Oct 182015
 

When you get up on Tuesday morning write down the name of the person who won your riding in Monday’s Federal election.

 

Chances are that’s the last you’ll hear of their name until next election when they’ll be asking you to top their pension up a few more bucks.


National Post – Rex Murphy: Tom Mulcair was always going to be the man in the middle


One possible measure of how threatened Mr. Harper feels late in the race was the appearance at a party rally last week of Rob Ford, the former Toronto mayor notorious for using crack cocaine, public drunkenness and other offenses to polite society. Now a city councilor, Mr. Ford remains popular in parts of Toronto, but associating with him could cost Mr. Harper among socially conservative immigrants in the suburbs who strongly backed the Conservative Party four years ago.

NY Times – Dwyer – In Unpredictable Canadian Elections, Plurality Is More Important Than Popularity


Cruel leaders are replaced only to have new leaders turn cruel.
Che Guevara


Won’t Get Fooled Again


Vote early and vote often.
Al Capone


Phil’s Vignette of Canadian History

Eat Your World – Steamie

Montreal Gazette – Semenak – Montreal Diary: The steamé gets its due

Phil has a question:

Can you have un Pepsi avec votre steamé.

Is there a Toronto Hot Dog.


People ask me in Europe, when they do interviews… they ask me, ‘Well, how does it feel to be a cook in a country that doesn’t know how to eat?’ It always touches a nerve, because Europe and the world think that America is no more than bad hot dogs and bad burgers.
Jose Andres Puerta


NY Times – Rhoden – An Exuberant Postseason May Help Rewrite Some of Baseball’s Unwritten Rules


A hot dog at the game beats roast beef at the Ritz.
Humphrey Bogart


Which Stadium Hot Dog Was the Best in Baseball?

Blog About a Dog – Overall Rankings

Down Wisconsin Avenue Brat


A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.
James Beard


Food and Wine – Glaeser – The 5 Commandments of Building an Authentic Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Phil has a question:

Is ketchup not made from tomatoes.

So what’s the big beef about putting slightly processed tomatoes on your hot dog when slightly less processed tomatoes are kosher.


A gourmet meal without a glass of wine just seems tragic to me somehow.
Kathy Mattea


Stuck in the Middle with You


Halloween Mummy Dogs

 


Financial Post – Kane – 9 tips to save money on food, from the Canadian who wrote the book on eating for $4 a day

Phil has a comment:

If you can learn to east on just $4 a day think how many more Pick 4s and Superfectas you can play.


The ULTIMATE list of Halloween snacks and treats. Lots of non-candy ideas!!


Racing Post – Mottershead – Dettori looking for Golden farewell in Turf


Carryovers

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Fort Erie
Pick 5    $2,917.00
Super High Five     $2,876.00
Fresno
Super High Five     $19,459.00
Gulfstream Park West    
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $3,132.00
Pick 6 Jackpot    $4,346.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,374.00
Keeneland
Pick 6    $10,645.00
Laurel Park
Pick 6    $4,175.00
Super High Five     $2,301.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,060.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,038.00
Santa Anita Park
Pick 6    $59,060.00
Turf Paradise
Pick 6    $144.00
Woodbine
Super High Five Jackpot    $185,188.00

Monday, October 19, 2015

Finger Lakes
Pick 5    $4,297.00

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Hawthorne
Super High Five Jackpot    $7,791.00
Indiana Grand Race Course
Pick 6    $883.00

Wednesday, October 21 2015

Delta Downs
Super High Five     $1,104.00
Evangeline Downs
Super High Five     $6,219.00

Thursday, October 22 2015

Lone Star Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $1,760.00

Guaranteed Pools

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Northlands Park
Pick 4 – $10,000.00

Equibase Carryovers and Guaranteed Pools


NY Times – Drape – Fantasy Sports Trade Group Is Said to Receive Subpoena

Miami Herald – Pierceall – State scrutiny of daily fantasy sports grows

NY Times – Sandomir – Despite Industry Crisis, Fantasy Sports Leaders Pour On Ads

NY Times – Drape and Williams – In Fantasy Sports, Signs of Insiders’ Edge

NY Times – Drape – Nevada Says It Will Treat Daily Fantasy Sports Sites as Gambling

NY Times – Bogdanavich,  Glanz and Armendariz – Cash Drops and Keystrokes: The Dark Reality of Sports Betting and Daily Fantasy Games

The Deception Behind an Illegal Bet

Fantasy Sports Said to Attract F.B.I. Scrutiny

NY Times – Glanz, Armendariz and Bogdanavich,– Finding ‘Who’ and ‘Where’ Within the Sports Cyber-Betting Universe

Phil has a question:

Without any licensing and regulation who is ensuring that there’s enough money to pay out the winners from each week or is this just a massive Ponzi scheme.


If you must play, decide upon three things at the start:
the rules of the game,
the stakes,
and the quitting time.
Chinese Proverb


NY Times – Drape – Appeals Court to Rehear New Jersey Sports Betting Case


The only man who makes money following the races  is one who does it with a broom and shovel.
Elbert Hubbard


Horse Race Insider – Jicha – Fantasy sports not going away, racing should jump on bandwagon


You don’t gamble to win. You gamble so you can gamble the next day.
Bert Ambrose


We’re Not Going to Take It


Breeders’ Cup Simulcast

Broadcast live from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, this can’t miss event features 13 races over two days with purses totaling $24.5 million.

See the fastest thoroughbreds in the world televised live in the comfort of our Playbook Lounge!

Visit here for more information about Breeders’ Cup.

October 30, Post time 10:30 a.m. MST
October 31, Post time 9:00 a.m. MST*

*Northlands Park will open at 8:45 a.m. on October 31


Bloodhorse – Hangin with Haskin – ‘Happy’ Days For Maria Borell


Horse Race Insider – Pricci – Can’t Win for Tryin’


TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – History is against Beholder in the Breeders’ Cup Classic


Telly Savalas as Ernst Stavro Blofeld wearing a brown Astrakhan fur hat and matching brown overcoat. From the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's secret service" (1969): Bond Movie

Lady and the Track – How to Pick The Perfect Hat for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup


You Can Leave Your Hat On


Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Bri Mott Talks Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Fashion


Louisville Courier-Journal – Rees – Limousine Liberal motors into BC Sprint


Thinking of limousine liberals with the end of the thoroughbred season at Northlands Park fast approaching Phil’s going to have a touch of time on his hands. Wonder if the Opimian Society needs any volunteers.


Everybody wants to save the world but nobody wants to help mom with the dishes.

P. J. O’Rourke


Bloodhorse – Frosted Pleases McLaughlin in NY Drill

Bloodhorse – Porter – Pedigree Analysis: Frosted


TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Can Golden Horn end the shut-out of Arc winners in the Breeders’ Cup?


TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – The Top 10 Toughest Beats in Breeders’ Cup History


Racing Post – Dietz – Time Test ‘in a good place’ for Breeders’ Cup


BOOK NOW FOR BREEDERS CUP AT THE DERBY

SPACE IS LIMITED

Breeders' Cup 2015


Louisville Courier-Journal – Rees – Breeders’ Cup Spotlight: $2 million Distaff


Bloodhorse – Mitchell – I’m a Chatterbox on Track for Distaff


MakeoverLogoblack TCA2


TDN – Miss Temple City’s Full-Sis Impresses at Belmont


TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Sarah Sis upsets Raven Run

TDN – Sarah Sis Bounces Back in the Raven Run

Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Geroux Guides Sarah Sis to Raven Run Victory


Science has not yet taught us if madness is or is not the sublimity of the intelligence.
Edgar Allan Poe


Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Flintshire to Skip BC Turf, Will Run in Japan

Bloodhorse – Juddmonte Weighs Turf or Japan for Flintshire


I Want You To Want Me


TDN – Annual Report Springs Futurity Upset

TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Annual Report wins Futurity going away


2016 Road to the Kentucky Derby

The 142nd running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) will be run Saturday, May 7, 2016, and for the fourth consecutive year, a tiered point system in select races will determine who qualifies to America’s greatest race.
Race    Track    Date    Points
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Keeneland Oct 31, 2015 20-8-4-2
Delta Downs Jackpot Delta Downs Nov 21, 2015 10-4-2-1
Remsen Aqueduct Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Kentucky Jockey Club Churchill Downs Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Los Alamitos Futurity Los Alamitos Race Course Dec 19, 2015 10-4-2-1
Jerome Aqueduct Jan 9, 2016 10-4-2-1
Sham Santa Anita Park Jan 16, 2016 10-4-2-1
Smarty Jones Oaklawn Park Jan 18, 2016 10-4-2-1
Holy Bull Gulfstream Park Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Withers Aqueduct Feb 13, 2016 10-4-2-1
Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita Park Feb 13, 2016 10-4-2-1
Southwest Oaklawn Park Feb 15, 2016 10-4-2-1
El Camino Real Derby Golden Gate Fields Feb 20, 2016 10-4-2-1
Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Risen Star Fair Grounds Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gotham Aqueduct Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
San Felipe Santa Anita Park Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
Rebel Oaklawn Park Mar 19, 2016 50-20-10-5
Sunland Derby Sunland Park Mar 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
Spiral Turfway Park Mar 26, 2016 50-20-10-5
UAE Derby Meydan Racecourse Mar 26, 2016 100-40-20-10
Florida Derby Gulfstream Park Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Wood Memorial Aqueduct Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Blue Grass Keeneland Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita Park Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park Apr 16, 2016 100-40-20-10
Lexington Keeneland Apr 16, 2016 10-4-2-1


Bloodhorse – Balan – Belle Hill Ships in for Autumn Miss Score

TDN – Sky Mesa’s Belle Hill Registers Autumn Miss Surprise


2016 Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Race    Track    Date      Points
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies    Keeneland Oct 31, 2015 20-8-4-2
Delta Downs Princess    Delta Downs Nov 21, 2015 10-4-2-1
Demoiselle    Aqueduct Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Golden Rod    Churchill Downs Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Starlet    Los Alamitos Race Course Dec 12, 2015 10-4-2-1
Santa Ynez    Santa Anita Park Jan 9, 2016 10-4-2-1
Busanda    Aqueduct Jan 16, 2016 10-4-2-1
Silverbulletday    Fair Grounds Jan 23, 2016 10-4-2-1
Forward Gal    Gulfstream Park Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Martha Washington    Oaklawn Park Feb 6, 2016 10-4-2-1
Las Virgenes    Santa Anita Park Feb 6, 2016 10-4-2-1
UAE Oaks    Meydan Racecourse Feb 25, 2016 50-20-10-5
Busher    Aqueduct Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Davona Dale    Gulfstream Park Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Rachel Alexandra   Fair Grounds Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Santa Ysabel    Santa Anita Park Mar 5, 2016 50-20-10-5
Honeybee    Oaklawn Park Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
Sunland Park Oaks    Sunland Park Mar 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
Bourbonette Oaks    Turfway Park Mar 26, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gulfstream Park Oaks    Gulfstream Park Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Fair Grounds Oaks    Fair Grounds Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Santa Anita Oaks    Santa Anita Park Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Gazelle    Aqueduct Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Ashland   Keeneland Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Fantasy    Oaklawn Park Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Beaumont    Keeneland Apr 17, 2016 10-4-2-1


Bloodhorse – Untapable, Tapiture Work Early at Keeneland

TwinSpires Blog – Tonalist, La Verdad headline Breeders’ Cup workers at Belmont Saturday

Bloodhorse – Tonalist, Other BC Hopefuls Breeze at Belmont

TwinSpires Blog – Exaggerator, I’m a Chatterbox top Keeneland’s Saturday BC workers

Bloodhorse – Exaggerator, Bobby’s Kitten Work at Keeneland

Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Private Zone Strong in Five-Furlong Work

TwinSpires Blog – Brown, Clement send out BC workers at Belmont

Bloodhorse – Brown’s Cup Workers ‘Perfect’ in NY Breezes

TwinSpires Blog – Songbird drills six furlongs at Santa Anita for BC Juvenile Fillies

Bloodhorse – Untapable, Tapiture Work Early at Keeneland

TwinSpires Blog – Untapable, Tapiture record moves at Keeneland for BC engagements

Bloodhorse – Songbird ‘Wonderful’ in Santa Anita Drill


Logo

Jasper Dark Sky Festival

Power Down. Look up.

October 16 – 25, 2015 | Jasper, Canada
Featuring Col. Chris Hadfield
and former co-hosts of Discovery channel’s Mythbusters


The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.
Isaac Asimov


Man On The Moon


TDN – Another Graded Winner for Harlan’s Holiday

Bloodhorse – Novak – Lucky Lindy Invades for Hawthorne Derby Win


thoroughbred-fan-appreciation-weekend

Thoroughbred Fan Appreciation Weekend

October 23 & 24 is Thoroughbred Fan Appreciation Weekend at Northlands Park Racetrack & Casino!

Celebrate the end of the racing season with free programs for the first 500 visitors each day, plus cash & special prizes on Saturday!

Friday Post Time | 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Post Time | 1 p.m.


TwinSpires Blog – Smooth Roller on course for BC Classic after Saturday move at Santa Anita

TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Smooth Roller a Breeders’ Cup Classic wildcard


Bloodhorse – Espinoza to Join Zayats, Baffert for Event


Louisville Courier-Journal – Rees – Breeders’ Cup Spotlight: $2 million Juvenile


Upcoming Western Thoroughbred

Race Dates


hastings-logo

MIKE HEADS HASTINGS PREVIEW FOR SUNDAY’S 10 RACE CARD

SUNDAY PREVIEW

Racing resumes at Hastings Racecourse this afternoon with a ten race program. The horse population on the backstretch has been hit with a virus which has affected many of the younger horses which resulted in the cancellation of yesterdays Saturday card.

The feature event on the day is race nine which has six $16,000 fillies and mares going a mile and a sixteenth.

On the rail is the likely favourite Don Danard’s Fire Beauty who has been a tough luck runner-up to top class mares Sabrina and Dear Lilly in her last two. She is in a far easier spot today and will be tough to outrun. Antonio Reyes will be at the hem for trainer Mel Snow.

Kay and Sue Ohashi’s Closing Intentions turned in her best performance of the year last time out winning the final leg of the Champions Starter series. She is up in class but has won at this level in the past. Leading rider Richard Hamel gets the call from Patty Leaney.

Gil and Wil Stud Farms I’m a Diva Too will stretch back out to her best distance after a no-threat fifth sprinting behind Fire Beauty in her latest. She owns two wins at this trip in 2015 and could be a major threat in the stretch. Regular rider Alex Marti returns to the saddle for Bill Konyk.

Jack and Robin Pozzo’s Ms Heatheridge is taking a large hike in class after a defeat at the $4,000 price tag. She was entered in another race that failed to fill and with only two weekends left in the 2015 season the connections have decided to give her a shot today. Jeff Burningham rides for Nancy Betts.

Garry and Sharon Saitz’s Kataliah turned in an even effort behind Fire Beauty in her last. She has performed well going long before and could be an upset chance. Gabby Asencio gets the riding assignment.

Blue Willow Dairy’s S.L. Express has a two race winning streak defeating conditional $16,000 mares in both of her last two starts. She is razor sharp and has speed which is always a dangerous combination. The daughter of Rosberg will be ridden by Keishan Balgobin for trainer Pat Jarvis.

The lengthy Sunday program gets underway at 1:50 p.m.

