Apr 032016
 

Hawthorne Sal’s

Suddenly Salient

Smashing Stories

Negli Archivi – Nove

 

sabato 9 aprile

The article about Academic that was posted on Horse Racing Alberta has been updated and gives some recognition to the Alberta connections who raced Academic in the Canadian Derby and British Columbia Derby in partnership with Dany Dion’s Bear Stables LTD.

The Horses.com – It’s All Academic – Toasting the Top Three-Year-Old Filly

Sal will tell you that the update didn’t just happen like il bullone di lampo. Sal sent a scintillatingly scathing e-mail to both Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur requesting that the article be updated to recognize Robert Vargo and Norm Castiglione’s Riversedge Stables Ltd. and their Alberta connections. Just to be sure that the e-mail was not just trashed and not given any credence Sal cc’d it to Minister Joe Ceci and one of his executive assistants.

Sal thanks those that updated the article to recognize Robert Vargo and Norm Castiglione’s Riversedge Stables Ltd. and their Alberta connections, but Sal says that the job should have been handled competently in the first instance.

Sal says that Phil said that someone said one of the most cogent comments Phil had ever heard about thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta:

We need to improve the professionalism of horse racing in the province of Alberta.

Sal says that Phil had a suggestion:

Replace Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur with persons who are appointed on merit and you’ve taken the first step.

Say says it’s time to dump those who got their positions because they were ben introdotto.


The Jockey Club of Canada is pleased to announce the 2015 Sovereign Award winners in the order in which they were presented.

(Media) Outstanding Writing – Curtis Stock
A Love of Horses – published Edmonton Journal

Outstanding Breeder – Adena Springs
612 STARTS – 91 WINS – 103 SECONDS – 97 THIRDS – $4,837,101 IN EARNINGS

Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs has won this category nine times and 2015 may have been one of the farms most successful seasons in decades. The farm was represented by Grade 1 winners Private Zone and Judy the Beauty, both hard-knocking American-based performers but it also raced its homebred Shaman Ghost, winner of the Queen’s Plate. Shaman Ghost, a Sovereign award nominee for Champion Three-Year-old Male, was the first Plate winner raced by Stronach since Awesome Again won in 1997. Adena also bred Coronation Futurity winner Shakhimat, an early favourite for the 2016 Plate and bred horses that won or placed in 18 stakes races.

Points Results:  Adena Springs (121), Sam-Son Farm (64), Tall Oaks Farm (33), Eugene Melnyk (25)

E.P. Taylor Award of Merit – R.J. (Russell) and Lois Bennett
The Jockey Club of Canada Board of Stewards was proud to present

R.J. (Russell) and Lois Bennett with the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit for their longtime involvement and commitment to Thoroughbred Racing in Canada.

A Member of The Jockey Club of Canada for close to 40 years, Russell Bennett, along with his wife Lois, has been involved in Thoroughbred racing in Canada since the 1950’s.

The Bennetts have proven to be the most successful breeders in racing history in British Columbia, topping the Leading Breeder list in that province almost every year since 1982.  They have been honoured nationally and provincially with inductions into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the British Columbia Horse Racing Hall of Fame.  In 1983 R.J. Bennett was honoured with the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Breeder, the same year his homebred multiple graded stakes winner, Travelling Victor, became the first horse not raced in Ontario to win Horse of the Year honours as well as Champion Older Male.

Most recently, the Bennetts were awarded the Leading Breeder and Leading Owner titles in British Columbia for 2015 along with their homebred mare, Touching Promise, being named Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare in B.C.  The male division of the older horse category was awarded to another Bennett homebred Brass & Gold while their Catz on Fire shared the 3-year-old B.C. bred male with two other recipients in 2015.  Touching Promise is also a Sovereign Award finalist for Champion Older Female in 2015.

The Bennetts own more than 40 broodmares and maintain a population of more than 100 Thoroughbreds at their Flying Horse Farm on the shores of Okanagan Lake in Westbank, British Columbia.   Producing more than 50 stakes winners, their first stakes winner was Flying Magic, in 1967.  A list of other successful stakes runners include, Brandy Magic, Skovinsky, Historical Devil, Tasty Victory, Travelling Round, Easy Triumph, Hurried Romance, Billy Blue, Lively Lord, Always a Dixie, and Multiple Graded Stakes winner Lord Nelson.

The recipient of the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit is decided by The Jockey Club of Canada Board of Stewards and is not necessarily awarded annually.  Previously called the Man of the Year Award, The E.P. Taylor Award of Merit is earned by those who have positively impacted or contributed to the Thoroughbred Industry in Canada.  Previous recipients of this award include E.P. Taylor, Jack Diamond, George Hendrie, Jim Coleman, George Gardiner, Ernest Samuel, and Charles Taylor.

