Sal’s Countdown to the

2017 Kentucky Derby

Tre

 

I have just one superstition. Whenever I hit a home run, I make certain I touch all four bases.

Babe Ruth

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Dancer

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Washington Post – Vargas – A baseball mystery: Did a teenage girl really strike out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig?

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Fistful of Dollars

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GLEN TODD’S DERBY TOP TEN

GLEN TODD’S DERBY TOP  10 

I’m really not sold on anybody as being a standout, this years Kentucky Derby is totally a wide open affair.  I wouldn’t think the morning line favorite will be under 4-1.  At least 10 of 20 runners will be over 30 -1 with some well over 50-1. 

1: IRISH WAR CRY – I had to pick someone and I have flip flopped several times and the Graham Motion trainer runner is today’s top pick 

2: ALWAYS DREAMING – The Todd Pletcher trainee has run the fastest 1 1/8 miles so far but Pletcher’s Derby record stops me from picking him as #1 

3: CLASSIC EMPIRE – I have picked Classic Empire in the third spot but not convinced his return after a layoff because of a foot injury that the field he beat was far from stellar. 

4: McCRAKEN –  My thoughts on the Ian Wilkes trained son of Ghostzapper is that he will go the distance and is improving after an ankle issue set him back a few weeks.  One really wonders if that ankle issue will be a problem going forward? 

5: PRACTICAL JOKE – The Chad Brown hopeful is an outstanding looking individual, large, strong and will be charging at the end.  I don’t think the mile and quarter will hurt him, actually it could help him. 

6: GIRVIN – He has trained well since the Louisiana Derby and has Mike Smith named as the rider.  I might have him ranked too low but any one of my picks are ranked higher by some experts. 

7: J BOYS ECHO – This horse was in a ton of trouble in the Bluegrass and should improve going further but the big field could hinder him and needs a perfect trip. I’m surely going to add him to my tri’s and super tickets. 

8: IRAP – I have him picked 8^th but you could say this is a bit of a sentimental pick as the Doug O’Neill trainer will have Mario Gutierrez aboard.  Irap was a maiden when he won the Bluegrass at Keeneland and will be a big price. 

9: Hence – This horse has been moving forward since his last start in his am drills.  The Asmussen runner will be another with some value and that is the reason I have him in my top 10. 

10: ROYAL MO –  Like Irap he is California based and I have only two California based horse in my picks.  Since Mastery went down I don’t think this is the strongest bunch of Cal based horses in some years. He was in a ton of trouble in Santa Derby and could move forward in the Derby.

DRF – Derby Watch

Bloodhorse – Haskin – Derby Dozen – April 18, 2017 – Presented by Shadwell Farm

TDN – Thornton – WinStar TDN Derby Top 20 for Apr. 18

Horse Race Insider – Alas, the Cream of the Crop Has Risen

Paulick Report – Kentucky Derby: Who’s In, Who’s Out Of The Top 20

Louisville Courier- Journal – Frakes – Who’s in, who’s out of Kentucky Derby 2017

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Road to the 2017 Kentucky Derby

Brisnet – Scully – Illinois Derby can flatter Kentucky Derby contenders

TDN – Massam – Illinois Derby Returns from One-Year Hiatus

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TDN – Duckworth – McGraw Wins 11th Annual Ryan Book Award

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TDN – Friday’s Derby/Oaks Update

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Race 1	3 – Fall At Last 5 – All Under Control 2 – Honor River	3 – Fall At Last 2 – Honor River 5 – All Under Control
Race 2	2 – Bullet 6 – Jazzed 3 – Oma	6 – Jazzed 4 – Queen of Barn I 1 – Au Clair de Lune
Race 3	5 – Cederberg 3 – Lassie’s Reward 1 – Papa Sol	5 – Cederberg 4 – Lornefivehundred 3 – Lassie’s Reward
Race 4	3 – C U At Eau Claire 1 – Dear Lilly 5 – Morning Coffee	1 – Dear Lilly 3 – C U At Eau Claire 2 – Castellani
Race 5	4 – Sol Cat 9 – Good as They Get 6 – Zap Town	7 – Fantastic Command 9 – Good as They Get 1 – Santa Fe Trail
Race 6	1 – Ruffenuff 6 – Babys Got Track 3 – Total Defence	1 – Ruffenuff 5 – Good Luck to You 7 – Artistica
Race 7	10 – Blue Dancer 7 – Distinctiv Passion 6 – Modern	7 – Distinctiv Passion 6 – Modern 10 – Blue Dancer
Race 8	7 – Majestic Mark 5 – Power to Believe 6 – Indy Racer	7 – Majestic Mark 5 – Power to Believe 1 – Let’s Have a Double
	Mike’s Picks	Drew’s Picks