MIKE’S AND DREW’S PICKS FOR SUNDAY AT HASTINGS

Race 1 3 – Bridge Baron
5 – Stroker Joe
1 – Risky With Whiskey
1 – Risky with Whiskey
5 – Stroker Joe
3 – Bridge Baron
Race 2 3 – Cute Little Vixen
5 – Riojana
4 – Biscuit
3 – Cute Little Vixen
5 – Riojana
4 – Biscuit
Race 3 2 – Good as They Get
1 – Sanawar
5 – Sunscape
2 – Good as They Get
5 – Sunscape
1 – Sanawar
Race 4 3 – Zenya
4 – Imakittensjoy
1 – Race The Wind
4 – Imakittensjoy
3 – Zenya
5 – Anasazi Lass
Race 5 8 – Dee Jay Snow
4 – Carson City Brown
5 – Mattythebull
8 – Dee Jay Snow
5 – Mattythebull
3 – Promise Glory
Race 6 2 – Brother Chuncky
8 – Flemings Beach
4 – Similkameen Luke
5 – Teddy the Bear
8 – Flemings Beach
7 – Payton’s Best
Race 7 6 – Always a Sunrise
3 – Street Map
4 – On the Sunnyside
3 – Street Map
6 – Always a Sunrise
1 – Mr Rosberg
Race 8 1 – Shayla’s Rose
8 – Katchin Fire
4 – Four Feathers
8 – Katchin Fire
4 – Four Feathers
1 – Shayla’s Rose
Race 9 1 – Fire Beauty
2 – Closing Intentions
6 – S.L. Express
1 – Fire Beauty
6 – S.L. Express
2 – Closing Intentions
Race 10 4 – Payton’s Command
5 – Twopenny
6 – Acertainreality
6 – Acertainreality
5 – Twopenny
4 – Payton’s Command
Mike’s Picks Drew’s Picks
Sunday, October 18, 2015 1:50 PM MDT
Saturday, October 24, 2015 1:50 PM MDT
Sunday, October 25, 2015 1:50 PM MDT

Racing Post – Riley – Solow routs QEII field as Gleneagles flops

The Guardian – Wood – Solow sinks Gleneagles in Champions Day QEII Stakes at Ascot

Bloodhorse – Gleneagles Still on Fence for Ascot Start

Bloodhorse – Solow Too Much for Queen Elizabeth Rivals


The Guardian – Being AP: watch the world exclusive trailer of the documentary about the multiple champion jockey


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2015 Leading Jockeys

Rank Jockey Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Total $
1 Rico W. Walcott 422 132 97 47 $1,339,560
2 Scott Williams 373 71 55 54 $757,317
3 Shannon Beauregard 294 51 41 57 $590,008
4 Tony Maragh 293 47 34 46 $506,121
5 Ismael Eluid Mosqueira 293 37 38 50 $485,167
6 Ruben Lara 292 30 40 42 $410,954
7 Jorge Espitia 245 28 33 30 $312,800
8 Quincy Welch 182 26 17 26 $296,165
9 Desmond Bryan 236 25 30 36 $256,271
10 Damario Bynoe 224 13 27 25 $195,279

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2015 Leading Trainers

Rank Trainer Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Total $
1 Greg Tracy 253 67 46 33 $800,287
2 Tim Rycroft 287 51 44 49 $756,245
3 Dale L. Saunders 149 32 25 12 $424,097
4 Joan Petrowski 322 25 39 35 $344,762
5 Rodney J. Cone 255 33 31 29 $305,659
6 Craig Robert Smith 150 35 24 25 $279,156
7 Jerri R. Robertson 134 14 18 24 $234,511
8 Dale Greenwood 102 15 21 14 $224,580
9 Ernie J. Keller 69 14 13 16 $208,780
10 Ron Grieves 132 20 20 25 $205,105

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Nominations for the 14th Running Of  The Freedom Of The City
$50,000 Guaranteed
A SPECIAL WEIGHT STAKES FOR TWO YEAR OLD FILLIES
ONE MILE
TO BE RUN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
BOOTLEGGERS WIFE (Beauregard) dk b/.f.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
FAST FORWARD GAL b.f.2 RLC Racing and Steve Hollar Deanne Davies
IMAGEOFPERFECTION dk b/.f.2 Anderson Livestock Ltd. and Hillside Farms MB Ltd. Shelley Brown
LEENA (Mosqueira) dk b/.f.2 R & M Stable Robert A. MacDonald
MIDNIGHT FUDGE dk b/.f.2 Lavern Doran Lesley Dunlop
ONESTARATATIME dk b/.f.2 Curtis & Darrell Landry, Red Diamond Stable and Highfield Stock Farm Greg Tracy
RAISE A DANCER b.f.2 Derby Quest Farms Ltd. and Shot In The Dark Racing Corp. Greg Tracy
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Nominations for the 19th Running Of The Canadian Juvenile
$50,000
A SPECIAL WEIGHT STAKES FOR TWO YEAR OLDS
ONE MILE
TO BE RUN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AUTUMN SONG dk b/.c.2 Derby Quest Farms Ltd. and Shot In The Dark Racing Corp. Greg Tracy
AWESOME SLATE ch.g.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
CHARPETTI dk b/.g.2 Ron and Sandra Kirchner Joan Petrowski
CREDITS GOOD dk b/.c.2 Dialed In Racing Stable, IndyRock Racing and Smokin Guns Stable Craig Smith
EXTRA DUTY dk b/.g.2 Tim Kane, Lesley Hardy, Vitto Chiodo and Jerri R. Robertson Jerri R. Robertson
FALLS SESSION dk b/.c.2 Marie Neubuhr Sam L. Neubuhr
GRANDSTAND STEVE b.g.2 RLC Racing and Steve Hollar Deanne Davies
MODERNOTIS dk b/.g.2 Derby Quest Farms Ltd., Shot In The Dark Racing Corp., Curtis & Darrell Landry Greg Tracy
MOONLIGHT MALICE ch.g.2 Mark Gems International Ltd. Jennifer Shafer
N. Y. SMOKE dk b/.c.2 Doug Blair Joan Petrowski
OVED dk b/.g.2 Jennifer Smith Rodney J. Cone
PERFECT GENT b.c.2 Bruce & Margaret Appleyard Jerri R. Robertson
READY INTAGLIO dk b/.c.2 Robbin Martens Eurico Martens
RIPPLE gr/ro.g.2 Jim & Carole Barker and Red Diamond Stable Ron K. Smith
SCHRAMSON ch.g.2 J & G Murphy Holdings Ltd. Robert C. Kingston
TIZAGOGO ch.g.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
VICTORY DAY dk b/.g.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
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Edmonton Sun – FRANK FONTANA’s Northlands Favourites

Matt’s Picks and Free Program –  Wednesday October 21, 2015

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 6:30 PM MDT
Friday, October 23, 2015 6:30 PM MDT
Saturday, October 24, 2015 1:00 PM MDT

Bloodhorse – Fascinating Rock Takes Champions in Upset


Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Simple Verse Up in Time at Ascot


Guardian – Cook – Jockey Club revives Betfair Million to leave trainers weighing options


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Ehalt – The three racetrack warriors and the rivalry New York has taken to its heart


Upcoming Stakes

October 18
Belmont Park
Matron Stake GII $200,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Fresno
Bull Dog handicap $50,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Shuka Sho GI $1,608,000 3yo Fillies 10f Turf
Keeneland
Rood & Riddle Dowager Stake GIII $125,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 12f Turf
Santa Anita Park
Speakeasy Stake $70,000 2yo 6f Dirt
Woodbine
E.P. Taylor Stake Can – I $500,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 10f Turf
Nearctic Stake Can – II $300,000 3&up 6f Turf
Ontario Fashion Stake Can – III $150,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f AW
Pattison Canadian International Can – I $1,000,000 3&up 12f Turf

