Jul 292018
 

And you may ask yourself where Phil was convalescing after getting lambasted by the Battersea omnibus. You’ll have to wait until Michael Ondaatje’s done the book to find out.

And you may tell yourself that it’s nice to have Phil back but Phil’s not all the way back.

Losing My Religion


Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

Muhammad Ali


Bloodhorse – Wincze Hughes –  Imperial Hint Makes it Look Easy in Vanderbilt

In the Vanderbilt, Imperial Hint carried the field’s 124-pound highweight under Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, who confidently guided the 5-year-old through a wide charge in the turn and wrapped up on Imperial Hint under the wire. Imperial Hint’s winning time of 1:08.98 for six furlongs was .94 seconds off Speightstown‘s track record set in the 2004 Vanderbilt.

Paulick Report – ‘Little Horse With A Big, Big Heart’: Imperial Hint’s Connections Celebrate First Grade 1

Brisnet – Hansen – Imperial Hint glides home in Alfred G. Vanderbilt

 

 

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Imperial Hint’s sire Imperialism stands at Alberta’s Esquirol Farms .


People are Strange

1994 Travers

TDN – Travers Takes Shape

Lonely Bull

TDN – Thornton – The Week in Review: Different Expectations Define Top Two Travers Foes

Bloodhorse – Wincze Hughes – Wonder Gadot Confirmed for Travers Stakes

Guess there won’t be any Sweet Home Alabama for her.

“My bucket list race is the Travers (G1),” said LaPenta. “I almost won it with The Cliff’s Edge.”

Brisnet – Catholic Boy all heart to deny Analyze It again in Belmont Derby

Bloodhorse – Tenfold Finds Path to Victory in Jim Dandy

Bloodhorse – Ehalt – Good Magic Rolls in Haskell at Monmouth

Bloodhorse – Angst – Hofburg Rolls to Easy Victory in Curlin Stakes

TDN – Bolt d’Oro to Join Asmussen Barn


Horse Race Insider – Pricci – Triple Crown Vctory Is a Double Edged Sword


TDN – ‘Veuve’ Sharpened for Alabama Tilt


Bloodhorse – Daugherty – Bowling Green Stakes Ends in Dead Heat

Phil has a question:

Why did the Pick 4 at Saratoga pay the same for both deadheat horses when the other wagers including the Pick 3 paid more for the longer odds horse.

Does the Saratoga Abacus not have enough beads to compute 2 separate Pick 4 payouts.

Eli’s Coming


2018 Alberta Thoroughbred Sale 

Wednesday, 
September 19th 
2:00 PM
 

In 2017 Sal had a feature:

Sal’s

2017 CTHS Alberta Sales Preview

 

Sal says if you’re looking for a reason to open up your pocket book at the 2017 CTHS Alberta sale look no further than the Century Mile and its prospects for improved thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta.

Phil has no idea what Sal’s deal was but Phil will honour Sal’s deal for the 2018 CTHS Alberta Sale.

Send your yearling photos to ps@holybull.ca and Phil will post them with a link to their catalogue page.


Strange


NPR – Chen – Pizza Physics: Why Brick Ovens Bake The Perfect Italian-Style Pie

You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I’m not hungry enough to eat six.

Yogi Berra

Racing takes so much determination, guts, and sacrifice to be on top. I once craved, lived, and breathed racing. I can honestly say now, I’m ready to slow down and enjoy my life. Maybe I’ll cut loose and have a cheeseburger or some pizza. Those types of indulgences are not allowed when you constantly have to monitor your weight.

Chantal Sutherland

Hating the Yankees is as American as pizza pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income tax.
Mike Royko
Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around.
Anna Quindlen

Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were sitting together in a bar, kicking back, drinking a few brews, talking about life and talking about the roles they’d played in movies.

As the three men talked, each was surprised to realize that all three of them had grown tired of playing the action hero almost as tired as we did of watching them. The whole scene was just all played out for them and us.

By chance, Stallone had a script with him that his agent had given to him as kind of  a joke. The script was about three actors acting out the role of their favorite musical composer. The three men were delighted, “This is great! Nobody would ever expect this from us! Let’s do it!” And so the agreement was made. Soon, a big budget studio was attached to the project, Tim Burton signed on to direct, Casey Jones signed on to conduct; everything was falling into place.

On the day of the first pre-production meeting, the actors realized they needed to pick parts. Since Stallone had proposed the idea, he got to choose first. After thinking for a minute, he declared: “I want to respect my heritage so I want to be Puccini.”

Next, it was Van Damme’s turn. He thought for a moment, then declared: “I want to respect my heritage as well so I want to play van Maldere.”

