If you’re one of those who believe that the Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scots as a joke, but the Scots haven’t got the joke yet

Phil has a few links to tunes with bagpipes in honour of Robert Burns Day be forewarned.

But don’t fret, there’s plenty of links with no bags or pipes.

Phil has an early question today:

When Phil puts in a quote, question, comment, song or a juxtaposition intending a simple yet far-fetched, obtuse, obscure, arcane allusion, and then can’t remember what that allusion is can Phil still take credit for that allusion.

Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.
Niels Bohr

Saskatoon StarPhoenix – Warick – Right now, La Loche is devastated

The Globe and Mail – Giovanetti – Four dead, suspect in custody after Sask. school shooting

Saskatoon StarPhoenix – Alleged La Loche shooter sent chilling chat messages about killing two people before heading to school

NY Times – Austen – Four Killed in Saskatchewan School Shooting

Amazing Grace

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.
Albert Einstein

Phil’s Vignette of Canadian History:

Gung HAGGIS Fat Choy

Man Was Made To Mourn: A Dirge

When chill November’s surly blast
Made fields and forests bare,
One ev’ning, as I wander’d forth
Along the banks of Ayr,
I spied a man, whose aged step
Seem’d weary, worn with care;
His face furrow’d o’er with years,
And hoary was his hair.

“Young stranger, whither wand’rest thou?”
Began the rev’rend sage;
“Does thirst of wealth thy step constrain,
Or youthful pleasure’s rage?
Or haply, prest with cares and woes,
Too soon thou hast began
To wander forth, with me to mourn
The miseries of man.

“The sun that overhangs yon moors,
Out-spreading far and wide,
Where hundreds labour to support
A haughty lordling’s pride;-
I’ve seen yon weary winter-sun
Twice forty times return;
And ev’ry time has added proofs,
That man was made to mourn.

“O man! while in thy early years,
How prodigal of time!
Mis-spending all thy precious hours-
Thy glorious, youthful prime!
Alternate follies take the sway;
Licentious passions burn;
Which tenfold force gives Nature’s law.
That man was made to mourn.

“Look not alone on youthful prime,
Or manhood’s active might;
Man then is useful to his kind,
Supported in his right:
But see him on the edge of life,
With cares and sorrows worn;
Then Age and Want-oh! ill-match’d pair-
Shew man was made to mourn.

“A few seem favourites of fate,
In pleasure’s lap carest;
Yet, think not all the rich and great
Are likewise truly blest:
But oh! what crowds in ev’ry land,
All wretched and forlorn,
Thro’ weary life this lesson learn,
That man was made to mourn.

“Many and sharp the num’rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves,
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heav’n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, –
Man’s inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!

“See yonder poor, o’erlabour’d wight,
So abject, mean, and vile,
Who begs a brother of the earth
To give him leave to toil;
And see his lordly fellow-worm
The poor petition spurn,
Unmindful, tho’ a weeping wife
And helpless offspring mourn.

“If I’m design’d yon lordling’s slave,
By Nature’s law design’d,
Why was an independent wish
E’er planted in my mind?
If not, why am I subject to
His cruelty, or scorn?
Or why has man the will and pow’r
To make his fellow mourn?

“Yet, let not this too much, my son,
Disturb thy youthful breast:
This partial view of human-kind
Is surely not the last!
The poor, oppressed, honest man
Had never, sure, been born,
Had there not been some recompense
To comfort those that mourn!

“O Death! the poor man’s dearest friend,
The kindest and the best!
Welcome the hour my aged limbs
Are laid with thee at rest!
The great, the wealthy fear thy blow
From pomp and pleasure torn;
But, oh! a blest relief for those
That weary-laden mourn!”

Robert Burns

Mull of Kintyre

The Guardian – Cloake – How to cook the perfect vegetarian haggis 

Garden and Gun – G&G’s Fast-Food Breakfast Biscuit Taste Test

200 Years

Phil’s added Vignette of Canadian History:

Edmonton Journal – Paula Simons: Suffrage centennial a reminder of how far we’ve come

Suffragette City

You need a little bit of insanity to do great things.
Henry Rollins

TwinSpires Blog – Horses, staff safe after Old Friends barn fire

Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Old Friends Barn Destroyed by Fire

Bloodhorse – Hunter – Pedigree Analysis: Almahmoud

Amazing Grace

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.
Aldous Huxley

Carryovers

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Fair Grounds
Pick 5 Jackpot    $50,586.00
Super High Five     $2,185.00
Golden Gate Fields
Pick 6 Jackpot    $9,291.00
Gulfstream Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $137,556.00
Hialeah Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $31,133.00
Oaklawn Park    Classix    $1,371.00
Santa Anita Park
Super High Five     $24,917.00
Tampa Bay Downs
Pick 5    $27,207.00
Turf Paradise
Pick 5    $3,321.00
Pick 6    $496.00
Turfway Park
Super High Five     $10,619.00

Guaranteed Pools

Equibase Carryovers and Guaranteed Pools

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – The Dispatch Box: Hong Kong’s cardiac patients are ready to return

Bloodhorse – Asian Racing Conference Starts Monday

There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.
Robert Burns

Head On

Bloodhorse – Aqueduct Cancels Sunday Card

Bloodhorse – Sunland Park Suspends Racing in Wake of Virus

TwinSpires Blog – EHV outbreak halts racing at Sunland Park

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Muscat – Why you have to look to the U.S., not Europe, for a blue-collar classic hero

America

Time to “Kick it up another notch”

Emeril Lagace

Horse Racing Nation – Zipse – Is the Arc Better than the Breeders’ Cup Classic?