October 23
Delta Downs
My Trusty Cat Stake (L) $100,000 2yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Northlands Park
Freedom of the City $50,000 2yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Remington Park
E.L. Gaylord Memorial Stake $50,000 2yo Fillies 6.5f Dirt

October 24
Belmont Park
Empire Classic Stake $300,000 3&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
Empire Distaff Stake $250,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Hudson Stake $150,000 3&up State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
Iroquois Stake $150,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
Maid of the Mist Stake $250,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt
Mohawk Stake $200,000 3&up State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Sleepy Hollow Stake $250,000 2yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Ticonderoga Stake $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Delta Downs
Jean Lafitte Stake (L) $200,000 2yo 8f Dirt
Great Meadow
David L. Zeke Ferguson Memorial Steeplechase GIII $50,000 4&up 17f Turf
International Gold Cup Timber Stake $75,000 4&up 28f Turf
Japan Racing Association
Fuji Stake GIII $723,000 3&up 8f Turf
Keeneland
Pin Oak Valley View Stake GIII $150,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Turf
Northlands Park
Canadian Juvenile Stake $50,000 2yo 8f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Twilight Derby GII $200,000 3yo 9f Turf
ThistleDown
Diana Stake $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
Turf Paradise
Princess of Palms Stake $35,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt

October 25
Belmont Park
English Channel $100,000 3yo 8f Turf
Hastings Race Course
Harbour View $32,000 3&up R 8.5f Dirt
Lions Gate $32,000 3&up Fillies & Mares R 8.5f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) GI $2,029,000 3yo 15f Turf
Santa Anita Park
Sen. Ken Maddy Stake GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares abt 6.5f Turf
Woodbine
Fanfreluche Stake $150,000 2yo Fillies R 6f AW

October 29
Keeneland
Lafayette Presented by Keeneland Select $100,000 3&up 7f Dirt

October 30
Belmont Park
Awad Stake $100,000 2yo 8f Turf
Turnback the Alarm Handicap GIII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Delta Downs
Magnolia Stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f Dirt
Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile GI $1,000,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Distaff GI $2,000,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf GI $1,000,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf GI $1,000,000 2yo Colts & Geldings 8f Turf
Bryan Station Stake $100,000 3yo 9f Turf
Hagyard Fayette Stake GII $200,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Marathon Stake GII $200,000 3&up 14f Dirt

October 31
Belmont Park
Bold Ruler GIII $200,000 3&up 7f Dirt
Chelsey Flower Stake $100,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Charles Town
Tri-State Futurity $50,000 2yo R 7f Dirt
Delta Downs
Gold Cup $100,000 3&up State/Prov 8f Dirt
Gulfstream Park West
Cellars Shiraz Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
Showing Up Stake $75,000 3yo 8f Turf
Indiana Grand Race Course
Frances Slocum Stake $150,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Indiana Futurity $85,000 2yo State/Prov 8.32f Dirt
Miss Indiana Stake $85,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8.32f Dirt
Too Much Coffee Stake $150,000 3&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Artemis Stake GIII $504,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Swan Stake GII $1,030,000 3&up 7f Turf
Keeneland
Breeders’ Cup Classic GI $5,000,000 3&up 10f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint GI $1,000,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 7f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf GI $2,000,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9.5f Turf
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile GI $2,000,000 2yo Colts & Geldings 8.5f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies GI $2,000,000 2yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Mile GI $2,000,000 3&up 8f Turf
Breeders’ Cup Sprint GI $1,500,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Breeders’ Cup Turf GI $3,000,000 3&up 12f Turf
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint GI $1,000,000 3&up 5.5f Turf
Fort Springs $100,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Juvenile Dirt Sprint $100,000 2yo 6f Dirt
Perryville Stake $100,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Laurel Park
Laurel Turf Cup (L) $100,000 3&up 12f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
Cardinal handicap $75,000 3&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
Emerald Necklace Stake $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Woodbine
Maple Leaf Stake Can – III $150,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 10f AW
November 1
Belmont Park
Pumpkin Pie Stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Churchill Downs
*Rags to Riches Stake $60,000 2yo Fillies 8f Dirt
*Street Sense Stake $60,000 2yo 8f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
Pike Place Dancer $75,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Japan Racing Association
Tenno Sho Autumn GI $2,721,000 3&up 10f Turf
Turf Paradise
A.T.B.A. Fall Sales Stake $35,000 2yo Colts & Geldings R 6f Dirt
A.T.B.A. Fall Sales Stake $35,000 2yo Fillies R 6f Dirt
Unionville
Pennsylvania Hunt Cup $35,000 5&up 32f Turf
Woodbine
Princess Elizabeth Stake $250,000 2yo Fillies R 8.5f AW
Zia Park
New Mexico Classic Cup Derby Championship $140,000 3yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Championship $140,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Championship $140,000 2yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Lassie Championship $140,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Oaks Championship $140,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Peppers Pride Championship $170,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Rocky Gulch Championship $180,000 3&up State/Prov 8f Dirt
New Mexico Classic Cup Sprint Championship $170,000 3&up State/Prov 6f Dirt

November 2
Zia Park
Veterans Stake $55,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt

November 4
Woodbine
Frost King Stake $125,000 2yo State/Prov 7f AW


ABC Net AU – Mongolian Khan wins the Caulfield Cup for trainer Murray Baker and jockey Opie Bosson


Bloodhorse – Novak – Modernstone, Kitten’s Point Head Dowager


Handicappers-Corner-2015-web


NOTICE HBPA OF BC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE HBPA OF BC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21/2015

HASTINGS RACECOURSE

AT 6:00 PM IN THE COOKSHACK (TRACKERS)

  1. Receive the report of the Directors to the Members.
  2. Consider the financial review of the Association for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.
  3. Appoint Auditors for the year ending March 31, 2016.
  4. Transact such other business as may lawfully come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
  5. The meeting will provide a forum for members to discuss their concerns.

ALL MEMBERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND

DINNER WILL BE SERVED

Richard Yates—Secretary-Treasurer  HBPA of BC

October 7, 2015


Bloodhorse – Well-Bred Dawalan Prevails in Grand National


Derby Bar and Grill

From the Derby Bar and Grill Newsletter

 

RAILBIRD NOTES

RAILBIRD NOTES BY GLEN TODD

BY GLEN TODD

WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENT OF HASTINGS 2016 LIVE RACING SEASON

We expect Hastings Racecourse to announce the live racing season for 2016 sometime later this week.  It will be likely be the proposed schedule that will need final approval of GPEB.

 

HASTINGS NEWS BY GREG DOUGLAS

Hastings News by Greg Douglas

2016 HASTINGS LIVE RACING CALENDAR

OPENS APRIL 17 WITH A 53-CARD MEET

 Vancouver, B.C. (Oct. 19/15) – The 2016 thoroughbred racing season will begin in mid-April and conclude in mid-October it was announced today by Hastings Racecourse General Manager Darren MacDonald.

“It was great to come to a mutually beneficial schedule with the horsemen’s groups,” MacDonald said. “I couldn’t be happier.  Now we just wait for the approval of the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB).”

Opening day in 2016 will be Sunday, April 17 and the schedule will encompass 53 dates that conclude on Sunday, October 16.

There will be six Friday Night Live cards, up from five this past season, all beginning at 7:00 p.m. “We have determined that over and above Friday nights being popular with a young demographic, they have also caught on with the corporate sector,” MacDonald said.

“We will start them on July 22, run four consecutive Friday nights in August and finish with Friday, September 2.”

Six Monday dates have been confirmed, May 23, August 1, 22 & 29, September 5 and October 10. The balance of the schedule involves Saturday and Sunday afternoons with 1:50 p.m. start times.

The 2016 calendar will soon be available on the Hastings website  at www.hastingsracecourse.com.  MacDonald said the 2016 stakes schedule will be announced at a later date.

