April 30th, 2009
Your turn | Kentucky Derby 135
Justin Dew
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Even more Road to the Kentucky Derby...Spotlight...Desert Party
Desert Party has been flying under the radar en-route to North Americas premier horse racing event, the Kentucky Derby. Sure John Asher vice president of communications at Churchill Downs has ranked Desert Party at the top of his Derby Contenders List for several weeks now, but the general public has yet to catch on letting the sublime Desert Party sneak off at 17/1 & 16/1 in each of the two final Kentucky Derby Future Pools.
A closer look at this years future pool reveals Desert Party as somewhat of a wiseguy selection. The horse twice opened up at 30/1 only to be bet down to nearly half that number on either occasion.
The reason for Desert Party's "under the radar" status is quite simple... ...race handicappers the world over are all too familiar with just how difficult it can be for a horse win in North America following a trip to Dubai's Nad al Sheba raceway. The score is pretty tight, horses returning from Dubai to race in North America seldom , if ever make it to the winners circle directly off the plane. Another reason for the lack of hype surrounding Desert Party, who has tallied four wins and a second place in just six lifetime starts, is the colts lone second place performance. Back on March 28th of this year Desert Party finished second, chasing home stablemate and co-Derby Contender Regal Ransom in the U.A.E. Derby @ Nad al Sheba racecourse.
Desert Party will look to turn the tables on Regal Ransom on the grandest stage of them all, the Kentucky Derby.
Desert Party is a son of Street Cry who sired unbeaten champion Zenyatta, Italian High-weight Street Boss and the once coveted American racer Street Hero. On the dam's side Desert Party is a grand-son to Tabasco Cat through the virtually unknown Sage Cat. Despite Tabasco Cat's unquestionable stamina his daughters (Sage Cat) have been transmitting speed rather then staying power to their progeny.
It's interesting to note that the Saeed bin Suroor trainee, who is ridden by International top jock Frankie Dettori and owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin operation has yet to be confirmed as one of the twenty horses that will compete in this years Kentucky Derby despite blowing past Derby Contender Nowhere to Hide during a recent training session over the main track at Churchill Downs.
The success of horses running on or near the lead in the Kentucky Derby is well documented but over the past several years the sit and strike position has proven to be a bit of a thorn in the side of statistics. Horses that avoid fighting for the early lead tend to avoid a lot of the banging and crashing that have become synonymous with the Kentucky Derby.
Zoltan Black
It was announced today by trainer Saeed bin Suroor that Allen Garcia would be aboard Regal Ransom while Ramon Dominguez would pick up the mount on Desert Party for the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Although Garcia has been partnered with Regal Ransom for sometime now the decision to give Ramon Dominguez the mount aboard Desert Party was a complete shock to this reporter.
Astute Deby Blogger Justin Dew (www.kentuckyderby.com) questioned the decision wondering out loud if International riding superstar Fankie Dettori "would have made the trip if he thought either of them (Regal Ransom or Desert Party) was live"
Tags: Sports | Kentucky | Kentucky Derby | horse | Gambling | betting | Gonzo | dubai | Horse Racing | Hunter S Thompson | bet | gamble | triple crown | louisville | wager | wagering | Gonzo Journalism | larry jones | 2009 Kentucky Derby | Todd Pletcher | 135th Kentucky Derby | Nad Al Sheba Racecourse | Churchill Downs | horse racing's triple crown | Bob Baffert | D. Wayne Lukas
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Unruly Ash, Base Running Blunders and $1.00 Hot Dogs
Will we ever see an end to the base running blunders made by professional baseball players?
Professionals? Most of whom cash multi million dollar pay cheques to apply their craft can be found at baseball parks across the Continent botching the most basic base running principles. Principles recently mastered by my own son during a very competitive season of neighbourhood tee-ball.
On Tuesday evening I attend a game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada for a game between the Texas Ranger and the home town Blue Birds. Toronto Blue Jays Second-Basemen Aaron Hill belted a Home-Run in the 5'th inning to go along with a late innings double that kept the Jays in the game despite Cy Young pitcher Roy Halliday less then stellar eight innings of work.
Hill was also left on base three times on Tuesday evening, indicating a complete lack of support from those around him, however Hill had an outstanding game, even flashing some leather brilliance in the ninth to shutdown an eager Rangers attack.
Sounds good right? Wrong!
The truth is, box scores lie and nobody should put faith in these make shift recaps when they could be attend the game and witnessing the event first hand. Aaron Hill may have been the one left on base three times during the Jay's, Rangers game on Tuesday night but it was Marco Scutaro who was left holding the bag. Well not really, check the box score, Scutaro was 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored not exactly a horrible game. I mean the guy could have went o for 4 with three strike-outs and been the box-score villain but that is not what happened.
