Wonder why the NFL is the number 1 in the USA and Canada. The NHL regular season is winding down and the teams are gearing up for the playoffs. The NBA regular season is winding down and the teams are gearing up for the playoffs. Baseball spring training is finishing and the fans are readying for opening day. March Madness is down to the Sweet Sixteen. The Kentucky Derby Trail is heating up.
Yet Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and Dog, the New Orleans Saints bounty hunter, have been front and centre in the sports pages this entire week. Cost out all the TV, Internet, twitter and press time the NFL received from the Peyton, Tebow signing and trade and Manning’s $95mm looks well spent.
__________
__________
In Hollywood, an equitable divorce settlement means each party getting fifty percent of publicity.
Lauren Bacall
__________
Gulfstream Park
Friday March 23rd
$298,200.00 Pick 6 Jackpot carryover
__________
Three scoring races in Road to the Roses this weekend
March 24
Turfway Park
Vinery Racing Spiral Stake GIII
Rushaway Stake
March 25
Sunland Park
Sunland Derby GIII
First Supplemental draft is open.
Phil’s musing on what prize he may offer to the top entry in the Alberta Road To the Roses league
Any suggestions or contributions
Who’s HotHotHolly?
__________
Thoroughbred Times – Curry - Street Life new player on Triple Crown Trail
Thoroughbred Times – Curry – Florida Derby shaping up as key classic prep
Thoroughbred Times – Curry – Arkansas Derby the plan for Secret Circle
Bloodhorse – Shandler – No Standout in Crowded Spiral Stakes
Bloodhorse – Nine Probables Likely for Louisiana Derby
Thoroughbred Times – Angst – Road to the Triple Crown: Racing world turns focus to Turfway
Thoroughbred Times – Nevills – Spiral Stakes headlines Saturday’s card at Turfway Park
DRF -McGee – Turfway: Spiral can be stairway to Kentucky Derby
DRF – Hovdey: Pair of Kentucky Derby spots there for taking
Bloodhorse – Shandler – Change of Plans: Hansen to Blue Grass
Thoroughbred Times – Hansen likely for Blue Grass, Alpha headed to Wood
__________
Downey Profile – Derby Contenders Graded Earnings
__________
From The Insider
Like the favourite in Sunland Derby and a longshot at Turfway
Not much to get excited about in last weekend’s Rebel Stakes. Secret Circle proved he was game by winning that prep but he appeared to be struggling and his 92 Beyer was less than his 100 Beyer he posted in the shorter Southwest. Do not be fooled by second-place Optimizer either; the Rebel closed in an incredibly slow 26 1/5 for the last quarter and almost 6.88 seconds for the final sixteenth. Jake Mo closed to be fourth and Scatman is a nice speedy miler who could be a Derby pacesetter and that is about it.
This weekend’s Derby preps are the $800,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park Sunday and the $500,000 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Saturday. The Sunland Derby will feature Bob Baffert’s Castaway who skipped the Rebel to run closer to home for a bigger purse. He will be the prohibitive favourite. Daddy Nose Best, winner of the El Camino Real Derby, and Longview Drive will be the other contenders. There will be a handful of recent maiden winners looking for big graded stakes money to try to get into the Derby. Mine That Bird did use this as a prep in his 2009 Derby win by finishing fourth before making his miraculous Derby run. Pick: Castaway in a romp.
The Spiral Stakes will again feature a collection of unproven horses with hopes of getting into the Derby: A mix of locals such as Ill Conceived and invaders such as Stealcase for Mark Casse, State of Play for Graham Motion and another Todd Pletcher colt, Heavy Breathing, who shouldn’t be breathing heavily at the end of the 1 1/8 mile race due to his Giant’s Causeway breeding. Pick: Stealcase was my longshot Gotham play and he has a shot here, I think. Look for horses that have run on the Poly already or are bred for Poly. Animal Kingdom won this race last year before his Derby win.