This year’s Thoroughbred Awards Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies are set for Thursday, December 3 at the Newlands Golf and Country Club. Tickets are available at cgossen@gmail.com or cthsbc@cthsbc.org.

The 2015 racing season concludes at Hastings Racecourse this weekend with Saturday and Sunday start times of 1:50 pm.

Hastings Wrap-up For Sunday, October 18—–Richard Yates

Following the cancellation of Saturday’s card, the Sunday program offered 10 races to help fill the void.  Richard Hamel won three to further widen his insurmountable lead over Pedro Alvarado in the jockey race.  Hamel now has 70 wins for the season, 18 more than Alvarado.  Trainer Barbara Heads won a race to close to within 7 wins of her brother, leading trainer Mike Anderson.  She will not catch him, but if a brother and sister have ever finished one-two in the trainer standings at Hastings, no one can remember when.  However, unless Hall of Famer Troy Taylor wins four next weekend while Heads gets shutout, it is going to happen this season.

The handle was in the neighborhood of $725,000 as the folks out in simulcast land bet us with both hands.  The last 4 races alone handled about $427,000.

 Sunscape

The third race, a Maiden Special Weight for two-year-olds will serve as the feature and it was won by Sunscape ($10.30) who made a sustained move from last to first that had him drawing away as he came to the wire a little more than 3 lengths ahead of Indy Black who set the early pace. Good as They Get ran evenly to be third.  Final time was 1:12.96 for 6 furlongs run over a fast track that was taking moisture.

Sunscape was three wide around the first turn and last when Richard Hamel straightened him out for the run down the backstretch. He was in first going into the second turn, having run by everybody with a bold move that he carried on with around the bend and all the way home.  Indy Black and Good as They Get had a tussle for second with Indy Black prevailing by a neck.  Neither presented a serious problem for the winner.

Sunscape is a gelded son of Finality out of the Free at Last mare Free Quarter Time. The dam is a full sister to the graded stakes winning Grey Tobe Free.  The winner was bred in British Columbia by Red Rock farm and is owned by Suzanne Anderson.  Robert Anderson trains.

Closing Intentions

The supporting feature, an open $16,000 claimer for older fillies and mares, went as the ninth on a 10 race card and it featured another last to first performance, this time by Closing Intentions ($5.80) who won her second straight route by covering the mile-and-a-sixteenth in 1:46.18. I’m a Diva Too closed from next to last to be second after briefly getting to the lead going into the last turn.  S. L. Express finished third after pressing or setting the early pace.  Richard Hamel, aboard the winner, won his third of the day.

LEADING RIDE RICHARD HAMEL WON THREE ON SUNDAY'S CARD - JACKIE HUMBER PHOTO

Closing Intentions, a New York bred, had accounted for the Distaff Champions Starter Series finale ($50,000) in her previous outing. She is owned by Kay and Sue Ohashi and trained by Patty Leaney.

Race the Wind

The fourth race was also a $16,000 claimer, although it was conditioned as a non-winner of two event (3 for BC-breds) for three-and-up fillies and mares, and it fell to the three-year-old Race the Wind ($10.40). The winner was a little over 4 lengths ahead of Zenya in second, she being another 3 lengths better than Anasazi Lass in third.

Race the Wind, a full sister to the stakes winner Dance the Wind, is owned by her breeders, Linda and Clive Lytle. Carl Lausten is the trainer and Silvino Morales rode.

Also Noteworthy:

Jockey Richard Hamel’s other win, aside from Sunscape and Closing Intentions as discussed above, came on Teddy the Bear ($5.70) who nailed the sixth by a nose for owner Last Call Racing Stable and trainer Brent Bremner.

TEDDY THE BEAR ON THE INSIDE BY A NOSE - JACKIE HUMBER PHOTO

Amadeo Perez had a riding double on the card. He took the second with odds-on favorite Cute Little Vixen ($3.30) for owner/breeders Russell and Lois Bennett and trainer Barbara Heads, connections that have been winning races in bunches as the season comes to a close.  Perez came back with a win in the fifth on Dee Jay Snow ($8.90) for owner/breeders John and Tammy Snow and owner Alison Tonner.

Trainer John Snow sent out two winners on the day, Dee Jay Snow, as mentioned above, and Street Map ($4.50) with Keishan Balgobin doing the riding for L. and S. Farms, Gordon Grant and owner/trainer Snow.

Shayla’s Rose ($8.50) won her third in a row for owner Kathy Hurt and owner/trainer Ted Hurt. The three-year-old filly is now 3 for 9 lifetime and jockey Sahin Civaci has been aboard for all 9 starts.

The opener went to the overwhelming favorite Bridge Baron ($2.90) for owners Praven Sorensen, Bill Randall and owner/trainer Phil Hall. Antonio Reyes rode the two-year-old son of Forest Grove who was bred in BC by Mark Robbins.

Famous Winner ($24.80) closed out the card by upsetting the last as the longest shot on the board and giving jockey R. A. Stewart his first Hastings win. The winner is owned by the Estate of Orland McConnell, Janet McConnell and Daniel Piotrowsk and was bred by the latter two and the late Orland McConnell.  Catherine Sheppard is the trainer.


He is under no illusions about what to expect. “They tell me it’s very cold in New York, but that doesn’t bother me – in can be cold in Britain, too,” he said.

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Muscat – Why Britain’s new champion will be riding in New York this winter

Racing Post – Riley – Proud De Sousa lifts first jockeys’ championship


Six Feet of Snow


MKT15-167 Peters Pumpkin Patch_Web Square


One and All


The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.
Peter Drucker


Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Jack’s in the Deck in Maryland Sprint Upset


Bloodhorse – Maryland Million Card Sees Handle Gains


Dear Ms. Leslie,

As you know, over the past eight months, the government, OLG and OHRIA have been working closely on key elements of horse racing integration.

All parties are engaged in a dialogue with the industry on areas of mutual interest. Through these discussions, we have accomplished a great deal. We are defining how horse racing fits into the modernization framework and laying a foundation for the industry’s success.

Today, OLG has a new horse racing division, led by a new Senior Vice President. We are developing a co-branding marketing strategy and preparing to launch horse-themed products through our Lottery and Internet business channels. We have also signed leases with almost all racetracks in Ontario.

In addition, the regulatory merger of the Ontario Racing Commission and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is moving forward and the government’s five-year Horse Racing Partnership Plan continues to support the industry.

The next area of focus is developing a financial model to provide a long-term funding framework. This includes exploring options that help create economic confidence in a transparent and accountable way, beyond 2019.

The government has asked OLG to provide recommendations on this topic by the end of the year.

We would like your ongoing input. I have asked Cal Bricker, OLG’s Senior Vice President of Horse Racing to lead a collaborative discussion on this subject with your help, and members of the industry.

As President of OHRIA, I would ask that you circulate this letter to your Board of Directors and membership. Horse racing is vital to Ontario’s rural communities and is an important part of our province’s rich heritage. Our ongoing collaboration will help create a sustainable industry in Ontario for generations to come.

We look forward to working with you and the broader industry on this matter.

Stephen Rigby
President and Chief Executive Officer
OLG

OHRIA – Letter – OLG President & CEO to OHRIA


Bloodhorse – Gural-Owned NY Track Tapped for Casino


INDIAN CHARLIE WORLDWIDE - We Never Let the Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story


When it comes to dominating the championship-deciding G1 Dewhurst S., no stallion can hold a candle to the unique Northern Dancer. Thanks to Nijinsky, The Minstrel, Try My Best, Storm Bird, El Gran Senor and Ajdal, the Windfields patriarch had an unequalled record in the last 50 years.

Since then two branches of the Northern Dancer-male line have been busily extending his influence. For example, when Air Force Blue demolished the opposition in last week’s race, he became the second winner in three years for Danzig’s impressive son War Front. There have also been Dewhurst winners by Danzig, his sons Chief’s Crown and Danehill and his grandson Oratorio.

