To borrow and modify Kin Hubbard’s Comment:
Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and tears out any quicker than the Remembrance Day spirit.
LA Times – OpEd -Harvey and Conyers – From war to welfare: Disabled veterans deserve better
Bloodhorse – Hangin With Haskin – Veterans Day: Love, War, and a Derby Dream
Phil has a question:
If the Justin Trudeau government legalizes marijuana will Neil Young stop dissing the Oilsands.
Today’s game is always different from yesterday’s game.
Red Smith
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Horse Race Insider – Pricci – Salute to America’s Heroes and the HRI Faithful, Too
TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – A Veterans Day Classic: Remembering the Washington, D.C. International
BBC – Who were the real war horses of WW1?
DRF – Hovdey: Turning afterthought into aftercare
Lady and the Track – Smith – A Girl and “Her” Horse
Phil has a question:
What does the Esquirol Farms Complete Thoroughbred Dispersal Sale say about the health of the thoroughbred industry in Alberta under the tutelage of Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur.
The 2015 CTHS Ontario Winter Mixed Sale features a Dispersal of Bear Stables Ltd.’s breeding stock.
Phil’s Comments on the Serecon Report
DRF – Hegarty – Borell files suit seeking compensation for training Runhappy
Esquire – McCammon – How to Deal with Assholes in the Workplace
“It wasn’t like now, where if an apprentice doesn’t like a trainer, he can move,” he told The Independent of London in 2003. “In those days, you were stuck there for five years. And it was tough.” He added: “If you got up to mischief, you got a whack round the ear. And I couldn’t ring my father. There was no phone.”
NY Times – Grimes – Pat Eddery, 63, Prolific and Steely Jockey
Racing Post – Riley – My dad was kind, sweet, emotional and loved us
The Guardian – Cook – Pat Eddery dies aged 63: A great jockey with an individual style
Racing Post – Burns – Racing great Pat Eddery dies at the age of 63
TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Eddery, 11-time champion rider in Britain, dead at 63
Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.
John Wooden
Carryovers
Saturday November 14 2015
Churchill Downs
Pick 6 Jackpot $38,000.00
Del Mar
Pick 6 $39,655.00
Delta Downs
Super High Five $6,111.00
Evangeline Downs
Super High Five $157.00
Golden Gate Fields
Pick 6 Jackpot $59,511.00
Super High Five $26,130.00
Gulfstream Park West
Pick 6 Jackpot $10,267.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5 $2,869.00
Hawthorne
Super High Five Jackpot $76,243.00
Pick 6 Jackpot $926.00
Laurel Park
Z-5 Super Hi-5 $733.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5 $385.00
Pick 6 $5,639.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5 $3,117.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5 $2,005.00
Lone Star Park
Pick 6 Jackpot $7,069.00
Woodbine
Super High Five Jackpot $156,994.00
Zia Park
Superfecta $1,034.00
Guaranteed Pools
Equibase Carryovers and Guaranteed Pools
NY Times – Drape and Williams – FanDuel and DraftKings Prepare for Court Fight in New York
NY Times – Bogdanich, Drape and Williams – Attorney General Tells DraftKings and FanDuel to Stop Taking Entries in New York
ESPN – Purdum and Rovell – New York sends cease-and-desist notices to DraftKings, FanDuel
Bloodhorse – Fantasy Sports Operators Make Case in NJ
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein
Roy Sedlacek, the New York trainer who was summarily suspended after two of his horses tested positive for a rare and synthetic illegal drug, testified during a Tuesday hearing into the positives that he had administered a substance to the two horses on race day that he thought contained an illegal drug even if it was not the drug that regulators ultimately detected, according to officials with the New York Gaming Commission who attended the hearing.
