What are you betting on next?
I’m looking forward to football season, having a lot of fun watching games. I’m gonna win games I shouldn’t win, I’m gonna lose games that I should win. But to me, watching games, the excitement of that, it’s like when I was a kid, I enjoy it. If it gets to a point that I don’t, I’ll quit.
Vanity Fair – Dan Adler – Billy Walters Wants to Teach You to Beat the House
What is next for Waters? In the book he writes “… my newest and greatest challenge: finding ways to fix a broken prison system.” His idea, “… create vocational schools inside select prisons. Inmates would have to qualify and earn the right to attend these schools by proving that they are completely committed. The schools will be operated by private entities outside of the Bureau of Prisons. They will be run like charter schools, offering courses and training in automotive, electrical, construction, and plumbing trades, and other fields in desperate need of workers.”
Walters already has put a plan into action and helped fund creation of a new facility in Las Vegas called the Billy Walters Center for Second Chances, where he has partnered with Hope For Prisoners founded by Jon Ponder.
Forbes – Walter Pavlo – Billy Walters’ ‘Gambler’ Reveals Much About An American Icon
THIS IS NOT a self-help article. It is not meant to be instructive, meaning that unlike many stories about people we idolize, its purpose is not to give advice on how to be more like Billy Walters. It is an admiring article, for sure—Walters is a remarkable person. We might wish we could be like him, but we probably can’t. Despite the lengths he goes to in his book to explain his gambling methods, and despite his generosity in speaking with me and answering any question I asked, the answer to the one question everyone has—how, exactly, did he become the best sports gambler of all time?—is the hardest to explain.
Men’s Health – Ryan D’Agistino – Don’t Bet Against Billy Walters
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:
Do you really think that Walters will give away any secrets if he has them.
Does the book say how much Walters paid Donald Trump for his pardon.
When will the Odds Professor’s book be hitting the shelves.
How many people would rather pay for Walter’s book than get a free book about a retired jockey.
Phil dished out 35 Canadian Shekels for Walter’s book despite Walter being pardoned by the fat orange blob. Don’t expect a book report. Phil was musing that this could be a good 1st prize in a horse racing contest. Maybe Horse Racing Alberta will give one out in their next contest.
All gamblers lose regularly, but they rarely discuss it in public. Losing is bad for the image, dude. Nobody buys Hot Tips from Losers. Remember that.
Hunter S. Thompson
Garden and Gun – Jenn Rice – Tomato Sandwich Rules and Regulations
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Mashed – Theresa Rex and Joel Stice – The Right Way To Cut A Tomato
Mashed – DB Kelly – The Best Recipes For Fresh Tomatoes
Southern Living – Steve Bender – Episode 31: The Trick With Heirloom Tomatoes
I have a garden. We have fresh tomatoes and strawberries. People are different here… People out in California, they grow up quicker. They have a lot of excess, and they have a lot more things than we do here in Hungary. There, they start doing makeup when they’re 13, when we would still be out in the countryside making sausage.
Barbara Palvin
Phil has a questioning:
Which is cheaper:
A trial, all the appeals and up to 17 years of housing and meals or a missile to shoot down a plane.
Do those fucking assholes realize just how lucky they are to still be alive today.
“I thought it was indicative of the times that we live in,” Smith said. “People are looking for an excuse to b—- and moan, and so they’re going to have that kind of attitude, and they’re going to feel that way. I didn’t say anything bad about Rihanna. I wouldn’t. I know she’s fantastic. I know she’s phenomenal.
“What’s the problem? I can’t be a fan of a particular artist? That’s what seemed so distorted and utterly ridiculous. But it was a fresh reminder of the times that we’re living in, the high level of sensitivity and how either you have to watch every little thing you say, or most of the time, you simply can’t give a damn about the backlash.”
Phil has a question:
If Stephen A ran for President would anyone in Dallas vote for him.
Have you ever noticed that all the sports commentators sound the same when the volume’s set at 0 and there’s a great tune playing on your audio device.
Paulick Report – ‘Top Jockey,’ ‘Role Model’: Junior Alvarado Wins 2023 Mike Venezia Memorial Award
Front Office Sports – Illegal Streaming Costs Sports Billions, Leagues Want Swift Government Action
Phil has a question:
How much is illegal gambling costing the province of Alberta.
The Bitter Southerner – Mani Basu – The Other Palm Beach
Phil has a question:
If the rollout of Barbie in the Arab world hit a snag, what about the rollout of Golda.
Don’t be humble… you’re not that great.
