If you missed Baffert’s winner in the first leg of last Monday’s split Southwest GIII you must have forgotten Phil’s wagering rule ss. 636.27 (d): never leave the horse brought along to balance the trailer out of your P4.
ESPN – Castaway wins first Southwest division
ESPN - Secret Circle gives Baffert sweep
Bloodhorse – True Nicks – Porter – Southwest Winners Fit Separate Profiles
DRF – Rampellini -Oaklawn: Baffert will return for Rebel
DRF – Illman – It’s Baffert’s World!
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I’m not a professional politician. I’m a professional problem solver, and I believe we should cut the salaries of senators and congressmen 10 percent until they balance the budget. I call that conservative common sense.
Herman Cain
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Thoroughbred Times – Angst – Bill to allow casino gambling falls short in Kentucky Senate
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ESPN – West – All eyes on the 3-year-olds
Thoroughbred Times – Nevills – Road to the Triple Crown: Starlight with bright roster
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Sera esta la tierra donde puedo encontrar la Fuente De La Juventud.
Ponce de Leon
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Bloodhorse – Triple Crown Talk – A Can’t-Miss Weekend
DRF – Privman – Kentucky Derby: Pletcher’s turn to show off his talent
Bloodhorse – Shinar - Drill Digs Deep in San Vicente Stakes Duel
Bloodhorse - Haskin’s Derby Trail: Red, White, and Godolphin Blue
Bloodhorse – Shinar -El Padrino Heads 11-Horse Field in Risen Star
DRF – Privman – Fair Grounds: El Padrino heads field of 11 for Risen Star
Brisnet – El Padrino Invades For Risen Star
Bloodhorse – Haskin – Algorithms vs. Union Rags in 3YO Showdown
Bloodhorse – Union Rags Ready for Fountain of Youth
DRF – Welsch – Gulfstream: Union Rags among three Kentucky Derby prospects busy working
Bloodhorse -Shandler – Union Rags Takes on Pletcher Duo in FOY
Thoroughbred Times – Nichols – Super showdown set for Sunday in Fountain of Youth
DRF – Privman – Santa Anita: Sabercat remains on target for San Felipe
Bloodhorse – Triple Crown Talk – Three of a Kind
DRF – Illman – Kentucky Derby 2012: Under the Radar – My Adonis
Bloodhorse – Shinar – Isn’t He Clever Favored in Borderland Derby
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DRF – Hersh – Fair Grounds: Jones’s trio of 3-year-olds gear up for stakes
First scoring races in the Road to the Roses Contest this weekend.
Bloodhorse – Churchill Launches Derby Fantasy Challenge
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Bloodhorse – Updated Kentucky Derby Graded Earnings
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Brisnet – March Madness meets racing in Santa Anita online contest
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A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Bloodhorse – Biles – Super Shopper Starlight Has Basket of 3YOs
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From The Insider
Who will drink from the Fountain?
Get ready for the most important weekend on the Derby trail so far, featuring the Fountain of Youth Stakes Sunday at Gulfstream and the Risen Star Stakes Saturday at Fair Grounds.
TITANS TANGLE IN THE FOUNTAIN: The top two 3-year-olds in the U.S.: Algorithms and Union Rags are set to have it out in the Fountain. Look for Algorithms to get the jump on Union Rags this time as Union Rags will likely need a race. Discreet Dancer, another promising colt out of the Todd Pletcher barn, could be very tough. Look for him to be out on the lead. He is a freak colt who has dominated in two wins against lesser company. These three horses plus a host of other characters should make the road to the Derby at little more clear.
RISEN STAR: A FOUR-WAY TUSSLE? Mr. Bowling, Z Dager, El Padrino and Optimizer should be the main players. Pletcher’s El Padrino ran a great allowance score and will test stakes winners again. Mr. Bowling won the local prep over Z Dager in the LeComte Stakes. D.Wayne Lukas’ Optimizer is a big improving colt according to his Hall of Fame trainer. My gun-to-my-head choice? Mr. Bowling.