DRF – Hegarty – Sedlacek awaits penalty after admitting he administered illegal substance
DRF – Hegarty – Roy Sedlacek suspended for drug positives
Bloodhorse – Two Horses Test Positive for Opioid
Gaming Commission Rulings Database
Licensee: ROY SEDLACEK
Licensed As: OWNER-TRAINER
Notice Number: MO 347-2015
Racing Type: Thoroughbred
Track: Main Office
Notice Date: 11/06/2015
Ruling Type: Indefinite Suspension
Rule(s): 4002.8, 4002.9(a), 4022.1(f) , 4042.1,4 043.2(h), 4043.4, 4043.5
Ruling Text:PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the occupational licenses of you, Roy Sedlacek, to participate in pari-mutuel thoroughbred racing as an owner, trainer, or otherwise are hereby SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY pending the disposition by the New York State Gaming Commission (“Commission”) of the scheduled hearing before the Commission, or if you refuse such hearing or default in appearing, SUSPENDED until such time as the Commission in its discretion takes further action, including but not limited to license suspension or revocation or refusal to license.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that a hearing in this matter will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at Commission offices located at One Broadway Center, Suite 600, Schenectady, New York, at which time you may be represented by counsel and present evidence and arguments on your own behalf.
New York State Gaming Commission – Gaming Commission Rulings Database – Licensee: ROY SEDLACEK
“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”
William Shakespeare, Henry V
Phil has a question:
When Phil puts in a quote, question, comment or song intending some simple yet far-fetched, obtuse allusion and the reader in his own mind imagines a different complex, far-fetched, obtuse allusion can Phil take credit for that allusion.
The more you try to pin a word down, the more you realize that it has its own cape, sword and little hat.
Roy Blount, Jr.
TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Mr Speaker ranks as highweight and morning-line favorite in Red Smith
Bloodhorse – Angst – Holiday Star Shoots for Red Smith Handicap
It is well known that the older a man grows, the faster he could run as a boy.
Red Smith
Cory Wagner and partners’ home bred (Kentucky) Street Vision a 2 year old son of Street Sense will be trying to turn the tables on Toews on Ice in Saturday’s $100,000 Bob Hope GIII going 7 furlongs on the Del Mar dirt. Both trainer Mark Glatt and jockey Santiago Gonzalez have been on a roll the last couple of weeks and here’s hoping it continues on Saturday.
Santiago Gonzalez leads the current Del Mar jockey standings with 1 more win than Rafael Bejarano and Fernando Hernandez Perez, a former western Canada rider. Mario Gutierrez another former western Canada rider is right their heels.
Bloodhorse – Balan – Toews On Ice Tops Bob Hope Field
Bob Hope
Horse Race Insider – Jicha – Decoupling could benefit thoroughbreds
There is nothing in the world I wouldn’t do for Hope, and there is nothing he wouldn’t do for me… We spend our lives doing nothing for each other.
Bing Crosby
TwinSpires Blog – Kentucky Horse Park’s Southern Lights is a holiday tradition
This Weekend’s Stakes
Nov 11
Aqueduct
Discovery Handicap GIII $150,000 3yo 9f Dirt
Nov 14
Aqueduct
Red Smith Handicap GIII $250,000 3&up 11f Turf
Churchill Downs
Mrs. Revere Stake GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Turf
Charles Town
A Huevo stake $50,000 3&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
Del Mar
Bob Hope Stake GIII $100,000 2yo 7f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
Oakland $50,000 3&up 6f AW
Japan Racing Association
Daily Hai Nisai Stake GII $647,000 2yo 8f Turf
Musashino Stake GIII $671,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Laurel Park
City of Laurel Stake (L) $100,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (L) $350,000 3&up 6f Dirt
James F. Lewis III stake $100,000 2yo 6f Dirt
Richard W. Small stake $100,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Safely Kept stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Smart Halo stake $100,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Turf Paradise
City of Phoenix stake $35,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Luke Kruytbosch stake $35,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Woodbine
South Ocean stake $125,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8.5f AW
Nov 15
Aqueduct
New York Stallion Series (Staten Island Div.) $125,000 3&up Fillies & Mares R 7f Dirt
Del Mar
Desi Arnaz Stake (L) $100,000 2yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Fukushima Kinen GIII $723,000 3&up 10f Turf
Queen Elizabeth II Cup GI $1,636,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 11f Turf
Parx