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TDN – Blake – Raven’s Pass An Underrated Proven Sire

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Bloodhorse – Johnson – Will Stanford Be Defeated in the Charles Town Classic?

Bloodhorse – Litfin: Hot Pace Likely in Charles Town Classic

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US Racing – Simon – Using Running Styles To Identify Kentucky Derby Contenders & Pretenders

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Bloodhorse – Always Dreaming Pleases Pletcher in Florida Move

Brisnet – Caldwell – Always Dreaming, Patch and Gunnevera breeze for Kentucky Derby in Florida

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Brisnet – Caldwell – Kentucky Derby quartet work at Churchill Downs, Keeneland

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Bloodhorse – Shea – State of Honor, Salty Breeze for Casse at Churchill

Paulick Report – State Of Honor ‘Developing Well’; Impending Weather Threatens Derby, Oaks Workout Plans

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TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Don’t be put off by Pletcher’s Kentucky Derby stats

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Brisnet – Caldwell – Daddys Lil Darling, Tequilita ready for Kentucky Oaks at Keeneland

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Brisnet – Reilly – Unbridled Mo resists ‘Power’ in Doubledogdare

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Paulick Report – Weekend Lineup: Charles Town Classic

Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.’s Jakobs Rocket Girl steps up from her maiden special weight victory  to Saturday’s  Game Face Stake going 7 furlongs for $75,000US on the Gulfstream Park dirt. She drew the one hole for trainer Ralph Nicks with Edgar Zayas in the irons.

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Sal says it’s a bad year to be an NHL playoff team from a city that starts with a C as Calgary, Chicago and Columbus were the first teams eliminated.

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Bloodhorse – El Areeb Recovering From Knee Injury

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Horse Race Insider – Jicha – Kentucky Derby points system gets it right

Sal says that the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne should be included in the points system even if only at 10-4-2-1.

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Bloodhorse – Angst – Pletcher Ready for Another Kentucky Derby Run

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Slow Hands

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TwinSpires Blog – Mucciolo’s Sophomore Spotlight: Illinois Derby, Federico Tesio Previews

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TwinSpires Blog – Powell – Handicapping Insights – Takeaways from Classic Empire’s Arkansas Derby victory

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Bloodhorse – Caren to Make Seasonal Debut in Whimsical

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Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Clark – An invaluable guide to help retired racehorses succeed in their new careers

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TDN – Riley – Prominent Sire Cape Cross Dies

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TDN – Leslie’s Lady Named 2016 Broodmare of the Year, Arrogate Kentucky H.O.Y.

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Horse Race Insider – Pricci – The State of Racing’s Union: It Is What It Has Become

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Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Why Classic Empire has such a huge chance in the Kentucky Derby

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TDN – Durkin Joins West Point Partnership on Always Dreaming

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ESPN – DRF – Privman – On the outside looking in — but not for long

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TwinSpires Blog – Mucciolo’s Sophomore Spotlight: Arkansas Derby & Lexington Recaps

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Brisnet – Shapiro – Southern California’s hopes in the 2017 Kentucky Derby

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Paulick Report – Castellano To Ride Gunnevera In Kentucky Derby

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TDN – DeBernardis – Down the Shedrow with Kiaran McLaughlin

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Brisnet – Lynn Whiting, won Kentucky Derby with Lil E. Tee, dead at 77

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TDN – Berry – Scat Daddy Colt Seals Record Craven Sale

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Bloodhorse – Balan – Stablemates Collected, Cupid Square Off in Californian

Brisnet – Hanson – Collected, Cupid give Baffert solid pair for Californian

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Bloodhorse – Stanford Seeks Charles Town Classic Repeat

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Bloodhorse – Shulman – Itsinthepost Heads Field of Turfers in Dixiana Elkhorn

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NY Times – Pennington – The Fall of Aaron Hernandez

Sal says that a good head will beat a pair of good hands any day of the week.