TDN – Caulfield – Pedigree Insights: First Victory


Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Pretty N Cool Leads Way in Matron Win

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Pretty N Cool captures Matron

Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Kitten’s Point Rallies to Take Dowager

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Kitten’s Point scratches out Dowager win

TwinSpires Blog – Pretty N Cool heads Matron; Kitten’s Point favored in Dowager 

Bloodhorse – Hammonds – Pretty N Cool Heads East for Matron


Giving horseplayers a voice.


Bloodhorse – Australia’s Evolution


Great Southern Land


Lady and the Track – Smith – Horse People and Horse Sales: An Array of Emotions


Bloodhorse – Oakford – Larger F-T October Looks to Continue Gains

Bloodhorse – Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale: Preview


ATTENTION Player’s Choice tournament players: You now have two options for this month’s tournament.  You may play on the scheduled day, Breeders’ Cup Saturday, Oct. 31.  Or you may play the following Saturday, Nov. 7.  See the reason under FYI.

BREEDERS’ CUP QUIZ: Which Breeders’ Cup race is historically the easiest to predict? (a) Juvenile  (b) Juvenile Fillies  (c) Dirt Mile  (d) Sprint  (e) Other (indicate which) See answer at bottom of column.
BIGG’S BEST BETS for today (current record 2-1-1-0)

• KEENELAND race 2 (12:39 p.m. CDT):  #2 Wilhelmina (5/1)  Risky long shot but
  only horse who won at specialty 7f.  Don’t mind mares off a layoff. Race page.
• INDIANA race 3 (2:01 p.m.)   #2 Proven Warrior (2/1).  Dropping speed from
Keeneland.  Race page.
• REMINGTON race 3 (7:56 p.m.)  #8 Mare of Shiloh 9/5).  Turf is about trainers. 37%
trainer/jock combo with added blinkers (30%) Race page.
Bigg’s three picks in previous Insider: One pick was scratched, a second pick won (paying $6.60 to win and $16.80 to show because bridge jumpers loaded up on another horse) and the third pick finished second.

FYI . . .
• Player’s Choice horseplayer tournament entrants may play either on Saturday, Oct. 31
or Saturday, Nov. 7. The Nov. 7 option was added after some players said they didn’t
want to be distracted by playing in a tournament on one of the biggest days in racing.
“We want to keep everyone happy,” said Manitoba Jockey Club vice-president Sharon
Gulyas
in announcing the optional day. When you’re entering the tournament, be sure
to indicate the day you prefer.  Results from Oct. 31 will be kept confidential until after
the Nov. 7 round.  Current leader board for Handicapper of the Year.

You have two chances to win $1 million this Sunday at Woodbine!
Go to Woodbine’s website and predict the exact order of finish for the
Pattison International and the E. P. Taylor. If you’re correct for either,
you’re an instant millionaire.  The odds of winning are astronomical
according to U of M business major Rob MacLennan–although
handicapping narrows the odds.  Otherwise, he said, the odds of
getting all horses in the correct order in a 10-horse field is 3.6 million
to one
and, for 12 horses, it’s 479 million to one.  For astute wheel
player Terry Pagee, though, who can sniff out the order of superfectas
for about $1.20, it’s probably more like 50 to one.

Will Del Mar be the first California track to offer Canadian bettors 20-cent supers and
other fractional wagers when its fall meet opens on Oct. 29?  The chances are good and
The Insider is awaiting confirmation.

What’s the betting pool breakdown for the new rolling Super Hi 5 wagers at Gulfstream
West?  In each race, when there is no winner, 25 per cent of the wagers get paid out
to players with the closest tickets and the balance is added to the jackpot which is paid
out in a subsequent race when a player or players get the first five finishers in the correct order.

Bullet briefs . . .

• Today’s carryovers at Santa:  pick-6 $52,000, Super Hi 5 $18,000
• Countdown to BC:  You don’t want to be reminded of this
• Fort Erie was among top better-bettor tracks in September
• ASD trainers ready to roll at Turf Paradise; meet begins Saturday
• Woodbine’s Canadian International goes Sunday; win $1 million!
• Air ambulance pilot scores a second Vegas trip at poker
• Would you have bet this $99 horse? Congrats if you did!

NEW NAMES ADDED TO HONOUR ROLL:  Congrats to the new additions to the honour roll, players who proved they could make at least $100 profit making three fictitious $50 wagers in the Triple 50 Challenge that is held each Saturday. (The highest was Bill Latta with $270 in profit.) Here’s the current honour roll with new additions in red. All are a credit to themselves and are in the vanguard of being better bettors!  Who will be the first to be inducted into The Insider Hall of Fame by playing their picks with real money on three Saturdays?

Dave Champion Brad Kinnear Norm Fraser
Jim Cretney
Bill Latta
Mel Peddle
Donna Cretney
Manny Medeiros
Al Hampton
Dorothy Field
Geoffrey Metcalf
Jim Roberts

DO THE DOWNS


Carryovers

Click for schedule
Meatloaf
Saturday’s new comfort
food dinner special
CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE

ARE YOU CAPITALIZING ON BONUS CASH-BACK OCTOBER?  Get up to five per cent deposited into your account each Friday depending on your level of wagering.  Here are the reward levels.

Official stations of horse racing.
Click to listen

SEPTEMBER’S BETTER BETTOR TRACKS
Canterbury, Presque Isle and Fort Erie were most profitable

In September, bettors were loving Canterbury, Presque Isle, Fort Erie, Churchill, Golden Gate and Hastings. Those were the main money-making tracks which will send money into the Manitoba economy.  At the other end of the scale, bettors regressed at Woodbine, showing how unpredictable the races were that month (compared to a profitable August).  Bettors found Los Alamitos thoroughbreds challenging as they did races at Kentucky Downs and Santa Anita.

Most profitable
thoro tracks:
1. Canterbury
2. Presque Isle
3. Fort Erie
4. Churchill
Harness:
1. Yonkers
2. Harrah’s Philly
3. Maywood
Least profitable:
1. Woodbine
2. Saratoga
3. Los Alamitos (T)
Harness:
1. Monticello
2. The Meadows
3. Hoosier

You don’t want to be reminded of this
A pox on The Insider, you say, for bringing up the costly memory of last year’s Breeders’ Cup when an “easy” exactor paid $663!   But The Insider is going to rub it in again on the off-chance that you might pay attention to the winning rule during the Breeders’ Cup races in two weeks.  After all, this rule worked THREE YEARS IN A ROW.  (Hats off to you if you paid attention and won!)
The rule is this:  In handicapping the Breeders’ Cup turf route races, circle the horses that have raced for the highest purse money.  (Information you’ll find in the Equibase program but not in the DRF.)  Simply boxing the top three purse horses for a $6 outlay in the Turf Mile would have won you $663 (#14 Karakontie over #9 Anodin). And the rule worked for other turf races in last year’s ‘Cup, too, which you can read about here.
6/1

Want more proof this rule works?  In 2013, the 2-year-old with the highest purse money, Outstrip, won the Juvenile at 6/1 and Chriselliam, among three with close purse money races, won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at 6/1.  And Dank who had raced for much-the-highest purse money, was an easy winner in the Filly and Mare Turf, paying $5.  Read that Insider here.

9/1

And in 2012, the 2-year-old who had previously raced for the highest purse money, George Vancouver, won the Juvenile Turf at 9/1 and the 2-year-old filly who had raced for the second-highest purse money, Flotilla, won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at 11/1.  Read that Insider here.

Blinkers on? Or off?

To make it super-simple for you this year, two weeks from today the Insider will list the horses with the best chances just as it did last year when the exactor paid $663. Unfortunately, though, The Insider has no control over whether you decide to wear blinkers or not.  My instincts tell me most of you will have a small “b” after your name.