Christopher Elser Memorial (South Carolina Residency) $75,000 2yo Colts & Geldings R 6.5f Dirt
Donna Freyer Stake (South Carolina Residency) $55,000 2yo Fillies R 6.5f Dirt
Woodbine
Bessarabian Stake CDN-GII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 7f AW
Nov 20
Remington Park
Silver Goblin stake $50,000 3&up State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
Nov 21
Aqueduct
Artie Schiller stake $100,000 3&up 8f Turf
Notebook stake $100,000 2yo State/Prov 6f Dirt
Camden
Colonial Cup Steeplechase Handicap GI $100,000 4&up 22f Turf
Raymond G. Woolfe Memorial Hurdle $25,000 3yo 16f Turf
Churchill Downs
Bet On Sunshine stake #$80,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Cardinal Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Charles Town
West Virginia Futurity $50,000 2yo State/Prov 7f Dirt
Delta Downs
Delta Downs Jackpot Stake GIII $1,000,000 2yo 8.5f Dirt
Delta Downs Princess GIII $400,000 2yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Delta Mile Stake (L) $250,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Louisiana Jewel $150,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt
Louisiana Legacy $150,000 2yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 8f Dirt
Orleans $75,000 3yo Fillies R 7f Dirt
Sam’s Town $75,000 3yo R 7f Dirt
Treasure Chest (L) $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
Del Mar
Red Carpet Stake GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 11f Turf
Gulfstream Park West
My Charmer GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Tropical Turf Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up 8.5f Turf
Hong Kong
Bochk Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile GII $516,000 3&up 8f Turf
Bochk Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint GII $516,000 3&up 6f Turf
Longines Jockey Club Cup GII $516,000 3&up 10f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
First Lady stake $75,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Glacial Princess stake $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Woodbine
Glorious Song stake $125,000 2yo Fillies 7f AW
Nov 22
Aqueduct
Key Cents stake $100,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Del Mar
Cary Grant stake $100,000 3&up State/Prov 7f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Mile Championship GI $1,808,000 3&up 8f Turf
Woodbine
Kennedy Road Stake CDN-GII $200,000 3&up 6f AW
Nov 23
Japan Racing Association
Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stake GIII $580,000 2yo 9f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Distaff $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Steel Valley Sprint $200,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Nov 25
Penn National
Blue Mountain stake $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Fabulous Strike (L) $200,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Swatara (L) $100,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt
Woodbine
Sir Barton stake $125,000 3&up State/Prov 8.5f AW
Zia Park
Eddy County stake $140,000 2yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Zia Park Championship (L) $150,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Zia Park Derby $200,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Zia Park Distaff stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Zia Park Oaks $300,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Zia Park Sprint $100,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Nov 26
Aqueduct
Fall Highweight Handicap GIII $250,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Furlough stake $150,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Falls City Handicap GII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Dirt
River City Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up 9f Turf
Del Mar
Hollywood Turf Cup GII $250,000 3&up 12f Turf
Fair Grounds
Thanksgiving handicap $60,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Nov 27
Aqueduct
Go for Wand Handicap GIII $300,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
King’s Swan stake $150,000 2yo 6f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare GI $500,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Commonwealth Turf GIII $100,000 3yo 8.5f Turf
Dream Supreme stake #$80,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Del Mar
Seabiscuit Handicap GII $250,000 3&up 8.5f Turf
Remington Park
Don C. McNeill $75,000 2yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Slide Show $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt
Nov 28
Aqueduct
Cigar Mile Handicap GI $500,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Comely Stake GIII $300,000 3yo Fillies 9f Dirt
Demoiselle Stake GII $300,000 2yo Fillies 9f Dirt
Remsen Stake GII $300,000 2yo 9f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Golden Rod Stake GII $200,000 2yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Kentucky Jockey Club Stake GII $200,000 2yo 8.5f Dirt