What did happen?
Scutaro was all out traveling the base path in the third inning following a one out double by former Home-Run derby contestant Alex Rios when he stopped at third allowing Travis Snider to cash, well Scutaro held up at third base. Despite happening in the third inning this very well could have been a crucial moment in the game, a turning point perhaps that sealed the faith of both teams, however Vernon Wells hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field allowing Scutaro to trot in from third. The throw from Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz was a cannon shot and almost caught Scutaro at the plate.
Now I was there at the game and I'm not exactly sure why Scutaro, who has decent speed held up at third base, down a run in the bottom of the third with Jays ace Roy Halliday on the mound. What I am sure of is that Scutaro would have had an easier time scoring on the Rios double then he did on the Well's sac-fly.
Perhaps the Jays could use the services of former Center-Fielder Devon White who is applying his trade as member of the Washington Nationals coaching staff. DeVo is currently the Nats Outfield Coordinator. Combining DeVo's services with those of Nats first-base coach Marquis Grissom the Nats have become one of the only teams in professional baseball who look competent running the bases.
Unless the Jays and other big league clubs are prepared to be patient with my developing six year old (who already has this base running thing down to an art) it would seem to make a lot of sense for teams to hire guys like Marquis and Devon who can show some of these rich young men just how to behave well on base.
Zoltan Black
Sad/Side Note:
Tuesday nights game at the Rogers Centre also featured one dollar hot-dogs, thankfully that meant my better half had already been shipped off to concession row at the top of the sixth inning when Home-Plate Umpire Kerwin Danley was struck in the side of the head by a wayward bat that had been sawed off at the hands of Texas Rangers batter Hank Blalock.
Danley was transported to Mount Siani Hospital where he was diagnosed as having suffered a mild concussion.
We all wish Mr. Danly and family nothing but the very best moving forward.
Tags: New York | Texas | Sports | Baseball | Washington | Toronto | Yankees | Gambling | Blue Jays | Rangers | betting | National League | World Series | bat | bet | gamble | ash | maple | umpire | Home Run | Vernon Wells | American League | wager | wagering | Washington Nationals | umpires | all star | Roy Halliday | Roger Centre | Broken Bat | Kerwin Danley | Cito Gaston | Devon White | Marquis Grissom | Base Running | Stolen Base
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Churchill Downs invites you to register for a chance to win the ultimate Kentucky Derby Party Pack | Kentucky Derby 135
April 17th, 2009
Churchill Downs invites you to register for a chance to win the ultimate Kentucky Derby Party Pack | Kentucky Derby 135
Kentuckyderby.com
Comment:
Enter to win...no purchase necessary www.kentuckyderbyparty.com
Churchill Downs invites you to register for a chance to win the ultimate Kentucky Derby Party Pack | Kentucky Derby 135
Kentuckyderby.com
Comment:
Enter to win...no purchase necessary www.kentuckyderbyparty.com
ESPN Sunday Night Basball -- The Great Soriano Debate
On Sunday Night ESPN commentators Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips almost came to blows carrying on a heated debate with no clear resolution.
The two former major leaguers pitted themselves on opposite side of what has now become an age old debate.
Which is the better method to utilize Cub's outfielder Alfonso Soriano? Batting at the top of the line-up in the lead-off spot, where the Cub's spoiled former MVP prefers to be stationed or in the middle of the line-up, where Cub's management could take full advantage of Soriano's significant pop with runners actually on base in front of him.
Soriano at his best can launch forty plus home-runs in a single season, many of those solo shot due to his spot at the top of the Cub's batting order.
The argument as Mr. Phillips sees it is by putting Sorinao in the three or four position in the batting order rather then his traditional lead-off spot you would give Soriano a chance to see pitches with runners on base and perhaps even in scoring position....It make sense if you think about it. Why bat Soriano, who has adequate big league speed in a position that demand a high engine speed-ball. Soriano belongs in a position where he can utilize quite possibly the only skill that has not deteriorated since his MVP days. His Power.
Hall of famer Joe Morgan doesn't see things in the same light. In fact he made a point to inform Steve Phillips on Sunday's broadcast that he had indeed spoken to Cub's manager Lou Piniella regarding Soriano's position in the Cub's batting order and that Lou happened to agree with Joe and felt that the best place for Sorinao in the Cubs line-up is front and center, right at the top, leading things off.
It strike me as a little but unusual that Lou Piniella would care enough about not ruffling feathers to say anything to protect the emotions of one of his fragile, volatile daisies. The truth is...if Lou said it, it's probably true.
There was a third voice in the booth on Sunday Night, play by play announcer Jon Miller whose comments quite frankly were more up this reports alley "I just like saying Miller Park" said the incomparable Mr. Miller, truly incomparable.