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Smith – Pharoah’s world title: what the ratings say about the rest of the Americans

Bloodhorse – Whitelaw – Illuminator Shines on Big Day in South Africa

Upcoming Stake Races

Jan 24
Sunland Park
Enchantress Stake $85,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt

Jan 26
Ocala Training Centre
OBS Championship Stake $100,000 3yo Colts & Geldings R 8.5f Dirt
OBS Championship Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies R 8.5f Dirt
OBS Sprint Stake $50,000 3yo Fillies R 6f Dirt
OBS Sprint Stake $50,000 3yo Colts & Geldings R 6f Dirt
Portland Meadows
Columbia River Stake $15,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Portland Distaff Stake $15,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
Portland Mile Handicap $25,000 4&up 8f Dirt

Jan 30
Aqueduct
Withers Stake GIII $250,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
Forward Gal Stake GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Holy Bull Stake GII $350,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Kitten’s Joy Stake (Listed) $100,000 3yo 8f Turf
Swale Stake GII $150,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Sweetest Chant Stake GIII $100,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
Sam Houston
Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint $75,000 4&up 5f Turf
Houston Ladies Classic GIII $400,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
John B. Connally Turf Cup GIII $200,000 4&up 12f Turf
Space City Stake $50,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Laurel Park
Conniver Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 7f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
King Cotton Stake (Listed) $100,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
California Cup Derby $250,000 3yo State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
California Cup Oaks $200,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Turf
California Cup Sprint $150,000 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
California Cup Turf Classic $250,000 4&up State/Prov 9f Turf
Sunshine Millions Filly/Mare Turf Sprint $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov abt 6.5f Turf
Sunland Park
El Paso Times Handicap $65,000 3yo Fillies 6.5f Dirt
Riley Allison Derby $100,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Turfway Park
WEBN Stake $75,000 3yo 6.5f AW

Jan 31
Aqueduct
Maddie May Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8.32f Dirt

Feb 6
Aqueduct
Fred Cappy Capossela Stake $100,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Gander Stake $100,000 3yo State/Prov 8.32f Dirt
Delta Downs
Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Championship $200,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Distaff $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Gentlemen Starter $65,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Ladies Starter $65,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Matron $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Prince $125,000 3yo State/Prov 7f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter $50,000 4&up State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Sprint $100,000 4&up State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Starlet $125,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 7f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
California Oaks $50,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f AW
Gulfstream Park
Donn Handicap GI $500,000 4&up 9f Dirt
Fred W. Hooper Handicap GIII $100,000 4&up 8f Dirt
Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap GI $350,000 4&up 9f Turf
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (Listed) $75,000 4&up 5f Turf
Ladies Turf Sprint Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 5f Turf
Suwannee River Stake GIII $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Oaklawn Park
Martha Washington Stake (Listed) $100,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Las Virgenes Stake GII $300,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Robert B. Lewis Stake GIII $150,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
San Antonio Stake GII $500,000 4&up 9f Dirt
San Marcos Stake GII $200,000 4&up 10f Turf
Sunland Park
Red Hedeman Mile $85,000 3yo State/Prov 8f Dirt

Feb 7
Aqueduct
Biogio’s Rose Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Palos Verdes Stake GII $200,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Sunland Park
Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap $85,000 3&up State/Prov 4.5f Dirt

Feb 9
Fair Grounds
Mardi Gras Stake $60,000 4&up Fillies & Mares abt 5.5f Turf
Portland Meadows
Mioland Starter Handicap $8,500 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
Oregon Derby $20,000 3yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Revillew Slew Starter Handicap $8,500 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt

Feb 13
Aqueduct
Broadway Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
Haynesfield Stake $100,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
El Camino Real Derby GIII $200,000 3yo 9f AW
Gulfstream Park
Royal Delta Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sam Houston
Houston Distaff $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Houston Turf Stake $50,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Sam Houston Sprint Cup $50,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Laurel Park
Barbara Fritchie Stake GII $300,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 7f Dirt
John B. Campbell Stake $75,000 4&up 9f Dirt
Maryland Racing Media Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Essex Handicap (Listed) $100,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Arcadia Stake GII $200,000 4&up 8f Turf
Santa Maria Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sunland Park
Budweiser Handicap $75,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Tampa Bay Downs
Lambholm South Endeavour Stake GIII $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Sam F. Davis Stake GIII $250,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Suncoast Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 8.32f Dirt
Tampa Bay Stake GIII $150,000 4&up 8.5f Turf
Cincinnati Trophy Stake $50,000 3yo Fillies 6.5f AW
Turf Paradise
Phoenix Gold Cup $75,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Sun City Handicap $35,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Turf Paradise Handicap $35,000 4&up 8.5f Turf

