tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-150270562024-03-13T16:22:30.689-04:00Turf Luckrace track reading <br>& Mountaineer musingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-67414545387982292822010-06-23T00:01:00.003-04:002010-06-26T19:00:52.426-04:00Little Festival on the Prairie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/TCaGYfbfe1I/AAAAAAAAATM/V6XCxPLtJC4/s1600/iowa_festival.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 148px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/TCaGYfbfe1I/AAAAAAAAATM/V6XCxPLtJC4/s320/iowa_festival.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487220951309318994" border="0" /></a>Things have been quiet here on the prairie, but at last, heat and humidity -- and frequent tornado watches -- have descended upon the plains. And yes -- the Iowa Festival of Racing is upon us.<br /><br />Once a year, Prairie Meadows, shoots the moon, and lays out a ton of prize money to draw some big name horses to the middle of nowhere. Last night's Saylorville Stakes, Iowa Distaff, and Iowa Sprint races launched the festival. And tonight, three graded stakes highlight the festivities: the G3 Iowa Oaks (Race 6), the G3 Iowa Derby (Race 7) and the G2 Cornhusker Handicap.<br /><br />The event always draws a crowd, and this year it has drawn (take a breath) - the winning riders in this year's Triple Crown races. Yup, Calvin Borel, Martin Garcia, and Mike Smith will all be out past the cornfields tonight. Woohoo!<br /><br />The Des Moines Register, which always provides nice coverage of Prairie Meadows, highlighted the three in an article this week. They've also got it running on the <a href="http://dmjuice.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100624/SPORTS1405/100624035">DM Juice </a>website, a chatty, boozy subsidiary website aimed at the 30 and under crowd. And they've made it easy to identify the big names with a guide to the horses they'll be riding this weekend:<br /><br /><b>CALVIN BOREL (KENTUCKY DERBY, SUPER SAVER)</b><br />Friday: Atta Boy Roy, Iowa Sprint<br />Saturday: Seeking the Title, Iowa Oaks<br />Saturday: Down With Dixie, Iowa Derby<br />Saturday: Brass Hat, Prairie Meadows Cornhusker<br /><br /><b>MARTIN GARCIA (PREAKNESS, LOOKIN AT LUCKY)</b><br />Friday: Miss Heather Lee, Saylorville<br />Saturday: Harissa, Iowa Oaks<br />Saturday: Concord Point, Iowa Derby<br />Saturday: Mythical Power, Prairie Meadows Cornhusker<br /><br /><b>MIKE SMITH (BELMONT, DROSSELMEYER)</b><br />Saturday: All Due Respect, Iowa Oaks<br /><br />Track commentator John Hernandez (who blogs at <a href="http://johnatprairiemeadows.wordpress.com/">John at Prairie Meadows)</a> and guest Joy Rose Murphy of Remington Park spoke with Martin Garcia, but the fans wanted to see Borel. Twenty-five minutes before the race, they were lining the paddock two deep where Borel would await Atta Boy Roy for the Iowa Sprint. (Please note, scale is different here. The King remarked, "In New York, fans would be 10 deep here." Here, two deep is a big deal.)<br /><br />Borel and Atta Boy Roy finished a disappointing second to the absolutely gorgeous, well-named Majesticperfection, who set a track record. But Borel, ambassador for racing, never disappoints. From his smiles for the crowd to the pat on the nose he gave Atta Boy Roy after the race, he never seemed to think he was a <s>second</s> third class track in a fly-over state.<br /><br />We watched his race from the rail, and the woman was obviously new to the races, asking simple questions. When Borel dismounted in front of us, I noted that he had won 3 of the last 4 Kentucky Derbies. "Really?" she said. As Borel nodded to us, and walked back down the chute, she smiled. Suddenly, she wasn't just killing time while hubby played the slots inside. "He'll be here tomorrow? We've gotta come back," she said.<br /><br />Thanks, Calvin! See ya tonight!<br /><br />-------<br />Before we dash out to the track, just a quick note: yours truly has at long last ventured into the world of public handicapping. You can check out the results, such as they are, at <a href="http://www.thorofan.com/backend/News/csNews.cgi?database=THOROFAN_Handicappers.db&command=viewone&id=13&op=t">Thorofan.com</a>. I have a feeling y'all can guess what kind of wager I suggest!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-67574629401516109702010-04-22T23:16:00.004-04:002010-04-23T04:37:21.776-04:00Monograph Mile: 2010In 2005, after my first day at the races, still breathless from the rush of the wind at the rail, the sound of hoofbeats still ringing in my ear, I scurried to the racing section of my library where I searched for a suitable introduction to the world of thoroughbred racing. Tucked on the bottom shelf at SF 335 .U5 S56, I discovered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Racing-Through-Century-Thoroughbred-America/dp/1889540927"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Racing Through The Century: The Story of Thoroughbred Racing</span></span></a> by Mary Simon. It was an awkward book to carry home on the bus, verging on the coffee-table size, and though my arm was numb by the time my stop arrived, once I was ensconced in my comfy armchair, I simply could not put it down. While it's chock full of photos and illustrations, it was the text, arranged by decade, that held my attention. And scattered throughout an engaging history of racing trends and historic events were wonderfully-told biographies of the sport's stars. Jockeys and trainers and owners ... and horses. Hundreds of horses galloped through the pages, brought to life in succinct and often moving prose. The author was eloquent without being flowery, moving without being maudlin. And she could capture the essence of some of the sport's most beloved runners in a mere page. This was a woman who knew words and could make them count.<br /><br />So who better to serve as steward of the annual running of the Monograph Mile? Better known as the <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/competitions/thoroughbred-times-castleton-lyons-book-award.aspx">Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award</a>, this race takes place on -- gasp -- printed pages, and recognizes the best racing-related book of 2009. And since its inception, Mary Simon has been coordinating the award. This year, she's teamed with Kay Coyte and Rudolph Alvarado to select the winner. <br /><br />In previous years, I've handicapped the full field of possible nominations, but this year I found myself a bit too busy to keep up with racetrack reading. At least it's not too late to handicap the three finalists going to the post on Friday:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1577316479/1n9867a-20"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beyond the Homestretch: What I've Learned from Saving Racehorses</span></span></a> by Lynn Reardon. Reardon was once an accountant in Washington, DC; now she runs LOPE (Lonestar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers) and hangs out with retired racehorses in Texas. Judging by the experiences she relates in the book, the change agrees with her. Reardon's style is engaging, and she tells good stories. This entry has personality in abundance, and the barn seems thoroughly modern, complete with <a href="http://twitter.com/LOPETEXAS">Twitter feed</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-The-Homestretch/218772946284">Facebook page</a>, and <a href="http://lopetexas.typepad.com/horse_tales/">blog</a>. If you'd like to see this one in the paddock, the first chapter is online at the <a href="http://www.beyondthehomestretch.com/img/beyond-the-homestretch-sample.pdf"></a><a href="http://www.beyondthehomestretch.com/img/beyond-the-homestretch-sample.pdf">Beyond the Homestretch website</a>(pdf). <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 9-2.