Tabarnak

Sacre Bleu

Ostie de colon

Que Phil est bete

All Apologies

Phil committed a faux pas which is French for dumb ass.  Phil forgot that you need to celebrate the Colonel’s achievements before you rip the bunglers a new one.

The Sovereign Awards ceremony, hosted by Jeff Bratt and Dawn Lupul, began with the presentation of the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit to trainer DALE SAUNDERS. Through more than half a century of training horses, Dale is among an elite group of Canadian horsepeople, his 2,177 winners putting him sixth on the list of all-time leading trainers. Dale is only the second trainer to win more than 2,000 races while running exclusively in Alberta, along with Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ron ‘Red’; Smith.

Canadian Thoroughbred – Morrison – Moira Crowned 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year at Sovereigns

Long-time Alberta trainer Dale Saunders was bestowed the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit. Selected unanimously by the Jockey Club of Canada’s stewards, it is a lifetime achievement award honoring those who have made significant contributions to the Thoroughbred industry in Canada.

DRF – Gierkink – 2022 Sovereign Awards: Moira named Canadian Horse of the Year

In human categories—Dale Saunders was awarded the coveted E. P. Taylor Award of Merit;

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Moira Named Horse of the Year at Sovereign Awards

48th Annual Sovereign Awards

Near 22 min mark.

After watching parts of the 3 hours 50 minutes 40 seconds 48th Annual Sovereign Awards broadcast on Youtube Phil was going to write a scathing diatribe outlining how bush league the show was and how bush league it made thoroughbred racing in Alberta look, but then it Dawned on Phil, no one in Alberta cares and the minions at Horse Racing Alberta are more concerned with cashing their paycheques and building a bigger bungling buffoon laden bureaucracy than with improving thoroughbred racing in Alberta so why should Phil give a shit.

RainO

Phil will comment, but in a tempered version.

I find fault with my children because I like them and I want them to go places – uprightness and strength and courage and civil respect and anything that affects the probabilities of failure on the part of those that are closest to me, that concerns me – I find fault. 

Branch Rickey

Phil remembers a phrase that was spoken at an Alberta HBPA meeting that Phil has reprised many times over the years. It is as apropos today as it was when it was spoken by a person that Phil has never disclosed: We need to improve the professionalism of thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta. The phrase applies right across the country not just Alberta: When need to improve the professionalism of thoroughbred racing in Canada.

If you want to know who spoke that phrase you should have been at that sparsely attended meeting. The cookies were good.

Thursday April 13, 2023 should have been a proud moment for thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta as one of its long standing stalwarts was being honoured with the EP Taylor Award of Merit. Instead the brutal incompetence of the Jockey Club of Canada, Horse Racing Alberta and Alberta HBPA made Alberta thoroughbred racing look more bush than Track on 2 and Phil doesn’t apologize to Track on 2 cuz they’re just the plain fucking bush track where the hillbilly harness league plays.

This was supposed to be a show celebrating the 50th anniversary of EP Taylor founding the Jockey Club of Canada, but the current iteration reflected poorly on the organization that EP started. If EP Taylor was alive today he would stomp into the Jockey Club of Canada, Horse Racing Alberta and Alberta HBPA and sweep the incompetents out right to the bare floors.

How out of touch is the Jockey Club of Canada when their Sovereign Awards show clocks in at 3 hours 50 minutes 40 seconds on Youtube when MLB has introduced a pitch clock to speed up its games and the NFL is looking at ways to speed up their games. Is the Jockey Club of Canada so cash strapped it had to drag out the ceremonies to sell more beer.

The presentation of the EP Taylor Award of Merit to Dale “Colonel” Saunders started off well and the short blurb on the Colonel was decent, but when Mike Vanin walked off the stage like a bungling bush league buffoon clutching the Colonel’s trophy Alberta thoroughbred racing looked more bush league than The Track on 2. Dawn Lupul sort of tried to save the day with some comments on the Colonel, but the damage to the Colonel’s and Alberta thoroughbred racing’s image was already done. Mike Vanin may have been the guy looking like a buffoon, but he’s the least culpable  of all the bunglers. Or is he as he’s listed on the Jockey Club of Canada as a member.