ON THE FEMALE FRONT: Since this is a quiet week, I figured it would be an okay time to talk a little bit about the Kentucky Oaks and the fillies who are leading the nation. The leading contender at the moment is On Fire Baby, winner of the Honeybee Stakes. She could be pointed to the Arkansas Derby to face the boys or the Fantasy Stakes. Thomas Albertrani’s Zo Impressive was so impressive in an allowance race at Gulfstream last time that she should come back in the Gulfstream Oaks on the Florida Derby undercard. Eden’s Moon is Bob Baffert’s impressive filly who cruised in the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita. Look out as well for Summer Applause, Grace Hall and Broadway”s Alibi. Be sure to watch the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Saturday and check out www.kentuckyoaks.com for more information.
NEXT WEEKEND: The biggest weekend so far this year–the UAE Derby and the Florida and Louisiana Derbies.
__________
__________
__________
Horse Race Insider – Madness In March
DRF – Grening – Aqueduct: Main track opens for business
__________
DRF – King – Turfway: In Lingerie proven on Polytrack coming into Bourbonette Oaks
__________
DRF – Rampellini – Oaklawn Park: Comedero gets audition in Hot Springs
__________
DRF – Andersen – Santa Anita: Twice the Appeal going longer in Tokyo City Cup
Owned by Rick Wiest and trained by Robertino Diodoro, Derive wasn’t nearly as sharp in early 2011. He ran a couple decent races at Northlands Park last summer, finishing third in back-to-back starts. It all changed, however, when he came to the Phoenix track.
March 24
Aqueduct
Broadway Stake (R), $75,000g, 3&up, Fillies & Mares New York-bred, 6f.
Fair Grounds
Happy Ticket Stake $75,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 5.5f (turf).
Fonner Park
Ogataul Stake (R), $25,000a, 3&up, Nebraska-bred, 6f.
Orphan Kist Stake (R), $25,000a, 3&up, Fillies & Mares Nebraska-bred, 6f.
Gulfstream Park
Pan American Stake GIIT $150,000g, 4&up, 12f (turf).
Laurel Park
Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stake $75,000g, 3&up, 9f.
Oaklawn Park
Hot Springs Stake $75,000g, 4&up, 6f.
Santa Anita
Tokyo City Cup GIII $100,000g, 4&up, 12f.
Turf Paradise
Coyote Handicap $35,000a, 3&up, 6.5f.
Turfway Park
Vinery Racing Spiral Stake GIII $500,000g, 3yo, 9f.
Bourbonette Oaks GIII $100,000g, 3yo Fillies 8f.
Rushaway Stake $100,000g, 3yo, 8.5f.
Hansel Stake $50,000g, 3yo, 6f.
Queen Stake $50,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 6f.
March 25
Gulfstream Park
Touch Gold Stake $60,000g, 4&up, 5f (turf).
Oaklawn Park
Arkansas Breeders’ Stake (R), $50,000g, 3&up, Fillies & Mares Arkansas-bred, 8.5f.
Santa Anita
Santa Ana Stake GIIT $150,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares 9f (turf).
Sunland Park
Sunland Derby GIII $800,000g, 3yo, 9f.
Sunland Park Oaks, $200,000g, 3yo Fillies 8.5f.
La Coneja Stake (R), $110,000g, 4&up, Fillies & Mares New Mexico-bred, 5.5f.
New Mexico Breeders’ Derby (R), $110,000g, 3yo, New Mexico-bred, 8.5f.
New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks (R), $110,000g, 3yo Fillies New Mexico-bred, 8.5f.
Bill Thomas Memorial Stake $100,000g, 3&up, 6.5f.
Harry W. Henson Handicap $100,000a, 3&up, Fillies & Mares 8f.
__________
THE HORSEMEN’S BENEVOLENT &
PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
OF ALBERTA
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 – 5:30 P.M.
SKY PADDOCK
NORTHLANDS PARK
EDMONTON, ALBERTA
AGENDA
1. President’s Report – Review of 2012 Dates, Purses, & Stakes. Jim McFadyen
2. Northlands Report: Northlands Venue Director. Chris Roberts
3. Question Period & New Business.
Mat Monaco
Executive Director
MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
Sandwiches & non alcoholic beverages will be served
__________
Remember, sex is like a Chinese dinner. It ain’t over ’til you both get your cookie.
