Feb 252023
 

The uncomfortable concept of “sportswashing” prevents a full embrace of Saudi Arabia’s deep dive into such endeavors as Formula 1 Racing, soccer, pro wrestling and mixed martial arts, tennis, golf, and even pool, though the kingdom’s human rights record and treatment of women and other minorities have not prevented any number of international sporting figures from enthusiastic participation. Perhaps Thoroughbred racing should be complimented that the sport is on the Saudi shopping list at all.

Yet, while money can buy you love—or at least passing affection—it takes more than a splashy $20 million to acquire credibility. As long the 2020 results of the Saudi Cup dangle in limbo, anything else that happens in Riyadh on the last Saturday in February is tough to take seriously.

Bloodhorse – Hovdey – Way Past Midnight for Saudi Cup Purse Decision

Phil has a question:

Is Maximum Security’s Saudi Cup winning purse money being held in maximum security.

Why hasn’t the purse been redistributed.

What do you think West’s chances would be if he sued in a Saudi Court.

What do you think Midnight Bisou’s connections’ chances would be if they sue in a Saudi Court.

Would the odds be lower or higher than Baffert’s suing in a Kentucky Court.

Will the Saudi legal system get more transparent if Scottie sends the formula for transparent aluminum.

How fast would West have been on the litigation draw if the purse was held up in the USA, UK, France, Australia or Canada.

When Servis dropped Maximum Security in for a tag did the other trainers know what the regulators didn’t, that Servis was juicing.


This weeks races on the Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby 149

Mar 4, 2023

Gulfstream Park

Fountain of Youth  50-20-15-10-5

Aqueduct

Gotham 50-20-15-10-5

Santa Anita Park

San Felipe 50-20-15-10-5

Turfway Park

John Battaglia Memorial 20-8-6-4-2


Paulick Report – Yakteen Enters Hejazi, Three Other Former Baffert Runners In San Felipe

Bill Dory and Adam Ference’s Chase the Chaos drew the rail in a very tough 11 horse San Felipe field. With his prowess on fake dirt the John Battaglia Memorial over a Turfway Park may have been a easier choice.

TDN – Bill Finley –  Report: More Baffert Horses, Including Arabian Knight, Moved to Yakteen Barn

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Godfrey – Kentucky Derby: Baffert stars switched to Yakteen – headed by Arabian Knight

Bloodhorse – Rollins – Arabian Knight, Three Others Transferred to Yakteen

Phil has a question:

Will the trainer line be Bafteen or Yakfert.

Will the trainer line be Tob or Bim.

What is taking so long in the Medina Spirit disqualification appeal.

TDN – Slip Mahoney Works for Gotham

Paulick Report – ‘We’re All Systems Go’: Cox’s Promising Maiden Winner Slip Mahoney Breezes For Gotham, Unbeaten Eyeing Clover Also Likely For Race

TDN – Arkansas Derby Could be Next for Confidence Game

Paulick Report – Yates – Arkansas Derby ‘First Option’ For Rebel Winner Confidence Game, Runner-Up Red Route One Could Target Louisiana Derby

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – SOGGY REBEL AND HONEYBEE RESULTS ONLY MUDDY THE DERBY-OAKS LANDSCAPE

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Forte, Blazing Sevens Square Off in Fountain of Youth

DRF – Welsch – Forte, Blazing Sevens lead field of 10 for Fountain of Youth


DRF – Derby Watch


Bloodhorse – McCroskey – Undefeated Red Carpet Ready Steps Up in Davona Dale


NCAA – 5 stunners that rocked men’s college basketball on the last Saturday before March

ESPN – Lunardi – 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology

ESPN – AP – Houston returns to No. 1 in men’s college basketball poll

ESPN – Gasaway – Bubble Watch 2023: Brace yourself for NCAA tournament drama

ESPN – Men’s Tournament Challenge


The Star – Chong – Beer sales hit all-time low as Canada’s alcohol sales see largest drop in a decade, new report finds

Edmonton Journal – Mann – Nav ‘Superfan’ Bhatia supports newcomers to Canada with the help of peanut butter

Squirrel Extra Smooth

1964 – #22 Joe Kapp Drinking Glasses

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Dennis – Quick, before it melts – welcome to the White Turf, the most spectacular racing show on earth

Front Office Sports – McCarthy – ‘Yellowstone’ Star Cole Hauser to Become Face of Pro Bull Riders

The only good reason to ride a bull is to meet a nurse.