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TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Kentucky Derby BRIS Speed Rating Report April 18: Classic Empire back on track

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TDN – Oppenheim: Training Time

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Bloodhorse – Adolphson – Malagacy Marches on for Sumaya U.S.

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Paulick Report – Voss – What’s The Deal With TCO2, Anyway?

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NY Times – Krichko – China’s Stone Age Skiers and History’s Harsh Lessons

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Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Karmel – The stallions that are helping New York breeders compete with Kentucky

Bloodhorse – Wincze Hughes – Two-Time Champion Tepin Retired

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Bloodhorse – Wincze Hughes – Unbridled Mo Brings Class Into Doubledogdare

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Bloodhorse – Adolphson – The Pizza Man Gets Rolling Again

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NY Times – Mather – Former Patriots Star Aaron Hernandez Hanged Himself in Prison, Officials Say

LA Times – AP – Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez fatally hangs himself in Massachusetts cell

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National Post – Brean – Orphaned Banff bear cubs now safe in Ontario despite efforts by Alberta and B.C. to block rescue

Paulick Report – Frank Mitchell – Bloodlines Presented By Merck Animal Health: Inside Straight Laced With Power Of Native Dancer

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Edmonton Journal – CP – Firefighters cut paths through ice to shore to save Alberta horses

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The Bitter Southerner – Townsend – Writing About Beer: Almost as Good as Drinking It

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Bloodhorse – Wincze Hughes – McCraken Back to Business in Four-Furlong Move

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TDN – Op/Ed Feedback: Gary Biszantz

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Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Shields – The rider who’s taking Woodbine by storm – thanks to an accident that nearly ended his career

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Bloodhorse – McCoy – Experience Helps Allen Compete at Tampa Bay Downs

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Paulick Report – Cloud Computing May Be More Likely For Preakness Than Kentucky Derby

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DRF – McGee – McLaughlin’s Saturday one for the books

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Paulick Report – Ohio State Racing Commission Schedules Open Forum On Out-Of-Competition Testing

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DRF – McGee – Lady Aurelia pulls off rare feat

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NY Times – Nixon – Patrolling the Border on Four Legs

Chicago Now – Neulist – Scott Becker Trainee Stand and Cheer, Six Others Probable for Illinois Derby

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Brisnet – Classic Empire arrives at Churchill; Hence, J Boys Echo work

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Bloodhorse – Kentucky Downs, EquiLottery Enter Into Agreement

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Tougher Than the Rest

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Southern Living – Bender – Grumpy Answers Your Top April Gardening Questions

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Bloodhorse – Royal Mo, Battle of Midway Work Toward Kentucky Derby

Brisnet – Caldwell – State of Honor, Salty breeze at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby, Oaks

Paulick Report – Golden – Battle Of Midway Works Toward Derby; Shirreffs Hoping Royal Mo Gets In The Gate

TDN – Girvin Breezes at Trackside Louisville

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Bloodhorse – Reeder – Al Ain Takes First Leg of Japan’s Triple Crown

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TwinSpires Blog – Paradise Woods, Miss Sky Warrior impress in final Kentucky Oaks preps

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LA Times – Boxall – One key way soggy California could save water for the next rainless days

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TDN – Lady Aurelia “Great” After Win

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Paulick Report – Voss – Barn Buddies: The Yearling And The Wolf

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Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Ross – How would U.S. racing work in a brave new drug-restricted world?