Alec Baldwin
__________
God Bless the Child
__________
HBPA BC Election News
Please see below for the report of the Nominating Committee for the 2012 HBPA elections. They have produced a list of candidates who expressed interest and had in the Committee’s collective judgment, a strong background in the industry.
The Report of the Nominating Committee is not the end of the HBPA nominating process. Section 6.5 of the Constitution And By-laws of The HBPA of BC states that a Nominating Meeting can serve as the way for members to nominate other candidates they wish to see run for office. Candidates nominated in this way must have both a nominator and a seconder.
The Nominating Meeting will take place in the backstretch cafeteria (cookshack) on April 10, 2012 at 6:30 pm.
At the conclusion of the Nominating Meeting, the Spring Informational Meeting will be held.
When both meetings have finished, food will be served.
__________
Important Dates
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 Thursday March 29 HBPA Alberta Meeting 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 George Royal Handicap at Hastings Racecourse 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 Jim Coleman Province at Hastings Racecourse Sunday May 6 Fort Erie Race Track Opening Day Assiniboia Downs Opening Day John Longdon 6000 at Hastings RacecourseSaturday 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 2nd, 2012 River Rock Casino Stake at Hastings Racecourse Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 Sir Winston Churchill at Hastings Racecourse Saturday June 9 Belmont Stakes Belmont Park Sunday, June 10 Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings Racecourse Saturday, June 16 Western Canada for 3 yr. Olds 6f $50,000 at Northlands Park Sunday, June 17 Vancouver Sun at Hastings Racecourse The Chariot Chaser 3yr. Fillies 6f $50,000 at Northlands Park Saturday, June 23The Journal 3 + up 6furlongs $50,000 at Northlands Park Sunday June 24 Queen’s Plate Day Woodbine $1 million Queen’s Plate The Wild Rose 3+up F+M 6 50,000 at Northlands Park Friday June 29 CTHS Alberta – Nomination Deadline for 2012 Thoroughbred Sale Sunday July 1 Millarville Canada Day Racing Monday, July 2 Lt Governors Handicap at Hastings Racecourse Chris Loseth Handicap at Hastings Racecourse Saturday, July 7 Supernatural Handicap at Hastings Racecourse Sunday, July 8 Boulevard Casino Handicap at Hastings Racecourse Thursday July 12 TeePee Creek Stampede Opening Day Saturday, July 14 New Westminster Handicap at Hastings Racecourse Red Smith Stake 3yr. Fillies 1 Mile $50,000 at Northlands Park Ky Alta 3 yr. Olds 1 Mile 50,000 at Northlands Park Sunday July 15 Strawberry Morn Handicap at Hastings Racecourse 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 Saturday July 21 “Super Saturday” will kick off Capital EX at Northlands Park. Princess Margaret, Edmonton Juvenile, John Patrick and Spangled Jimmy Stakes Friday August 3 Northlands Oaks 3yr. Fillies 1 Mile 50,000 at Northlands Park Saturday August 4 Count Lathum 3 yr. Olds 1 M 1/16 50,000 at Northlands Park Monday August 6