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kentuckypress.com/viewbook.cfm?ID=1547&Group=7"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keeneland's Ted Bassett: My Life</span></span></a></span> by Ted Bassett and Bill Mooney. I usually find autobiographical books from powerful men to be a bit dry, but Bassett wears the prestige of being "one of racing's most revered leaders" lightly. He's joined by one of the best racing writers out there, Bill Mooney, to craft a fascinating look at a life lived well. The book begins with his description of how he became the President of Keeneland, but I found the descriptions of his interactions with Queen Elizabeth even more entertaining<span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span>Judging from the interview that Bassett and Mooney did with Bill Goodman (<a href="http://www.ket.org/cgi-ket/foxweb.exe/db/ket/dmps/programs?id=ONON0415">video</a>), the voice in the book is Bassett's own: never arrogant, often wry, and always straightforward. A short excerpt on <a href="http://www.tedbassett.com/Book/">tedbassett.com</a> offers a peek in the paddock. This entry from the strong University of Kentucky Press barn certainly has the pedigree to be a winner. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 3-1.<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Derby-Vault-Andy-Plattner/dp/079482790X"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Kentucky Derby Vault: A History of the Run for the Roses</span></span></a></span> by Andrew Plattner. There's always one entrant that puzzles me, and this year, it's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Kentucky Derby Vault. </span>I haven't seen a copy of it, but it sounds like the entry is sporting some special equipment:<blockquote>This attractive coffee-table book is like none other we have<br />seen, combining strong text, plenty of rich archival photography,<br />and a playful interactive dimension. Unexpected treats are<br />tucked away in attached pockets throughout. Among the surprises:<br />reproduction vintage postcards, reprints of pages from<br />old programs, and replicas of antique Derby day passes—including<br />a lady’s complimentary badge from 1911. All look and<br />feel authentic. (Thoroughbred Times)</blockquote>"Playful interactive dimension"? "Attached pockets"? Interpreting this is like reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Racing Post </span>speed figs for the 2nd at Ascot. However, last year's winner, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez</span> also featured extra equipment -- a CD of Hernandez's race calls -- and I swore I would never ignore this kind of thing again. In addition, Plattner won the Flannery O'Connor Award for his short story collection, <span style="font-style: italic;">Winter Money</span>. And the <span style="font-style: italic;">Boston Review</span> noted that of the ten stories in <span style="font-style: italic;">Winter Money,</span> nine mention horses, racing or wagering in the first paragraph! Thus, sight unseen, I'm taking the mystery horse for the win. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 2-1.</span><br /><br />Those lucky enough to be in the Lexington area can check out the jockeys up close and personal, as all three authors will be at Keeneland on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00. The winner will be announced at an invitation-only reception at Castleton Lyons on Friday night.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.castletonlyons.com/">Castleton Lyons</a> partners with <span style="font-style: italic;">Thoroughbred Times </span>to sponsor the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award And the award is substantial: $10,000, as much as a Pulitzer Prize! Yet, while Pulitzer Prize winners are always a "must buy" in the library world, you'd be hard pressed to find a library that owns all 3 of the Dr. Tony Book Award winners. (In fact, it appears that even the Lexington Public Library doesn't own last year's winner!) <br /><br />I mention this because once again, <span style="font-style: italic;">Thoroughbred Times</span> has posted a handy-dandy <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/media/pdfs/BookAward09SemiFinalists.pdf">list of the six semi-finalists (pdf)</a> complete with summaries of the books and a history of the award. Perhaps, if you would like to promote racing at a local level, you might want to send a copy to your friendly neighborhood librarian. Librarians try to collect a wide range of materials, but often the bottom line is heavily influenced by requests from the community. That would be ... you! <br /><br />Amidst all the laments on how to create racing fans, no one ever suggests sharing a good racing book with newbies. Yet I for one was hooked when I borrowed Mary Simon's <span style="font-style: italic;">Horse Racing Through The Century </span>from the library. And the <a href="http://arts.endow.gov/news/news09/ReadingonRise.html">latest NEA survey</a> on reading found that, for the first time since 1982, reading is on the rise. <br /><br />Maybe, just maybe, getting racing books into libraries can help create new track-goers. And it's something any racing fan can do, without waiting for the NTRA, the NYRA the governor of New York, the Breeder's Cup committee, or some whiz kid with a killer app for the iPad.<br /><br />So go ahead, exercise your freedom, preserve a piece of racing history, and make a recommendation to <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> public library. Better yet, buy a copy of the winner when it's announced and donate it to your library. We'll take good care of it, I promise.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-43441860508759723992010-02-15T23:45:00.000-05:002010-02-16T03:47:52.556-05:00Remembering a paperback rider<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/S3pXxiv0RaI/AAAAAAAAAS8/UEbp5vYAUdE/s1600-h/1976-Dick-Francis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/S3pXxiv0RaI/AAAAAAAAAS8/UEbp5vYAUdE/s200/1976-Dick-Francis.jpg" alt="1976 photo of Dick Francis from Chris Capstick-Rex Features via The Guardian" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438756008655865250" border="0" /></a>On this day dedicated to some great men, let us take a moment to mark the passing of one of horse racing's greats. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dick Francis</span>, jockey to the Queen, writer for the masses, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/books/15francis.html">died</a> this weekend. Author of more than 40 novels which graced the bestseller lists throughout four decades, Francis brought the sights and sounds and <span style="font-style: italic;">language</span> of the track to readers throughout the world.<br /><br />If he'd never written a word, Francis would still be remembered as a winner of 350 races and Britain's jockey of the year in 1953-54. And after a stunning, calamitous ride in the 1956 Grand National aboard Devon Loch, he may have gone on to be remembered as the fellow who lost the National.<br /><br />But instead, he retired from racing, and in 1957, published a memoir, <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Queens-Autobiography-Dick-Francis/dp/0330339028">Sport of Queens</a></span> which led to a career as a racing columnist for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Sunday Express</span>. Perhaps his years in steeplechase left him ever ready to jump to new things, for when his wife Mary suggested he try his hand at fiction, he gave it a go, cleared the hurdles with grace, and added "novelist" to his resume.<br /><br />Perhaps, as the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/15/AR2010021503558.html?hpid=moreheadlines"><span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span> obituary</a> notes, his works were formulaic, but they were award-winning as well. He received the Diamond Dagger Award from the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain, and he remains the only author honored by the Mystery Writers of America for Best Novel three times (in 1970 for <span style="font-style: italic;">Forfeit</span>, 1981 for <span style="font-style: italic;">Whip Hand</span>, and 1996 for <span style="font-style: italic;">Come to Grief</span>.)<br /><br />As so many in the American racing industry deplore racing's declining profile, Dick Francis and his adventure-filled tales kept horse racing alive in the public conscience. Folks who never read a racing form picked up a Francis paperback -- and were transported to the track.