Feb 14
Aqueduct
Rego Park Stake $125,000 3yo State/Prov 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Bayakoa Stake GIII $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sunland Park
El Diario Handicap $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6.5f Dirt

Feb 15
Aqueduct
Hollie Hughes Handicap $100,000 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
Lost in the Fog $50,000 4&up 6f AW
Laurel Park
General George Stake GIII $250,000 4&up 7f Dirt
Miracle Wood Stake $75,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Wide Country Stake (Listed) $75,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Southwest Stake GIII $500,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
San Vicente Stake GII $200,000 3yo 7f Dirt

Feb 20
Aqueduct
Franklin Square Stake $125,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Fair Grounds
Daisy Devine Stake $60,000 4&up Fillies & Mares abt 8.5f Turf
Duncan F. Kenner Stake $60,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Fair Grounds Handicap GIII $125,000 4&up abt 9f Turf
Mineshaft Handicap GIII $125,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
TwinSpires.com Rachel Alexandra Stake GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Veterans Ford Risen Star Stake GII $400,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
Melody of Colors $75,000 3yo Fillies 5f Turf
Sam Houston
Jim’s Orbit Stake $75,000 3yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6f Dirt
Two Altazano Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Spring Fever Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 5.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Buena Vista Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Sunland Park
Island Fashion Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Mine That Bird Derby $100,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Tampa Bay Downs
Minaret Stake $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Pelican Stake $100,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Turf Paradise
Arizona Oaks $35,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Turf Paradise Derby $75,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Smarty Jones trainer back where fame began

Maybe I’m Amazed

Bloodhorse – Derby Dozen – January 19, 2016 – Presented by Shadwell Farm 

With the deadline for Triple Crown 2016 nominations passing over last weekend we can expect the nominations to be published shortly.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – With Derby hopeful, Court’s mind off retirement

Bloodhorse – Johnson – Let’s Talk Derby Handicapping!

 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
Holy Bull Gulfstream Park Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Withers Aqueduct Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita Park Feb 6, 2016 10-4-2-1
El Camino Real Derby Golden Gate Fields Feb 13, 2016 10-4-2-1
Southwest Oaklawn Park Feb 15, 2016 10-4-2-1
Risen Star Fair Grounds Feb 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gotham Aqueduct Mar 5, 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
Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds Mar 26, 2016 100-40-20-10
Florida Derby Gulfstream Park 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

Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Few Wrong Paths to Kentucky Derby 142

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Rachel’s half to get another shot at Derby prep

The Gael- Last of The Mohicans

Louisville Courier-Journal – Two turns next for Derby prospect Whitmore

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Amoss: Bright future for Derby prospect Mo Tom

Lady and the Track – Laughter – Mo Tom Looks Toward Kentucky after LeComte Score

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Derby odds | Price drops on Smarty Jones’ top 3

Bloodhorse – Fires to Point Discreetness to Southwest

TwinSpires Blog – Discreetness targeting Southwest

Bloodhorse – Von Hemel Duo Could Try Southwest Stakes

TwinSpires Blog – Mohaymen drills bullet five-eighths in final move for Holy Bull

Bloodhorse – Mohaymen Has Sharp Work for Holy Bull

TwinSpires Blog – Mohaymen breezes five furlongs for Holy Bull

TwinSpires Blog – Mohaymen has “perfect” morning at Palm Meadows

Bloodhorse – Mohaymen Sharp in Half-Mile Work

Louisville Courier-Journal – Greenpointcrusader may make return in Holy Bull

Bloodhorse – Balan – Mor Spirit Works Toward Robert B. Lewis

TwinSpires Blog – Mor Spirit lopes through three-quarters ahead of Lewis; Exaggerator posts gate move for San Vicente

Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd’s Awesome Slate finished a closing third in Saturday’s Pasco Stake  at Tampa Bay Downs in a race where you couldn’t really judge his performance as he didn’t break cleanly with the horses next to him exchanging bumps was rushed up to challenge, hung  three wide chasing the pace for the first half of the race dropped back and then came on again with a late run.