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly – Academic
B F3 By Henny Hughes – Awesome Lass (Awesome Again)
Breeder: Spring Farm (ON)
Owner: Bear Stables Ltd. & Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.
Trainer: Reade Baker
2015: 6 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 0 third – $634,160
Winner: G3 BC Derby, G3 Canadian Derby, Woodbine Oaks, MSW $67K

Points Results:  Academic (160), Don’t Leave Me (34), London Tower (34), Brooklynsway (27)

Jockey Club of Canada – Catch a Glimpse takes Horse of the Year


Toronto Sun – Mauntah – Catch a Glimpse named Canada’s Horse of the Year


Edmonton Journal – Stock – A love of horses is what motivates the unsung workers at Northlands racetrack


This is Horse Racing – Tom Law and Sean Clancy – Saturday Special – April 9


DRF – King: Big Apple Blue Grass pick four for Saturday, April 9

DRF – CristBlog: Big Apple/Bluegrass Pick-4 Preview


Horse Race Insider – Pricci’s Free Daily Feature Race Analysis


DRF Live Saturday April 9, 2016


TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – Favorites or nah? Navigating Quality Racing Saturday at Keeneland


TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – Odds questions to ask heading in to today’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks preps 


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Nyquist to train Saturday morning at Keeneland


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – IU grad has shot at the Blue Grass, maybe Derby


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Brown becoming ‘major player’ on Derby trail


Sal is desperately seeking the next Dread Pirate Roberts.

Sal’s been subbing since Phil got lambasted by the Battersea omnibus but Sal’s only subbing on an interim basis.

If you know anyone looking to be the next Dread Pirate Roberts at www.holybull.ca please have them contact Sal at hs@holybull.ca.


Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Kentucky Oaks 2016 Contenders Update


Garden and Gun – Hutchinson – The Masters by the Numbers

Garden and Gun – Hutchinson – The Mystery of The Masters’ Pimento Cheese

Garden and Gun – Maroukian – Pimento Cheese: Spread the Love

Are you thinking what Sal’s thinking:

Pimento Mac and Cheese


Brooklyn Backstretch – Brian’s Derby Preps: The Wood Memorial

Brooklyn Backstretch – Brian’s Derby Preps: The Santa Anita Derby


The Racing Biz – Genaro – Cathryn Sophia takes connex back to “big stage”


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner | Wood, Blue Grass and SA Derby picks


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Shakhimat skips to win Keeneland’s Transylvania


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Second weekend Keeneland stakes shaping up


venerdi 8 aprile

The Horses.com – It’s All Academic – Toasting the Top Three-Year-Old Filly

Sal was wondering why there is no mention in this article that when she ran in the Canadian Derby that takes place at Northlands Park in the city of Edmonton in the province of Alberta and the British Columbia Derby both Dany Dion’s Bear Stables Ltd. and Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. were shown as owners.

If you check the past performances for the Canadian Derby Academic wore Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.’s silks.

Canadian Derby Equibase PPS

Dawn Lupul may have written a pretty piece of under-researched promotional fluff to fulfill her Sovereign reporting obligations to Woodbine, but if Horse Racing Alberta is going to post this press release shouldn’t they ensure that it accurately describes the Alberta connections to Academic.

Sal was wondering if the Undertaker proofread this release before posting it.

If he did and never noticed that the Riversedge connection to Academic for her victories in the Canadian Derby and the British Columbia Derby was never mentioned what a colossal blunder. What a slap in the face to two Alberta businessmen who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta.

If he didn’t what a colossal blunder. What a slap in the face to two Alberta businessmen who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta.

Sal was wondering if the Undertaker, Shirley McClellan or Rick LeLacheur know who was the successful bidder on the sales topper at the 2015 CTHS Alberta sale.

And you wonder why Phil and Sal have been calling for the removal of the Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur from their positions at Horse Racing Alberta.


From Phil’s archivio:

Bloodhorse – Angst – Filly Academic Romps in Canadian Derby

Bloodhorse – Academic Takes on Boys Again in BC Derby

Paulick Report – Smith – Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: Justin Stein’s Most Unusual Life


Sal says that if you are not excited about the three year olds running to win and to get into the Kentucky Derby and Oaks this weekend along with the plethora of wagering opportunities you better get thee to a cardiologist and check if the old ticker is still ticking.


Hello Race Fans – Derby Prep Alberta April 8, 2016


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Smith – Don’t underestimate the importance of the world’s new wondermare


DRF – Crist: Bettors have their pick of pick fours

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – 123 WEEKEND ADVANCE: 3 Derby Preps & Grade 1 Pick 4, too

Sal has an idea for a new wager. Pick 12 for the 3 Pick Fours involving the three year old races and market it like PowerBall.


TDN – Four Year Ban For Best


NY Times – Lyall – Swim. Bike. Cheat?