Golda Meir
I have only one eye. Do you want me to look at the road or the at the speedometer.
Moshe Dayan
SportsNet – WHL’s Hurricanes hire former Flames coach Bill Peters, Aliu issues statement
Phil has a question:
Do guys like Aliu serve any real purpose other than whining about the past.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
Marcus Aurelius
Bloodhorse – Eric Mitchell – $150,000 Pink Lloyd Full Brother Tops CTHS Ontario Sale
CTHS Ontario 2023 Sales Results
Phil has a question:
What Alberta sprinter came from the Great Gladiator broodmare line.
When’s the last time you saw a sale topper from a 22 year old mare and a 22 year old sire.
Sports Illustrated – Nick Selbe – Giants’ Alex Cobb Loses No-Hitter With Two Outs in Ninth Inning
Phil has a question:
What word would you use.
Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.
Mark Twain
Over my lifetime, heavy usage has woefully eroded profanity’s power.
Lionel Shriver
I had three rules for my players: No profanity. Don’t criticize a teammate. Never be late.
John Wooden
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
Bon Appetit – Dawn Perry – BA’s Best Mac and Cheese
TDN – Lucas Marquardt – Op/Ed: Synthetics, Fans, and the Future of Racing
Front Office Sports – Eric Fisher – Sports As Much About Real Estate As Titles for Stan Kroenke
TDN – Ellis Park Meeting Concludes with 22% Increase in All-Sources Handle
The Ringer – Zach Kram – Why Are the Angels and Other MLB Teams Giving Good Players Away?
Phil has a question:
Will the Angels be dropping their ticket prices.
TDN – JN Campbell – Practical Joke Colt Tops Texas Yearling Sale
Paulick Report – Letter To The Editor: Industry Reactions To New York Thunder Ring Hollow
Paulick Report – Bill Casner: Synthetic Tracks Are Safer – Here’s Why
Horse Race Insider – NEW YORK HORSEMEN RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM AND A CALL TO ACTION
DRF – David Grening – Bolshoi Ballet to use Joe Hirsch Turf Classic as bridge to Breeders’ Cup Turf
Garden and Gun – The Art in Craft Whiskey
Mental Floss – Jake Rossen – Pastrami vs. Corned Beef: What’s the Difference?
Sports Business Journal – Terry Pegula dissolves Bills, Sabres parent company
Bloodhorse – Tom Wilkin – Everyone Goes to See the Travers Winner
TDN – Mike Kane – ‘No Evidence’ of Issues with Tracks, According to NYRA’s O’Rourke
Southern Living – Valerie Fraser Luesse – 40 Things Southerners Say When It’s Hot
Paulick Report – After Two Breakdowns On Travers Day, Will Race Meet At Saratoga Continue?
TDN – Bill Finley – Fatalities Mar Travers Saturday at Saratoga
Paulick Report – Favorite New York Thunder Suffers Fatal Breakdown In Jerkens Memorial
Phil commented before the race that the Farkash clan would be cheering for One in Vermillion, but after a fatal breakdown in the race there’s not much humour left.
The recent breakdowns at Saratoga and the rash of breakdowns at Churchill Downs this year may be just statistical anomalies, but even the recent lowered breakdown rate of about 1.5 horses per 1000 races still means that horses are breaking down. With about 100 horses racing on each card that means that there’s one breakdown every 7 days on average. That may be an acceptable mortality statistic to the thoroughbred industry, but is it acceptable to the general public and the newbies that the industry is trying to attract as fans.
Cards like Travers and Alabama days when the stands are packed with non-regulars are when the industry hopes to convert a percentage of non-regulars to regulars. But when the spectacle is Maple Leaf Mel or New York Thunder breaking a leg and being humanely euthanized on track the tracks will be lucky to not lose many of the regulars.
To the betting public the thrill of victory tips the scales over the agony of defeat, but add death and destruction and there’s nothing you can say or do that will attract and keep the new fans.
Thousands of pets die daily from traffic accidents and even are abused and neglected, but the horse deaths are televised and front and centre and can’t be swept under the carpet.
The key question is: how long will the betting public accept even one horse death as part of the business.
New York Times – Through Philanthropy and Activism, Bob Barker Fought Animal Cruelty
Phil has a question:
Does the Undertaker have Keith Clark on guitar.
Study Finds – Pizza Rat wasn’t unique! City-dwelling creatures adapt to survive, researchers explain
Not TV or illegal drugs but the automobile has been the chief destroyer of American communities.
Jane Jacobs
Phil has a question:
Did they study night owls.