*       *       *
BOOK THE BRUNCH:  Phone 885-3330 for Breeders’ Cup brunch in the Terrace Dining Room Oct. 31 where there are lots of TVs to follow Breeders’ Cup races all afternoon. All you can eat $19.95.  Brunch served from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

BREEDERS’ CUP WORKSHOP AND GROUP PLAY:  Saturday, Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m.

Mike Welsch
Reading his reports a “must”

in the Finish Line banquet room.  Every $20 share from you will be generously topped up by $5 from the Downs.  Refreshments served.

BREEDERS’ CUP ADVANCE DRF:  Available a week from today.  Includes EVERY past performance of all horses nominated for the 13 Breeders’ Cup races.
VALUABLE CLOCKER INFO:  Go to DRF on a regular basis to check on clocker Mike Welsch’s workouts for Breeders’ Cup entrants.  This is a must-do for every serious player.

Air ambulance pilot lands second Vegas poker trip
Three years ago air ambulance pilot Darryl Dash (centre) could tell you about claimers and superfectas but knew little about small blinds and big blinds. Fast forward.  Dash is this year’s top poker player, having won two tournaments that resulted in a trip to Las Vegas and entry into a World Series of Poker event.  His latest win came against 51 players two Fridays ago when his queen/eight beat Mathew Mayer’s queen/four. “I’m excited and proud,” Dash said after the win while praising Rosie Parmar (above left) and Kerran Seth (right) and their All-In Poker Tour organization for being “very accommodating” in providing the learning experience that led to his victories.
The top eight finishers and their prizes: 1st Darryl Dash (trip for two to Las Vegas including airfare, accommodations, $1,000 seat in WSOP and $500 U.S. spending money, 2nd Mathew Mayer ($500), 3rd Arnold Black ($200), 4th Amelia Manlig ($100), 5th Rick Boychuk ($50), 6th George Newbury ($50), 7th Stephan Saultier ($50), 8th Marian Delaurier ($50). New $10 buy-in games begin tomorrow with THREE opportunities to buy back in. (Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 7 p.m. Register 30 minutes before games.)
THE WEEK THAT WAS

INTERESTING RITUAL:  HOW WOODBINE TESTS TURF:  Sean Gault, the senior manager for thoroughbred racing surfaces at Woodbine, has some interesting things to

Going stick
Woodbine takes 48 readings per mile

say about the way the track measures turf firmness.  On race day, at the longest turf distance for any race that day, turf firmness is measured EVERY SIXTEENTH OF A MILE at three points: (1) at the rail (2) five feet from the rail and (3) 10 feet out.  That’s 48 separate readings for a mile of turf.

A “going stick,” which was developed in England in 2008, is pushed into the ground then pulled out at a 45-degree angle. The difficulty in pushing it into the ground (penetration) and removal at an angle (shear) determines the firmness reading on a scale from one (firmest) to 15 (softest).  An average is calculated and Woodbine posts the “going stick reading” for the day. The going is particularly important to European shippers and Gault says they enquire about going stick readings before they ship. Arlington and Churchill appear to be the only other North American going-stick users, Gault says.  Will Keeneland use one for Breeders’ Cup turf races?  Europeans are sure to be enquiring.

SUNDAY ROBBERY HAD PLAYERS BUZZING:  When is a $99 horse worth betting?  When a 29 per cent trainer has taken over the conditioning from a 6 per cent trainer.  That’s what happened recently at Mountaineer.  Shawn Marks, a 29 per cent trainer, took over maiden claimer Sunday Robbery from 6 per cent trainer Jerold Gammon.  Kapow!  Sunday

Carly Furlonger
A name (and a talent) for winning

Robbery won rather easily and observant players cashed a handsome $99 for each $2 win wager.  See that horse’s past performances here.  Would you have bet it?  Will you bet that kind of horse in the future?

BETTORS FLOCK TO PLAY $5 QUINELLA!  (YA, SURE)  Not sure what Gulfstream management had in mind when they introduced the first $5 minimum wager in racing–a $5 quinella at Gulfstream West on the last race each day–but the wager is hardly creating a stampede of interest.  Wagering this past Monday:  $1,436 in bets on the $5 quinella compared to $99,000 in wagers on the regular $2 exactor.  What do I think?  I think the bet was introduced to create a buzz and give the track more press.  Well, it’s done that, hasn’t it?  Will anyone notice when it’s dropped?
BORN TO RIDE:  When your name is Carly Furlonger and you weigh around a hundred pounds, can there be any other career than horse racing?  Furlonger rides quarter horses at an 18 per cent winning clip (85-16-13-11) at Ajax Downs in Ajax, Ontario. She started out by riding show horses and won her first horse race in June, 2013. See her in action Mondays when racing from Ajax begins at 11:55 a.m.
WORKSHOP PLAYERS PUT BIGG ON THE SPOT:  “I’ll bet you’re wrong,”  two Handicappers of the Year told yours truly during last Saturday’s “I won big” Woodbine discussion and bet me that their horses would beat the horses I touted.  “Sure,” I said, because the two races happened to be my specialty maiden races. In fact, I felt so strongly about my choices I even promised to be deeply humbled for the balance of the year if a player’s deep closer beat my horse that was cutting back to a sprint race after showing early speed in a route race at a higher class level.  I said his closer would finish fourth or fifth.
Long story short: I collected on two $10 side bets and one $5 side bet and retained my right to swagger. The player’s deep closer finished fifth and the three horses I had suggested for our group ticket finished first, second and third.  This is not to be boastful but to show the importance of having firm rules so group tickets aren’t all over the board. At least another participant bet a $1 exactor box on two rule horses.  Not exactly overwhelming confidence in the rules but he did collect over $100 for his pocket change.  Want to find out what rules work?  C’mon out to this Saturday’s session at 10:30 a.m. in the Clubhouse.

Where are they now?
by Rob MacLennan
ASD trainers ready for Turf Paradise opener Saturday
TURF PARADISE OPENS:  Turf Paradise opens this Saturday with a good card involving some familiar names. Trainer Don Schnell runs a number of horses including Idling, I Am Awesome, Valedictoryaddress and Runaway Cal. Trainer Jared Brown tries the speedy mare Tom Kha on the grass.  The race should set up for Idling.
WOODBINE:  At Woodbine, Blair Miller (43-1-8-8) has been close to a win with Buckden House and he was to run in a maiden race last night in the easiest spot he has ever been in. K5 Stables’ Master Lightning trained by Preston Ferris was claimed for $16,000 after running back-to-back thirds at Woodbine.
FORT ERIE:  Jodi Radul (3-1-1-0 $11,081) won Sunday with a maiden 2-year-old.  She followed up with a second by Sunny Weather.

NORTHLANDS:  Lots of action in Edmonton. Shelley Brown (8-2-1-1) has had a good run including wins with Fungo and Can’t Use Nellie. Can’t Use Nellie won the Duchess of York

Magic d ‘ Oro
Tough trip

Stakes at Northlands with a furious late run ($17.50). In his last two races at Northlands, trainer Eurico Martens (41-2-3-6) won with the classy gelding Grandpa George and notched a second as well.  K5 Stables (9-2-2-0 $12,430) has had some success in Alberta with wins at big prices by Roman Humor ($22.20) and Key to Glory ($36.50)

ASD Gold Cup winner Magic d’ Oro as the 2/1 second choice ran a tough-luck fourth in the Harvest Gold Plate on Thanksgiving Monday. Drawn way outside in post position 10, Magic dueled very wide around the far turn and used so much energy he could not hold off the closers.  It still was a good race considering the trip he got. The plan for Magic is to go to Phoenix and relax for the winter prior to his 2016 campaign.  The Plate was won by Aces Again at 7/1.
LETHBRIDGE CLOSES:  The Lethbridge meet closed this past weekend. Maria Stanford (12-3-2-2) ran a number of horses including Pretend and Extend who ran second in a $11,000 stake on closing day. Rocky Mountain Turf Club (23-8-1-4) with horses such as She’s It Again and Georgi Girl’s Kiss all had success at the Lethbridge meet following the ASD meet.
HISTORY ON THE HOOF: The best of Bob
Did you know . . .  the track surface for Assiniboia Downs when it opened in 1958 was hauled in by the truckload from old Whittier Park race track in St. Boniface?  What other nuggets of history does Bob Gates have for us this week in Memories of Whittier Park, grandfather of Assiniboia Downs?  Read his blog here.