Del Mar
Hollywood Derby GI $300,000 3yo 9f Turf
Jimmy Durante Stake GIII $100,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Native Diver Handicap GIII $150,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Fair Grounds
Battle of New Orleans stake $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares abt 5.5f Turf
Golden Gate Fields
Golden Gate Debutante $50,000 2yo Fillies 6f AW
Gulfstream Park West
Buffalo Man stake $75,000 2yo 6f Dirt
House Party stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Hut Hut stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Pulpit stake $75,000 2yo 8f Turf
Smooth Air stake $75,000 2yo 8f Dirt
Wait a While stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Hawthorne
Blackhawk handicap $50,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap GII $250,000 3&up 10f Dirt
Pershing handicap $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Radio Nikkei Hai Kyoto Nisai Stake GIII $580,000 2yo 10f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial handicap $75,000 3&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
Turf Paradise
Queen of the Green stake $35,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Walter R. Cluer Memorial stake $35,000 3&up 8f Turf
Woodbine
Kingarvie stake $125,000 2yo State/Prov 8.5f AW
Woodbine
Ontario Lassie stake $150,000 2yo Fillies R 8.5f AW
Nov 29
Aqueduct
New York Stallion Series (Thunder Rumble Div.) $125,000 3&up R 7f Dirt
Del Mar
Cecil B. DeMille Stake GIII $100,000 2yo 8f Turf
Matriarch Stake GI $300,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Golden Gate Fields
Berkeley Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up 8.5f AW
Japan Racing Association
Japan Cup GI $5,426,000 3&up 12f Turf
Keihan Hai GIII $685,000 3&up 6f Turf
Woodbine
Display stake $125,000 2yo 8.5f AW
Valedictory Stake CDN-GIII $150,000 3&up 14f AW
Nov 30
Colonial Downs
*Buckland stake $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 5.5f Turf
*Kitten’s Joy stake $50,000 3&up 12f Turf
Dec 1
Portland Meadows
Detroit Lake handicap $9,000 g 3&up 6f Dirt
Foster Lake handicap $9,000 g 2yo 6f Dirt
Paulina Lake handicap $9,000 g 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Roberts and Taylor – Is this the world’s most beautiful racecourse?
TwinSpires Blogs – Martines – Breeders’ Cup Championship Saturday in Words And Pictures
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – McClean – Godolphin vs Ballydoyle: is battle about to resume?
ESPN – Ehalt – American Pharoah ‘galloped’ into history
Racing Post – Half-brother to Triple Crown winner to stud
ESPN – West – A clear championship picture
Bloodhorse – Johnson – Let the Road to the Kentucky Derby Begin!
Louisville Courier-Journal – Report: No Derby for top filly Songbird
ESPN – Finley – Nyquist or Songbird?
Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – O’Neill: Two starts for Nyquist before Derby
TwinSpires Blog – Exaggerator heads baker’s dozen pre-entered to Delta Jackpot
Louisville Courier-Journal – Exaggerator leads Delta Jackpot entries
Lady and the Track – Mendoza – Mac Daddy Mac Launches Career in Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar
Bloodhorse – Juveniles the Focus During Los Al Winter Meet
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
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
ESPN – Cronley – A winner every time
2016 Road to the Kentucky Oaks
Race Track Date Points
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 – Novak – Onus Takes on Overflow Field for Mrs. Revere
TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Onus seeking fourth straight victory in Mrs. Revere
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Gilmore – Is this the best place for value when buying yearlings?
Bloodhorse – Balan – Valenzuela Back Riding in Louisiana
Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Sherman maps out Chrome’s 2016 campaign
TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Tommy Macho draws away in Discovery
Bloodhorse – Balan – Tommy Macho Pulls Away in Discovery ‘Cap
DRF – Dunleavey – Tommy Macho heads one-two finish for Pletcher in Discovery
Mac Nichol and Cheyenne Stables LLC’s MadeFromLucky looks to get back to his winning ways in Wednesday Remembrance Day’s $150,000 Discovery Handicap GIII going 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt for conditioner Todd Pletcher with John Velazquez in the irons.
Bloodhorse – Novak – Madefromlucky Seeks Discovery Comeback
TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Madefromlucky goes for third graded win of the year in Discovery
Bloodhorse – Balan – Palace, ‘Dude‘ Back Together in De Francis
DRF – Dunleavey – Palace likely to show improvement in De Francis
Bloodhorse – Johnson – A Favorite or a Longshot in the De Francis Dash?
TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – How I’ll play the all-stakes Pick 3 on De Francis Dash Day
Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Laurel Park’s Gabby Gaudet Offers Handicapping Tips
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Last Gunfighter, Lord Shanakill to PA
Bloodhorse – Pants On Fire to Stand at Diamond B Farm
From the Derby Bar and Grill Newsletter
RAILBIRD NOTES
BY GLEN TODD
LOCAL PURCHASING CONTINUES AT KEENELAND
Long time local owner and breeder, Jim Alendal was the latest purchaser of a broodmare during session 10 of the November, Breeding Stock Sale at Keeneland.
Alendal is also a director of the CTHS (BC Division) signed the sale slip on hip # 3394 a 9 year old bay mare by the name of Chick Fight. She is by Fit to Fight out of Northern Baby mare Goody Gumdrop. The mare is a stakes winner of just over $250,000 and believed to be in foal to Shackleford. Shackleford stands at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky for $20,000.00.
The purchase price was $18,000 and considering the stud fee is already paid it would appear Jim did some pretty nifty buying.
There are only two sessions left with the final starting at 10:00am on both Thursday and Friday.
LOCALS STAYING ACTIVE AT KEENELAND
Local owner and breeder, Rob McDonald got a early start on Tuesday morning at Keeneland and purchased a Dark Bay or Brown Filly by Archarcharch out of the mare Central Moves by Pico Central. The filly sold early in session 9 of the 12 session sale at hip #2995.
Rob signed the slip for $8000.00.
Later in the morning local owner and breeder Steen Reggelsen signed the sale slip on hip # 3067 a six year old gray mare by Sky Mesa out of the mare Deb’s Favorite Gift who was a winner of just over $300,000.00.
The mare in foal to the very speedy sire Goldencents. The Reggelsen’s shelled out $22,000 for the mare.
Session 10 gets underway tomorrow morning at 10:00am ES
HASTINGS NEWS BY GREG DOUGLAS
Bloodhorse – Intangibles and Opportunities – by Eric Mitchell
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Golden Horn Named Cartier Horse of the Year
Racing Post – Pennington – Invincible Spirit fee raised to €120,000
Bloodhorse – Govenor Charlie to Stand for $3,000
October / Breeders Cup Newsletter
Bloodhorse – Oakford – Keeneland: Average Up as Sale Nears End
Bloodhorse – Oakford – Keeneland: $190,000 Graydar Colt Leads Gains
Bloodhorse – Oakford – Keeneland: $550,000 Donworth Boosts Session
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DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DELICIOUS DECISIONS! Which of the various combinations of toppings and pasta will you request at tonight’s pasta bar at the weekly certified Angus prime rib buffet? Download a $10-off coupon here to give yourself that delicious money-saving dilemma.
BONUS BUCK$$$ FOR YOUR BETS CONTINUE with a deposit into your HPI account every Friday depending on your wagering level. See levels here.
Move over, tigers! There’s a tigress on the prowl!
Bullet briefs . . .
• Why are race fans angry at a Houston mattress salesman?
• Will the next Big Story be about a filly winning the Triple Crown?
• ‘Twas a good week for females — equine and human
• “Pre-gift” — a unique way for you to give for Xmas but before Xmas
• Desormeaux’s ride angers players but he escapes punishment by 2-1
• Despite successful debut at Northlands, former ASD trainer isn’t happy
TRIPLE 50 HAS ENDED — EXCEPT FOR HALL OF FAME INVITE: I’ve been impressed. Many of you have shown you have what it takes to make at least $100 profit by fictitiously betting $50 on three horses in Saturday’s Triple 50 Challenge. Maybe you’ve proven something to yourself, too. Which brings us to step 2: Make three REAL $50 plays on any three Saturdays to be the first to make it into The Insider Hall of Fame. Are you up to the challenge? (Ask for an entry form from the mutuel supervisor on Saturdays and give your tickets to the supervisor on each Saturday in which you earn at least $100 profit.)