Finally, it was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s turn. With No Hesitation Schwarzenegger declared: “I’ll be Bach.”

The Windmills of your Mind

What was Beethoven’s favorite fruit?

BA NA NA NAAAAAA!

Roll Over Beethoven

It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.

Johann Sebastian Bach


Zinn and his wife, Dolores, had been drowning in debt from bad real estate investments. Surprise, surprise, the widow is gorgeous — and possibly lethal. “She had the level interest in something new that a leopard has. While it decides whether you can be killed or not, its eyes are remarkably gentle and serene.” Still, Marlowe is instantly smitten. He fantasizes about whisking her around a dance floor, preferably to “Begin the Beguine.”

NY Times – It’s 1988 and Philip Marlowe Is Retired. But Not for Long.


The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes — ah, that is where the art resides!

Artur Schnabel

UFO


A Shot in the Dark

Pink Panther Theme

Image result for famous movie lines he's backPhil’s mixing metaphors.

Get Back


Phil Stockmen one day was hit by a bus. Unfortunately his wounds needed more than a truss.

The call was sent out his situation dire. He needed a medic but who could they hire.

Ben Casey, Marcus Welby, or young Doctor Kildare. Who had the knowledge and skill they could share?

Should they be deft with a scalpel or maybe an axe? There was only one choice ! Call Miracle Max!

Max and his missus were given the task. To resurrect a Phil Stockmen was a hell of an ask.

Phil was deceased, could he be brought back to life? Don’t underestimate Max and his wife.

Praise be to Max, Phil Stockmen’s come back. Ready to praise, or critique or attack.

Phil Stockmen’s returned, Phil Stockmen’s reborn. Race tracks and racetrackers,

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Lyrics by Learned and Low

On The Street Where You Live

Storybook Love

Phil has a question:

Have you ever been flattened by a bus.

Three For Breakfast

Who would name their race horse Flatter.

When Phil implies a double entendre, but the reader infers a different double entendre does Phil still get credit for insinuating the double entendre.

How big of a bus would you need to flatten a Khardashian ass.

Fat Bottom Girls

The Ennead knew that one was coming.

Doesn’t a Spoonful of Sugar work better than Chocolate coating.

Sublime is something you choke on after a shot of tequila.

Mark Z Danielwski

Something To Live For

Something To Live For

The only good thing about being flat is that you can ride in the back seat of a Fiat 500.

I’ll Fix Your Flat Tire Merle

I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way.

Jessica Rabbit

Coming Back To Me


National Post – CP Jeffords – ‘It is not right, it is not fair’: Mayor John Tory slams Doug Ford’s plan to cut Toronto city council in half

National Post – Christie Blatchford: Cutting Toronto city council down to size is a much-needed jolt to democracy

Phil has a question:

What type of public consultation other than the recent Ontario election does Tory want.

Does anyone other than Phil think it’s ironic for Tory to be slamming a Tory.

Will Tory Ford reduce the number of seats in the Ontario legislature by a similar ratio.

When will the slots be back at Fort Erie race track.

This is Horse Racing – Law – Day Tripper

Day Tripper

Tabarnak, Phil feels like a salted peanut.

PB & J Sandwich

For those naive Albertans who vote PC by rote hoping that Jason Kenney and his UPCs will do the same thing remember that Jason Kenny was part of the Harper government that unleashed another 30 hogs to feed at the Federal trough.

Stoney End


Edmonton Journal – Shauna Butts – Cross-border asylum seekers trickle into Edmonton

Phil has a question:

How many asylum seekers would trickle into Canada if they were given the same opportunities that many of our grandparents and great-grandparents had when they settled the prairies.

Under the Dominion Lands Act, the following requirements had to be met within the first three years of homesteading:

  • reside on the land for at least three years, and for at least six months during each of those three years;

  • construct a dwelling of a minimum size of 18′ x 24′. The first homes of many settlers were tar-paper, log, or sod shacks (whatever material was readily available), of the minimum size;

  • cultivate a specified number of acres. The number of acres changed over time, but ranged between 15 and 50 acres. Oxen were the favored animal to assist with breaking and cultivating the land. While this may not sound like too large a task, it must be remembered that, in order to till the land, all rocks and stones had to be removed, any trees cut down, and stumps removed. Motorized farm equipment was rare in those days. In some areas of Canada, there were enough stones to form dividing lines along the edges of the fields, when moved from the fields! Clearing the land for cultivation was a daunting task;

  • plant a further 10 to 30 acres of crops (again, the number of acres varied at different times);

  • plough a fireguard to protect farm buildings.

The Old Stone HouseRefugee Alberta

Phil has a question:

Who is more coddled today: The refugees or all Albertans.