Tags: USA | New York | Sports | Baseball | Chicago | New York Yankees | Yankees | ESPN | mlb | World Series | homerun | Opening Day | soriano | Home Run | all star | Chicago Cubs | loupiniella | 2009 All Star Game | Alfonso Soriano | Lead-off | Joe Morgan | Jon Miller
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Pioneerof the Nile posts bullet at Santa Anita | Kentucky Derby 135
April 15th, 2009
Pioneerof the Nile posts bullet at Santa Anita | Kentucky Derby 135
Brisnet Editorial
Pioneerof the Nile posts bullet at Santa Anita | Kentucky Derby 135
Brisnet Editorial
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Graded Earnings List (Updated April 13) | Kentucky Derby 135
April 14, 2009
Graded Earnings List (Updated April 13) | Kentucky Derby 135
Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman
Graded Earnings List (Updated April 13) | Kentucky Derby 135
Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Derby hopefuls look to boost graded earnings in Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby | Kentucky Derby 135
April 7th, 2009
Derby hopefuls look to boost graded earnings in Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby | Kentucky Derby 135
Brisnet Editorial
Comment:
Looks like only 9 spot remain with just 25 days left until Derby Day
Derby hopefuls look to boost graded earnings in Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby | Kentucky Derby 135
Brisnet Editorial
Comment:
Looks like only 9 spot remain with just 25 days left until Derby Day
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Fix - Should Norm Coleman Concede?#more#more
April 2nd, 2009
The Fix - Should Norm Coleman Concede?#more#more
Chris Cillizza
Comment:
***** (5 stars)
The Fix - Should Norm Coleman Concede?#more#more
Chris Cillizza
Comment:
***** (5 stars)
Even more Road to the Kentucky Derby...Spotlight...Quality Road
Quality Road
Connections
Trainer James Jerkens has an opportunity to accomplish something his hall of famer father never could... ...Win the Kentucky Derby.
For all the accomplishments of H. Allen Jerkens, 4 Suburban Handicap’s, 4 Brooklyn Handicap’s, 5 Vagrancy Handicap’s as well as the 1975 Derby Trial Stakes, Giant Killer as he is widely known in today’s racing circles has never captured the elusive garland of roses.
With the third Kentucky Derby Futures pool opening up this Thursday, Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has penciled in Allen’s son James and his charge, Florida Derby winner Quality Road as the narrow 6-1 choice to capture all the marbles on May 2nd.
Pedigree
Quality Road is only the fourth foal produced by the obscure Strawberry Road (Aus) mare named Kobla who is a full sister to Grade 1 starlet Aijina who captured the 1997 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Five of Aijina seven wins were achieved at the distance of nine furlongs or more giving Quality Road an indirect link to the Kentucky Derby’s mile and a quarter distance.
Race History
In three career races Quality Road has only been beaten to the finish line by one horse. Theregoesjojo beat Quality Road by 2 3/4 lengths in a January 10th Allowance (7 furlongs) race at Gulfstream Park. Since that time the two have squared off in both the Fountain of Youth Stakes (1 Mile) and the Florida Derby (1 1/8 mile) with Quality Road turning the tables on jojo on consecutive occasions.
Quality Road’s achievements in the Florida Derby didn’t end with his consecutive victories over jojo. Quality Road also turned back the highly touted, previously undefeated Dunkirk well setting a track record over Gulfstream’s white hot dirt course. Three records in all were broken on Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream’s, rasing significant question regarding the legitimacy of Quality Road’s run time and subsequent record setting performance.
Outlook
Prepping is through for Quality Road which raise an interesting question regarding the layoff between now and Derby Day.
How will Quality Road run coming off a thirty+ day layoff?
"For thoroughbred race horses the sky is not the limit... ...the finish line is"
It’s interesting to note the potential hazards that can be encountered when horses are forced to race on paved super highways rather then the more forgiving dirt race courses that they are used to
thinking back to the 2001 Derby (from memory only) as Justin mentioned earlier, the track was like running on concrete according to Baffert. Maidens were breaking records and records that were set in say race 2 were broken again in race 4. Point Given (losing the Derby) was not the only casualty in the 2001 Derby. I remember reading (or hearing) that no horse in the field (except for Point Given) ever won another race. Some never raced again. Their legs were ruined by the surface that day and many had small fractures from which they never recovered. Monarchos was one that never fully recovered.
Tags: Sports | Kentucky | Kentucky Derby | horse | Gambling | racing | betting | Horse Racing | bet | gamble | triple crown | louisville | wager | wagering | Dunkirk | 2009 Kentucky Derby | Todd Pletcher | 135th Kentucky Derby | Florida Derby | Quality Road | Churchill Downs | Kentucky Derby Futures