Cowboy Wisdom

The Ringer – Gittell – ‘The Fabelmans’ Is Steven Spielberg at His Bravest. Give Him the Best Director Oscar.

TSN – Poile to step down as Predators GM, Trotz to take over

ESPN – 2023 NHL trade deadline: Grades for every big deal

TSN – Devils acquire Meier from Sharks

Phil has a question:

Is there a worse sports talking head than Craig Button.

ESPN – Barnwell – Predicting 2023 NFL offseason moves: How to improve all 32 teams

Phil has a question:

How many teams really need to be blowed up.

DRF – Hersh – Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Rebel Stakes analysis

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Confidence Game Pulls a Fast One in Rebel Stakes

Paulick Report – Hoyt – Road To The Kentucky Derby: Confidence Game Springs 18-1 Surprise In Rebel

TDN – Candy Ride’s Confidence Game Splashes Home In Rebel

Phil has a question:

Who rode a worse race: Irad Otiz Jr. on Giant Mischief or Florent Geroux on Verifying.

Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gargle.

Robert Anthony

Something In The Way

Something

Bloodhorse – McCroskey – Wet Paint Delivers Finishing Stroke in Honeybee

TDN – Wet Paint Provides Thrilling Finish To Honeybee

Paulick Report – Road To The Kentucky Oaks: Big Late Charge Propels Wet Paint To Honeybee Victory

Painting By Numbers

TDN – Sue Finley – Keeneland Reoffer of Six Two-Year-Old `Collector’s Items’ Opens Monday

Keeneland – Reoffer of Six 2-Year-Olds

Phil has a question:

After listening to and reading all the completely erroneous trade rumours and proposals emanating from the Canadian sports media would you bet on their picks to win any game.

After listening to and reading all the completely erroneous trade rumours and proposals emanating from the Canadian sports media about Karlsson or Kane coming to the Oilers how can those myopic idiots not see that the Oilers need a goalie more than anything else.

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Hovdey – ‘Casey’s Shadow gets into the details like few feature films – dialogue, dynamics, and the actual handling of the horses’

Don’t believe the hollow words of sympathy, just look at the actions.

Sports Illustrated – Forde – Alabama’s Reaction to Brandon Miller’s Pre-Game Introduction Shows True Priorities

As Phil’s driving down the road the other day Phil saw one of the best car decals showing the driver’s country.

EW Designs D Germany Country Code Oval Sticker Decal Vinyl German Euro Bumper Sticker Vinyl Sticker Car Truck Decal 5"

No. It wasn’t Deutschland it was BBQ. Phil appreciated the subtlety.

Bloodhorse – Neil Poznansky on Elite Power’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint

TDN – Heather – Anderson – American Sprint Champ Elite Power Gives Dettori And Juddmonte The Victory In Riyadh Dirt Sprint

TDN – Panthalassa A First Saudi Cup Winner for Japan

Bloodhorse – Kieckhefer – Japan’s Panthalassa Repels Country Grammer in Saudi Cup

TDN – Carasso – Commissioner King Outslugs Havnameltdown In Saudi Derby

Bloodhorse – Kieckhefer – Commissioner King Denies Havnameltdown in Saudi Derby

Bloodhorse – Angst – Saudi Cup Undercard: Bathrat Leon Holds off Casa Creed

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – UPDATE FINAL: HONEYBEE, CAROUSEL AND REBEL ANALYSES, PLUS THE BIG-FIELD LATE PICK 3

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Saez Captures Saudi International Jockeys Challenge

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

Plato

The Ringer – Nayman – ‘Cocaine Bear’ has the perfect title, and the perfect red-band trailer. If only the movie could live up to the hype.


Phil M Stockmen

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