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Bob Baffert |
“FOXY” THOUGHTS ON LAST WEEKEND: The silver fox, Bob Baffert, left his mark just about everywhere. His horses won both divisions of the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn–Castaway and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner, Secret Circle–and Drill took down the San Vicente at Santa Anita. Secret Circle even ran a 102 Beyer but getting more distance may be a problem. At Santa, Drill beat heavily-favoured Creative Cause but ‘Cause likely needed the start. Don’t expect Drill to jump on the Derby Trail, though, as he is being pointed to one-turn stakes races for 3-year-olds. And finally, Steve Asmussen’s Daddy Nose Best won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate by a slim nose after a tough trip. It will be interesting to see how much that took out of him.
ON THE HORIZON: (1) The Kentucky Oaks Future Pool (2) The Kentucky Derby Future Pool # 2 (3) The Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.
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Bloodhorse – Maiden Watch – Castaway For More
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DRF – Andersen – Santa Anita: Amazombie faces dangerous speed of The Factor in San Carlos
ESPN – Shinar – Six set for Grade 2 San Carlos
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DRF – Dybal – Golden Gate: El Camino Real runner-up headed to Dubai
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Bloodhorse – 10YO Musketier Back for Mac Diarmida Stakes
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Brisnet – Believe You Can, Applauding face off in Rachel Alexandra
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DRF – Hovdey: Royal Delta, Amazombie continue early-season parade of 2011 champions
Bloodhorse – Shandler – Royal Delta Faces Awesome Maria in Sabin
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ESPN – Moran – Animal Kingdom eyes road to Dubai
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It is not best that we should all think alike; it is a difference of opinion that makes horse races.
Mark Twain
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Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Nine-Year-Old Awesome Gem Prepares for Return
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Bloodhorse – Stakes-Placed Spaniard to Gardiner Farms
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Bloodhorse – Oaklawn Park Hikes Purses $100,000 a Week
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Horse Race Insider – Good Races + Good Decisions = Good Business
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Thoroughbred Times – Strong start to meet has Santa Anita looking forward
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Thoroughbred Times – O Canada (Pre-Drummond)
The Globe And Mail – Smith – Ontario horsemen fight to keep share of slots money
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DRF – Tallon – Woodbine adds additional stakes to biggest days on 102-race schedule
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DRF - Beyer: Tampa Bay Downs decline sudden as its ascension
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February 25
Aqueduct
Busher Stake $75,000g, 3yo Fillies 8.5f.
Fair Grounds
Risen Star Stake GII, $300,000g, 3yo, 8.5f.
Rachel Alexandra Stake GIII, $200,000g, 3yo Fillies 8.5f.
Fair Grounds Handicap GIIIT, $125,000g, 4&up, 9f (turf).
Mineshaft Handicap GIII, $125,000g, 4&up, 8.5f.
Colonel Power Stake $75,000g, 4&up, 5.5f (turf).
Gentilly Stake (R), $75,000g, 3yo, Louisiana-bred, 8.5f (turf).
Gulfstream Park
Davona Dale Stake GII, $250,000g, 3yo Fillies 8.5f.
Sabin Stake GIII, $100,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8.5f.
The Very One Stake GIIIT, $100,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 11f (turf).
Oaklawn Park
Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stake (R), $50,000g, 3&up, Fillies & Mares Arkansas-bred, 6f.
Nodouble Breeders’ Stake (R), $50,000g, 3&up, Colts & Geldings Arkansas-bred, 6f.
Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Distaff, $50,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 8.5f.
Santa Anita
San Carlos Stake GII, $200,000g, 4&up, 7f.
Sunland Park
Borderland Derby, $150,000g, 3yo, 8.5f.
Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Stake GIIIT, $150,000g, 4&up, 8.5f (turf).
Turf Paradise
Turf Paradise Derby, $75,000g, 3yo, 8.5f.
Arizona Oaks, $35,000a, 3yo Fillies 8f.
Turfway Park
Valdale Stake $50,000g, 3yo Fillies 8f.
February 26
Gulfstream Park
Fountain of Youth Stake GII, $400,000g, 3yo, 8.5f.
Mac Diarmida Stake GIIT, $150,000g, 4&up, 11f (turf).