How did the producers and directors of the show not properly prepare for the presentation and acceptance of the award to the Colonel, especially in his absence. Did they canvass the Colonel, his family and friends. How did Jeff Bratt and Dawn Lupul, the hosts of the not properly prepare for the presentation and acceptance of the award to the Colonel. How did the management of the Jockey Club of Canada not ensure that the show was properly prepared for the presentation and acceptance of the award to the Colonel. How did the management of the Horse Racing Alberta not ensure that the show was properly prepared for presentation and the acceptance of the award to the Colonel, a moment that should have cast thoroughbred racing  in Alberta in a positive light, but instead slapped it in the face and left it with a tarnished bush league image. Why didn’t Mike ask – what the fuck do you want me to do and say.

Jeff Bratt and Dawn Lupul should not be asked back to host another Sovereign Awards presentation. The persons who wrote, produced and directed should not be asked back for another Sovereign Awards presentation.

Phil checked out the Trademark Registry in Canada to see if there was a request for the Jokey Club of Canada.

We need to improve the professionalism of thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta. The phrase applies right across the country not just Alberta: When need to improve the professionalism of thoroughbred racing in Canada.

Phil sent an email to the Jockey Club of Canada that was laced with pejoratives and profanity. Phil was doing his best Dave Grohl impression. Phil sent an email to Kent Verlik the CEO of Horse Racing Alberta that was laced with the same pejoratives and profanity. Phil was doing his best Dave Grohl impression.

Phil received a response from Megan Allan on behalf of the Jockey Club of Canada and a further response to his reply: I am sorry you are dissatisfied and we will strive to do better moving forward.

Phil’s still waiting for a response from Kent Verlik at Horse Racing Alberta.

Phil has a question:

What does the Undertaker do.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.

Dr. Seuss

Phil’s not going to comment on the segment on Dick Bonnycastle other than to reprise the same phrase.

We need to improve the professionalism of thoroughbred racing in the province of Alberta. The phrase applies right across the country not just Alberta: When need to improve the professionalism of thoroughbred racing in Canada.

If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.

Moshe Dayan

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Horse Racing Nation – Report: Turf Paradise is on verge of sale; racing is uncertain

Axios Phoenix – Duda – End of an era: Sale and redevelopment planned for Turf Paradise

TDN – Thornton – Turf Paradise Nears Sale for Development; Horsemen Eye Arizona Downs Revival

Paulick Report – Turf Paradise, Arizona Downs Both Under Separate Contracts To Sell; Turf Likely To Be Developed

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Turf Paradise Sale to CT Realty Could Close in August

Phoenix New Times – Leatherman – Phoenix Greyhound Park Is Being Demolished — Here’s What We Know

Lisztomania

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

Apr 15, 2023

Keeneland

Lexington 20-8-6-4-2

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ESPN – Stanley Cup playoffs: Guide to top storylines, players to watch

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Opening Day/Kentucky Derby Party Experience

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Phil’s reprising these articles.

TDN – Ross – When Do CAWs Help And Hurt California Racing?

Phil has a question:

If you asked any of the minions at Horse Racing Alberta what they understood about CAWs would their response involve crows.

… the number of people betting on sports and the volume of wagering across the United States quickly surpassed horse racing’s totals and continues to grow.

Paulick Report – The Friday Show Presented By Icon Global: Merging Sports Betting With Horse Racing

How will horse racing attract new customers when a new customer looks at sports betting and sees a fairly level wagering field with fixed odds with a small vig (takeout) and then looks at horse racing where the tracks themselves provide better information and easier ways to bet for a preferred class of customers, the  CAWs, the takeout is usurious and the CAWS get a rebate that’s pretty close to the vig in sports betting.

To quote Craig Bernick – Good luck.

There is always room for losers in the football business. They are the mother’s milk of gambling, and why not? Somebody has to do it, or there won’t be any winners.

Hunter S. Thompson

Phil has a question:

When will Alberta have sports betting terminals in every lounge that has VLTs.

When will the sports betting terminals in every lounge that has VLTs have horse racing available.

What does the Undertaker do besides gaze out his window.