DRF – Hovdey: McGreevy picked out swine before pearls

Ha avuto a che fare per Phil:

Tougher Than The Rest


Horse Race Insider – Pricci – Industry Giant Ogden Mills ‘Dinny’ Phipps Dies at 75

Bloodhorse – Horse Industry Reacts to Phipps’ Passing


Brooklyn Backstretch – Brian’s Derby Preps: The Blue Grass


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – A namesake race, a family reunion, and the colorful legacy of Eugene Wood


Bloodhorse – NBCSN Set for Coverage of Key Derby Preps


Louisville Courier-Journal – DerbyHQ Podcast | NBC’s Moss previews the preps


Horse Race Insider – Jicha -Derby preps lack usual luster but there are prices to be had


DRF – Privman – Wet track adds intrigue to Santa Anita Derby

LA Times – Cherwa – Rain figures to be a factor in Santa Anita Derby


Bloodhorse – Eric Mitchell – Gazelle Sets Up Well for Lewis Bay


Bloodhorse – Balan – Grade I Winners Square Off in Thunder Road


Cheyenne Stables and Mac Nicol’s Madefromlucky will probably get plenty of support from Donald Trump to beat Kid Cruz.

Bloodhorse – Kid Cruz, Madefromlucky to Clash in Excelsior


giovedi 7 aprile

Garden and Gun – Harris – The Making of a Derby Hat


TDN – ‘Dinny’ Phipps Dies at 75


DRF – Rampellini – Meet opens with upgraded facilities, new voice in booth


Bloodhorse – Vitali Heads to Maryland for Spring, Summer


Bloodhorse – ‘Egregious’ Levels of Cobalt Trigger Bans

Sal was wondering when the CPMA and Horse Racing Alberta are going to get around to cleaning out the cobalt offenders across Canada.


NY Times – Reevell and Clarey – Meldonium Is the Suspect as Russia Loses Athletes


Bloodhorse – Novak – Return to Track Delayed for Nyquist


NY Times – Merle Haggard, Country Music’s Outlaw Hero, Dies at 79

Questo quelle non per Phil:

Pancho and Lefty


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Could Songbird beat the boys? ‘Without a doubt’


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Derby odds | New prices listed before big preps


Bloodhorse – Pedulla – Shagaf Takes on Wood Memorial Litmus Test

TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Shagaf puts undefeated record on the line in Wood Memorial 

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Ehalt – Shagaf steps out of the shadows – and out to prove his ‘raw Derby potential’

Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Outwork to Display Speed in Wood Memorial Stakes

Bloodhorse – Fenrich – Rice, Lady Sheila Set Sights on Wood Memorial

Ora, Questo è per Phil

Purple Rain


Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Zulu the Deserving Blue Grass Stakes Favorite


Lady and the Track – Hammer – Danzing Candy and Mor Spirit Head Solid Santa Anita Derby Field 

TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Danzing Candy, Mor Spirit likely to vie for favoritism in Santa Anita Derby

ESPN – DRF – Privman – Baffert, Stevens know how to get it done in Santa Anita Derby

ESPN – DRF – Can Exaggerator get back on track in Santa Anita Derby?

Bloodhorse – Balan – Rivals Back to Challenge ‘Candy’ in SA Derby


Bloodhorse – Balan – Awesome Speed Back at Laurel for Tesio


Bloodhorse – America’s Best Racing – Curry – Making the Grade: Danzing Candy


TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Terra Promessa tops Fantasy field


TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Gazelle gives runners a taste of Kentucky Oaks’ nine-furlong distance


TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Songbird expected to make it seven straight in Santa Anita Oaks 


This is Horse Racing – Tom Law – Horse Who Changed Everything: Artie Magnuson & Foolish Pleasure


Bloodhorse – Precious – New Aqueduct VLTs Won’t Pay to Purses, NYRA


ESPN – DRF – Jerardi – Tide Is High gets trainer Dickinson back in winner’s circle


National Post – Bloomberg News – Kresge and Behrmann – Police called to Daimler’s AGM after fight erupts among shareholders over free sausages


mercoledi  6 aprile

Horse Race Insider – Indulto – Who’s Your Daddy?


Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Kentucky Derby 2016 Contenders Update


Bloodhorse – Zulu Tackles Full Blue Grass Field

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Brody’s Cause headlines full Blue Grass field

TwinSpires Blog – Scully -Blue Grass draws overflow seeking points toward Kentucky Derby berth


Bloodhorse – Haskin – Derby Dozen – April 5, 2016 – Presented by Shadwell Farm


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Nyquist returning to the track; fans can watch


Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Brown: Undefeated Shagaf Has Room to Improve


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – High-class stakes on Kee’s Blue Grass undercard


TwinSpires Blog -Scully – Ashland comes up short but sweet with Cathryn Sophia, Rachel’s Valentine & Carina Mia 

Bloodhorse – Hammonds – Cathryn Sophia Heads Ashland

Lady and the Track – Mendoza – Carina Mia To Recover Lost Time In Ashland Stakes at Keeneland


TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Madison a Breeders’ Cup quality race in all but name

Bloodhorse – Ron Mitchell – Loaded Field of Graded Winners in Madison


Blue Bomber owned by Jim McFadyen and trained by Robertino Diodoro opened a huge early lead under Natasha Coddington and held off his foes to win the 1 3/8-mile turf event at Turf Paradise.