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Paulick Report – A ‘Magical’ Saturday At Keeneland For McLaughlin And Crew

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TDN – Adolphson – Gun Runner Another Big Shot for Cauthen

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Paulick Report – Equine Guelph Creates Online Colic Risk Calculator

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Bloodhorse – Balan – Aristocratic Speeds to San Pedro Victory

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Bloodhorse – Made Bail Spoils Return of Ben’s Cat

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National Post – Washington Post – Benswick – Handcrafted chicken soup doesn’t happen in 30 minutes, but it can take less work than you might think

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Bloodhorse – Ron and Eric Mitchell – Keeneland Creates Book 1 Bonus for September Sale

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White Rabbit

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HAPPY EASTER RACE FANS FROM THE DERBY BAR AND GRILL

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The Globe and Mail – Chocolate is good for you? Sure, and the Easter bunny is real, too

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TDN – Bill Finley – On Easter, Bunnies are Fine, Horses are Not

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Burning Down The House

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Wistar – Super Saver’s Inside Straight takes down big money in Oaklawn Hdcp. (G2)  

“It’s just unbelievable,” the owner said. “I don’t know how this can be true. It’s a long ways from Canada. I’ve got a lot of friends in Alberta up there watching. This is just incredible to win this. I should be home planting beets. But my son and wife are looking after things at home. I think they probably thought I was on a wild goose chase, but I had a pretty good day.”

Bloodhorse – Balan – Inside Straight Springs Oaklawn Handicap Upset

DRF – Hersh – Inside Straight pushes past Midnight Storm in Oaklawn

“This horse has just been getting better and better, training better, working better,” said Diodoro. “He’s a horse that just made the step to the next level, and he proved it today. Can’t say enough about the horse. Franco suits him. I give my assistant, Rob Atras a lot of credit. It was his idea two starts back to take the blinkers off him. I think that’s helped the horse a lot, helped him relax. Awesome win, that’s all I can say. Great for the owner, Randy Howg. Can’t say enough about him. Twenty-three years I’ve trained for him. He’s a great man, and he deserves it.”

Howg, a sugar-beet farmer from Alberta, Canada, was also winning the biggest race of his career as an owner. “It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “I don’t know how this can be true. It’s a long ways from Canada. I’ve got a lot of friends in Alberta up there watching. This is just incredible to win this. I should be home planting beets. But my son and wife are looking after things at home. I think they probably thought I was on a wild goose chase, but I had a pretty good day.

“We did win the Oklahoma Derby with another horse, but I had four partners,” Howg added. “I’ve been with my trainer since 1995, so it’s kind of a love affair. We’ve been together a long time. He’s been great to me, and I think I’ve been good to him too.”

Paulick Report – Inside Straight Pulls Off Oaklawn Handicap Upset At 19-1

Sal says them’s sugar beets he should be planting not borscht beets. Pretty good day alright. Randy and Robertino had no idea how much their day would improve from Tizfun’s second place finish in a $80,000US  MSW to being in the winner’s circle for the $750,000US GII Oaklawn Handicap.

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Ace of Spades

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Bloodhorse – Novak – American Patriot Steals Maker’s 46 Mile

Paulick Report – Thrilling Maker’s 46 Mile Gives Pletcher Record-Breaking Win With American Patriot

Finishing second to Pletcher’s record setter was another southern Albertan Terry Hamilton’s Heart to Heart,  a son of English Channel bred in Ontario by another Albertan Darrell Bauder’s Red Hawk Ranch.

Sal says let’s hope that the Alberta interest in thoroughbred racing can survive the currently pro-jiggie regime at Horse Racing Alberta and sustain itself until the Century Mile opens a new era of thoroughbred racing in the province on western Canada’s only mile thoroughbred track. Yes, Sal knows that Alberta Downs was an almost mile track, but Sal says he heard rumours that the Doukhobors were going to be plowing up the track and turf to plant row upon row of borscht beets.

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Piece of My Heart

Song For Ellen

Sal says that for a fist full of shekels more Churchill could have got Harry to throw in the call to the Post.

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National Anthem

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ESPN – DRF – Privman – Dortmund is done with racing

Sal says what does Monaco have against Dortmund.

