Mar 212023
 

Tarkanian died at age 84 on Feb. 11, 2015. As a tribute, members of UNLV’s title team, including Hunt, Johnson and Augmon, gathered in a Las Vegas tattoo parlor to get inked and commemorate their coach and their record-setting 103-73 win over Duke.

The lights of the Strip were dimmed for three minutes, a southern Nevada honor reserved for U.S. presidents (John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan) and Las Vegas royalty (Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley).

What would Tarkanian, who was as popular as any Strip headliner and once had Ol’ Blue Eyes himself make a recruiting call, have thought of the NCAA actually brightening the lights on his old stomping grounds with a Big Dance residency?

He would be vindicated, but not vindictive, said his youngest son, George Tarkanian.

ESPN – Gutierrez – The NCAA loves Las Vegas, but that wasn’t always the case

The more your players have to think on the basketball court, the slower their feet get.

Jerry Tarkanian

Rebel, Rebel

ESPN – Purdum – How Las Vegas became a host city for the NCAA West Regional

For a loser, Vegas is the meanest town on earth.

Hunter S. Thompson

Ooh Las Vegas

Phil has a question:

Did Halloween come early in Las Vegas as there seemed to be a large chunk of fans wearing their empty seat costumes to the UConn Huskies – Arkansas Razorbacks game.


Phil’s reprising these articles as they are probably 2 of the most cogent and important articles that the minions at Horse Racing Alberta will ignore.

Horse Racing Insider – Pricci – GIVEN REBATES AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED ARBITRAGEURS, PARIMUTUEL WAGERING IS A BAD BET

Business is never so healthy as when, like a chicken, it must do a certain amount of scratching around for what it gets.

Henry Ford

No business can change what it does not measure. Racing’s public measurement of support, via wagering, hides serious issues.

Over the last century, U.S. racetracks have reported total handle on their races and, for most of that time, it was one metric that accurately depicted the health of the business. But in our modern era of simulcasting, rebating and high-frequency betting from professionals, often called computer-assisted or robotic wagering (CAW/CRW), total handle figures actually deceive industry stakeholders more than anything.

Using inflation-adjusted figures from that NTRA study, published in 2004, CAW/CRW betting has likely tripled in the last 20 years. That means mainstream betting is probably down about two-thirds since then. This is an atrocious trajectory from racing’s largest customer base–rank-and-file horseplayers–and has occurred during a period where racing had a veritable monopoly on legal, regulated betting via the Internet.

I’m all for technology. I’m not against CAW/CRW play. I want all customer segments to grow. I want a bigger pie for everyone. I’m FOR horse racing. We all enjoy bigger purses, but the realities of our core wagering business, which sustains the sport and keeps it in the public consciousness, is really alarming. Most owners and breeders don’t see it because it has been, relatively, hidden behind antiquated methods of reporting handle.

I encourage owners, breeders’ and horsemen’s organizations to demand far greater transparency–both of operators and regulators–as it relates to racing’s wagering business. We need to be stewards of our sport and not merely accept elevated purses while ignoring the economic fundamentals that impact our largest base of customers.

TDN = Letter To The Editor: Craig Bernick

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.

Aldous Huxley,

Phil has a question:

Do the powers that bee in horse racing remember that it was the part of the iceberg that wasn’t visible that sank the Titanic.

How soon before PETA and the other groups looming to kill racing and get the slot and casino revenues start using the figures that Bernick speaks about against horse racing.

Do you think anyone at Horse Racing Alberta understands the implications of this article

Do you think anyone at Horse Racing Alberta cares about the implications of this article as long as their slots paid cheques keep arriving.