ENTER NEW PICK-3 CHALLENGE THAT BEGINS TONIGHT! Predict the pick-3 in these three races at Charles Town tonight and submit your picks in the subject line of your email BY 8:30 PM to theinsider@ASDowns.com. Please include your phone number. Prize: $20 in betting vouchers with a bonus $20 if the winner is present Saturday in the Race Book between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Prize will increase weekly up to $100 if not won. Prize will be divided when there is more than one winner. Good luck! (One entry per person and per email address please. Players submitting an entry on behalf of someone else will be disqualified.)
Happiness is . . . betting $5 to show on a horse as you’re leaving the track and getting back $122 as ASD regular Roy Hunchak did Sunday night. He had noticed bridgejumpers had heaped a pile of show money on a Mohawk horse racing at Pompano Park in Florida. So he bet, instead, on a long shot horse that formerly raced at Rideau in Ottawa — which ended up paying $49 to show when the Mohawk horse faltered and finished out of the money. “A great way to be leaving for home,” Roy said. Agreed!
Everybody’s buzzing . . .
. . . about Runhappy’s trainer being fired the day after ‘Cup win
You wouldn’t think Winnipeg horseplayers would be talking about a Houston furniture store owner last week — but they were. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, the owner of the Furniture Gallery retail chain in Houston, Texas, was reported as firing Maria Borell, the trainer of a horse he owns, Runhappy, the day after Runhappy won the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint. And that was without giving her the 10 per cent share of the purse a trainer usually receives when a horse wins a stakes race. Seems there was a dispute on whether Runhappy should be galloped the day after his big win; Borell was against it.
So Borell is now suing McIngvale who has a history of having gone through many trainers. It’s a case of Runhappy degenerating into a case of Leavingsad …. and mad.
And everybody’s talking . . .
. . . about Desormeaux’s suspect ride in losing to a 40/1 shot
By a 2 to 1 vote, Del Mar’s three stewards decided against disciplining jockey Kent Desormeaux for his ride in which his favourite in race 4 Saturday, What a View, lost by a nose to 42/1 long shot Professor Berns that caught him in a quick move up the rail. But players at ASD would have thrown the book–and whatever else they had in hand–at Desormeaux that afternoon. And I would have been with them because of one telling move: Desormeaux suddenly flicks the reins to urge his horse on at about the instant he catches a glimpse of Professor Berns flying up the inside. He should have been doing that kind of urging all the way to the wire. In a tweet, however, Desormeaux says: “I’m sorry for being expected to be perfect. Sometimes i zig not zag. Know I was all out.” He also says he was yelling at the horse.
What’s your view? Do you think Desormeaux stopped urging his horse too early, thinking he was a winner? Watch that race at Calracing.com (Nov. 7, race 4)
FEMALE PHENOMS
‘Twas a good week for the gals
• Breeders’ Cup: Two-year-old filly Songbird wins the Juvenile Fillies, running the
1 1/16-mile five lengths faster than her male counterpart, Nyquist, in the Juvenile. Four-year-old filly Tepin wins the turf Mile against the boys. • Nov. 2 Melbourne Cup: Michelle Payne becomes the first female jockey to win
the storied ‘Cup in its 155-year history • Nov. 3: Half the Cabinet ministers appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are
women • Nov. 7: First woman wins Players Choice tourney
WILL A FILLY WIN THE TRIPLE CROWN?
With no apparent world-beating 2-year-old colt in sight, will a filly win the Triple Crown in the spring? Is that the next Big Moment in Triple Crown history? Here are the times of the top filly and top colt in their respective Breeders’ Cup races:
Songbird 1:42.73 Nyquist 1:43.79
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that fillies mature more quickly than colts and some so-so colts will likely show marked improvement in the countdown to the Kentucky Derby in May.
FESTIVE COUNTDOWN
Suggestion: Give a “pre-gift!”
How’s this for an original idea? Act now to treat the special persons on your gift list to . . . (1) a Thursday festive buffet on Dec. 10 or 17 (certified Angus prime rib plus roast turkey and other traditional Christmas fixings) and/or
(2) the FABulous New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec. 31 . . .
by giving them an ASD gift card so they may book these events, with thanks to your thoughtfulness. And why not include the beautiful Assiniboia Downs 2016-2017 calendar as part of your gift package?