Bloodhorse – Angst – Morning Fire Holds Sway in Pasco Stakes

DRF – Fortuna – Morning Fire gets elusive stakes victory in Pasco Stakes

DRF – Fortuna – R Girls a Charmer sizzles in Gasparilla Stakes

TwinSpires Blog -Hanson – Morning Fire, R Girls a Charmer lead all the way at Tampa

DRF – Rampellini – Von Hemel has two prospects apiece for Southwest, Martha Washington

2016 Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Race    Track    Date      Points
Busanda Aqueduct Jan ??, 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
Rachel Alexandra Fair Grounds Feb 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
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
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
Fair Grounds Oaks Fair Grounds Mar 26, 2016 100-40-20-10
Bourbonette Oaks Turfway Park Apr 2, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gulfstream Park Oaks Gulfstream Park 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

TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Blowout maiden winner Alto Belle meets Flora Dora in Busanda

Louisville Courier-Journal – Pletcher’s Alto Belle steps up in Oaks prep

DRF – Simon: Rome shares his infectious passion for the game

 

From the Derby Bar and Grill Newsletter

RAILBIRD NOTES

BY GLEN TODD

HASTINGS HORSE SALE

The sale will be conducted on Saturday, March 26th and the Preview will be held at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday, March 19th, with the times still to be determined. For those wishing to nominate horses to the sale the closing date will be Tuesday, March 1st. The information regarding entering a horse, terms and conditions of the sale and buyer registration forms will all be available on the sales website: hastingshorsesale.com or contact Mike Heads at: 604-309-6509.

HASTINGS NEWS BY GREG DOUGLAS

Horse Race Insider – Berner – Politicians, Residents Take Wrong Turn on Belmont Casino Issue

Atlanta Business Chronicle – Williams – Horse racing backers unveil plan for huge metro Atlanta project

There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you’ve made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you’ve made a discovery.
Enrico Fermi

Bloodhorse – Hammonds – NYTB Seats New Board

HASTINGS HORSE SALE

The sale will be conducted on Saturday, March 26th and the Preview will be held at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday, March 19th, with the times still to be determined. For those wishing to nominate horses to the sale the closing date will be Tuesday, March 1st. The information regarding entering a horse, terms and conditions of the sale and buyer registration forms will all be available on the sales website: hastingshorsesale.com or contact Mike Heads at: 604-309-6509.

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner -Espinoza ponders break, or retirement, soon

Hair of the Dog

Bloodhorse – Balan – Lost Bus Speeds to 64-1 Santa Monica Shocker

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – 64-1 Lost Bus finds her way to Santa Monica winner’s circle

Magic Bus

Racing Post – Dench – Numbers game: How do Flat jockeys make it pay?

Bloodhorse – Charming Kitten Goes the Distance

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Charming Kitten’s class, stamina too much for Jerkens foes

DRF – Welsch – Charming Kitten goes the distance in Allen Jerkens Stakes

Bloodhorse – Novak – Haveyougoneaway Wins American Beauty

Bloodhorse – The Stayer – By Eric Mitchell

Riversedge Racing Stables’ Canadian and British Columbia Derby winning Academic has been nominated for a 2015 Sovereign Award in the 3 year old female category. Riversedge Racing Stables has been nominated for a 2015 Sovereign Award in the outstanding owner category and Rico Walcott has been nominated for a  2015 Sovereign Award in the outstanding jockey category.

2015 Sovereign Award Finalists

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly:
Ami’s Mesa
Caren
Catch a Glimpse
Gamble’s Ghost

Champion 2-Year-Old Male:
Amis Gizmo
Conquest Daddyo
Riker
Shakhimat

Champion 3-Year-Old Female:
Academic
Brooklynsway
Don’t Leave Me
London Tower

Champion 3-Year-Old Male:
Breaking Lucky
Danish Dynaformer
Lucky Lindy
Shaman Ghost

Champion Older Female:
Cactus Kris
Miss Mischief
Touching Promise
Uchenna (Ire)

Champion Older Male:
Are You Kidding Me
Golden Sabre
Melmich
Stacked Deck

Champion Female Turf Horse:
Button Down (GB)
Catch a Glimpse
Habibi (NZ)
Strut the Course

Champion Male Turf Horse:
Are You Kidding Me
Danish Dynaformer
Interpol
Reporting Star

Champion Female Sprinter:
Cactus Kris
Caren
Miss Mischief
Skylander Girl

Champion Male Sprinter:
Bye Bye Bernie
Calgary Cat
Stacked Deck
Tower of Texas

Outstanding Broodmare:
Awesome Lass
Rare Opportunity
Star Guest
Uproar

Outstanding Breeder:
Adena Springs
Eugene Melnyk
Sam-Son Farm
Tall Oaks Farm

Outstanding Owner:
Conquest Stables
Ivan Dalos
Riversedge Racing Stables
Sam-Son Farm

Outstanding Trainer:
Kevin Attard
Roger Attfield
Josie Carroll
Mark Casse

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey:
Fanny Crausaz
Kayla Pizarro
Erika Smilovsky
Isabelle Wenc

Outstanding Jockey:
Luis Contreras
Eurico Da Silva
Patrick Husbands
Rico Walcott

Bloodhorse – Casse, Catch a Glimpse Top Sovereign Nominees

“The concept of having one owner of every horse in a race is extremely problematic, to say the least,” said one regulator who did not want to be identified because of relationships with Oregon racing commission personnel. “Let’s not even talk about the nature of the bet, which has its own set of conflicts. This is a big, big problem.”