Edmonton Journal – Toews – Finance minister Travis Toews not running in May election


Paulick Report – Voss – ‘They’re Going To Take Down All Of Racing’: Here’s Why Legitimate Tracks Should Be Concerned About The Bush Circuit



This Week’s Stops on the Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby 149

Mar 25, 2023

Meydan Racecourse

UAE Derby 100-40-30-20-10

Fair Grounds

Louisiana Derby 100-40-30-20-10

Turfway Park

Jeff Ruby Steaks (Stakes) 100-40-30-20-10

Mar 26, 2023

Sunland Park

Sunland Derby 50-20-15-10-5


Bloodhorse – Pedulla – Congruent’s Co-Owner on Path to the Kentucky Derby


Bloodhorse – Curry – At a Glance: Cairo Morning-Line Choice in UAE Derby

Walk Like an Egyptian

 

TDN – Carasso – Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Concludes at Nakayama

Bloodhorse – Angst – Jeff Ruby Steaks Offers Important Kentucky Derby Path

Horse Race Insider – KY DERBY DISPATCH

Paulick Report – Kilroy – Dreaming Of Roses While Dealing With ‘Bananas’: DeVaux Team’s Patience Key To Louisiana Hopeful Cagliostro

Bloodhorse – Curry – At A Glance: Hard to Figure Imposing in Sunland Derby

Paulick Report – ‘The Dream For Everybody’: Congruent’s Connections Looking To Earn More Derby Points In Jeff Ruby

Bloodhorse – Kieckhefer – Irish and Japanese Colts Seek KY Derby Points in Dubai

DRF – Grening – 2023 Kentucky Derby: Riders face difficult decisions as final preps near

Paulick Report – ‘He Definitely Belongs With The Top Horses In This Crop’: Two Phil’s Will Try Tapeta Route To Kentucky Derby Starting Gate

Paulick Report – Starr – Equibase Analysis: Improving Sun Thunder Tries To End Instant Coffee’s Streak In Louisiana Derby

Hard Sun

Although he will need to be nominated for the Triple Crown, for which connections will need to pay $6,000 by March 27, victory could see him finish top of the European standings and edge him closer to the Kentucky Derby, which no horse trained in Britain or Europe has won.

Racing Post – Rennie – ‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ – Middleham Park daring to dream with Kentucky Derby hope

Phil has a question:

Will the connections of Airtime or Chase the Chaos pay the $6,000 by March 27, 2023.

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – FAIR GROUNDS HOSTS FIRST 100-POINT QUALIFIER, PLUS JEFF RUBY AND UAE DERBY THIS WEEK

Horse Racing Nation – Shifman – Kentucky Derby prep: Louisiana Derby odds and analysis

DRF – Russo – Major Dude solid favorite in 12-horse Jeff Ruby Stakes

Paulick Report – Major Dude Tries Derby Trail In Jeff Ruby Steaks; Two Phil’s, Prep Winner Congruent Among Field Of 12

Bloodhorse – Major Dude Shifts From Turf to Synthetic for Jeff Ruby

Paulick Report – O’Brien-Trained Cairo Will Try To Emulate Mendelssohn In Saturday’s UAE Derby

Charles Fipke’s home bred Shirl’s Bee has suffered a minor setback and will miss the UAE Derby. Phil has been advised that as per the original plan Shirl’s Bee will be returned stateside and should be back to full potential later in 2023.

Paulick Report – California Shippers Fort Bragg, Hard To Figure Face Local Prep Winner Henry Q In Sunland Derby

Airtime – 200 – 1

Chase the Chaos – No odds listed

Horse Racing Nation – Flatter – Kentucky Derby odds: Futures prices move for 69 of 96 horses

DRF – Andersen – Yakteen Derby hopefuls running through four time zones

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Santa Anita Derby: Mandarin Hero trainer on fact-finding mission ahead of historic Japanese bid

DRF – Illman – Hayes Strike eyes Kentucky Derby prep after Private Terms triumph

Brisnet – Hanson – Instant Coffee favored in Louisiana Derby; Fair Grounds Oaks attracts five

Paulick Report – Cox-Trained Instant Coffee Morning-Line Favorite Among Dozen For Louisiana Derby

One More Cup of Coffee

DRF – Hersh – Cox has three for Louisiana Derby

Bloodhorse – Ehalt – Longer Fair Grounds Preps Working Out Well for Cox

TDN – West Coasters Breeze Towards Next Preps

TDN – Practical Move, Reincarnate Work for Yakteen

TDN – Forte Breezes for Curlin Florida Derby

Paulick Report – Pletcher: Forte ‘Doing All The Things The Way You’d Want Him To Be Doing Them’


Phil’s Drink ‘n a Flick

Drum Cocktail

Bang The Drum Slowly

Bang a Gong


DRF – Derby Watch

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Forte, Instant Coffee Remain 1-2 in Derby Dozen

TDN – Thornton – TDN Derby Top 12: Forte Vs. Everyone Else

Paulick Report – Champagne -The Derby Bubble Presented By Kentucky-Breds: Do These Horses Look Familiar?