DRF – Hammersly – Blue Bomber opens huge lead, holds on in Wildcat Handicap


National Post – O’Connor – The horse that won by losing: Zippy Chippy, racing’s famous also-ran, celebrated by Canadian author


Bloodhorse – Snierson – MA Horsemen Have Plan for Multi-Purpose Track


This is Horse Racing – Here & There – April 5


martedi 5 aprile

Calgary Herald – Mitchell – Some hope remains despite Alberta thoroughbred racing’s uncertain future


Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Gulfstream Sets Total Handle Record for Meet

Sal was wondering why the Undertaker doesn’t post the Alberta handle results on Horse Racing Alberta’s website anymore.

Could it be that he’s so busy with other tasks like scurrying down the hallway to rat on Phil or Sal that he doesn’t have time. Could it be that Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur are so embarrassed by missing their budget estimate by $33,567,210.00 that they don’t want the handle figures posted to remind them of the massive error in their budget. Could it be that Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur don’t want the handle split of about 75% thoroughbred – 25% standardbred published as it would make their favouring the standardbred industry in this province appear as utterly ridiculous as it is.


NY Times – Schonbrun – Ball Flies. Horn Blares. Villanova Reigns.

ESPN – Medcalf – Villanova’s title keeps hope alive for underdogs

ESPN – O’Neil – How Kris Jenkins’ 3 happened and why it perfectly explains Villanova

NY Times – Macur – Before the Shot, There Was the Pass


National Post – Washington – Post – Feltman – Forget elephants: Did Hannibal cross the Alps on horseback? 


Louisville Courier-Journal – McDonogh – Kentucky Derby 2016 preparations keying up


TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – Top 100 Brisnet.com Speed Ratings three-year-olds 2016 


TwinSpires Blog – Nyquist favored at 3-1 in fourth and final KDFW Pool


Lady and the Track – Laughter – Kentucky Derby Top 10: Casey’s Picks


DRF – Privman – Road to the Derby: Spiral Stakes


DRF – Privman – Road to the Derby: Florida Derby


Bloodhorse – Probable Blue Grass Field Balloons to 13


Bloodhorse – Ron Mitchell – Gun Runner Gets to Work at Churchill Downs


DRF – Privman – Mor Spirit, Songbird impress in works


TDN – Pletcher Confirms Duo for Wood


Bloodhorse – May Named to KHRC Pari-Mutuel Wagering Post


TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Nyquist continues to shine but Speed ratings illustrate a challenge

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly- My counterpoint to Scully on Nyquist’s Speed ratings


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – What we learned last week on the Derby trail

Questo è per Phil:

This morning when I put on my underwear I could hear the fruit-of-the-loom guys laughing at me.

Rodney Dangerfield


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Nyquist arrives to Ky. with ‘real fresh legs’


DRF- Sparkman: How far will Nyquist go?


DRF – Russo – Nyquist snags bonus in its first year


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Derby buzz builds for Majesto, Fellowship


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Stall’s Forevamo not under Derby consideration


DRF – Russo – Full brother to Mohaymen foaled


Bloodhorse – Shakhimat Tops Transylvania at Keeneland

TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Catapult, Converge top Keeneland meet-opening Transylvania


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Ehalt – Is ‘monumental force’ Linda Rice about to scale even greater heights?


This is Horse Racing – Effinex marks the spot in New York


TDN – Massam – Attfield Begins Familiar Journey


lunedi 4 aprile

Bloodhorse – Gulfstream Reports Handle Record of $32.09M


Kentucky Derby – Derby Party Planner


Louisville Courier-Journal – Ramsey finds $200k Kentucky Derby investor


ESPN – DRF – Watchmaker – Ky. Derby picture still unclear


NY Times – The Kentucky Derby Dartboard: Week 1

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – Finally, Champ Nyquist Alone at the Top

Louisville Courier-Journal – DerbyHQ Top 20 | Shakeup sends Nyquist to No. 1


Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Undefeated Nyquist Arrives at Keeneland


Bloodhorse – UAE Derby Winner Lani Arrives at Churchill

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Churchill barns filling with Derby contenders


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby, Wood probables


TwinSpires Blog – Whitmore readies for Arkansas Derby with half-mile move 


TwinSpires Blog – Santa Anita Derby hopefuls out in force


Bloodhorse – Outwork, Cards of Stone Set for Wood


Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Mohaymen to arrive early for Derby at Churchill

Bloodhorse – Mohaymen in ‘Good Shape’ After FL Derby


TwinSpires Blog – Cathryn Sophia clocks a half-mile at Keeneland ahead of Ashland


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Graffard – Ten reasons why this promises to be a memorable year for French racing


Bloodhorse – Dickinson Returns a Winner at Laurel Park


NY Times – Rojas – Bull in Queens Is Captured, and Jon Stewart Chauffeurs It to Freedom


Garden and Gun – Bergman – Good Dog: All in a Dog’s Work


Bloodhorse – Big John B Closes for Tokyo City Victory


domenica 3 aprile

 

Malcolm Mayes cartoon for April 1, 2016.