<br /><br />Last year, while <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/03/handicapping-monograph-mile.html">handicapping the semi-finalists</a> for the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, I remarked that when folks from outside of the racing world understand words like "furlong" and "irons", it's likely because of Dick Francis. I suspect, too, that one reason horse racing has more "buzz" than sailing and boxing is that Dick Francis novels -- with their detailed descriptions of silks and stalls, bits and bets -- reminded the general public that race tracks still exist.<br /><br />Francis was mainstream in a way that simply dwarfs much of the literature of our sport. Look at these current Amazon ratings for last year's Tony Ryan Book Award semi-finalists:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twoey-Goat-Robbie-Timmons/dp/1587265176/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266302835&sr=1-1"><br />Twoey and the Goat</a> - #1,557,541<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Untold-Story-Joe-Hernandez-Voice/dp/0615187579/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237362513&sr=1-1">The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez</a> - #1,292,136<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Black-King-Kentucky-Derby/dp/1584302747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237350601&sr=8-1">The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby</a> - #1,145,358<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/History-Art-25-Travers/dp/1595310231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237362595&sr=8-1">The History and Art of the Travers</a> - #983,334<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Guy-Barbaro-Heartbreak-Americas/dp/B001JJBP2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266302664&sr=1-1">My Guy Barbaro</a> - #697,040<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Track-Retraining-Thoroughbred-Racecourse/dp/1570764026">Beyond the Racetrack</a> - #115,624<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silks-Dick-Francis/dp/0399155333/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237360001&sr=8-1"><br />Silks</a> by Dick Francis - #55,024<br />The paperback (#1,449) and the Kindle (#1300) editions <span style="font-style: italic;"></span> are doing even better. <br /><br />True, none of these books are by authors with the name recognition of Dick Francis, and also true that death of an author often pushes a bump in sales, but still -- it can't be denied that his tales of blood, sweat and horses reach a public that's never heard of TVG or <span style="font-style: italic;">Bloodhorse.</span><br /><br />The many books of Dick Francis can be found on the shelves of bookstores and libraries most everywhere, and another collaboration with son Felix, <span style="font-style: italic;">Crossfire</span>, is due out later this year. Many of his works are available in e-book or Kindle format. Even online readers can sample some classic Francis storytelling in <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083205/index.htm">"A Carrot for Chestnut"</a>, a short story available at the SI Vault. So, I suspect that much like Walter Farley and his Black Stallion, Francis and his tales of trackside skulduggery will continue to inform the public perception of horse racing for years to come. We've been lucky that throughout his dozens of novels, replete with murder, kidnapping, blackmail, doping, and nefarious financial schemes, Francis is still able to convey the thrill of the race and the magnificence of the horses.<br /><br />Franz Lidz, whose <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1137910/index.htm">1993 Sports Illustrated article</a> about Francis was expanded for inclusion in an eclectic 1998 collection, <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=_G4FhvpPFqAC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=dick+francis+franz+lidz&source=bl&ots=l7DA9ivM3V&sig=Vy5CcFFE5jSo8Vdpe_n8J6PuxAA&hl=en&ei=nUV4S6j2LYqANtGdyZcP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=dick%20francis%20franz%20lidz&f=false">Horse People</a>, quoted Francis as saying, <blockquote>"Yes, riding was my first love. It's lovely when you're on a good horse, seeing the fence in front of you. Nothing could be more satisfying." He quickly adds, "But writing has its compensations. When a race is over, it's gone for good. A book remains."</blockquote> Actually, about 42 of them remain. Thank you and God bless, Mr. Francis.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />---<br />Frank at That's Amore Stables offers a different and eloquent tribute to Francis in his <a href="http://www.thatsamorestable.net/blog/?p=313">A Way with Horses</a> post. <br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-82394488191895842932010-01-30T02:07:00.005-05:002010-01-30T04:50:11.603-05:00Our Groundhog Day: the Sunshine MillionsAt the newly redesigned <a href="http://superfectablog.com/">Superfecta site</a>, our favorite archivist <a href="http://superfectablog.com/2010/01/the-sunshine-millions-were-you-aware.html">laments the lack of fanfare </a>surrounding this year's running of the Sunshine Millions. Let me add my voice to hers in mourning the absence of mainstream coverage of what has traditionally been a rather fun break in the winter blues.<br /><br />In the past, the King and I have reveled in the quirkiness of a racing program coordinated between two tracks on two different coasts. Our spirits always lifted as the NBC camera panned the warm and sunny track environs. We'd stop at the OTB to make a few wagers on the Florida & California breds, then camp out on the couch with froofy summer drinks to watch racing on the "big screen". Frankly, I thought it was racing's Groundhog Day, a good reason for a party to hurry winter on its way.<br /><br />And perhaps the fact that the Sunshine Millions is no longer offered on broadcast networks, or even ESPN, is some sort of portent of things to come, but I can't be contemplating such serious stuff tonight. Instead, I've scoured the web for all things Sunshiney, because this Iowa winter has been brutal, brutal, brutal -- and I need to think about spring.<br /><br />For those of you in the same mood, here are some links to the past performances for Saturday's stakes from Santa Anita and Gulfstream:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/sunshine-millions-2010/sunshine-millions-sprint/2010-SM-Sprint.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1">Sunshine Millions Sprint</a><br /></span>Gulfstream - Race 8<br />Post time ~4:30 ET (3:30 Central, for those playing from Des Moines)<br /><br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/sunshine-millions-2010/sunshine-millions-distaff/2010-SM-Distaff.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">* Sunshine Millions Distaff</span></a><br />Gulfstream - Race 9<br />Post time 5:08 ET (4:08 Central)<br /><br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/sunshine-millions-2010/sunshine-millions-filly-mare-sprint/2010-SM-FM-Sprint.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">* Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint</span></a><br />Santa Anita - Race 6<br />Post time 5:36 ET (4:36 Central)<br /><br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/sunshine-millions-2010/sunshine-millions-turf/2010-SM-Turf.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">* Sunshine Millions Turf</span></a><br />Gulfstream - Race 10<br />Post time 5:43 (4:43 Central)<br /><br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/sunshine-millions-2010/sunshine-millions-filly-mare-turf/2010-SM-FM-Turf.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">* Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf</span></a><br />Santa Anita - Race 7<br />Post time 6:06 ET (5:06 Central)<br /><br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/sunshine-millions-2010/sunshine-millions-classic/2010-SM-Classic.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunshine Millions Classic</span></a><br />Santa Anita - Race 8<br />Post time: 6:38 ET (5:38 CT)<br /><br />Note: The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Magna Pick 5 </span>returns this weekend for $1 minimum, and 4 of the 5 races are Sunshine Millions races. The starting leg of the wager is the 9th at Laurel, followed by the starred races above. <a href="http://www.xpressbet.com/ed/downloads/m5pp0129.pdf">Past performances</a> for all 5 races appear to be available from <a href="http://www.magna5.com/">the Magna 5 site</a>, which also provides instructions on how to place the bet: "Play the Magna 5 in person wherever you normally wager on the races. Ask the teller for the Pick Five at Laurel Park." They're plugging it as the $1 National Pick 5, and it seems to me that you gotta love how the Magna folks are bravely muddling through their own special winter.