Horse Racing Nation – De Rosa – Kentucky Derby 2023: DeRosa’s Fair odds for Forte, 18 rivals

Horse Racing Nation – Kentucky Derby 2023 Contenders


TDN – Bill Finley – Kentucky Oaks Top 10: Strange Year Continues


Bloodhorse – McCroskey –Pretty Mischievous Looks Tough to Beat in FG Oaks


Don’t be against things so much as for things.

Colonel Sanders

Dixie Chicken


San Diego State did what the fucking ballless NCAA, Alabama AD and that fucking brutal excuse for a coach Oats didn’t have the balls to do, got rid of that scumbag Miller.

The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky they’re going to give Cleveland State another year of probation.

Jerry Tarkanian

In the final analysis, Alabama sacrificed every shred of its institutional integrity for a meager Sweet 16 run. That’s not a great return on the mortgaging of a reputation. But then again, this is the pattern for the Tide under Oats: NCAA tourney upset losses that transpire well short of the expected performance.

Sports Illustrated – Forde – Faced With Great—and Controversial—Expectations, Alabama Again Falls Short

Deacon Blues

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

John Wooden

Los Angeles Times – Plaschke – Column: UCLA goes from brilliant to broke as history cruelly repeats itself vs. Gonzaga

Phil has a question:

What is it with 5s in March Madness.

Sports Illustrated – Forde – Brandon Miller, Alabama and ‘a Moral Dilemma of the Highest Order’

Chuck Stop

Unfortunately, as I tell my white friends, we, as black people, we’re never going to be successful – not because of you white people but because of other black people. When you’re black, you have to deal with so much crap in your life from other black people.

Charles Barkley

Global News – Bartko – Did you see it? Vivid aurora borealis lights up the sky across much of Canada

Phil has a question:

Were they cheering for the UConn Huskies.

Sports Illustrated – ‘This Is My City’: Hometown Hero Markquis Nowell Lights Up New York in Sweet 16

Study Finds – Sheridan – Best Men’s College Basketball Coaches Of All-Time: Top 5 NCAA Greats, According To Experts

Phil has a question:

Would John Wooden say that Donald Trump is a whining, fat, fucking failure.

Was Jerry a close #6.

The absolute heart of loyalty is to value those people who tell you the truth, not just those people who tell you what you want to hear. In fact, you should value them most. Because they have paid you the compliment of leveling with you and assuming you can handle it.

Pat Summitt

The Ringer – Ruiz – One Big Question for Each Men’s Sweet 16 Matchup

Phil has One Big Question for Each Men’s Sweet 16 Matchup

Who’ll win.

FiveThirtyEight  -Nerkar – Yes, A 16 Seed Beat A 1. But March Madness Hasn’t Been That Mad

Sports Illustrated – Forde – SI Ranks the Sweet 16 Teams Left in the NCAA Tournament

March is a month without mercy for rabid basketball fans. There is no such thing as a ‘gentleman gambler’ when the Big Dance rolls around. All sheep will be fleeced, all fools will be punished severely… There are no Rules when the deal goes down in the final weeks of March. Even your good friends will turn into monsters.

Hunter S. Thompson

ESPN – Lunardi – 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology

ESPN – Men’s Tournament Challenge

CBS – NCAA® March Madness® 2023 Men’s Bracket Games


TDN – Japanese Superfecta In UAE Derby, As Mind Your Biscuits’s Derma Sotogake Romps

Asked about the Kentucky Derby, Lemaire said, “How could you refuse a mount in the Kentucky Derby? I had my first experience last year (13th aboard UAE Derby winner Crown Pride ) and I’d be happy to go again.”

Bloodhorse – Kieckhefer – Derma Sotogake Wins UAE Derby, Targets Kentucky Derby

Phil has a question:

Can the horses combine the Japanese points with the UAE Derby points.