There is no evidence that the races were manipulated. However, in addition to the danger of manipulation to engineer payouts in single-race pools, the most apparent dangers involve whether the races or race fields could be manipulated to make it more difficult for there to be a single winning ticket at the end of the sequence. Wagers that only pay off when there is a single winning ticket draw more handle as the carryover grows, with racetracks retaining more revenue as players are attracted to the jackpot.

DRF – Hegarty – Portland Meadows Rainbow Pick 6 races come in one color

Phil has a question:

When will the Oregon Racing Commission or Portland meadows take the step of protecting the bettors and show the actual ownership of the horses in these races.

DRF – DeVivo – Slightly smaller fields reduce degree of difficulty for jackpot bet

Bloodhorse – Ward No Longer KHRC Executive Director

T.L.C.S. (Thoroughbred Lasting Careers Society)

The organizational meeting of the T.L.C.S. (Thoroughbred Lasting Careers Society) took place on Saturday, January 16 the Sheraton, Red Deer. Make sure to like us on Facebook to follow the latest news of the society.

The goals of this non-profit society are :

• To provide funding for the aftercare, rehabilitation and retraining of off-the-track Thoroughbreds in Alberta.
• To assist and ensure that off-the-track Thoroughbreds are provided with a second career after leaving the racetrack.
• To allow for participation in The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.)
• To promote the unique qualities of the Thoroughbred horse breed.

Click here to download>>T.L.C.S. Bylaws

Membership in the society is open to any person residing in Alberta over the age of 18 years, for a fee of $10.00. Those under 18 may become a member for $5.00. Cheques for membership should be made out to CTHS Alberta and forwarded to TLCS care of the CTHS Alberta Division, Unit 218, 1935 – 32nd Avenue, Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C8.

DRF – Rousso – Emerald stakes slate topped by Grade 3 Longacres Mile

Northlands Park 2016 Stall Application

“The quality of Europe’s black-type program remains strong and it was pleasing to note that six of the 10 highest rated races in the world, as announced by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities on Tuesday are staged in Europe,” said Brian Kavanagh, chairman of the European Pattern Committee. “2016 will see 413 group and 433 listed races run in Europe, a decrease of five black-type races overall.” 

Bloodhorse – Changes to European Pattern Races Announced

Phil has a question:

When will Horse Racing Alberta and the provincial government announce either the end of the horse racing industry in Alberta or a renewal of the slot revenue sharing agreement whether it comes with a trim or not.

Suspense is worse than disappointment.

Robert Burns

Omega Code

DRF – Nevills – Preferred session kicks off two-day OBS mixed sale

Declassify

Orientate – Mir Cat by Tale Of The Cat

2016 FEE: $2,000 ($200 booking fee, balance due live foal).

Declassify

Stone Ranches Ltd.

Madden, Alberta, Canada

Tina & Gerald Stone at 403-946-5703 or by email at stnranch@airenet.com

Bloodhorse – Claiborne Stallion Arch Dies at Age 21

Bloodhorse – Influential Sire Kingmambo Euthanized

Bloodhorse – Champion Storm Flag Flying Dies at 16

TwinSpires Blog -DeRosa – Storm Flag Flying Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Victory And Its Impact On My Life

Bloodhorse – Grade I Winner Somali Lemonade Dies

What Can You Believe

Yes, I guess you could say I am a loner, but I feel more lonely in a crowded room with boring people than I feel on my own.
Henry Rollins

Queens’ Plate – Woodbine Oaks Syndicate Opportunity

Balmont will be standing in Alberta for 2016.

The son of Stravinsky who is a half brother to Eskendereya will be standing at Jug Handle Ranch phone (403) 601-0432 jughandleranch@yahoo.ca.

Racing Post – Balmont

Taylor Made – Fernando – Eskendereya pedigree constructed for classics

Bloodhorse – Stallion Eskendereya Sold to Japan

Bloodhorse – McCoy – For Delacours, Success Aligned With Patience

Bloodhorse – Whitelaw – Cape Premier Sale Sets All-Time Record

TwinSpires Blog – The Pizza Man works five-eighths for San Marcos

Bloodhorse – The Pizza Man Logs First 2016 Workout

Happy 10th Birthday, Insider!  (Please leave gifts at the loading dock.)

Horse players, what would you have done in this race?

And you would be right.  It was that kind of horse, Uf Bettors Hanover, who won race 10 at Woodbine harness last Saturday, paying $58.70 to win and, as part of a pick-4, paying almost $1,400 for a 20-cent ticket.  This is one of five horseplayer angles in today’s Insider to give you an edge.  It shouldn’t matter that this happened in a harness race — it applies to all racing. See four more “live and learn” examples below.

Bullet briefs . . .

• Feb. 6 is Fab Filly Day at the Downs; Songbird makes 2016 debut

	DO THE DOWNS Carryovers
Click for schedule		Curried pineapple chicken tenders tonight
CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE

$10 OFF TONIGHT:  Ditch the can opener tonight and head out to the Downs where you’ll receive $10 off the certified Angus prime rib buffet for two by downloading this coupon.  Remember, the buffets are enhanced with tropical touches (tropical pork loin, curried pineapple chicken tenders, poppy seed chicken salad, Jamaican potato salad) and a very satisfying pasta bar.  See you tonight?  Call Samantha at 204-885-3330 ext. 0 to reserve.