<br /><br />Meanwhile, if you'd like some suggestions for selections, <a href="http://superfectablog.com/2010/01/the-sunshine-millions-were-you-aware.html">Superfecta </a>also offers some analysis of the races, as do <a href="http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2010/01/29/sunshine-millions-quick-picks/">The Aspiring Horseplayer</a> and <a href="http://www.gradedstakes.com/sunshine-millions-santa-monica-and-forward-gal-selections.html">Graded Stakes. </a><br /><br />So yes, tomorrow, I will don longjohns and legwarmers, thick socks and warm woolen mittens, then scrape the remnants of ice and snow off the car to take a little trip to Altoona, IA. There, the King and I will spend a few hours in the drafty OTB section of Prairie Meadows, drinking cheap beer while we play the Groundhog Day game in which a win by California means that spring is on its way. Not as convenient or fun as days of yore, perhaps, but I learned during visits to Punxsutawney that even if it's six more weeks of winter, we've made it this far -- and that's certainly worth celebrating.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-59357025849409930842010-01-25T00:26:00.004-05:002010-01-25T03:12:33.840-05:00The Quinella PlaceAt the Courier-Journal site, Jennie Rees posted a bit of an e-mail she received, describing a reader's visit to the track in Hong Kong. It's a short piece, a postcard, really, from a place that sounds like a railbird Nirvana. One of the more interesting bits is the description of a wagering option:<br /><br /><blockquote>They had a very interesting bet called the quinella place. You got paid for 1,2 or 1,3 or 2,3. Makes it cool to throw bombs in there and you don't have to bummer out when you run 1-3.<br />--<a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/trackside/2010/01/auerbach-hong-kong-racing-amazing.html">Courier-Journal</a></blockquote><br /><br />Here at the Quinella Castle, we'd love a chance to play such a wager. We in fact wish such a wager had been in place for the Holy Bull, for then we would have cashed a ticket on Winslow Homer and sweet William's Kitten. Instead, I've an exacta slip now graced with my grocery list on the back. <br /><br />I know that there are those who feel that the quinella has outlasted its usefulness now that we have the exacta-box, but well, wouldn't it be interesting to see if racing could attract more fans with wagers that are a bit easier to win? Might it not be worth a try now and then to put a few more entrees on the betting buffet? <br /><br />It seems that much of the world already lives in a state of <a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/10/embrace-the-concept-of-permanent-beta.html">"permanent beta"</a>, and amazingly enough, people seem able to adapt to change. There's less downside now to trying something new, and abandoning it if it doesn't work out. It'd be great if a track somewhere could give the Quinella Place a try.<br /><br />However, as I understand it, state regulatory agencies determine which wagers their tracks can offer, so trial balloons are a bit difficult to launch. But governments may be interested in change if they feel it might bring in more revenue. For example,<a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101230324"> Iowa politicians are currently considering a bill allowing poker tournaments</a> in the track ballrooms as well as permitting advance deposit wagering -- all to increase revenue. It's possible that the sponsor of the bill came up with this idea all by himself, but it's more likely that casino and track advocates approached him with a suggestion.<br /><br />Now might be the perfect time to ask for simple modifications to basic racing rules that might attract more customers. States seem open to change right now, as they scramble to balance budgets. But most track lobbying efforts appear focused on getting slots or table games. Modifications that might affect the horseplayer's experience don't seem to be high on most track agendas.<br /><br />So I don't expect to see a Quinella Place wager anytime soon. And a single new wagering option won't save racing by itself. But the flexibility to try small experiments just might. Here at the Quinella Castle, we hope track execs are working to convince politicians and regulatory boards of the benefits of permanent beta. We hope this is the year we'll watch little trial balloons launch from racetracks throughout the land. <br /><br />We hope, we hope.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-70835055249518393502009-12-25T00:12:00.008-05:002009-12-25T04:20:06.565-05:002009: Highlights from the PrairieAt last! Wrapping is done, our bags are packed, and the Christmas lights are twinkling 'round every doorway in the Little Castle on the Prairie. Tomorrow, we battle big snow, long lines, and airport security in an effort to return to Pennsylvania for some pierogies -- and a pint from the <a href="http://www.eastendbrewing.com/">East End Brewing Company</a>. <br /><br />But tonight, as I repose in my kerchief, night cap in hand, visions of the year gone by dance through my head. "How many old recollections, and how many dormant sympathies, does Christmas time awaken!" Dickens asked in <span style="font-style:italic;">The Pickwick Papers</span>, and for me, the answer seems to be quite a few.<br /><br />As I contemplate the year gone by, I've no sugar plum vision of Rachel or Zenyatta to muse upon this Christmas Eve. We didn't make it to a single "big" track this year. Instead, we frequented Prairie Meadows, followed Mountaineer from afar, and took a weekend jaunt to Canterbury Park. We weren't present for any Eclipse-winning moments, but oh! the dormant sympathies that arise as I recall:<br /><br />* Our first glimpse of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Coach Jimi Lee</span>. The race we caught in July was only an allowance for a field of four, but still, the opportunity to see the track record holder for 6 furlongs was hard to resist. It was his second race back after a dismal end to 2008, but he looked rather jaunty in the paddock, and it was a delight to be among the handful of live spectators cheering him on. (And I do mean "handful"; Prairie Meadows start times for Mondays and Tuesdays -- 1/2 of their race days -- is 3:00 local time. The crowds are always sparse for these.) I've an inordinate fondness for track record holders; it seems there's always a little bit of local greatness around these types -- and <a href="http://www.drf.com/news/article/106536.html">DRF reports</a> that he holds track records in Illinois as well as Iowa! Icing on this sugarplum: his name has graced a few Mountaineer cards -- in 2007 (I think) he won the Waterford Handicap and placed 2nd in the Christmas Sprint -- and somehow this seemed like a connection to home. Sun on my shoulders, gentle breeze blowing, and a 9-year old champ making a race of it in the stretch; what more could one want? This was the race that convinced me that I could enjoy racing in Iowa, even though Coach Jimi Lee finished 2nd to Celluloid Hero.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Proceed Bee</span> winning the Prairie Mile. Proceed Bee is a personal favorite, as his win in the Battaglia Memorial kept me in the game in a little KY Derby contest I play. (This year, I came in 5th, and actually received a prize!) Proceed Bee is one reason I felt like a winner all year long, and it was really nice that he made a stop in Iowa.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Furthest Land.