BC Cup Day Hastings Park Manitoba Derby Assiniboia Downs Madamoiselle 3+up F+M 1 M 1/16 $50,000 at Northlands Park Saturday August 11 3 + 4 YO Sales Stakes F 3+4 YO Fillies 6.5 furlongs $50,000 3 + 4 YO Sales Stakes 3+4 YO C+G 6.5 furlongs $50,000 Friday, August 17 Richmond Derby Trial Stake Hong Kong Jockey Club Stake 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 Sales Stakes Fillies 2 yr. Fillies 6.5 furlongs 50,000 at Northlands Park Sales Stakes 2 yr. C+G 6.5 furlongs 50,000 at Northlands Park Sunday, August 19 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs Friday August 24 Esquirol Farms Sales Stake 2 year Olds 6 furlongs $40,000 Est at Northlands Park Saturday August 25 Canadian Derby 3 yr. Olds 1 M 3/8 $200,000– Northlands Park Sonoma 3 yr. Fillies 1 M 1/16 $50,000 Edmonton Distaff 3+up F+M 1 M 1/16 $75,000 Westerner 3 + up 1 M 1/16 $50,000 South Cariboo Garlic Festival Friday August 31 Bird of Pay 2 yr. Fillies 6.5 furlongs $50,000 Saturday September 1 The Birdcatcher 2 yr. C+G 6.5 furlongs $50,000 at Northlands Park Saturday September 8 Sun Sprint 3 + up 6.5 furlongs $50,000 at Northlands Park 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 Saturday September 15 Fall Classic Day – Northlands Park Sturgeon River (AB) 2 yr. Fillies 6.5 furlongs $50,000 Premier’s Futurity (AB) 2 yr. Olds 6.5 furlongs $50,000 Alberta Oaks (AB) 3 yr. Fillies 1 Mile $50,000 Beaufort Stakes (AB) 3 yr. Olds 1 M 1/16 $50,000 Red Diamond Stakes (AB) 3 + up 6.5 $50,000 Fall Classic Distaff (AB) 3+up F+M 1 M 1/16 $50,000 Breeders’ Handicap (AB) 3 + up 1 M 1/16 $50,000 Sunday September 16 CTHS Alberta Yearling & Mixed Sale Woodbine Mile Woodbine – Ontario Derby Saturday September 29 Speed To Spare Northlands Park $100,000 Saturday, October 6 The Duchess of York 3+up F+M 1 M 1/16 $50,000 – Northlands Park Monday October 8 Ballerina Stake GIIIC 9f Hastings Racecourse $100,000g British Columbia Premier’s Handicap GIIIC 11f Hastings Racecourse $100,000g, The Freedom of the City 2 yr. Fillies 1 Mile $50,000 – Northlands Park Canadian Juvenile 2 yr Olds 1 Mile $50,000 – Northlands Park Saturday October 13 The Harvest Gold Plate 3 + up 1 M 1/16 $50,000 – Northlands Park Sunday October 14 Canadian International Day – Woodbine Hastings Park Closing Day Friday November 2 Breeders Cup Santa Anita Saturday November 3 Breeders Cup Santa Anita Tuesday December 25 Christmas Day
__________
Phrugal Phil’$ Weekend Special$
STADIUM
Western Family Regular Wieners
buy 1 get 1 free
Cry-O-Vac, 675g, Limit 4 Free. Overwaitea Food Group coupon offer on this product or redeemed for cash.
Offer excludes reduce-to-clear items. No substitutions.
Buy one package of the above mentioned item and receive another one of equal or lesser value free.
Coupon valid March 18 to 24, 2012 while supplies last.
Western Family Baked Beans
Card Price 5 for $5
Every once in a while you gotta treat yourself
__________
Poetry: the best words in the best order.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
__________
Bloodhorse – Porter – Speed No Secret, Aptitude an Enigma
__________
I wasn’t naked, I was completely covered by a blue spotlight.
Gypsy Rose Lee
__________
ESPN – Finley – Parx-Monmouth circuit a winner
__________
Phil’s drink and a flick
__________
Bloodhorse – Master of All Trades: Peter Bradley – By Lenny Shulman
__________
Bloodhorse – Hunter – What Ails Us
__________
Prophetic Phil’s Derby Dozen
1. Union Rags ↔
2. Creative Cause ↔
3. Hansen ↔
4. El Padrino ↔
5. Alpha ↔
6 Secret Circle ↑
7. I’ll Have Another↔
8. Howe Great↔
9. Castaway↓
10. Dullahan ↑
11. Bodemeister ↑
12. Take Charge Indy ↔ Optimizer ↑ Gemologist ↑
Just in Case – Exothermic ↔
__________
Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
__________
Phil M Stockmen