The Telegraph – Doyle, Hall, Sawer and Rothwell – Borussia Dortmund explosions: Islamist suspect arrested over bus bombs as prosecutors investigate ‘terrorist link’

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Eli’s Coming

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Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.

William Shakespeare

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Vancouver Sun – Anthony Gismondi: Celebrate with classic Easter wine and food matches

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LA Times – Comiskey – Why one L.A. wine expert has Georgia on his mind. The country, that is

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Back In The USSR

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Then too, how are we to enjoy prognosticating on who is going to win the Kentucky Derby when we don’t know much about the players?

Maybe the hypothetical, young trainer with that full-page ad will spark a welcome new fad.

TDN – Cot Campbell – Op/Ed: Runners Rarely Run

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Runaway

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Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – How Francesca Cumani is gearing up for her major new role on British TV

Sal says it looks like she’s gearing up by matching her hats with her dress.

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Sharp Dressed Man

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Edmonton Journal – Clancy – ‘Granny gang’ aims to sell more than $20,000 in fabric during upcoming sale

Sal says that between Cherry and the Cowboys this sale could be sold out in 30 seconds.

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Bloodhorse – Always Dreaming Finishes Strong in Friday Breeze

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Good Vibrations

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It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.

Thomas Jefferson

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Garden and Gun – Lotz – Honky-Tonk Heaven: 75 Years of Floore’s Country Store

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Bloodhorse – Fierro – Sunny Side of the Street

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Dancing In The Street

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National Post – AP – Two athletes, one heart: How an NFL player’s organs were transplanted into Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew

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Vancouver Sun –  Jason Botchford: Willie Desjardins deserves your sympathy — and criticism

Sal says that the Canuckleheads may have been second last in the standings but they were first in firing their coach.

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ESPN – Phil Jackson: Carmelo Anthony ‘better off somewhere else’

but Jackson made it clear he thought Anthony should consider accepting a trade to a team on the cusp of winning the title.

…

Jackson said he would be looking for a significant return in any deal and that Anthony relayed to the Knicks some of the teams he would be willing to accept a trade to before the deadline. The Knicks talked to at least three teams about trades involving Anthony, but Jackson said they didn’t find a trade that was “rational” for the club to pursue.

Sal says that Phil Jackson must think that every other NBA GM can’t read and can’t hear. If he’s looking for a substantial return for Melo then why does he continue bashing him in public.

Sal says the Knicks would be a hell of a lot better sans Phil than sans Melo.

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Three Dressed Up As A Nine

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I had three rules for my players: No profanity. Don’t criticize a teammate. Never be late.

John Wooden

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Bloodhorse – Precious – New York Shifts All Drug Test Costs to Horsemen, Tracks

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NY Times – Rush – Quest for On-Ice Equality Echoes a Fight From 30 Years Ago

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There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

Will Rogers

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Bloodhorse – Haskin – Covering the Derby

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You’ll Never Walk Alone

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A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring, one for talking through, and one for pulling rabbits out of if elected.

Carl Sandburg

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LA Times – Erskine – As my son dreams of the big leagues, puberty doesn’t make life’s curveballs any easier

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You know, Charlie Brown, they say we learn more from losing than from winning.

Linus

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Angel From Montgomery

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Paulick Report – Schweitzer – Keeneland Presents American Graded Stakes Standings: Hey, Hey, Paula

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Hey Paula

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Racing Future – Horses have started arriving at Fort Erie for the 2017 season

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Horses Collars

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The Globe and Mail – Archer – United Airlines chaos reveals truth behind overbooking flights

Linked – Crenshaw – Here’s how to avoid a United incident at your company

LA Times – Martin – Why airlines sell too many seats and why it might make sense

Sal says we’re the dumb ones who trust these companies to fly us around the globe and yet they can’t figure out how to solve the overbooked problem amicably.

Carriers should try to resolve overbooking problems in the terminal, before passengers get on the plane. It is harder to get passengers to give up their spots once they are seated.

National Post – Rex Murphy: The only thing modern universities couldn’t make worse is United Airlines’ PR team

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You are very amiable, no doubt, but you would be charming if you would only depart.