</span> Who would have thought I'd get to see a Breeder's Cup winner while in the midwest? We traveled up to Canterbury Park for the Claiming Crown (where fellow blogger <a href="http://grevelisracing.blogspot.com/">Ted Grevelis</a> showed us the ropes) and had the opportunity to watch Antrim County trounce the latest BC Dirt Mile champ in the Claiming Crown Jewel. <br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Red Hot and Gold</span>. A gorgeous gray who grabbed my attention with a win in the Cyclones Handicap in June. Owner Peggy Shattuck hoped he'd be the first Iowa-bred to win the G2 Cornhusker in late June, but it just wasn't his day. He always looked good in the paddock, and the Quinella Crew always enjoyed cheering for him, no matter what, and he repaid us by winning the Ralph Hayes Handicap for the second time in August.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Native Ruler</span>. It was really rather cool to see owner Maggi Moss at the races, and she always looked ready for the winners' circle photos when Native Ruler ran. His win in the Prairie Express in May was no surprise (he paid $2.60 to win), but in August's Prairie Meadows Sprint, he had to wear down leader Coach Jimi Lee in the stretch to notch another victory. <br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Euphony.</span> What a beautiful horse this one is! And what a delight to cheer her to victory in the Iowa Distaff! After conquering Iowa, she went off to the Claiming Crown high on a six-race win streak. What sorrow to see Happiness Is pass her in the Lady Canterbury at the Claiming Crown. <br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Shadowbdancing</span> Before the Cornhusker, I watched this horse enter the paddock like some sort of conquering hero, full of himself and ready to run. He finished a fine second to Jonesboro that day, then in August, he traveled to the hills of West Virginia to win the West Virginia Governor's Stakes at Mountaineer. Sleek and black, this horse is the stuff of dreams. I simply adore Shadowbdancing.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Uh Oh Bango</span>. A phenomenal run in the Iowa Freshman Stakes earned Uh Oh Bango the season's highest Beyer for a 2-year old: 102. He's gone on to compete in some top-notch races, including a recent 2nd place finish to Rule in the G3 Delta Jackpot. Fingers crossed, we're hoping he'll find his way to the Kentucky Derby. <br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Missile Impossible</span> I didn't get to see this one in person, but I've been getting a kick out of watching her races at Mountaineer on the Calracing.com website. (What a wonderful site this is! Thank you, California!) A dead cold closer, win or lose, her Mountaineer efforts have all been a thrill to watch. If you'd like to give yourself a little gift today, take a peek at her race from 10/13. She's 20 lengths off the lead at the top of the stretch, totally out of the picture -- and, yes, she wins! Peter Berry's call is great; I like the way he pronounces "Missile" with a long I, and I love the inadvertent "No way!" he exclaims at the end.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight:bold;">Mine That Bird.</span> A Kentucky Derby winner raced at Mountaineer! Yes, the loss to Soul Warrior was disappointing, especially for those of us who weren't all that impressed with Soul Warrior's second place finish in the Iowa Derby. But the little horse and his black-hatted connections bucked the common wisdom, and gave Mountie a try. I saw it as <a href="http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/thoroughbred-bloggers-alliance/archive/tags/Quinella+Queen/default.aspx">a good thing</a> for fans at small tracks everywhere. Whether his Derby win was a fluke or not, in my opinion, Mine That Bird was the blue-collar horse of the year. <br /><br />Well, the night cap's just about gone, but the visions of 2009 remain, sentimental reminders that even in tough times, life can be good, and victory is sweet, no matter the size of the purse.<br /><br />"'This,' said Mr. Pickwick, looking round him, 'this is, indeed, comfort.'" Awash in memories of the year gone by, the Quinella Queen concurs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-30372291670218803592009-09-19T17:17:00.005-04:002009-09-19T17:36:09.617-04:00End of the meet at Prairie MeadowsAh, fall is in the air, and soon, the only racing in town will involve wheels. So tonight, we're heading out to say so long to some of our Prairie Meadows favorites: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Royal Move</span>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Silverbdancing</span>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Highest Degree</span>. And while we're there, we'll say hello to an old friend from the Derby prep races: <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/09/here-comes-jojo.html">Theregoesjojo</a>.<br /><br />And of course, we're looking forward to the final thoroughbred stakes for 2009: the Prairie Meadows Oaks (<a href="http://6816200786155829832-a-1802744773732722657-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/quinellacastle/home/2009-prairiemeadowsoaks/2009-PRM-PRMOaks.pdf?attredirects=0&auth=ANoY7cp5zhWDzesMnJm2hervf2D2K79jbXUaUwCzQGduHOXQ01FuxgrK-rlFJaEedBmtCVv0tMsXSw4W_5_r2YDavcyoaTU0MIbGMsQcTy5JhI3TAngOTE7ISiviymEJTdLz69E8JIOfIA7wcjuTlvRWBx5uka5he-BuYezTWTtRPenh0Rv7zVEp0KdrujkHb7J5fF7e1ybz3zyJiW9devK3M44DnaKRBzRZfl78byMfwlP1mqg0fbaCoDCEeVI6SgOF5lwj94BW">past performances</a>; pdf) and the Prairie Meadows Derby (<a href="http://6816200786155829832-a-1802744773732722657-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/quinellacastle/home/2009-prairiemeadowsderby/2009-PRM-PRMDerby.pdf?attredirects=0&auth=ANoY7crnuVfCE4TomUZGOcHkCzlR0YSSDHBBd09cwRcue47wB7Iy8ZS1mAR7tO6Q_PWsMRO4wrc-7MnulzT5vupmLIpY-9Lc_JDnHiW944XnQ8xzCoISMddk0QolWDMal7RG2gt6G1AhmoHrgRBRnrmWPOuWg3Nt1KyotFEPKFIpm0B1KwyWptCFjpXI3A_DjyJsJZie6n3rh1GRyuJZBOu3i4XMpRwy0ieyDjwtM-YTHNLYvsWr4K7Pgtjq55TEkKgZszv-vlVc">past performances</a>; pdf)<br /><br />The Oaks looks wide open to me, and with a full field, it's likely to have a nice payoff. DRF covers the contenders for both races in a <a href="http://drf.com/news/article/107337.html">track report</a>. Me, I gotta get out of here -- we're headed to the track, one last time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-25559397202303235512009-09-19T11:09:00.007-04:002009-09-19T17:17:10.902-04:00Here comes JoJoTonight marks the end of the thoroughbred/quarter horse mixed meet at Prairie Meadows, and while there are some Turf Luck favorites on the card, the big name of the day must surely be <span style="font-weight: bold;">Theregoesjojo</span>, morning line favorite in the $75,000 Prairie Meadows Derby.<br /><br />Once upon a time, Theregoesjojo was on the Derby Trail, battling Quality Road in the Fountain of Youth and the Florida Derby. After a disappointing finish in the Blue Grass Stakes, in which "his stifle locked up twice," trainer Ken McPeek gave Jojo some time off, and contemplated an attempt at turf. (<a href="http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/triplecrowntalk/archive/2009/04/15/derby-earnings-who-s-in-and-who-s-out.aspx">Bloodhorse.com</a>)<br /><br />But instead, here he is, out where the tall grass grows, facing the likes of Minnesota Derby winner <span style="font-weight: bold;">Perfect Bull</span>, Iowa Breeders' Derby winner <span style="font-weight: bold;">Potanio,</span> and Manitoba Derby winner <span style="font-weight: bold;">Smuggler's Hold</span>. His stiffest competition may be <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumar</span>, a Steve Asmussen runner who's shared a starting gate with some of this year's finest -- Mine that Bird at Sunland, Friesan Fire at the Fair Grounds -- but has yet to score a stakes win. <br /><br />And though one might be tempted to go with Smuggler's Hold on <a href="http://equispace.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-favorite-holiday.html">Talk Like a Pirate Day</a>, here at the Little Castle on the Prairie, we're hoping Jojo's trip to the heartland heralds a return to the winner's circle:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TEB083B3umk&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TEB083B3umk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-38842637092762889922009-07-31T01:28:00.009-04:002009-07-31T22:56:05.401-04:00WV Derby Day -- almost heaven, West VirginiaHundreds of miles away from the West Virginia panhandle, my heart still flutters as the first Saturday in August approaches. WV Derby Day! This year, the race has been upgraded to a G-2, and just in time, as the reigning Kentucky Derby winner <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mine That Bird</span> drops by to make a run for the $750,000 Derby purse.