Losing My Religion

Bloodhorse – Baffert, Shirreffs Excited About Clients’ OBS Purchases

Phil has a question:

Does Baffert know what a combine is.

International Harvester

TDN – History-Making Lord North Secures Third Dubai Turf Victory

TSN – Coyotes’ minority owner Barroway suspended indefinitely by NHL following arrest

New York Times – Wirecutter – Johnson – The Best Frozen Pepperoni Pizzas

With all due deference to the writer Mace would make a frozen pizza taste better. Phil’s philosophy is that every once in a blue moon you need to order a Little Caesar’s or a frozen pizza just to remind yourself how awful they are.

DunnEnzies

Community Pizza

FOAL CROPS BY PROVINCE

 Canadian Thoroughbred – Canadian Foal Crop 2022 Estimated to Hold Steady

Phil has a question:

With a drop from 267 in 2018 to 120 in 2021 do you think that Horse Racing Alberta is doing their job or just filling their positions.

How can the UCPs who are supposed to be conservative continue to allow Horse Racing Alberta to exist and waste Alberta taxpayer dollars on window gazers.

Is it not time to get rid of Horse racing Alberta and move the regulation of horse racing directly to AGLC.

Edmonton Journal – Toews – Finance minister Travis Toews not running in May election

Bloodhorse – Downey – Zayat Lender Loses in Kentucky Supreme Court

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

John Wooden

The Ringer – A Ranking of the Best F-words in ‘Succession’ History

The Ringer – Gayle – ‘Succession’ and the F-word, by the Numbers

The Ringer – Phillips – The Profane Poetry of ‘Succession’

Vietnam Song

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

Mark Twain

Paulick Report – Hackbarth – Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Would Do What He Did’

Los Angeles Times – Xia – Scientists uncover startling concentrations of pure DDT along seafloor off L.A. coast

Tracks in West Virginia and Louisiana are not covered by HISA regulations because of court injunctions in cases that are pending. And because HISA covers only tracks that export their simulcast signals, Texas and Nebraska are not included because they opted to not export signals. And in states that are covered, not every track will be operating on Monday.

Horse Racing Nation – Greer – What happens when federal anti-doping rules launch Monday?

Paulick Report – Paulick – ‘Seismic Change’ Ahead As HISA Set To Roll Out Medication Control Program March 27

TDN – Thornton – Federal Bill To Replace HISA Reportedly In Pipeline

TDN – HISA’s Lisa Lazarus Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Lazarus: HISA’s ADMC Launch ‘a Momentous Occasion’

TDN – Campbell – Stauffer’s Voice Booms At Lone Star Park

Bloodhorse – Racing Post – Record-Breaking Funds Added to Irish Purses for 2023

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Hovdey – Azeri: ‘She was easy to adore … she was all racehorse’ – spotlight on a forgotten filly

FiveThirtyEight – Potts – Recess Is Good For Kids. Why Don’t More States Require It?

Study Finds – Seeing sporting events in person boosts mental health as much as getting a job!

I’m not going to the horse races, I’m going to an event to improve my mental health.

Phil has a question:

Why do the people who leave comments always seem to know more than the researchers.

Racing Post – Haynes – The Frankie factor: assessing Dettori’s rides at a star-studded Dubai World Cup

Phil saw an advertisement for Lattes from A&W the other day so decided to give them a try. The machine was a Franke that makes a beverage they call a latte in an semi-automatic and semi-flavourful manner.  Spend the extra toonie with your local unchained barista and both you and the merchant will be much the better for it.

Speaking of Frankie if he rides like Franke makes lattes he’ll be seeing a lot of butt ends in Dubai.

Relax

Derby Winning Dish

Phil has a question:

How could someone named Marco Pierre White go through life without being confused.

2007 Epsom Derby

You know the espresso will be crema del raccolto when the machine looks like this.

iGavel Auctions: European Style Copper & Brass Cappuccino Machine ...

Bloodhorse – Kieckhefer – The $12 million Dubai World Cup: Japan vs. the World

Sports Business Journal – Ohtani’s WBC performance shows why MLB should showcase him

Sports Illustrated – Verducci – Julio Rodriguez Is the Star Baseball Needs

Phil has a question:

When is Flightline’s next race.