Sunland Park
Island Fashion Stake $50,000g, 3yo Fillies 8f.
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Thoroughbred Times – Training: Interval training makes iron horses
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DRF – Andersen – Santa Anita: Bejarano passing tests on, off the track
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ESPN – Novak – Gomez tells story of abuse and addiction
ESPN – Garret Gomez Blog – An open book
ESPN – Claire Novak Blog – Backing a Winner
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DRF – Hersh – Fair Grounds trainer Amoss finds success with hardnosed tactics
Bloodhorse – Kady – Parties Will Intervene in Ohio VLT Lawsuit
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Horse Race Insider – Racey lady
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Horse Race Insider – New York State Of Confusion
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Canmor Open House and Stallion Parade
Canmor Farms open house and stallion Parade
Sunday, February 26th 1:00pm.
Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
For more information call Maureen Goss at 604-856-2312 or check their website at canmorfarms.ca
Canmor Stallions this year include Stephanotis, Teide, Rosberg and Forest Grove.
- Rosberg
Canmor is located at 205-256th Street, Aldergrove, BC.
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Bloodhorse – Hammertime – Shopping for 2-Year-Olds? Here’s Some Advice
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Phil’s Drink And A Flick
All These Things That I Have Done
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NY Times – Davidson – Don’t Mock the Artisanal-Pickle Makers
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The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Horse racing needs to adopt a similar program that empowers its loyal followers. Make them happy and they will spread the word. My friend who got me into racing back in 2002 merely stumbled upon Saratoga. Where would we be had he not found this diamond in a haystack? Had he not we’d likely be successful business tycoons cut from the mold of Barney Stinson. But instead we traveled down less awesome paths … or did we? We’ll explore this in another column.
Ambassadors will get two dozen complimentary past performances and vouchers for each newbie they bring to the track. They will receive honorary diplomas for the preservation of the game they love. They will be honored with exclusive parties. They will be made to feel like the Kings and Queens they are because without ambassadors, without people waving the pride banner, where will the sport be?
The answer is painfully clear: it will continue to lose its base and a sport with its base cannot stand.
Horse Race Insider – Spread The Word
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Bloodhorse – True Nicks – Tapp – Airdrie Looking Beyond Indian Charlie
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Important Dates to Note
Saturday February 25 Risen Star Stakes GII 1 1/16 Mile Fair Grounds $300,000 First Scoring Races in Road To the Roses Contest Sunday February 26 Fountain Of Youth Stakes GII 1 1/16 Mile Gulfstream Park $400,000 Open House and Stallion Parade at Canmor Farms at 1:00pm 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 9th Belmont Stakes Belmont Park Sunday June 24th Queen’s Plate Day Woodbine $1 million Queen’s Plate 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 Woodbine Mile Woodbine – Ontario Derby 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 Canadian International Day – Woodbine Hastings Park Closing Day Friday November 2 Breeders Cup Santa Anita Saturday November 3 Breeders Cup Santa Anita Tuesday December 25 Christmas Day__________
Brisnet – Hills Hanging Up His Tack At Close Of Carnival
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NY Times – Hoppert – ‘Real Sports’ Examines Yaroslavl Lokomotiv Plane Crash
__________LA Times – Hernandez – For the Dodgers, change is in the wind, but not on the field
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NY Times – Sandomir – Trustee Says Mets Saw Madoff as House Money
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If I would be happy, I would be a bad ballplayer. With me, when I get mad, it puts energy in my body.
Roberto Clemente
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NY Times – Powell – An Appetite for Straight A’s
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NY Times – Female Athletes for Qatar
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National Post – Conrad Black on sports, Super Bowls and loyal spouses
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Long ago, right when he was beginning his career, Shaquille O’Neal once told me, “Look, I know people are going to make a cartoon out of me. The important thing is to control your own cartoon.”
Grantland – Pierce – Leave Jeremy Lin Alone
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National Post – Atkinson – The Dissenters: Woody Allen’s Literary Paris for Dummies
National Post – Crosariol – If the wine is hard to pronounce, is it worth more?
Somewhere Down The Crazy River
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Phil M Stockmen