<br /><br />While the Derby, race 8, is getting all of the attention, the undercard features shippers from Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen as well as some longtime local favorites. Here's a brief look at the day:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 1 - Mountaineer Juvenile Stakes - $85,000.</span><br />6f, dirt. 2yo. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race1-1/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race1f.pdf?attredirects=0" title="Mountaineer free past performances">Past performances</a>; pdf)<br />Seven entries, including Pletcher-trainee <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zip in Time. </span> Pittsburghers love the Rooneys, any Rooney, so it's quite possible that final odds on Asmussen's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Prince Rooney</span> will be even lower than the ML 7-5.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 2 - West Virginia Legislature Chairman's Cup - $85,000.</span><br />4-1/2 f, dirt. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race2f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)<br />This is the race of the day! <span style="font-weight: bold;">EZ Warrior</span>, who ran third to Hard Spun in the 2007 Kings Bishop, ships in take on Charles Town Dash winner <span style="font-weight: bold;">Trust or Bust</span>. Speedy <span style="font-weight: bold;">Piratesonthelake</span> gets Mike Smith in the irons. The lone female entrant, <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Chica Rica</span> won the Hancock County Handicap over this track in May. Lots of good entrants, lots of angles, but here at Turf Luck, we'll be cheering for the Morning Line favorite, our beloved <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bernie Blue </span><span>who scored a 103 speed figure winning the Dale Baird Memorial last out. He's won this one before, here's hoping the 7-year old can do it again.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 3 - West Virginia Secretary of State Stakes - $85,000.</span><br />6f, dirt. Fillies & Mares. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race-1/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race3f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nadeshiko</span> was a surprising second to Lady Chalice in the Saylorville at Prairie Meadows in June, but in this spot, she's the ML favorite. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 4 - Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies Stakes - $85,000.<br /></span><span>6f, dirt. 2yo fillies. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race4/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race4f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)</span><br />Four of the entrants are coming off a winning debut, including <span style="font-weight: bold;">For Royalty</span>. With Mike Smith on board again for Todd Pletcher, she looks like a serious contender to ML favorite <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bronx City Girl</span>, who ran third in her first stakes attempt, the <a href="http://www.drf.com/news/article/105644.html">Prairie Gold Lassie </a>at Prairie Meadows.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 5 - West Virginia Senate President's Breeders' Cup Stakes - $110,000.</span><br />1 mile 70 yards, turf. Fillies & Mares. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race6/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race5f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)<br />First turf race of the day, and another opportunity to cheer on a longtime favorite as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Beautiful Venue. </span>She won this two years ago, and she's been in the money at Mountaineer 10 of 11 times. Mike Smith rides yet again for Pletcher, this time on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mega</span>. I'm still rooting for Beautiful Venue. (Cat-xacta alert for <a href="http://www.brooklynbackstretch.com/">Madison and Floyd</a>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Cat</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cat Hop</span>.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 6 - The Harvey Arneault Memorial Breeders' Cup Stakes - $110,000.</span><br />6f, dirt. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race6-1/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race6f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances; </a>pdf)<br />Graded stakes winner <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ravalo</span> returns to the Mountain as a heavy favorite in this spot. Yes, Mike Smith has the mount, though amazingly, Ravalo's trainer is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> Todd Pletcher.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 7 - The West Virginia Governor's Stakes - $125,000</span><br /><span>1-1/16 miles, dirt. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race7/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race7f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shadowbdancing</span> looked simply magnificent in the paddock before the G2 Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows; though he finished a length behind Jonesboro, he filled in a nice little exacta for the Quinella Crew. Somehow, I always thought <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dubious Miss </span>was a mare, but no, he's a gelding, a rather speedy one who's been winning with Calvin Borel in the irons. Today, like Mine That Bird, he's ridden by Mike Smith.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 8 - The West Virginia Derby (G3) - $750,000.</span><br />1-1/8 miles, dirt. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race8/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race8f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)<br />Only 6 entrants this year: Awesome Rhythm, Big Drama, Mine That Bird, Monty's Best, Soul Warrior, and Sunday Sunrise. (The last two are coupled, leaving just five wagering opportunities.) <br /><br />Year in and year out, the journalist who seems to offer the best insights into the West Virginia Derby is Bill Mooney, whose articles appear on both the Review (WV) and Mountaineer's website. Mooney's most interesting is this observation:<br /><blockquote>"On June 7 at Woodbine, Awesome Rhythm drew off to an 8 ½-length victory in the Victoria Park Stakes, which is a 1 1/8-mile race. It was the colt’s third consecutive stakes triumph, with the prior two having been achieved at 1 1/16 miles. In all three races, Awesome Rhythm was never more than four lengths removed from the lead. It is a similar pattern to that of several recent West Virginia Derby winners, Sir Shackleton (2004), Zanjero (2007) and Ready Set (2008)." (<a href="http://www.mtrgaming.com/news/09/7_26_9.html">Mountaineer site</a>)<br /></blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Race 9 - The West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker's Cup Stakes - $85,000.</span><br />1 mile 70 yards, turf. (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/quinellacastle/home/mnr-2009-aug1-race9-1/MNR-2009-Aug1-Race9f.pdf?attredirects=0">Past performances</a>; pdf)<br />The Morning Line favorite is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Blues Street</span> at 7-5. Of course he's trained by Todd Pletcher. Of course, that's Mike Smith holding the reins. With this much Mike Smith, I wouldn't be surprised to see a crew from Animal Planet filming an episode of <span style="font-style: italic;">Jockeys</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you plan to go:</span></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bring sunscreen.</span> It's a long day, there's little shade, and the forecast calls for mostly sunny with highs in the low 80s. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eat before you get to the track.