Phil’s not archaic. Phil understands that most people in Alberta sports bars bet on their phone, tablet or laptop on a grey area site that pays nary a nickel of taxes to the province of Alberta.

According to Cummings’s research, in the past two decades, adjusting for inflation, total betting on US horseracing from the general public decreased 63 per cent. Betting from CAWs, meanwhile, increased 150 per cent. Cummings called Gulfstream Park, the track I went to with McKeever, “ground zero” for the computer groups. “Horseracing is not in a position to reject customers. Yet we have accepted and embraced these whales, with little to no consideration of the damage that they do if left unchecked,” Cummings told me. “It’s not a good thing to be losing Joe Q Horseplayer, and we’ve lost a lot of them.”

McKeever, for his part, sees himself on Joe Q Horseplayer’s side. His team of 13 full-time employees and contractors at EquinEdge wanted to do its own CAW wagering. But McKeever refused. “I am for the small guy, that’s what I’m pushing for,” he told me. “I give them every bit of information that I have, everything we develop, all of our technology. Everything I do is for the little guy. The big guy thinks he knows it already. It’s the little guy I want to take care of.”

Financial Times – Roeder – I used AI to bet on horse-racing. Here’s what happened

Phil has a question:

Are McKeever and the rest of the CAWs willing to give their rebates to the little guys.

How will horse racing attract new customers when a new customer looks at sports betting and sees a fairly level wagering field with fixed odds with a small vig (takeout) and then looks at horse racing where the tracks themselves provide better information and easier ways to bet for a preferred class of customers, the  CAWs, the takeout is usurious and the CAWS get a rebate that’s pretty close to the vig in sports betting.

Paulick Report – The Friday Show Presented By Icon Global: Merging Sports Betting With Horse Racing

To quote Craig Bernick – Good luck.

There is always room for losers in the football business. They are the mother’s milk of gambling, and why not? Somebody has to do it, or there won’t be any winners.

Hunter S. Thompson

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

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

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

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Curling Canada – Curling legend passes away

TDN – Thornton – The Week In Review: Prime-Time Real Estate Remains Vacant On Derby Prep Calendar

Bloodhorse – Perez – Two Phil’s Sharp in Penultimate Derby Work

Bloodhorse – Kentucky Oaks Contender Dorth Vader Sharp in Breeze

Paulick Report – WATCH: Florida Derby Runner-Up Mage Cruises Through Easy Gulfstream Breeze

Bloodhorse – Mage Returns to Worktab at Gulfstream Park

TDN – Emma Berry – Seven Days: National Treasure or National Disgrace?

ESPN – Activists disrupt Grand National; Corach Rambler wins after delay

BBC – Grand National: 118 people arrested over protests that delayed start of Aintree race

Paulick Report – First Mission Battles Past Arabian Lion To Take Lexington, Enters Preakness Picture

Brisnet – Scully – First Mission appears Preakness-bound, Disarm picks up necessary Derby points in Lexington

Bloodhorse – Mulvihill – First Mission Takes Lexington, Eyes Preakness

With his third-place finish, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Disarm earned enough points to qualify for a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby.

“It looks like he got enough points to go, so we have the option to go,” Ron Winchell said. “We’ll see how he comes out of this race. We’ve always thought a mile and a quarter [of the Derby] would be fine for him.”

TDN – ‘TDN Rising Star’ First Mission Wins Lexington

April is the cruellest month.

T.S. Elliot

Disarm

Paulick Report – Perform Up In Time To Take Federico Tesio At Laurel

Paulick Report – In Italian Storms To Front-Running Jenny Wiley Triumph

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Godfrey – Twilight Gleaming joins Love Reigns in Wesley Ward’s Royal Ascot pack

Paulick Report – Clairiere Pounces Late To Deny Secret Oath In Apple Blossom

TSN – CP – Kings get past Warriors in long awaited playoff return

FanSided – Dewey – Massive bets made on Kings to win NBA championship have potential $10 million payout

TSN – ESPN – Glanville – Why Jackie Robinson’s story still resonates 75 years after his MLB debut

I don’t care if I was a ditch-digger at a dollar a day, I’d want to do my job better than the fellow next to me. I’d want to be the best at whatever I do.