How bad must it be in the countries where these refugees are coming from if they’re fighting to get to the US where Donald Trump is the chief buffoon.

Huffington Post – CP – Vancouver Whitecap Alphonso Davies Signs Record-Setting Deal With Bayern Munich

Who Am I


Paulick Report – Monmouth ‘Grand Slam’ Covers Three Stakes And A Baseball Game


Phil was gonna thank Hawthorne Sal for subbing for Phil while Phil was convalescing in The Monster Hospital until Phil noticed this little tidbit in one of Sal’s posts.

Image result for flattened cartoon characters

Sal was wondering if this is the symbol once known as Phil after he got lambasted by the Battersea omnibus.

The image and the words don’t bother Phil as much as the lame link to some stupid cartoon video. Phil would have expected a link to a decent toon.

Phil does appreciate Sal’s message to the jiggies:

Until the jiggies agree to start negotiations by giving the 5% that was stolen from the thoroughbreds in 2015 back to the thoroughbreds then Sal says:

 

With the QKB leaving Horse Racing Alberta the jiggie advantage should now be history.

Phil says that the jiggies’ concerns about the business going forward mentioned in Peter Watts July 16 Hoofprints  will be without their Patronage Saint running the show at Horse Racing Alberta. Phil expects the jiggie whining to reach crescendo over the next few months so let’s hope that the new Chair and CEO of Horse Racing Alberta let the wheels squeak as much as they want without getting greased. Horse Racing Alberta should follow Manitoba and Iowa and send the jiggies to the bushes where they belong.

Speaking of getting greased Phil heard a rumour that Jim Reid is working behind the scenes at Track on 2.

La Bamba


NY Times – Rush – The Azmi Sisters Go Hard in Ball Hockey. Don’t Act So Surprised.

I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory


Even though Phil’s sorta back both Phil and Sal have other fish to fry, Sal’s usually on Fridays. Expect only a few posts and all of the announcements sent to Phil by Northlands Park, Horse Racing Alberta and ATOBA. So in other words expect only a few posts and the odd announcement sent to Phil by HBPA Alberta and CTHS Alberta.

Speaking of ATOBA after Phil checked out Sal’s archives Phil went to ATOBA’s site to check and see who ATOBA is.

Phil has a question:

Why couldn’t Phil find the Directors and Officers of ATOBA listed on their website.

What does an ATOBA membership get you.

What does ATOBA have to hide.

Does thoroughbred racing in Alberta need another organization digging their hands into the owners’ pockets just to provide a position for the Preacher.

Children of the Revolution


Phil’s Drink and a Flick

Woodford Thoroughbred

Thoroughbreds

Up On Cripple Creek


If Letterman was part of the movie he would chose Lizst.

Lizstomania

Speaking of lists Phil will in Phil’s sole discretion publish any and all Top 10 lists of tasks, ideas, plans and suggestions for the New CEO and Chair of Horse Racing Alberta to improve thoroughbred Racing in the province of Alberta.

Letterman – Top Ten Things U2 Has Learned Over The Years

When you make your list remember to check it twice and there’s every reason to be naughty and not to many to be nice.

Phil thinks this calls for a contest.

Burning Down the House


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Shields – Living the dream against so many odds: the inspirational story of Sarah Ritchie


We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

TS Eliot

Supermarket Flowers

Barrier Reef


Phil M Stockmen

  One Response to “Can Phil Have His Flat Back”

  1. WHEN WILL THE RACE INDUSTRY WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROAD APPLES

    1. MINISTER CECI emails me on the appointment of the HRA CHAIRMAN before the announcement came out. Has anyone seen a picture of GIL in HRA / Standardbred Canada website. Maybe Northlands will provide him with a name tag on derby day/ the VOICE without a face.

    2. GIL got a 140k severance package when he left AGLC what did TENILE receive from HRA?

    3. The HRA powers to be/CHAIRMAN/CEO/CFO got NO pay raise in 2017 but ran a $1.2 million deficit from a $1million surplus in 2016. I’m glad they didn’t for that winning performance!!!

    4. Projected revenue of the mile of $45 million versus NORTHLANDS $23 million is a positive step for the future but it won’t trickle down until 2020. how many small trainers/owners will leave the game?

    5. To the owners parking lot note artist, a good effort, but the apathy in the industry is at a all-time low. Like the Alberta total betting taking a hit of $10 million from $120 million/16 to $110 million/17 with tenile and her abacus predicting $200 million in her 2015-2017 business plan/MISFIRE???

    6. HRA financials came out before JULY 1,2018. When is NORTHLANDS $5 million loss in 2017 with horse racing making $$$$ finally coming out, never after city $47 million loan write down!!!

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