NY Times – Austen – A Spring of Discontent for Canadian Hockey


National Post – Vogt – The Telegraph – Does an Italian village filled with cigarette smoking centenarians hide the secret to long life?


Many Ontario horse racing participants probably thought it was a beffa when they tried to find the Ontario Racing Commission website on venerdi 1 aprile, but what they discovered was that the Ontario Racing Commission has now been subsumed into the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

As of April 1, 2016 the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has assumed responsibility for the regulation of horse racing in Ontario. The staff and regulatory functions of the Ontario Racing Commission have been merged into the AGCO.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario – Racing

Sal says to expect something similar in Alberta when the almost year old government announces the results of its review of the Agencies, Boards and Commissions.

Sal’s hoping that Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur’s positions will be fuori la porta.


TDN – Letter to the Editor: Russell S. Cohen, DVM


This is Horse Racing – Joe Clancy – Weekend Interview: New Bolton surgeons


TDN – Weekend – April 2016 Vol 1

Timely read on Mike Repole and Uncle Mo.


We’re not here to discuss. We’ve come to beg. North Carolina and Villanova: please give us a great game, the proper conclusion on Monday night. The right finish to a season laced with suspense and surprise. A season that turned the top-25 rankings into a Las Vegas roulette wheel. A 2015-16 campaign that featured one of the greatest first weekends in NCAA tournament history.

But the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight lacked the upsets and intrigue of past years. Beyond Syracuse’s 16-point comeback over Virginia in the Elite Eight, the chalky results of the second week have made us forget what came before.

On Saturday, we watched the Tar Heels and the Wildcats drag a pair of carcasses across the NRG Stadium court for two halves. This is only the third time in the last 50 years that both national semifinals were decided by 15 points or more.

We deserve better. You owe us.

We’re confident you will answer the call.

ESPN – Medcalf – Can Tar Heels, Wildcats save an NCAA tournament that has gone downhill?

NY Times – Schonburn – North Carolina Tops Syracuse in Battle of Teams With Stature and Stigma

NY Times – Tracy – Villanova Wipes Out Oklahoma and a Record to Reach the Title Game


Sal was gleaning through Phil’s archives l’altro giorno and found what may be one of the more profound marketing progressions that Phil had uncovered. When Kurt Cobain said: “Here we are now entertain us” a light bulb should have gone on in every marketing guru in North America’s head. Here’s Kobain the king of the grunge movement announcing a new requirement for the world: “Here we are now entertain us.”

From the time eons ago when Edmonton Northlands and horse racing were in their infancy carrying through right until the television became part of the furniture in every household all you had to do was put on any type of show and the people would come in throngs and be entertained by anything that relieved their day to day drudgery.

When Kobain said: “Here we are now, entertain us” drawing the fans attention and attendance was still relatively simple but you had to be sure you put on a good show as there were other games in town. With the advent of the Internet and the proliferation of communication devices and information there’s not only other games in town but there’s a world of other games in the palm of your hand. With the retention span of the users falling to that of a gnat, drawing attention has become an arduous task and drawing attendance even tougher. You cannot market in 2016 with what was successful in 1966.

Read Metcalf’s comments about the Final Four. At one time fans were happy with a game, now they believe they deserve better.

Businesses that don’t realize they’re not the only game in town anymore not only do not prosper, they disappear.

But remember that Kobain also said Come As You Are.


Louisville Courier-Journal – DerbyHQ Top 20 | Shakeup sends Nyquist to No. 1

Kentucky Derby Leaderboard


Bloodhorse – Pedulla – Nyquist Trounces Mohaymen in Florida Derby

“I thought Mario rode a brilliant race,” said O’Neill in the winner’s circle. “He showed the way out of there and kept his position. Mario won the first turn which won the race.”

O’Neill also credited his entire staff in Southern California for getting Nyquist up to the race in winning order.

“The whole trip, other than being delayed a day, everything went right,” said O’Neill. “He traveled well, looked well and it’s a credit to the whole team how he came over, how he looked and how he ran.”

O’Neill said he also didn’t mind the rain or the wet track on Saturday.

“When it rained, we were happy,” said O’Neill. “He’s never trained on a wet track, but he seems like he can run on just about anything. Jonny Garcia, his regular exercise rider, said the one day he galloped here the track was much tighter than Santa Anita so he felt like he was really ready to run on a tight track after training on a Santa Anita track that has a little more cushion. But this was only his second time out as a 3-year-old and we’d be lying if he said we were completely optimistic going into the race. He exceeded our expectations for sure.”

ESPN – DRF – Welsch – Kentucky Derby next for Nyquist

Wagering on Saturday’s 14-race program, which included eight stakes worth $2.4 Million in purses, produced a Florida Derby Day record handle of $32,082,270, eclipsing last year’s total handle of $27,255, 586. The $32.082 Million figure also represented the highest handle ever recorded at Gulfstream other than on Breeders’ Cup Days.