Branch Rickey

SportsNet – On Jackie Robinson Day, Blue Jays’ Springer embraces opportunity to honour No. 42

A full mind is an empty bat. 

Branch Rickey

FiveThirtyEight – Rakich – Americans Disagree On The Definition Of Art

Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.

Pablo Picasso

The Star – Bennett – Alberta Premier Smith, with election looming, announces new limits on media questions

You know, everybody believes in free speech until you start questioning them about it. 

Larry Flynt

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Chez Pierre Conquers Modern Games in Maker’s Mark Mile

TDN – Carasso – Chez Pierre Right at Home in Maker’s Mark; Modern Games Second

I have only one eye. Do you want me to look at the road or the at the speedometer. 

Moshe Dayan

Chez Pierre

Join us on facebook, Instagram and twitter to keep up with the latest Chez Pierre excitement.

Royals

Regina Leader Post – Tourism Regina returns, review into ‘Experience Regina’ brand to come

Regina Leader Post – Martell – Citizen group rallies over Experience Regina; wants Reid removed

Regina Leader Post – Who gave nod to what still unclear in Experience Regina slogan flap

Phil has a question:

Isn’t Reid the fucking bozo that wanted to turn Northlands Park race track into concert and festival central but instead turned it into an abandoned, empty parking lot.

Isn’t it time that the HR departments started to read the accomplishments sections of CVs rather than just look at time served.

Does Reid not understand the difference between original subtle humour and copycat infantile prurience.

Was Reid planning on hiring Stormy Daniels as their spokesperson.

Is there an opening for a Zamboni driver in Fort McMurray.

I will concede to you one thing – ‘Hustler’ is offensive, even to the point of being iconoclastic. That’s our purpose – to be offensive. 

Larry Flynt

New York is Big, But This is Biggar

Bloodhorse – Ehalt – One-Track Plan Looms More and More Likely in Maryland

TSN – Blue Jackets fire head coach Larsen

Trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late.

Branch Rickey

Garden and Gun – Adams – Nicolas Cage on His Love of Filming—and Eating—in New Orleans

Front Office Sports – McCarthy – The NBA’s Media Future Could Be Decided by a Bitter CEO Rivalry

In human categories—Dale Saunders was awarded the coveted E. P. Taylor Award of Merit;

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Moira Named Horse of the Year at Sovereign Awards

48th Annual Sovereign Awards

Yahoo Sports – Avila – Foo Fighters Seemingly Tease New Project One Year After Taylor Hawkins Death

Yahoo Sports – Srinivasan – Jonathan Toews bids farewell to fans, scores big goal in final Blackhawks game

Bon Appetit – Uskokovic – What’s the Difference Between Bleached and Unbleached Flour?

Bleach Boys

CBC – Harrison – Ontario wants to keep sports stars out of gambling ads

AGCO Launches Consultation on Celebrity & Athlete Participation in iGaming Advertising

Phil has a question:

What is Alberta waiting for.

The Ringer – Sherman – The Sale of the Commanders Is Good for the NFL. Unfortunately, It’s Also Good for Dan Snyder.

Forbes – Ashford and Currie – Capital Gains Tax Rates For 2022 And 2023

Phil has a question:

How much does Uncle Sam get.

Sports Illustrated – Orr – Report of Dan Snyder Finalizing Deal to Sell Commanders Is Reason for Fans to Celebrate

Sports Business Journal – Jets season-ticket ad campaign draws concern, criticism from fans

TSN – Penguins fire president of hockey operations Burke, GM Hextall

TSN – Eakins out as Ducks head coach

Phil has a question:

Would Eakins have had a better chance will real ducks on the ice.

Why don’t the Japanese hockey teams use Sumo wrestlers in goal.