Official stations of horse racing. Click to listen

You may have to shut out your critics but a rule is a rule

Well, the horse did win.  And that’s why, right after the race, my race program could be seen flying through the air in the direction of the critic, accompanied with my infuriated “See?”  I had keyed the horse on the tickets because this was a 7f race so I looked for recent good efforts at 7f and only three horses fit the bill, with #10 having an Equibase speed figure higher than the horse that would likely be attracting the most bets (#6).  I’ve been playing a lot more 7f races lately and #10 seemed to be the best fit at this specialist distance. For the most part, ignore horses that haven’t raced at this distance and play the horse with the best speed at 7f.  And put your fingers in your ears if someone tries to tell you differently.

There you go.  Five angles in this Insider that, hopefully, might help you win a life-changing score — or at least help you tread water when the going gets tough.

Songbird crushed her rivals in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last October (left), posting a 112 Equibase speed number that no colt has been able to reach. The latest to try were Mo Tom in the LeComte Stakes at Fair Grounds (middle — 99 speed rating) and long shot Discreetness in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn (right — 105 speed rating). More colts will take a shot in two prep races a week from this Saturday.

She’s setting the racing world on fire! Watch her 2016 debut on February 6, Fabulous Filly Day at the Downs!

Songbird has been working up a storm at Santa Anita where she will make her 2016 debut in the $300,000 Las Virgenes on Saturday, Feb. 6, a day the Downs has designated Fabulous Filly Day with special promotions in store.

Javier Castellano Top jock of 2015

NO SURPRISES AT ECLIPSE AWARDS:  It was unanimous, of course–American Pharoah was named Horse of the Year and 3-year-old male champion in Saturday’s Eclipse Awards presentations at Gulfstream–and the 261 voters were almost unanimous in four other categories:  Songbird (top 2-year-old filly), Nyquist (top 2-year-old male), Runhappy (top male sprinter) and Beholder (top older female).  Javier Castellano was named the year’s best jockey (won 17 grade 1 stakes), Bob Baffert the top trainer and Zayat Stables the top owners.  See all awards here.

$33,000 POOL JUST ELUDES “I WON BIG;” ADD PICK-3s?   When the “I won big” group missed the pick-5 at Tampa Bay on Saturday (but collected about $670 for 4 out of 5) and the pick-4 and pick-5 at Gulfstream Park on Monday, what became readily apparent is that the group should have been playing pick-3s in addition to the longer serial wagers.  The pick-3 in the first three legs of the pick-5 at Tampa paid $2,900 for $1 and the pick-3 in the last three races at Gulfstream was almost $600 — amounts that would have been collected by the group had it played the pick-3.  That will be the recommendation this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. when the group resumes its Tampa Bay pick-5 discussion.

Bill Drew Shoots for $800,000

GOOD LUCK, BILL, IN VEGAS HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP!  ASD’s Bill Drew, a businessman in the grain business who lives in Oakbank, will be shooting for a top prize of $800,000 in the National Handicapping Championship at Treasure Island Hotel Casino in Las Vegas next week, Jan. 28 to 30.  Players cannot buy their way into the tournament which is sponsored by the Daily Racing Form and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.  They had to qualify by playing in tournaments leading up to the event.  Drew was among five to win a seat last Mar. 1 by participating in an online tourney that day. Total prize money next week is about $2.5 million.

Where are they now? by Rob MacLennan

Witt Six faces five in $50,000 Star of Texas Stakes Saturday Trainer Jerry Gourneau has been busy with nine runners since the Sam Houston meet kicked off on Friday.  He continues to race at Delta Downs as well with another “Witt” horse (named for his owner, Henry Witt, Jr.), Witt’s Lizard, a 4-year-old Texas-bred gelding slithering to a win last Wednesday in a NW3L race, returning $17.60 to win. Then on Saturday, Gourneau’s 5-year-old gelding Dancing Firewater trounced seven rivals at 3/5 to break his maiden on his 11th try. Jerry Gourneau Enters Witt Six in stakes MANITOBA DERBY HORSE:  He has two entrants this Saturday at Sam Houston including Manitoba Derby runner-up Witt Six. Cowboy Curlin goes in the first with a legitimate shot to make the lead in a five furlong turf sprint. Witt Six will take on five foes in the $50,000 Star of Texas Stakes at a mile on the main track. The 4-year-old looks competitive in this field compared to his previous race at Fair Grounds where he met Eagle and Ride on Curlin. His main competition will be Texas Air and Texas Bling. Then on Monday, Witt’s Lizard steps up in class in a Texas-bred first level allowance where he will need a good pace to run at. TURF PARADISE:  Meanwhile at Turf Paradise, the Don Schnell barn has had a couple of close calls lately with runner-up finishes by Budlitelarry and I Am Awesome. I Am Awesome ran second to Indy Racer who made the lead under confident handling by high-percentage rider Adolfo Morales for trainer Jared Brown.  Indy Racer paid a handsome $18.60 to win. Morales and Brown will partner Saturday with Woodlandsway, a $4,000 horse Brown claimed in November and is now running for $8,000.  Watch out! In other news from the desert, Magic d’ Oro, Assiniboia Downs’ likely 2015 Horse of the Year, has had five workouts in preparation for his 2016 debut soon. MUST SEE:  Be sure to check out the Allen Jerkens Stakes this Saturday at Gulfstream going two miles.  It’s a good field at a rarely-seen distance with graded stakes runners such as Charming Kitten headlining the field. Take a shot on Roccia d’Oro who looks like he could run all day and gets the services of Eclipse award-winning jockey Javier Castellano. The two graded stakes races this weekend are the Santa Monica this Saturday at Santa Anita, a sprint for mares, and the Toboggan on Sunday for male sprinters at Aqueduct.