Alexandre Dumas

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Black Dog

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Bloodhorse – Girvin, Fast and Accurate Work Toward Derby

Brisnet – Caldwell – Gunnevera, Always Dreaming and Gormley work on opposite coasts for Kentucky Derby

TDN – Girvin Breezes at Trackside Louisville

TDN – Gunnevera Gears Up at Gulfstream West

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Reading isn’t good for a ballplayer. Not good for his eyes. If my eyes went bad even a little bit I couldn’t hit home runs. So I gave up reading.

Babe Ruth

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Sweet Home Alabama

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Bloodhorse – Wincze Hughes – Classic Empire Delivers in Arkansas Derby

Bloodhorse – Wincze – Hughes – Team Casse Celebrates Classic Empire’s Return to Form

ESPN – DRF – Rampellini – Classic Empire bounces back with Arkansas Derby victory

US Racing – Ransom – Classic Empire Regains Reign In Arkansas Derby, Headed To Louisville

Brisnet – Scully – Classic Empire restores Kentucky Derby hopes with powerful Arkansas Derby win

Paulick Report – Classic Empire Finds His Best Stride For Arkansas Derby Triumph

TDN – Classic Empire Back to Winning Ways in Arkansas

Sal says that Julien Leparoux’s choice of mounts for the Kentucky Derby was rendered obvious by Classic Empire’s performance on Saturday stopping the clock at 148.93 for the 1 1/8 mile only .53 seconds slower than Randy Howg’s Inside Straight in the GII Oaklawn Handicap.

With Conquest Mo Money finishing a staggering second in the Arkansaw (Phonetic) Derby and Irap winning the Blue Grass Sal says that suddenly the Sunland Derby seems to be a key 2017 Derby prep.

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Stairway to Heaven

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Bloodhorse – Shea – Senior Investment Circles Field to Take Lexington

Brisnet – Hanson – Senior Investment catches West Coast late in Lexington

TDN – Discreetly Mine’s Senior Investment Upsets the Lexington

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Bohemian Rhapsody

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Sal says that all the naysayers  whining about the lack of quality in the 2017 Kentucky Derby field remind Sal of the old song Hello Mudda Hello Fadda. Well guess what it’s time to kindly disregard this letter.

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Writing in English is the most ingenious torture ever devised for sins committed in previous lives. The English reading public explains the reason why.

James Joyce

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TDN – Farrell Works Beneath the Twin Spires

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Paulick Report – Prairie Meadows Installs New ‘Rider Protection System’ Inside Rail

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Ulysses

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Paulick Report – Voss – Lost And Found Presented By Horseware: Former Jockey Kevin Krigger Mulls Comeback

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Do You Want to Dance

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Outstanding photograph: Cody Gregory

Paulick Report – Sovereign Awards: Caren Honored As Canadian Horse Of The Year

Bloodhorse – Sovereign Awards: Caren, Casse, Adena Lead the Night

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I hate politics and what are considered their appropriate measures. I hate notoriety, public meetings, public speeches, caucuses and everything that I know of which is apparently the necessary incident of politics—except doing public work to the best of my ability.

Sir John Abbott

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Bloodhorse – Shea – Watershed Breaks Through in Ben Ali

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LA Times – The future is in … a parking garage? Here’s one way driverless cars will change urban development

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TDN – Dickinson Collars Lady Eli in Final Strides of Jenny Wiley

Brisnet – Dickinson denies Lady Eli in Jenny Wiley, crowns big day for Godolphin

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TDN – Lady Aurelia Returns a Winner at Keeneland

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Legs

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TDN – Harvey – Stallion Career Beckons For Tivaci

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Doubleback

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Bloodhorse – Hammonds – Whitmore Rolls in Count Fleet

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Bloodhorse – Balan – Lord Simba Runs Away With Los Angeles

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Paulick Report – Making Changes Gradually To A Horse’s Diet Prevents Gastric Upset

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National Post – Andrew Coyne: George Brown, the forgotten man of Canadian history

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Fool Yourself

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Hawthorne Sal