Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan sent shudders coursing down the spines of every horse racing participant in the province of Ontario and points west this week with his comments on better uses for the $345 million the horse racing industry receives from Ontario slots. Duncan was commenting on recommendations made in the report by former TD Bank chief economist Don Drummond.
Reminds Phil of a joke he heard eons ago.
A gorgeous blonde, a ditch digger, a physics professor and an economist were shipwrecked on a desert island with pallet upon pallet of Boston baked beans that had washed ashore.
The blonde cries: Thousands of cans of beans, but we’re going to starve to death since we can’t open the cans.
The ditch digger pipes in: we’ll find a big rock and bust the cans open.
The physics professor chimes in: we’ll build a fire and heat the cans until their contents expand and the cans explode.
The economist puts in his 2 cents: let’s assume we have a can opener.
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The value of Mr. Drummond’s work is not in its novel ideas; there are a few, but the truth is that most have been kicking around public-policy circles for ages. Nor is it in explaining how to actually implement major reforms, which is unfortunate since the Liberals could really use some help on that front. Rather, it is in laying it all on the table in a way that government never could.
Sensibly enough, he recommends against such popular false remedies as across-the-board cuts or legislated wage freezes. Without systematic reform in how services are delivered, he says, these simply store up trouble for later. It’s not as if there are not, shall we say, opportunities for rationalization. Again and again his report turns up astonishing examples of duplication and overlap: dozens of programs addressing the same problem, involving multiple departments and all three levels of government, most of them ineffective and all designed without any reference to the others. These are not, it should be said, McGuinty’s fault: they are problems of government — problems, if you like, of prosperity, which never seem to be addressed until the bailiff is at the door.
The National Post – Andrew Coyne: Drummond report signals start of Dalton McGuinty’s lean years
PUBLIC SERVICES FOR ONTARIANS: A PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY AND EXCELLENCE (Drummond’s Report)
• Close one of two Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation head offices
The Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls
• Close one of two casinos in Niagara Falls, Ont.
• Permit slot machines to be placed outside of horse racing facilities
• Encourage the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to open more stores and raise alcohol prices
Knowing Mr. McGuinty’s instinct for procrastination, Mr. Drummond warned that his plan isn’t a “smorgasboard” from which the government can pick or choose. Reject any part of it and the goal won’t be met. It’s inconceivable that Mr. McGuinty will swallow it all, though. To do so would be to admit the extent of the shambles for which he’s to blame.
National Post – McParland – Don Drummond catalogues the McGuinty mess in meticulous detail
Basic economics 101 says that the ripple effect door swings both ways – spending and cutting. Don Drummond’s an economist, but no fool. His report doesn’t advocate Harris or Klein style slash and burn. What it really advocates is doing more with less and getting value for money.
Do you think Stephen Harper has the balls to hire Drummond to analyze his adding 30 new MPs to feed at the public trough. Not a chance as one of Drummond’s undercurrents is that Ontario and by logical implication the rest of Canada wastes billions on duplication caused by too much government.
Now that we’ve heard the theory let’s see McGuinty and Duncan put it into practice.
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In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
Yogi Berra
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The ennead knows Phil’s going to have more to say on Sunday.
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I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.
Maya Angelou
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Bloodhorse – Lamarra – Report Helps NY Racetrack Casinos Make Case
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Brisnet – Black Caviar entered off one-week’s rest in Lightning
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Just how tough are things in Canada. Even the currency’s threatened.
Montreal Gazette – Shaw – Canadian Tire to test new loyalty program
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Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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National Post – Jesse Kline: Alberta gambling with taxpayer cash
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Bloodhorse – Churchill Launches Derby Fantasy Challenge
Phil’s looking at using Exothermic – just in case Hell does freeze over.
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If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. … I get most joy in life out of music.
Albert Einstein
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Bloodhorse – Haskin’s Derby Trail: My Adonis to take on Hansen again in Gotham Stakes
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Thoroughbred Times – Nevills – New York stewards turn down Hansen’s color request
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ESPN – West – On the bumpy road to the Derby
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Thoroughbred Times – Curry – Road to the Triple Crown: Mike Curry’s Top 50
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Horse Race Insider – Everybody into The Pool
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Bloodhorse – Hansen Tops Derby Graded Stakes Earnings List
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Bloodhorse – Shinar – Hollendorfer Duo Tops El Camino Real Derby
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DRF – Rampellini – Oaklawn: Southwest sees return of Servis, Elliott
If things don’t come easy, there is no premium on effort. There should be joy in the chase, zest in the pursuit.
Branch Rickey
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Bloodhorse – Novak – Leparoux Targeting Belmont, Saratoga Meets
Julian Lepauroux’s fiancee
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With fractional wagering becoming more prevalent, so is all button use. Phil’s not a big fan of the all button and when Phil does press it’s usually opposite to the way most people do.