Nyquist became the first West Coast invader to capture the Florida Derby since Empire Maker (2003) and the first Eclipse Award champion to prevail in the important 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby prep. As he embarks on the Triple Crown campaign, he will attempt to follow in the footsteps of I’ll Have Another, the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner who was owned by Paul Reddam, trained by O’Neill and ridden by Gutierrez.

“It’s such a team effort. I had reservations a month or so ago—Mohaymen in his own backyard, do we really want to do something like that? But we all very quickly got on the same page and, you know, I think we just had a very lucky trip. Mario broke great and did a great job riding and everything just went right. This whole trip other than being delayed one day, everything else went right,” O’Neill said. “…It’s a credit to the whole team how he came over, how he looked and how he ran.”

Lady and the Track – Undefeated Nyquist Wins Florida Derby and Heads to Louisville

Junior Alvarado, who rode Mohaymen for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Stable, said he felt his horse lacked his normal zest.

He said of the fourth home: “He’s a horse that all the time drags me and jumps into the bridle right away so when we turn to the backside he’s pulling me. This time he wasn’t pulling me.”

Racing Post – Scargill – Nyquist boosts Kentucky claims with Florida romp

NY Times – Hoppert – Nyquist Wins in Florida, Establishing Himself as the Favorite in Kentucky

LA Times – Cherwa – Nyquist stands alone after the Florida Derby

TDN – Sherack – Nyquist Dominates in FL Derby

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Nyquist wins Florida Derby; Mohaymen well short

TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Nyquist posts convincing victory, earns $1 million bonus in Florida Derby; Mohaymen fourth

Bloodhorse – Hunter – Pedigree Analysis: Caro

Taylor Made Stallions  – Forestry

TDN – Finley – Nyquist Finally Earned Respect, Or Did He?

Sal was wondering if Mario and Doug will get their 10% share of the $Million bonus when Sal remembered we’re dealing with Paul Reddam, not the furniture cheapo.

Sal’s borrowing one from Jean Lapierre – the Nyquist connections are happier than dogs in the back of a pickup truck.


While Oscar Nominated wasn’t nominated to the Triple Crown series, he can be supplemented for entry to the Derby for $200,000. The 50 points earned by way of his Spiral victory should be more than enough to cement a spot in the 20-horse starting gate.

“He’s going in one way or the other,” said Ken Ramsey, who nominated eight other horses to the Triple Crown series in search of his first Kentucky Derby.

Ramsey’s proposition to anyone listening: “If someone wants to pay the $200,000 supplemental fee, we’ll split whatever I earn out of his next three races, and he’ll go in the Preakness and Belmont assuming everything is OK. I’m pretty optimistic about him.”

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Ramseys into Derby with Spiral Stakes win

North Kentucky Tribune – Hansel – Horseshoe Casino Spiral Stakes winner Oscar Nominated likely to be Kentucky Derby supplemented

Bloodhorse – Oscar Nominated Takes Spiral for Ramseys

TDN – Sherack – Kitten’s Joy Colt Springs Major Upset in Spiral

Sal has no questions about this horse’s ability to get the Classic distance, but the Ramseys may have to get CDI to put that crap they use to desecrate good beer on St. Patrick’s Day on the Churchill Downs dirt so that Oscar Nominated thinks he’s on the green carpet.


On the plus side, the sun, missing for much of the afternoon, had finally come back after two of racing’s good guys, Larry Jones and Ken Ramsey, enjoyed significant wins on the $500,000 Spiral (G3) card.

Jones, who’s trained outstanding fillies like Havre de Grace, Eight Belles, Proud Spell, Believe You Can, and Lovely Maria, as well as Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Hard Spun, earned his 1000th career victory when He’ll Pay overcame post 12 to take the $99,250 Rushaway for three-year-olds at one mile.

“It’s been a long 32 years,” Jones said. “It’s been an overnight 32-year success.”

About an hour later, Ramsey won the Spiral for a third time when 23-1 longshot Oscar Nominated prevailed by a neck in the nine-furlong Polytrack test. The finish was so tight, the first five across the wire were separated by a less than a length.

Grinning from ear to ear, as has often been the case since the days of Kitten’s Joy, the sire of Oscar Nominated, in 2004, Ramsey now has another prospect for a race, the Kentucky Derby (G1), he so much wants to win, especially with a colt whose sire he owned and stands at stud.

Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker claimed Oscar Nominated for $75,000 out of a maiden win at Belmont Park in October, and he’s hardly disappointed. Though he missed in his first two starts for Ramsey in photo finishes, he’s made up for it in his last two starts taking the $50,000 Black Gold at Fair Grounds on the turf, and now the Spiral.

TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Wins for the good guys provide warmth on a chilly day at Turfway 


Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Trainer Jones Captures 1,000th Victory

ESPN – DRF – Russo – He’ll Pay wins Rushaway Stakes to give trainer Jones 1,000th win


TDN – Thornton – If Parx is Up for Grabs, Horsemen Want In


CTV – Alberta Primetime – What’s in Store for Horse Racing in Alberta?