“TIPS ‘N’ TRICKS” with Marshall Posner Q. How do I make a deposit into my HPI Account? A. There are several different ways to make a deposit into your HPI account so you can wager from home or elsewhere. 1) You can make a deposit at any off-track betting location in the city or at Assiniboia Downs — either by giving money to the ticket seller or by using a touchtote terminal. Simply insert your voucher (face down) or insert the money then hit the “Deposit to Account” button. You will be asked to swipe your card and enter your PIN #.  If you’re depositing a large sum, get a voucher first.  Otherwise you’ll have to deposit each bill separately. (E.g. A $60 deposit with $20 bills requires three separate transactions) 2) You can make a deposit online directly into your HPI account.  Once you’ve logged into your account, simply click on the green money sign in the top right corner of the HPI window (view image here).  Then you have two options: OPTION A:  Provide credit card details then click the DEPOSIT button (view image here). PLEASE NOTE: Your credit card company treats this as a cash advance so there will likely be a charge from your credit card company for providing this service. There are no charges applied from HPIBet. OPTION B:  Use Interac Online which is essentially doing an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using your online banking.  Limitations: Only a few banks offer this service (Bank of Montreal, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust.) and no credit unions do. Also note that if you use a VISA debit card from TD Canada Trust, you will not be able to use the Interac Online option. Once you’ve entered the amount that you wish to deposit and clicked the authorization disclaimer (view image here), you will be taken to the Payment Details screen that requires you to select your financial institution (view image here). Once you’ve selected your bank, you’ll be directed to your online banking log-in page where you can complete the transaction. Submit questions for Marshall to theinsider@ASDowns. com View previous questions and answers here.

HISTORY ON THE HOOF: The best of Bob Did you know . . .  an ASD horse ran in the Kentucky Derby?  Read about him in “Lexico, Canada Day and Foolish Pleasure” here.

LA Times – Cherwa – First Hollywood Park stadium scenario would have helped horse racing

LA Times – Fenno – The Hollywood Park-Raiders deal that never happened

Bloodhorse – Far Right Set for 2016 Debut at Oaklawn Park

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Haigh -Michael Dickinson: how I plan to make a better life for my horses

DRF – Hammersly – Ageless Absolutely Cool wins third straight stakes in Hank Mills Handicap

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Coastline beats Heat, D’Amato has plenty to smile about in Clocker’s Corner

The Globe and Mail – Vermond – Women can beat the ‘pink tax’ by buying guys’ supplies

Cutting The Budget

The cold harsh reality is that we have to balance the budget.
Michael Bloomberg

America

NY Times – Burns and Haberman – Bloomberg, Sensing an Opening, Revisits a Potential White House Run

LA Times – Mascaro – Michael Bloomberg mulling a White House bid

Phil has a question:

Who’s Phil borrowing from when he says now the parting on the left is the parting on the right and Michael Bloomberg is trying to drive up the middle of the muddled duddled fuddled wuddled road.

Would Phil be dreaming in Technicolour if he envisions a debate when Bloomberg tells Trump that his running mate should be Miley Cyrus as she’s the only person in the US more outlandish than him and then tells Hilary that her running mate should be Monica Lewinski just in case Bill gets bored.

Mrs. Robinson

If you really believe that you’re making a difference and that you can leave a legacy of better schools and jobs and safer streets, why would you not spend the money? The objective is to improve the schools, bring down crime, build affordable housing, clean the streets – not to have a fair fight.
Michael Bloomberg

NY Times – OpEd – Douthat – The Way to Stop Trump

National Post – AP – Colvin – Donald Trump thinks supporters would stick with him even if he stood in the street and shot someone

Balancing The Budget

NY Times – Barbaro and Parker – A G.O.P. Majority in New Hampshire Pipes Up: We’re Not for Donald Trump

She is drawn to outsiders (or rogues, or mavericks — pick your noun). Trump is all that. Like Trump, she is an opportunist. She likes winners. As does Trump, who famously insulted her 2008 running mate John McCain for having been taken prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese. The fact that Palin overlooks such an egregious insult, while blaming President Obama for her own troubled son’s PTSD, says a lot about her opportunistic impulses.