Using the all button to get the 30-1 shot on the fourth line of a Super with the 3 favourites just makes no sense to me. Phil’d rather use the all button to get the 30-1 lonsghot on the first line of a Super with the 3 favourites.
Last Saturday’s late P4 at Santa Anita Park paid $11,995.00 for a $1 wager. Phil spent $16.00 and had 3 of 4 missing only the 11.6 – 1 Slim Shadey in the San Marcos Stakes GII. Both of favourites looked beatable, but the beaters looked just that. That’s when Phil should have hit the all button.
If Phil hits the all button it’s usually in Stakes with a vulnerable favourite and plenty of pretenders. Sucker money sticks with the favourite and Phil’s been rewarded a few times for going against the all grain.
ESPN – Cronley – “All” In A Day’s Work
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DRF – Free – Brad Free: Don’t have to be a whale to hit big
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ESPN – Cronley- A bright future
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Brisnet – Powell - Handicapping Insights
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Courier Journal – Hall – Catfish bill hits rough waters
Chicago Tribune – Bryson-York – Restaurants take a fresh look at local produce
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Someone has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more.
Virginia Woolf
2012 CTHS ALBERTA THOROUGHBRED SALE
Sunday, September 16th 2012
Northlands Park, Edmonton
Move In AFTER NOON Friday, September 14th
Viewing ALL DAY Saturday, September 15th
Move Out BEFORE NOON Monday, September 17th
February 18
Aqueduct
Stymie Stake $75,000g, 3&up, 9f.
Golden Gate Fields
El Camino Real Derby GIII, $200,000g, 3yo, 9f.
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship GII, $150,000g, 4&up, 7f.
Laurel Park
Barbara Fritchie Handicap GII, $200,000g, 3&up, Fillies & Mares 7f.
John B. Campbell Handicap $75,000g, 3&up, 9f.
Oaklawn Park
Bayakoa Stake $100,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8.5f.
Sam Houston Race Park
Jim’s Orbit Stake (R), $100,000g, 3yo, Colts & Geldings which have been nominated and remain eligible to Texas Stallion Stakes series, 8f.
Two Altazano Stake (R), $100,000g, 3yo Fillies which have been nominated and remain eligible to Texas Stallion Stakes series, 8f.
Santa Anita
Santa Maria Stake GII, $200,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8.5f.
Sunland Park
Sydney Valentini Handicap (R), $110,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares New Mexico-bred, 8f.
Tampa Bay Downs
Turf Dash, $75,000g, 3&up, 5f (turf).
Turf Paradise
Phoenix Gold Cup, $75,000g, 4&up, 6f.
Sun City Handicap $35,000a, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8f (turf).
Turf Paradise Handicap $35,000a, 4&up, 8.5f (turf).
Turfway Park
Dust Commander Stake $50,000g, 4&up, 8f.
February 19
Gulfstream Park
Hurricane Bertie Stake GIII, $150,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 6.5f.
Oaklawn Park
Spring Fever Stake $60,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 5.5f.
Santa Anita
San Vicente Stake GII, $150,000g, 3yo, 7f.
February 20
Aqueduct
Hollie Hughes Handicap (R), $75,000g, 3&up, New York-bred, 6f.
Oaklawn Park
Southwest Stake GIII, $250,000g, 3yo, 8f.
Portland Meadows
Oregon Thoroughbred Breeders Derby (R), $20,000a, 3yo, Oregon-bred, 8f.
Oregon Ms. Stake (R), $10,000a, 3yo Fillies Oregon-bred, 8f.
Santa Anita
Buena Vista Handicap GIIT, $150,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8f (turf).
February 21
Fair Grounds
Mardi Gras Stake $75,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8.5f (turf).