PARTING RUSH:
  Relive Secretariat’s Canadian International

With the $1 million Pattison Canadian International stakes set to go at Woodbine this Sunday, one is reminded of the most historic International of all back in 1973 when Secretariat raced for the final time.  Relive that stirring race here.  Then go to the Woodbine website for the entries for this Saturday’s International and for the E. P. Taylor and predict the order of finish to win a cool million for each race. ‘Who knows?
ANSWER TO BREEDERS’ CUP QUIZ:  (b) Juvenile Fillies. Favourites win more than 50 per cent of the time. A filly by the name of Meadow Star, in fact, produced the lowest win price ever for a Breeders’ Cup race:  $2.40.  That was in 1990.  But don’t let the filly angle fool you when it comes to their male counterparts.  Long shots are the norm for the Juvenile colts, likely because the boys mature less quickly than the girls. The boys are a moving target. The Juvenile Filly is the first of nine races on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, Oct. 31.
Will you be first to be inducted
into The Insider Hall of Fame?

Bloodhorse – Novak – Dr. Shane Upsets NY Breeders’ Futurity


Maker's Mark Plans Breeders' Cup Bottles

Let’s raise a glass.
And $1 Million for Charity.

Join Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® in our goal to raise $1 Million over the next three years to support a variety of deserving local and thoroughbred industry charities. Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® have collaborated on a limited-edition, five-bottle collection featuring a few of the most legendary champions in Breeders’ Cup history. Each bottle pays tribute with a customized design and signature from each Champion’s connections.

This is an extremely limited offer, as only 500 bottles were made for each Champion. Don’t miss your chance to savor the memories of these past champions while helping the local community.

Through your donation you will be granted access to participate in the exclusive commemorative bottle auction which will take place at Keeneland on Thursday, October 29. This event will be the only opportunity to collect the first three bottles of the series. No reserve will be placed on the bottles up for auction.

Champions for Charity event tickets are required, click here to learn more.


Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Cannock Chase Takes Canadian International

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Cannock Chase completes Grade 1 double for Moore in Canadian International 

Racing Post – Mottershead – Cannock Chase favourite to extend fine Moore run

Bloodhorse – Balan – Interpol Seeks Second Grade I in Pattison

ABR – Starr – Second Step Could Finish First in Canadian International

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Sizing up the Europeans in the Canadian International & EP Taylor

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Woodbine’s Canadian International Day living up to name with shippers galore


Twice as Hard



International Love


Bloodhorse – Meet International Model Esther de Jong


I Hear Motion


Bloodhorse – Cactus Kris Last to First in Ontario Fashion


Bloodhorse – Balan – Bye Bye Bernie Takes Nearctic at 22-1

Bloodhorse – Lamarra – Cyclogenisis Ships North for Nearctic Stakes


Bloodhorse – Balan – Curvy Hits Pay Dirt in E.P. Taylor Stakes

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Curvy bounces back on better ground in EP Taylor

Bloodhorse – Shulman – European Invaders Seek E. P. Taylor Victory


TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – Fort Erie Getaway Day Features 20x Points & Must-win Carryovers 


Fort Erie Race Track Logo


Lady and the Track – Hammer –  Shotgun Kowboy Continues Winning Streak at Remington Park


TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Stellar takes the right Path in Athenia victory


Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Lovelyn Denies Dylan Mouth at San Siro


Grantland – Phillips – The Biggest Man: Understanding Andre the Giant, Wrestling’s Massive, Indefinable Contradiction


Because the Night


The Globe and Mail – Adams – In Patti Smith’s new book, M Train, the legendary singer, writer and artist looks inward


Because The Night


National Post – Selley – Inflexible over-management throwing cold water on Toronto’s parks


Edmonton Journal – Graham Thomson: Alberta’s PC party circling the fiscal drain


LA Times – Christensen – Is UC spending too little on teaching, too much on administration?


To Sir With Love


NY Times – Araton – Theo Epstein, a Former Red Sox Magician, Tries Another Exorcism With Cubs

Edmonton Sun – Brick furniture chain founder Bill Comrie making most of minority ownership of NLCS Cubs


Hard Sun


The Globe and Mail – Bielski – The undeniable pleasure of doing things alone


The Garden and Gun – Hutchinson – A Guide to Southern Game-Day Dive Bars


Dixie Chicken


The Bitter Southerner – Elbein – A Shifting Tide?


Siitin On The Dock Of The Bay


LA Times – Erskine – More ‘pledge’ blowback: I ♥ millennials, but some need to learn how to take a joke


National Post – NY Times – Legendary Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens is suing Ontario for $700 million over wind power


The Garden and Gun – Fork in the Road: Middle East on Magazine


If you come to a fork in the road, take it.
Yogi Berra


LA Times – White – At revamped Playboy, he works to build the brand


I Love Myself Today


FiveThirtyEight – Avirgnan – Big Data Is Saving This Little Bird


National Post – Edmiston – A rare breed of woodsman: In the forest with a professional Canadian explorer in the age of GPS


Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.
Peter Drucker


FiveThirtyEight -Hickey – Be Suspicious Of Online Movie Ratings, Especially Fandango’s


Twist and Shout


Grantland – We Went There: Fred Savage Takes Over the Live Reading of ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’


In The End

Dumb Things


Phil M Stockmen

  One Response to “Twisted Around”

  1. CANADIAN RACING ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS AWARDS ROAD APPLE TO MLA MASON

    LOCAL NDP BRIAN MASON receives the first road apple award of a token 5 gallon of fresh horse manure garnished with pumpkin scraps for his lack of efforts for the backstretch racing participants. The ex-bus driver who drove the hard working citizens of edmonton for years refusal to comment on the closure of dorm rooms ,and was emailed in possible funding for workers in retraining for new vocations.

    OLG seeks horse racing industry in ONTARIO input into long term funding financial model,will the racing participants in ALBERTA be giving input after the orange crush steamrolls the funding formula.

    CONTROL THE MARKET a undefeated 2yr colt with a record of 8/8 and earnings of 450k this year and favorite for the BREEDERS CROWN next weekend is out of the broodmare LIFESLITREASURE a repeat stake winning /BLACK TYPE racing in ALBERTA purchased for 47k from long term owner/breeder FRED KRUSZELNICKI/BROOKS ALBERTA I’m disappointed that HRA/HOLLYBULL missed this!!!!!!

    MERIDIAN FARMS/BILL ANDREWS in HRA article continue their charitable contributions promoting harness racing in local communities where he races with 3 charities stables over the past 5 years starting in 2010 with FUN FOR FUNS stable in which each month a different charity is guaranteed $1000 minimum race purse winnings with all training expenses paid and also providing support for FAMILY DAYS/KIDS DAY/T SHIRT GIVEAWAYS.(WILL THE HBPA DO THIS FOR 2016?)

    HOLYBULL failed to post my t shirt rebuttal for a suggested SUG T SHIRT with the proceeds going to the western fair food bank and backstretch xmas party. Sugar had 100 friends show up at his farewell party at NP, and thousands of race participants across Canada, please send your positive comments about racing ambassador efforts to Phil for posting for his work beyond the mike. u

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