Peter Redekop’ s Abeliefinthislivin, a Gray or Roan Colt, by Arrogate out of Half A. P. didn’t have a hard way to go as he closed from his stalking position to draw clear of the pacesetter Heroic Move and continue to edge clear of the pack. American Blaze closed for second with Accidental Hero getting up for third, but neither seriously challenged the victor. Amadeo Perez was in the irons for conditioner Barbara Heads. Abeliefinthislivin ended up the betting favourite with Phil speculating that loads of that late money emanated from the Derby Bar and Grill where the atmosphere and after party outshone anything at Century Mile.
Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.
Fast Eddie Felson
It was a good day for Barbara Heads as she also won the Northlands Distaff Handicap with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and William Decoursey’s Infinite Patience with Antonio Reyes in the saddle.
The Manitoba Derby winner Mano Dura finished mid pack so there will be no Western Canadian Triple crown winner this year, but Peter Redekop’ s Abeliefinthislivin, will be aiming for 2 out of three in the BC Derby on Saturday September 16, 2023.
$1,886,188 total handle looks pretty good for Canadian Derby Day, but when you compare it with Assiniboia Downs Manitoba Derby Day handle of $3,708,804 for 7 races Phil gotta ask the question:
What is Assiniboia Downs doing better than Century Mile.
Canadian Thoroughbred – Jennifer Morrison – Abeliefinthislivin Powers to Big Win in Canadian Derby
Bloodhorse – Lauren Gash – Abeliefinthislivin Gets Up to Take Canadian Derby
DRF – Matt Hegarty – Bolshoi Ballet sweeps to easy win in Sword Dancer
Bloodhorse – Molly Rollins – Bolshoi Ballet Dances to Victory in Sword Dancer
TDN – Alan Carasso – Bolshoi Ballet Romps in Sword Dancer
Phil Has a question:
With another GI on his resume will the Coolmore Gang hustle Bolshoi Ballet off the stage and into the breeding shed as a replacement for his sire Galileo.
Who will be a better sire: Bolshoi Ballet or Moscow Ballet or Nijinsky or Fred Astaire.
Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – Arcangelo Follows Belmont Victory by Taking Travers
TDN – Arcangelo Proves The Right ‘Choice’ In Travers 154
Paulick Report – ‘All The Credit To Jena’: Belmont Winner Arcangelo Cruises To Travers Triumph
Bloodhorse – Tom Wilkin – Repole Trying to Figure Out What Went Wrong
Forte was unsettled in the gate, never seemed to really calm down, came out of the gate crooked and never got into the race. Nuff said.
Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don’t find out til too late that he’s been playing with two queens all along.”
Terry Pratchett
A leader who doesn’t hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.
Golda Meir
The New Yorker – Joshua Yaffa – Putin’s Deadly Revenge on Prigozhin
Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
Winston Churchill
The Bitter Southerner – Shane Mitchell – The Wounded Fruit
The Bitter Southerner – Shane Mitchell – A Day at the Luling Watermelon Thump
Watermelon it’s a good fruit. You eat, you drink, you wash your face.
Enrico Caruso
Literary Hub – David Hepworth – It Conveyed Them: When The Beatles Recorded “Twist and Shout”
Remember this, folks – I am a Hillbilly, and I don’t always Bet the same way I talk. Good advice is one thing, but smart gambling is quite another.
Hunter S. Thompson
Bloodhorse – Co-Owner Langlois Reflects on Winning the King’s Plate
TDN – Dan Ross – HISA Proposes $80.9 Million 2024 Budget
The Ringer – Seerat Sohi – The Eight Biggest Questions Ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup
Bon Appetit – Alexis Deboschnek – A Pickle Martini Is the Best Dirty Martini
A number of years ago Phil took a bunch of empty jars back to the stall at the market and asked the young man if they re-used the jars. He gave me a look like I was fucking stupid for asking such a stupid question.
TDN – Mage’s Dam Puca and GISW Dalika to Keeneland November; Both Offered by Case Clay
Front Office Sports – Andrew Cohen – Barstool Sports Is ‘Losing Millions’
Phil has a question:
Isn’t Black Label the beer that’s on tap at the Dover OTB.
Phil M Stockmen
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2022 Horse Racing Alberta Annual Report
Track on 2 slots goldmine $85k HRA revenue for last 2 months 2022, opened Oct 28, 2022
Century Downs slots down 8%, so HRA 23mil will be down 2 million revenue
Betmakers no HRA revenue was $32 mil Aussie mutuels,anything to pump $
HRA admin cost up $450k, $400k report means more bureaucracy