of 10.... things that are dying in newspapers. For the agate man, the dual declines of both horse racing and his industry are heading to a photo finish. I don't think the finish line he refers to is a great resurgence.

Kentucky Derby Dirt

The Kentucky Derby as of right now is 30 days away and while the Final 4 in college basketball takes up Saturday and Monday, the final 5 (big preps) are this weekend and next, then a 3 week gap to the big dance (or gallop or whatever you want to call it). Allow me to make you a little wiser if you are a new fan to the sport. I don't want to make you so smart you that your friends worry about you hanging out at OTB's after hours, but smart enough to know which end of horse you put the hay into, and maybe make a smart wager come post time. A little background: While America has exported such great world cultural events like July 4th and Depression it's the English we have to thank for the Derby (they pronounce it "Darby", but whoever trusts a people who'll stick a "u" in just about anything, well you get what you get). This year will be the 135th running of the event, but the British counterpart has been run for 229 years. zzzZZZZZZ. On to the racing! This weekend: The Illinois Derby Gr II Hawthorne Post Time 5:15 EST If any race is the forgotten Bundchen sister this is it. Yes, the winner looks good, and will get to go the big dance, but it's not the horse you're going to get all hot and heavy over, or leave a pregnant girlfriend for. The race favorite will be Giant Oak, a horse who hasn't won since last year, and had some horrible trips most recently in Louisiana. So, maybe look elsewhere for better odds. Perfect Song will be racing at his 4th track in his 4th race, he's a road warrior having won 2 from 3 so far. Perfect Song has the ability to get off to a quick start and not be caught. The Santa Anita Derby Gr I Santa Anita Post Time 5:30 EST There will be about 6 horses in the gate for this race, but let me be clear: It's a 2.5 horse race. The Pamplemousse vs Pioneerof The Nile, and ... Chocolate Candy gets no respect. When anyone in racing tells you it's a two horse race, it's usually not the case. However, the first 2 mentioned have done nothing wrong. The Pamplemousse will try and run the other horses off their feet, while Pioneerof the Nile tries to hang w/ him and pounce in the final 8th of a mile. I really like Chocolate Candy here who will sit the same trip as Pioneer and (I think) be faster in that last 8th of a mile. The Wood Memorial Gr I Beautiful Aqueduct Post Time 4:45 EST Sorry can't help but make fun of Aqueduct's aesthetics, but that picture on the right is the backstretch run. All focus in the Wood will be on I Want Revenge. This horse was finishing 2nd out West and came East for his last prep and demolished the field. He'll be flying again for this race, so there's a small knock on him, but IEAH (owners made famous by Big Brown, and a Fake Tan) just bought 50% of him, and they do pretty well w/ gauging horse flesh. Imperial Council will try and track him down again, but I just don't see it. Next Weekend The Arkansas Derby Gr I Oaklawn Park This race has been won by some pretty big names in our sport; Curlin, Afleet Alex, & Smarty Jones all won this race. This year the big name horse will be Old Fashioned. And as I've pointed out in prior years I'm not a fan of horses by Unbridled's Song, this will be no different. These horses look great at a mile, mile and an eighth, but if it's May and Kentucky bet against, like Duke and the NCAA in recent years (Wake grad here). So, feel free to bet Old Fashioned in Arkansas, just don't stay on the bandwagon all the way to Louisville. Win Willy will be the overlooked horse. He won the prep for this race, though it was only due to the torid pace up front.... or was it? As you can tell this race doesn't hold a lot of great horses in it, and I'm not that excited for it. Expect Old Fashioned to look like a million bucks. The Blue Grass Stakes Gr I Keeneland This race has produced the most winners of the Kentucky Derby with the most recent success being Street Sense. BUT, and this is a big but, it only has that 1 to point to in the last 13 years. This year's chances? Not so hot. Patena has chased home a top horse, Friesan Fire, more than once this year and who may like it even more now that Friesan isn't running in the race. But I'd also like to mention Terrain whose style of coming from behind might suit the track, and whose last start, first of the year, might have been better than it looked. Last Weeks Races The Florida Derby was won by Quality Road, but the 2nd place finisher could be the better horse on a fair surface. Dunkirk cost $3,700,000 at auction and so far has earned $193,200 on the track, but a win at the Derby will sky rocket his breeding value into the 10's of millions of dollars. UAE Derby is a hard race to explain if you're not a racing fan. Basically, the Sheikh of Dubai puts up a lot of money and runs his horses in the race, when they win they are guaranteed a spot in the Derby because of how much money they won. It was won by Regal Ransom with 2nd place finisher Desert Party. No horse has come from Dubai to win the race, so bet at your own risk. Way Back When People thought the connections of Big Brown and Barbaro were crazy for training the horse 5 weeks up to the Derby (no choice really when you win the Florida Derby) and no horse has done it better since Needles' 6 week layoff. But Larry Jones might be the guy to do it, and he's training my favorite, Friesan Fire up to the race. Friesan Fire has the pedigree, as a son of AP Indy, a trainer who is a feel good story, Larry Jones, and a 21 year old jockey who seems to be well beyond his years in wins and patience. AND THEY'RE OFF IN THE 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. The Pamplemousse tries to get to the front but is out gunned UAE Derby winner Regal Ransom, Papa Clem near the lead, settling nicely is Quality Road, Old Fashioned in tight not liking it, Friesan Fire on the outside in the clear, at the back Dunkirk, Pioneerof the Nile, Terrain, and Win Willy. Onto the backstretch, The Pamplemousse applies some pressure, Desert Party makes an early move to get near the front, Chocolate Candy trying to make up some ground from mid-pack but caught behind a wall of Big Drama, I Want Revenge, and Friesan Fire. Into the turn they go with Desert Party on the outside of Old Fashioned. Horses fanning out 8 wide, Dunkirk is gaining but still has work to do, Terrain moving even better, I Want Revenge and Quality Road both looking for a hole. Into the stretch, I Want Revenge gets the jump, Friesan Fire bulls his way after him. Dunkirk, too wide, Terrain motoring in the stretch. At the wire it's: Friesan Fire, I Want Revenge, Terrain, Chocolate Candy. This is the 5th year I'm doing this. And you should know my winners picked a month in advance have been: Consolidator (didn't make it), Barbaro (I'm a freakin genius), Great Hunter (Street Sense 2nd), and I didn't make a pick last year, thankfully. For all your horse racing blog and mainstream media needs, please check out the TBA, and click on some of those tabs.

Oh My Freaking GOD!!! DO SOMETHING

CDI is looking to protect it's assets in TrackNet. Seriously. Can we not agree that a revenue model for the industry as a whole is a good idea, that creating leverage backed w/ money and not shame is a better leverage, that maybe the NTRA can give some no interest loans and buy the 50% and work it to get something consolidated. $24 million on hand, that should get the ball rolling. I want something done or I want someone's head. There's no excuses anymore. This is not the best way to move racing forward it's the only way.