</span> While Mountaineer offers some fine dining in its trackside restaurant, and its La Bonne Vie recently received an Award of Excellence from <span style="font-style: italic;">Wine Spectator</span>, it's been impossible to get a reservation ever since Mine That Bird's appearance was announced. Keep in mind that you likely won't be able to bring in your own cooler. You may call Mountaineer at 1-800-80-40-HOT to <s>protest</s> inquire about this policy.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bring your own chairs.</span> Seating will be at a premium. Even in the best of times, Mountaineer has trouble handling the crowds on Derby Day; this year, I'd expect it to be standing room only. In the past, the outdoor deck seating has been full by noon. (The Derby is slated to be run around 5:40.) The outdoor "grandstand" consists of approximately 50 seats. Most days, Mountaineer regulars carry in their own lawn chairs and settle in on the apron. There are indoor grandstands which are not air-conditioned. Traditionally, the highest indoor level has not filled until after race 1 or 2. While they're a long hike up the stairs, there is one added benefit: the windows on the upper deck offer a view of the paddock.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Add a half-hour to your ETA for parking. </span>Though there is no fee for parking, the lots will be packed. One year, one non-MTB year, we spent a full 20 minutes being directed to a spot that seemed to be a country mile away from the track. Check with Mountaineer, but usually a shuttle bus runs from the casino to the track every 10 minutes or so. For folks who have difficulty walking distances, this might be an option.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enjoy the fine stylings of Mountaineer's announcer, Peter Berry. </span>While Mountaineer does a lot of things wrong, it knows how to hire talent. Berry is the standard by which track announcer's should be measured. He's that good.</li></ul>And finally:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy a Derby drink.</span> Mountaineer seems to change its "signature" drink every year, but whether its called a "Blue Derby" or a "Perfecta", you'll pay around $4 for a cool, tasty drink served in a souvenir derby glass. Hmmm....maybe you should buy two. You'll probably need the extra liquid refreshment. And if you happen to find that there's no room in your cupboard for all of your souvenir glasses, there's a homesick librarian in Des Moines who would be glad to take one off your hands.<br /></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-83486541674388494892009-07-29T23:08:00.007-04:002009-07-30T02:12:19.456-04:00Racinos: delivering the big horse for the little guy?Fresh off a trip up I-35 to Canterbury Park's fine presentation of the Claiming Crown, where the kind and courteous <a href="http://grevelisracing.blogspot.com/2009/07/some-random-claiming-crown-thoughts.html">Ted Grevelis</a> took time from his preparations for live blogging of the day to show a few out-of-towners the best seats in the house, I'm trying to catch up on the racing world news I missed while dodging deadlines at work.<br /><br />As far as I can tell, the only things worth mentioning this week are: Saratoga, Rachel Alexandra, Saratoga, Del Mar, some podunk race in WV, Saratoga, racing is dying, Saratoga, Rachel Alexandra, neverending NYRA saga, Rachel, Saratoga, Rachel, Saratoga...<br /><br />This glut of East Coast-centric coverage is mildly irksome since out here in the cornfields, we are far, far from the likes of Rachel Alexandra or the Saratoga crowd of big-name trainers, owners, and jockeys. I'll not get a chance to visit the Spa this year, and every bit of Saratoga coverage serves to remind me that trying to follow along from home is vastly inferior to being there. (You might recall William Murray has <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2008/10/wine-and-roses-keeneland.html">an apt metaphor</a> for viewing races on a screen.)<br /><br />To add to my chagrin, quite a bit of the racing world seems to fault Mine That Bird's connections for depriving the racing public of a showdown at the Monmouth Corral. It seems like every journalist on earth is now asking Chip Woolley, "Why West Virginia?" Bloggers whine that a win in the WV Derby means nothing, and that the move detracts from the Kentucky Derby winner's already dubious stature. An underlying tone in much of the Mine That Bird coverage seems to imply that running in a G-2 at a <span style="font-style: italic;">racino</span> with slots-inflated purses is not <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> racing.<br /><br />To which, I say: Pshaw! Or, in modern terms: Give me a break! Mine That Bird's visit to West Virginia might be the best thing that could happen to the racing industry this year.<br /><br />While the Internet, advance deposit wagering, and off-track betting parlors have allowed track handle to defy geography, I suspect that true fans -- committed, wagering fans -- are created at the track, where the oft-majestic presence of the horses, the roaring cheers of the crowd as the runners head down the stretch, the high-fives of victory and even the crumpled tickets of defeat result in an impression that lasts much longer than the experience of listening to a tinny racecall on a laptop or clicking the tv remote.<br /><br />While Saratoga and Del Mar (and, yes, Keeneland) are heaven on earth for a racing fan, those of us living far away from such divine tracks often have little choice but to frequent racing's limbo land of racino racing. Limbo land covers some pretty big acreage in horse racing nation, and many of these second and third tier tracks are located near substantial metropolitan areas.<br /><br />As the racing industry bemoans its continued irrelevancy to the general public and longtime horseplayers focus on relatively obscure issues of little interest to the man on the street, it's been purses at racinos that have actually helped to draw big-name horses to the small-time venues. And big horses at little tracks get attention. The mainstream media comes to call. Folks learn that something special might happen in that oval off Route 2. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>They mosey over on race day, they place a wager, they catch the fever.<br /><br />And it's easy to return to a racino: no admission charges or parking fees stand in the way of a return visit. There's much I dislike about racinos, and there's certainly much to criticize about how seldom racino management pays attention to its racing product, but one must admit they offer a largely untapped opportunity for the growth of the sport. A Kentucky Derby winner who barnstorms the racinos of the land might just attract the fans, attention, and handle the industry so desperately needs.<br /><br />Meanwhile, this Saturday, race fans in western Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, and the West Virginia panhandle can rejoice in the gift those slot machines have wrought: a big horse is in town!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-64646832068615020482009-07-08T03:30:00.003-04:002009-07-08T03:46:47.506-04:00A horse, a horse -- my kingdom for a horse!The Iowa Festival of Racing has come and gone, and still, I haven't made up my mind about Prairie Meadows. Numerous visits to the track, on race days big (KY Derby day, the Iowa Festival of Racing featuring the G2 Cornhusker) and small (a rainy stakes-free Friday night), have sparked neither enthusiasm nor venom here at the Quinella Castle. I'm still trying to find the best words to describe Prairie Meadows, and all I'm coming up with is: well, it's ... ok.<br /><br />First impressions are that it's a prettier track than Mountaineer. No one needs to carry in their own lawn chairs as Mountaineer regulars do, for here in Iowa, rows and rows of benches cover the apron. Tricked up with red benches and crisp white paddock fences, one senses echoes of Saratoga, but a Saratoga without trees or hills -- or a turf course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SlQ9QWBaDxI/AAAAAAAAASo/ldKog03cIOc/s1600-h/PrairieMeadows-red-n-white.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SlQ9QWBaDxI/AAAAAAAAASo/ldKog03cIOc/s320/PrairieMeadows-red-n-white.