Sal was wondering if the person asking questions went to the Infomercial school for feeding Pablum.

“We have to do things differently,” concedes LeLacheur.

CTV – Calgary – White – New agreement gives Alberta horse racing a late push towards viability

Sal watched both Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan in the above 2 clips and Sal says neither gave him a feeling of confidence in their abilities to lead a horse race industry renewal. As a matter of fact their expressions and mannerisms paralleled those of the chicken knowing that the axe is about to fall just playing out the string.


Montreal Gazette – Don Macpherson: Why Jean Lapierre delighted in the story of halal chicken “Îles-de-la-Madeleine style”


FiveThirtyEight – Toast Has Been A Fad For 150 Years

DRAW HOW TO MAKE TOAST


TDN – Wonderful Winx Wins The Doncaster

TDN – Back to back G1 TJ Smith Stakes for Chautauqua

Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Winx, Chautauqua Earn BC Berths in Australia


FiveThirtyEight – Roeder – Can You Solve The Impossible Puzzle?


Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard


Good day at Gulfstream for thoroughbreds with Alberta connections.

Bloodhorse – Novak – Reporting Star Edges Divisidero in Appleton

ESPN – Welsch – Reporting Star rises in Appleton

Reporting Star finished second to Broadway Empire in the 2013 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park and third to Title Contender and Hopeseeker in the 2013 British Columbia Derby.

Mike Tarp’s Kentucky homebred Go Maggie Go won the Gulfstream Park Oaks in convincing style for conditioner Dale Romans with Luis Saez in the irons easily knocking the short priced favourite Off The Tracks.

TDN – ‘Maggie Goes’ in GP Oaks

ESPN – DRF – Grening – Go Maggie Go wins Oaks

Lady and the Track – Hammer – Go Maggie Go Springs Upset in Gulfstream Park Oaks 

Mike’s Tarpys Zapper was a very respectable second in the next race a $60k MSW.

Sal was wondering if Shirley McClellan or Rick LeLacheur have any clue of who Mike Tarp is and why he doesn’t race and breed thoroughbreds in the province of Alberta anymore. Sal will give you a hint. It has something to do with the lack of performance by Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur in their positions with Horse Racing Alberta.

Sal heard a rumour that Shirley McClellan is still whining about some of the content of www.holybull.ca as it pertains to her and Rick LeLacheur. Sal will fare una promessa to Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur that if they voluntarily leave their positions at Horse Racing Alberta there won’t be any more posts about their performance.

Questo è per Phil:

Maggie May


Bloodhorse – Hammonds – Wonderment Wires Bourbonette Cast

TDN – NY Invader Blows Them Away in Bourbonette


Bloodhorse – Precious – No Purse Protection for Finger Lakes


Bloodhorse – Precious – NY OTBs, CDI Resume Rocky Simulcast Talks


NY Times – Carey – On C.T.E. and Athletes, Science Remains in Its Infancy


Montreal Gazette – Spiegelman – Opinion: Yes, I’m a vegetarian who wears leather shoes


FiveThirtyEight – Roeder – Should You Pay $250 To Play This Casino Game?


Bloodhorse – Suddenbreakingnews Works for Arkansas Derby

Bloodhorse – Untapable, Whitmore Breeze at Oaklawn

TDN – American Pioneer Preps for AR Derby


Bloodhorse – Brody’s Cause Among Blue Grass Probables


Bloodhorse – American Dubai Works at Keeneland


Bloodhorse – Shagaf, Flexibility Drill for Wood Memorial

TwinSpires Blog – Probables for Wood Memorial Day stakes announced


TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Empire Maker among the most underrated Florida Derby winners

1994 Florida Derby


Lady and the Track – Macatangay – Kentucky Oaks 2016 Contender Updates


Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Kaigun Breaks Through for Pan American Score


NY Times – Schonfield – What Happened When Venture Capitalists Took Over the Golden State Warriors

NY Times – Keeping Score – Hoffman – As Warriors Near a Record, the Bulls Offer a Model for a Dynasty


Bloodhorse – America’s Best Racing – Ehalt – Legends: Unbridled’s Lasting Impact


NY Times – The Editorial Board – Why Should ‘Never Trump’ Mean Ted Cruz?


ESPN – DRF – Hovdey – Sherman basking in the glow


Bloodhorse – Johnson – Caretaker, Aqueduct Remember Peeping Tom


NY Times – Parker-Pope – How to Start Running


Bloodhorse – Novak – Tepin, Catch a Glimpse Tune Up for Keeneland


The Globe and Mail – Kelly: Unsealed e-mails show an NHL in the midst of an existential crisis


ESPN – DRF – Andersen – Jockey Bejarano to serve three-day suspension


The Bitter Southerner – Borden – Not My Flag


Thoroughbred Internet – Berry – Stayers’ success shouldn’t be shocking


The Globe and Mail – Southey – Upset about the Jian Ghomeshi verdict? Don’t get mad – get informed

As much as the patriarchy may play its part, no one is better at cutting down a strong woman than other women.