* * *
Festive fun events . . .
Thursday, Dec. 10: The Thursday certified Angus prime rib buffet in the Terrace Dining Room will include turkey, stuffing and other traditional Xmas fixings. All you can eat $26.95.
Thursday, Dec. 17: Same as above.
Friday, Dec. 25: Opening last Christmas Day for VLT play and turkey dinner proved to be very popular. Watch for announcement of open hours.
Thursday, Dec. 31: FABulous New Year’s Eve Gala on the main floor ballroom presented by FAB 94 and Assiniboia Downs featuring an over-the-top feast with multiple specialty food “stations,” DJ and music by Winnipeg’s top Nu Frequency Sound and Light, dancing and party favours. Hosted by FAB 94’s Alix Michaels. All for just $49.95 per person. Tickets available at 204-885-3330 and at the VLT cage.
Festive parties: It’s still not too late to book a small or large party in the Terrace Dining Room or the Finish Line Banquet Hall. Call Abbi in Group Sales at 204-885-3330 ext. 277.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
TOP TRAINER SAYS NORTHLANDS “NOT GREAT”: Rob Atras, a former top percentage trainer at ASD, says his full-season debut at Northlands Park in Edmonton–working for Robertino Diodoro–was “okay” but “I didn’t care much for the track itself. The 5/8-mile ‘bullring’ is not a great track to run on or train on. Too bad because they have a nice long meet (78 days) and plenty of purse money. (All stakes $50k).” He said he now is joining the Robertino stable in Phoenix “and after that I will be either going to New Mexico, Oaklawn or staying in Phoenix for the winter. No plans have been made for next spring as of yet.” Despite the limitations, Rob still turned Diodoro into the leading percentage trainer at Northlands, notching 28 per cent wins from 60 starts (60-17-7-8). CAL TRACKS NOW PERMIT FRACTIONAL WAGERS: Canadians can now bet 20-cent superfectas at all California tracks and 60-cent pick-4s at Del Mar and Golden Gate (but $1 at Los Alamitos).
A FIRST! PLAYER WINS BACK-TO-BACK VLT TOURNEYS: Congrats to Rhonda Tycholiz! She became the first-ever ASD VLT player to win back-to-back Friday/Saturday Unleash Your Luck tournaments. She not only had her entry drawn for $20 in free spins both days but also posted the biggest winnings each of those days — $35 on Friday and $157 on Saturday — which will give her two opportunities to win the grand prize of $250 in the tourney final on the last Saturday of the month. Unless, of course, she gets even more chances by winning more Friday or Saturday tournaments!
“I WON BIG” GROUP POSTS MODEST WIN: A tricky pick-4 at Woodbine netted last Saturday’s “I won big” workshop group $350 on a minor 20-cent ticket and the group will be back at it again this Saturday with a similar strategy: Play pick-4s at Woodbine but also look at an “opportunity” track where a pick-6 or pick-4 shows promise because of key horses and/or a sizable carryover. Last Saturday’s pick-6 at Aqueduct was one such play but an improbable 40/1 winner did the ticket in (although the winner of the Players Choice tournament had it). See you on the Clubhouse plaza, Saturday 10:30 a.m. to make it happen.
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Bloodhorse – Balan – Are You Kidding Me Rides Rail to Autumn Win
Bloodhorse – Balan – Cactus Kris Faces Familiar Rivals at Woodbine
Bloodhorse – MarketWatch: Go Big or Go Home?
Lady and the Track – Mendoza – A Brilliant Hi Happy Wins The Gran Premio Nacional In Argentina
The Globe And Mail – Adam de Pencier: Remember, remember, the 10th of November
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
NY Times – AP – Texas Cuts Funding for Grand Prix
LA Times – Petrakis – In Athens, former Olympic venues now play host to refugees
NY Times – Times Insider: Reporting Europe’s Refugee Crisis
LA Times – Gisele Bundchen: She and Tom Brady have ‘gone through a few tough times’
Shut up,’ he explained.