The Ringer – Kram – The Top 10 Moments From a Classic World Baseball Classic

Sports Illustrated – Apstein – The World Asked Shohei Ohtani For the Fairy-Tale Ending. He Delivered.

ESPN – Passan – Shohei Ohtani fans Mike Trout for final out as Japan wins WBC

Front Office Sports – World Baseball Classic Final Draws Record TV Viewership

TDN – Carasso – Favourites Draw Wide Gates For Dubai World Cup

Paulick Report – Baffert ‘Was Hoping For Inside Draw,’ But Country Grammer Will Leave From Post 14 In Dubai World Cup Title Defense

Someone once asked me, ‘How can you get as strong as an ox without eating any meat?’ My answer was, ‘Have you ever seen an ox eating meat?’

Patrik Baboumian

TDN – Carasso – ‘Grammer’ Lessons–Part II

Aljazeezra – Photos: Ukraine soldiers ride out war stress with hippotherapy

TDN – Fanduel Lands Breeders’ Cup Extension

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – UPDATE 2: BENSON MEMORIAL, START OF ALL-STAKES PICK 5, VALUE PLAYS, ADDED TO LA DERBY

TDN – Martini and Bossinakis – Strength at the Top as OBS March Concludes with a Million-Dollar Munnings Filly

Bloodhorse – Gash – OBS March Sale Concludes to Notable Gains

Southern Living – Sims – 24 Easter Dinner Ideas That Go Way Beyond Ham

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Dubai Racing Club – Greene – Dubai World Cup:Rebel’s Romance is the one I am most looking forward to’ – Charlie Appleby on his chances at Meydan

Dubai World Cup – Entries

Racing Post – Playle – Oisin Murphy: the Dubai World Cup is really important for my confidence – you have to prove yourself all the time

TDN – Martini and Bossinakis – $2-Million Good Magic Colt Paces OBS March Tuesday

TDN – Carasso – Gun Runner Colt Tops ‘Vibrant’ Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale

DRF – Welsch – Gulfstream to host a pair of Royal Ascot qualifying races for 2-year-olds

Front Office Sports – Perez – Brett Favre ‘Knew’ Mississippi Funds Transfer ‘Was Illegal’

Front Office Sports – Christovich – Foot Locker Revamps Brick-And-Mortar Store Strategy

Alive

Phil has a question:

Were the lights at 27 seconds a cryptic clue.

Pop Culture – Levine – Foo Fighters Reportedly Tap Iconic Grunge Drummer for Live Shows, Following Taylor Hawkins’ Death

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Inverse – Fauzia – A New Universal Covid-19 Vaccine Could Stop Future Variants in Their Tracks

One day, I just thought, if you see a bird with a broken leg, you really have the urge to do something about it and help the bird. Then, at the same time, you go to a restaurant and eat a chicken or something. It doesn’t make any sense. 

Patrik Baboumian

Bloodhorse – Trainer Vella Joins Woodbine as Horse People Liaison

Phil has a question:

If Woodbine is hiring and paying for the Horse People Liaison position, why is Horse Racing Alberta hiring and paying for a similar position in Alberta.

Does anyone other that Phil, Sal, Mucka and Topo care how Horse Racing Alberta wastes money.

No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride…and if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind, well…maybe chalk it up to forced consciousness expansion: Tune in, freak out, get beaten.

 Hunter S. Thompson

Sympathy For the Devil

Sports Illustrated – Selbe – Mercyhurst Hockey Player Facing Three Charges After Pushing Wheelchair Down Stairs

Phil has a question:

Why does pushing a wheelchair down stairs result in three criminal charges, but delivering a gun to a murder gets you a bodyguard.

Scientific American – Bischoff – The Most Boring Number in the World Is …

One After 909

The Athletic – Kahler: The Eagles want tenths of a second on the NFL game clock, and time is a construct

Time Waits for No one

Front Office Sports – McCarthy – Meet Topgolf for Baseball: ‘Home of 7 MPH Fastball’

Garden and Gun – Hendrickson – The Living Rock-and-Roll Legends

Daily Hive – Stephen – These Canadian cities are most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse

Southern Living – Phelps – 26 Make-Ahead Casseroles For Easter Sunday Brunch

Sometime Around Midnight


Phil M Stockmen

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