Whether it’s on Twitter or in newsprint, Henein has been called everything from a gender traitor to a false-flag feminist. Her crime? Being really good at her job while simultaneously, and perhaps even cheekily, adopting all the gendered trappings of her power: the dramatic makeup, designer shoes, and dark suits.

“I’m not about to send myself back into the kitchen because somebody doesn’t like what I do,” she said.

But instead of celebrating her as a woman who has fought it all and won, she’s being called out. She’s been told she broke some magical bond of sisterhood that only applies until she disagrees, after which they’d like your feminist card back, please.

Last month, a columnist in another newspaper suggested Henein shouldn’t have been asked to speak to a room of young lawyers because of her defence tactics in the Ghomeshi trial. That ad hoc attack came at the same time as reports women were leaving criminal law in record numbers, and completely ignored Henein’s pro bono work with sex workers and to overturn Canada’s prostitution laws. Instead of holding Henein up as an example of someone who excels regardless of gender, the columnist held her to a different standard because of her sex. That’s literally the definition of a double standard, and it was being reinforced by another woman.

If the goal of feminism is social and economic equality between the sexes, why do we cat fight over the means to the end?

National Post – Ashley Csanady: Policing Ghomeshi’s lawyer’s feminism serves only to undermine feminism’s true aim

Sal was wondering what the feminist version of Uncle Tom was.


National Post – Conrad Black: The Jian Ghomeshi case illustrates why we should be grateful for Canada’s courts


LA Times – Hilzik – Time Warner Cable and the Dodgers finally discover the limits of greed


Garden and Gun – Lotz – Life Lessons from the Man Who Wrote the Book on Golf


Bloodhorse – Fierro – Freshman Sires of 2016: Conclusion


Hawthorne Sal

  3 Responses to “Hawthorne Sal’s Suddenly Salient Smashing Stories – Negli Archivi – Nove”

  1. STATUS QUO IN HERALD ARTICLE MEANS MORE UNCERTAINTY FOR FUTURE

    Positive news from some of the powers to be are quoted in Scott Mitchell article, However the September 1, deadline proposed by NORTHLANDS is unattainable for $165 million of tax players funds, after getting $100 million in grants for WHITE ELEPHANT that was going to be self sufficient but in reality is losing a estimated $3 million a year? I wonder how much of the backstretch funding went to fixing the leaking Clark builder roof or paying for replacing the light bulbs/ or tarring that roof instead of the winter barns?

    REID boasts of his management team why are 4/9 VP’S in their website under officers and senior managers still faceless since mentioned in the fall, are they UNDERCOVER BOSSES like their previous leader , certainly the STD crew read sal at hollybull!

    REXALL PLACE last game tomorrow will the loyalists be taking keepsakes home, MUCKA experienced the last game at the OLYMPIA in DETROIT, it made the NORTHLANDS grounds look majestic!

    PC party proposes 50k for public input in saving $ 4 billion in LOW HANGING FRUIT, maybe getting rid of all the OLD TORY CRONIES would be a start along with free GELDING services for wild ideas?

    ALBERTA’S poll show 88% say the economy is in POOR or BAD shape, yet not a whisper about the RACINO extension from the legislators yesterday, maybe they know that a street sweeper is coming?

  2. Sal, Mario get’s his 10, the O’Neill brothers get the rest…talk about a top quality owner to go along with a pretty classy horse.

  3. TENILE TO POST HRA 2016 RACE DATES IN 2017?

    CEO has stated that the HRA will post 2016 race dates when they are finalized, it’s April 2016 but no HRA dates have been posted is this governance on their part or a indication of their pathetic job performance!

    MINISTER CECI was emailed by MUCKA about the recent MOU announcement if OHSA legislation protects the safety of racing participants with required maintenance of facilities covered by required WCB instead of having the HBPA go to arbitration for repairs, however alderman NICKEL was also cc’d!

    EDMONTON COUNCIL with alderman MIKE NICKEL”S 11 aspects of Northlands plans to be reviewed by September 1. will have a rumoured barn tour of the PRISTINE backstretch with its CASCADING WATERFALLS and HOLY grounds, please ensure that the shed rows are swept and flowers watered.

    STAKE PROGRAM posted by ASHA professional 13 page document, with harness racing still at NORTHLANDS while HBPA are still awaiting their cheque in the mail. What’s wrong with this picture?

    LEGISLATURE returns tomorrow will the 10 year $300+ million racino extension agreement pass the smell test with the rest of population, should be interesting including comments from supporter MASON.

    KEVIN PETERSON losing his battle with cancer with long time partner SHEILA O’BRIEN hits a personal note on my part from the late 1980s when as publisher with the CALGARY HERALD his support for thoroughbred racing was unsurpassed, as he could take off his tie and enjoy a cool one and proclaim his love for the sport of kings, he will be missed but not the lasting memories!

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