TSN – Canada’s Wickenheiser, Virtue, Hughes among 42 former Olympians banned from Russia

TDN – Churchill Downs Announces 2023 Kentucky Derby Partnerships

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Shrager – The first Kentucky Derby – 13 Black jockeys, one shady owner, and the little red horse that wasn’t supposed to win

Bloodhorse – New Owner Webinar, by Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – UPDATE 2: PREPS END SATURDAY; FRIDAY’S G1 MAKER’S MARK AND LIMESTONE ANALYSIS POSTED

Paulick Report – Nevills – Good Timing, Good Genes Taking Tapit Trice To The Kentucky Derby

Paulick Report – Kentucky Derby Notes: Rocket Can Zips Half Mile, Forte Due To Arrive Monday

Bloodhorse – ANZ Bloodstock News – Isotope to be Sold at Magic Millions Broodmare Sale

Radioactive

Some times you just have to give in to the Urge.

Los Angeles Times – Miller – An Old Hollywood actor created a treasure map. Could it be real?

The Gold

Canada’s National Observer – Angeuira – Want to sequester carbon? Save the wild things

Goodnight Moon

Paulick Report – Thursday, Friday Programs Cancelled At Gulfstream After Severe Rain Event

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Gulfstream Cancels Racing April 13 Following Heavy Rain

Front Office Sports – Cohen – NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Betting Spiked 30% on BetMGM

Green Hornet

Paulick Report – Voss – College Equine Programs And The Horse Industry Labor Crisis: What’s The Relationship?

TDN – Bill Finley – Prat Chooses Angel of Empire as His Derby Mount

Paulick Report – Let The Game Of Musical Jockeys Begin: Prat Confirmed To Ride Angel Of Empire In Kentucky Derby

Paulick Report – Russell Trains Pair Of Entries Facing Accomplished Field In Tesio Stakes; Race Serves As Preakness Win And In

Horse Race Insider – THE WORLD’S THREE BIGGEST HORSE RACES

Bloodhorse – McCroskey – In Italian Looks to Give Brown Sixth Jenny Wiley

TSN – Bulls earn comeback victory over Raptors, advance to face Heat

SportsNet – Grange – Raptors plagued by familiar shortcomings in disappointing play-in loss to Bulls

Losing My Religion

The Ringer – Kram – Five Reasons NBA Lineup Data Is Lying to You

Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?

Groucho Marx

Sports Business Journal – Diamond looking to cut fees for three MLB teams

Front Office Sports – Perez – Diamond Sports Hold Three MLB Clubs ‘Captive’

Horse Racing Nation – Report: Turf Paradise is on verge of sale; racing is uncertain

Bloodhorse – Joseph – Preakness Berth On Line in Laurel’s Federico Tesio

Bloodhorse – Lord Miles Back Home to Prepare for Kentucky Derby

DRF – Rampellini – Wild On Ice will target Kentucky Derby

DRF – McGee – 2023 Kentucky Derby: McPeek not in a hurry to decide about Sun Thunder

Bloodhorse – Tapit Trice, Practical Move Strengthen Derby Resumes

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – WITH COMPLETION OF MAJOR PREPS, DERBY 159 A CHALLENGE FOR HORSES AND HANDICAPPERS

Polygon – Carpenter – Why teens are suddenly obsessed with chess

Atlas Obscura – Rummel – Gastro Obscura Guide to Southern Eats

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Pagones – ‘I’m a lot older now than when I started!’ – interview with record-breaking trainer Kathleen O’Connell, still going strong after 2,386 wins

Paulick Report – Road To The Kentucky Derby: Who’s On The Bubble?

Bloodhorse – Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Incentive Program Back in 2023

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Santa Anita Purses Reduced From Classic to Spring Meet

TDN – Thornton – KHRC Rules Committee Recommends Tweaks to Partnership Requirements

DRF – Hegarty – McGee to begin new chapter as agent for jockey Joe Talamo

TDN – Bill Finley – McGee Leaves DRF to Become Jockey Agent

Paulick Report – Turf Champion Modern Games Returns To Keeneland For Friday’s Maker’s Mark Mile

Paulick Report – After Putting Woodbine On Path To Sustainable Future, Lawson To Step Down As CEO This Fall

The Ringer – Thompson – Americans Die Younger Than Those in Any Other Rich Country. Why?

Los Angeles Times – Annis – A rock star’s legacy lives on in Joshua Tree 50 years after his shocking funeral pyre

Ooh Las Vegas

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Phil M Stockmen