Ring Lardner
NY Times – OpEd – Should Drug Addicts Be Forced Into Treatment?
NY Times – DuPont – Drug Addiction Recovery Often Starts With Coercion
NY Times – Svalavitz – Attract Patients to Addiction Treatment, Don’t Force Them Into It
NY Times – Satel – Compelled Drug Addiction Treatment Works Because of Retention
NY Times – Josepher – Make Addiction Treatment Better and More Available
There are three side effects of acid: enhanced long-term memory, decreased short-term memory, and I forget the third.
Timothy Leary
NY Times – Ruiz – Drugs Pervade Sport in Russia, World Anti-Doping Agency Report Finds
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.
Hunter S. Thompson
Phil’s Drink and A Flick
Garden and Gun – Lotz – Bringing a Cajun Culinary Tradition to the Lowcountry
If you don’t like to read Phil comment about the loss of Black Type racing in the province of Alberta during the period that Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan were in charge then don’t bother reading Sunday’s post.
Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.
John Wooden
NY Times – Olsen – Gentlemen, Start Your Drones
Somewhere Down The Crazy River
NY Post – Eber – Hard-partying chef gave up wild lifestyle and never looked back
LA Times – Jennings – ‘Buy a lady an overpriced drink?’ L.A. police say bar scam is widespread
NY Times – Barbaro and Parker – A Nimbler Jeb Bush Turns Feisty. But Is It Enough?
NY Post – Podheretz – Jeb Bush needed to be special — and instead he was boring
Phil M Stockmen
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WILD HORSE CAPTURE UNDER SCRUTINY/BILL 504?/FLINT FIASCO/SHE WAS A HE!
BORN FREE W5 special aired Nov 7. Will ALBERTA’S NDP government keep capturing wild horses. With a decision between now and Feb 1 Provincial Government will face a test of its commitment to wildlife management .
ALBERTA’S ENVIRONMENT AND PARK’S MINISTRY is preparing to significantly expand a adoption program for wild horses where they will be broke/trained and sent to ranchers willing to buy and house them which is certainly more humane than where many end in the past,slaughterhouses. Perhaps the race industry could use this model for finding homes for retired ,noncompetitive race horses or if massive funding cuts occur for the horse racing industry!
MICHIGAN BILL 504 being introduced requires 100% of money wagered on standardbreds or thoroughbreds to stay with each specific breed for purses the following year. NORTHVILLE DOWNS
OPERATIONS MANAGER MIKE CARLO , “however until we find a way to generate more revenue its a futile attempt at saying we have a future”something ALBERTA will have to resolve!
FLINT GENERAL junior hockey players quit after coaches fired by team owner because his son isn’t being played enough by tossing their jerseys could the HBPA and throughbred industry drop off worn saddle cloth and broken halters to MINISTER CECI in protest to fire the CEO HRA who is playing the south a lot more than the northern segment of the race industry!
MAHONING VALLEY/OHIO maiden winner pays $222 was she really a he as RUBY QUEEN 3 yr filly becomes LEATHER SLAPPIN a 4 yr bay gelding discovered in the post race test barn by a vet. Perhaps it was when the urine sample came from underneath instead of from behind, that things unraveled!
BRUCE PHELAN used a different tactic in the pre CANADIAN DERBY media gallop preview with a similar looking gelding instead of 1999 NATIVE BRASS filly winner to avoid her anxiety, but remembered to get the correct filly to the race. Smart tactics!
BELMONT PARK finds new synthetic drug AH – 7921 that can be as potent as morphine but is one of the NPS (NOVEL PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE ) that continues to emerge onto the designer drug market with its compounded structure to avoid detection.
USTA announces it is partnering with DERBY WARS a leader in horse racing contests to create and present harness racing contests to a new audience, is ALBERTA listening!
OIL CRASH creates bloodbath in downtown Calgary office market with 14% vacancy rate. FORT SASKATCHEWAN oil sand 6 month module project gets over 2,000 applicants for iron workers, pipe fitters and welders for 100 positions as the economy continues to tumble at a increasing decline!