I know Trump has mused about putting Palin in his Cabinet if he were ever to become president. My dream is a Trump/Palin ticket. Oh, what a squirmish that would be.

LA Times – Abcarian –  Sarah Palin and Donald Trump: A pair of narcissists made for each other

Dawn of Correction

NY Times -OpEd – Bethea – Sarah Palin, This Is What PTSD Is Really Like

LA Times – AP – 6.8 quake hits southern Alaska, jangles nerves in Anchorage

Phil has a question:

Is Sarah Palin going to blame the earthquake on Obama.

Garden and Gun – Dibenedetto – Editor’s Letter: A True Southern Woman

The Bitter Southerner – Hanson – Neighbors of the Fence

The New Yorker – Davisdon – The Contempt That Poisoned Flint’s Water

NY Times – OpEd – Blow – The Poisoning of Flint’s Water

NY Times – Goodnough, Davey and Smith – When the Water Turned Brown

Flint River

National Post – Berthiaume – Justin Trudeau urged Leonardo DiCaprio to tone down criticism of Canadian oilsands, source says

Phil has a suggestion:

PM Trudeau should tell DiCaprio to clean up the Flint and Mississippi Rivers in his own back yard before beaking off about a foreign country.

Garden and Gun – Cole – The Magic City’s Next Act

Why did the chicken cross the road?

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.

SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because, gosh-darn it, he’s a maverick!

Every sentence I utter must be understood not as an affirmation, but as a question.
Niels Bohr

Yet it is the subject of race, and how Simpson both experienced and refracted it, that is the documentary’s central narrative. Not the question of innocence — Edelman presents the evidence in a way that makes pretty clear he’s concluded Simpson committed the murders — but the significance of exoneration. “Made in America” offers the provocative implication that although the bulk of evidence points to Simpson’s guilt, the tide of black history and injustice may argue for his acquittal.

“To me a lot of this becomes about emotion versus intellect,” Edelman said when asked about this duality. “And the intellect is easy to glom on to because it’s about the evidence. But how do you convey emotion? How do you convey the depth of historical experience? That’s what I was trying to do.”

Edelman is ideally suited to examine, and bridge, this divide. The son of a black activist mother and white professor father, he said his own identity has been informed by multiple racial perspectives. At 41, he’s also old enough to have experienced the trial as an adult but not so old his views about it were cast in concrete.

LA Times – Zeitchik – Sundance 2016: The director of ESPN’s ‘O.J.: Made in America’ finds new ground on Simpson

Nordberg at The Hospital

NY Times – OpEd – Cohen – Fermi, Sinatra, DiMaggio — and Capone

Before I came here I was confused about this subject. Having listened to your lecture I am still confused. But on a higher level.
Enrico Fermi

Goodwill’s failure is a story of numerous poor management decisions set against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive retail environment for second-hand goods. Coming together, the two factors were a fatal combination.

…

Ms. Nakamura’s background was in the public sector, and she had no experience running a retail-store chain. At Goodwill, she was overseen by a volunteer board that also lacked significant retail-management backgrounds, many of its members coming from other parts of the business or charitable world. They resigned en masse last Friday and have declined to speak, leaving many questions about their handling of the crisis.

The Globe and Mail – McFarland, Gray and Andrew-Gee- Charity case: Why Goodwill’s failure in Toronto was anything but sudden

Independent – Griffin – Facebook friends are almost entirely fake, study finds

Phil has a question:

Oxford had to waste money on a study to find out what most Facebook users already knew.

NY Times – OpEd – Dudley – In Case of Blizzard, Do Nothing

Hazy Shade of Winter

The Washington Post – Achenbach and Feltman – New evidence suggests a ninth planet lurking at the edge of the solar system

The Washington Post – Feltman – Q&A: The ‘Pluto Killer’ who thinks he’s found the true ninth planet

The Washington Post – Izadi – Nah, this possible new ninth planet isn’t Pluto

Phil has a question:

Does Pluto really care that earthlings don’t think it’s a planet anymore.

Will naming the new planet Goofy make up for the loss of Pluto.

On Ice

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

William Shakespeare

Humans From Earth

NY Times – Nocera – True Scandal of Deflategate Lies in the N.F.L.’s Behavior

Southern Living – Bender – The Grumpy Gardener – 50 Golden Rules of Gardening

Parsley, Sage Rosemary and Thyme

NY Times – Mir, Barron and Rojas – Battered by East Coast Snowstorm, Cities Face Digging Out

National Post – Christie Blatchford: Judge delivers an even-handed ruling over unhinged Twitter dispute

Sympathy For the Devil

I hung a WELCOME KEITH RICHARDS banner down here every day for forty years. Eventually I just gave up.

Satan – Esquire – What I’ve Learned

I Wish It Would Rain

Phil M Stockmen