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Bloodhorse – Shinar – Judge Rules for Mullins in Case Against CHRB
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Playboy – Femme on Fire – Chantal Sutherland
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Thoroughbred Times – Stonestreet holds contest to name Rachel Alexandra foal
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Thoroughbred Times – Animal Kingdom to make seasonal debut in Gulfstream on Saturday
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Abraham Lincoln – Vampire Hunter
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National Post – Blackwell – MDs want junk food in same category as E. coli
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Important Dates to Note
Saturday February 18
El Camino Real Derby GIII 1 1/8 Mile Golden Gate Fields $200,000
Sunday February 19
San Vicente Stakes GII 7 Furlong Santa Anita $150,000
Monday February 20
Southwest Stakes GIII 1 Mile Oaklawn Park $250,000
Saturday February 25
Risen Star Stakes GII 1 1/16 Mile Fair Grounds $300,000
Sunday February 26
Fountain Of Youth Stakes GII 1 1/16 Mile Gulfstream Park $400,000
Thursday March 1
Assiniboia Downs Training Track and Equiser open
Saturday March 3
The Santa Anita Handicap Santa Anita
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes 1 1/16 Mile Turfway Park $75000
Gotham Stakes GIII 1 1/16 Mile Aqueduct $400,000
Saturday March 10
The Swale Stakes Gulfstream Park
Tampa Bay Derby GII 1 1/16 Mile Tampa Bay Downs $350,000
San Felipe Stakes GII 1 1/16 Mile Santa Anita $300,000
Albastakiya About 1 3/16 Mile 1900 Meters Meydan Racecourse $250,000
Sunday March 11
Palm Beach Stakes GIII 1 1/8 Mile Gulfstream Park $150,000
Tuesday March 13
NCAA – March Madness – First Four
Wednesday March 14
Northlands Park – Horses may begin to ship in
Friday March 16
Northlands Park – Training opens
Saturday March 17
Rebel Stakes GII 1 1/16 Mile Oaklawn Park $500,000
Saturday March 24
Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes GIII 1 1/8 Mile Turfway Park $500,000
Early Nominations for Hastings Stake Races due
Sustaining Fees for the CTHS BC Sales Stakes Due
Sunday March 25
Sunland Derby GIII 1 1/8 Mile Sunland Park $800,000
Saturday March 31
Dubai World Cup
Florida Derby GI 1 1/8 Mile Gulfstream Park $1,000 ,000
UAE Derby Group II About 1 3/16 Mile 1900 Meters Meydan Racecourse $2000,000
Sunday April 1
Louisiana Derby GII 1 1/8 Mile Fair Grounds $1,000 ,000
Monday April 2
NCAA – March Madness – National Championship
Thursday April 5
2011 Sovereign Awards – Woodbine Race Track – Toronto
Friday April 6
Woodbine Thoroughbreds – Opening Day
Fort Erie Race Track – Trainers may begin to set up stalls
Saturday April 7
Santa Anita Derby GI 1 1/8 Mile Santa Anita Park $750,000
The Illinois Derby GIII 1 1/8 Mile Hawthorne Park $500,000
Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial GI 1 1/8 Mile GI Aqueduct $1,000,000
Fort Erie – Horses may begin to ship in
Sunday April 8
Fort Erie Race Track opens for training
Saturday April 14
Arkansas Derby GI 1 1/8 Mile Oaklawn Park $1,000,000
Toyota Bluegrass GI 1 1/8 Mile Keeneland $750,000
Hastings Park Opening Day
Saturday April 21
Coolmore Lexington Stakes GIII 1 1/16 Mile Keeneland $200,000
Jerome GII 1 Mile Aqueduct $200,000
Saturday April 28
The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial GIII 1 Mile Churchill Downs $200,000 added
Friday May 4
Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs
Northlands Park Opening Day
Saturday May 5
Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs
Sunday May 6
Fort Erie Race Track Opening Day
Assiniboia Downs Opening Day
Saturday May 12
2011 Night of Champions – Northlands Park
Friday May 18
CTHS BC 2012 Sale Entry Fees Due
Saturday May 19
Preakness Pimlico Race Track
Friday May 25
Marquis Downs Opens
Saturday June 11th
Belmont Stakes Belmont Park
Sunday July 1
Millarville Canada Day Racing
Thursday July 12
TeePee Creek Stampede Opening Day
Sunday July 15
The 77 th Edition of the Prince of Wales Stakes 1 3/16 miles $500,000 Fort Erie Race Track The 2nd Jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown
Monday August 6th
BC Cup Day at Hastings Park
Saturday August 18
Arlington Million XXX GIT 10f (turf) Arlington Park $1,000,000
Beverly D. GIT 9.5f (turf) Arlington Park $750,000g
Secretariat Stake GIT 10f (turf) Arlington Park $500,000g,
Saturday August 25
South Cariboo Garlic Festival
Sunday September 9th
BC Derby Day at Hastings Park – 6 Stakes
Monday September 10
CTHS BC Yearling Parade
Tuesday September 11
CTHS BC Yearling & Mixed Sale
Sunday September 16
CTHS Alberta Yearling & Mixed Sale
Monday October 8
Ballerina Stake GIIC 9f Hastings Racecourse $100,000g
British Columbia Premier’s Handicap GIIC 11f Hastings Racecourse $100,000g,
Sunday October 14
Hastings Park Closing Day
Friday November 2
Breeders Cup Santa Anita
Saturday November 3
Breeders Cup Santa Anita
Tuesday December 25
Christmas Day
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Bloodhorse – Churchill Gains New Partners for Derby
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Do you ever think Lucy’s ever going to be able to resist the temptation to pull the ball away.
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Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.
Albert Einstein
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Phil’s Drink And A Flick
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The Globe and Mail – Clark – Why you should have sex in your car
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A catcher and his body are like the outlaw and his horse. He’s got to ride that nag till it drops.
Johnny Bench
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Phil M Stockmen