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355973207849045778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When racing actually begins, however, you come to realize that, as elsewhere in Iowa, there's no slope here. Watching the race outdoors is tough, even from the deck area, where a viewer seated at one of the tables is unable to see the field around either turn. Pretty much, if you're outside, you'll miss much of the action, unless you point your eyes towards the Jumbotron, because the apron is flat, flat, flat. (Iowans seem to believe that their state has contours throughout. "Iowa is not flat. Now, Nebraska, <span style="font-style: italic;">Nebraska</span> is flat!" they tell me. However as a transplant from the hills of Western Pennsylvania, I beg to differ.)<br /><br />I might also note that if I wanted to watch a race on a screen -- I'd stay home.<br /><br />That said, what I'm finding I miss most is, of all things, a horse. Perhaps you know what I mean: that horse you cheer for, whether the odds are 30-1 or 4-5. That horse you tell your friends about, even though it's never mentioned in those articles in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Daily Racing Form</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">Thoroughbred Times</span>. That horse like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Grace </span>or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chelsea's Grey Boy </span>or<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Punk</span> -- former Mountaineer runners all -- who somehow surfaces on your radar and makes you smile every time you see its name in the entries.<br /><br />That horse who lands in your Virtual Stable -- and your heart -- and never quite leaves.<br /><br />So far, I've not found such a horse at Prairie Meadows. Which is rather surprising, considering how much local media coverage Prairie Meadows receives. <a href="http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/category/sports/prairie-meadows/">Dan Johnson</a> at the Des Moines Register posts picks for every race, and there is periodic coverage in the Register of leading trainers like<a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906090359"> Lynn Chleborad </a>(who at one point, was claiming horses on a credit card) and owners like <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090608/SPORTS1405/906090357/1003/archive">Dennis Albaugh and Jason Loutsch </a>(who spent a cool quarter of a million to breed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Miss Macy Sue</span> to<span style="font-weight: bold;"> A.P.Indy</span>.)<br /><br />Despite the bounty of media buzz, I've yet to find that special horse who captures my imagination and won't let go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SlQv4LfYpAI/AAAAAAAAASY/Ksnw3ttUsiw/s1600-h/beautifulvenue-8-keeneland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SlQv4LfYpAI/AAAAAAAAASY/Ksnw3ttUsiw/s320/beautifulvenue-8-keeneland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355958499053970434" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile, this past weekend at Mountaineer, two Quinella Castle favorites returned to the WV track. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Beautiful Venue,</span> who set a Mountaineer record for 1 mile 70 yards on turf in 2007 was back in Mountaineer's Firecracker Stakes. Her last victory was a surprise win over Equispace favorite, <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Chica Rica</span>, in a Mountaineer allowance.<br /><br />Periodically, Beautiful Venue ventures south to Keeneland where she generally seems to run hard but falters in the stretch. She's never been completely embarrassed in Bluegrass country, though I've yet to see her win at Lexington. Nonetheless, she always looks pretty in the post parade.<br /><br />(<span style="font-style: italic;">The proof: this photo of Beautiful Venue waiting to load in the 2007 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland. Facing the likes of Vacare, Precious Kitten, and Lady of Venice, she went off at 99-1, finishing 6 of 9, and beating Ermine in the process.)</span><br /><br />This weekend, she faced <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lindelaan</span>, a Christophe Clement trainee, who beat her last time out in the Decoration Day stakes at Mountaineer. Third place finisher in the Decoration Day, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Si Si Mon Amie,</span> returned as well to go off as the 1-1 post-time favorite.<br /><br />Though the final time for the race was 1:39, we paid little attention to the clock once Beautiful Venue, ridden by Rex Stokes, caught Hungry Tigress in the stretch and -- finished first by nearly two lengths.<br /><br />Later in the first running of the Dale Baird Memorial Stakes, our beloved <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bernie Blue</span> returned to the dirt after a sad outing on Presque Isle's Tapeta surface. Favorite <span style="font-weight: bold;">Trust or Bust</span> was getting all the <a href="http://www.drf.com/news/article/105154.html">publicity</a>, entering the race on a five-race win streak, but with a nine pound advantage, one could hope that 7-yo Bernie might make it back to the winner's circle one more time, right?<br /><br />One could hope, indeed. Trust or Bust faltered at the top of the stretch behind front-running Run Brother Ron, and Bernie Blue drew off to win by 4 lengths, earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure, and topping a $153 exacta with longshot Wise Answer.<br /><br />Lovely victories both -- all the more sweet because these longtime runners seem like old friends. Victories we savored here at the Quinella Castle, though both are relatively lacking in news value. It seems that there is joy to be had in the seemingly insignificant, and tracks might consider highlighting this value periodically. While the industry media do a fine job of following the stories of the superhorses, news about these hard-knocking runners is sorely lacking. Racinos especially might consider telling the tales of the unsung veterans going to post at their tracks. After all, they have websites -- and surely the story of a favorite local runner can be as interesting as the description of a slot machine?<br /><br />Racinos like Mountaineer, Prairie Meadows, Presque Isle, and likely a host of other tracks, have long had this mysterious "night racing" that Churchill Downs has so recently discovered. While the industry now cheers this startling innovation, trackgoers who frequent these smaller venues can smile to themselves, having long ago learned the joys of sunset on the rail. The beer tastes better after dark, the wins are sweeter, and the world beyond the track lights drifts away. Troubles of the day are gone, blown away by cool evening breezes -- and yes, by the hopes pinned on a familiar name in the 9th.<br /><br />While it's nice to see large crowds visiting the track in the evening, I'm hoping the next big thing in horse racing might just be ... the horse!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SlRMTh7NuMI/AAAAAAAAASw/RRexkyKNFRg/s1600-h/CornhuskerCrowd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SlRMTh7NuMI/AAAAAAAAASw/RRexkyKNFRg/s320/CornhuskerCrowd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355989755258321090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The crowd for the 2009 Cornhusker Handicap<br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-42030261512487682362009-06-06T01:50:00.000-04:002009-06-06T01:55:22.999-04:00What a differenceIn 2009, Calvin Borel wins the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.<br />In 2007, Calvin Borel wins the Kentucky Derby and places second in the Preakness.<br /><br />In 2009, Calvin Borel is the talk of the town, appears on the David Letterman show, and has a Derby winner as his mount in the Belmont Stakes.<br /><br />And in 2007? Oh, dear Reader, I suspect you've already forgotten what the hard-working Mr. Borel was doing on Belmont Stakes Day in 2007. <br /><br />Go ahead -- try to remember ....<br /><here><br />No, he didn't have a mount on the Belmont undercard. Guess again.<br />No, he wasn't riding "some filly" in a stakes at Churchill. Guess again.<br />No, he wasn't riding "some turf horse" in the Charles Whittingham Memorial at Hollywood Park.<br /><br />No, no, no.<br /><br />Shockingly, the last time Borel was the reigning Derby-winning jockey, he spent Belmont Stakes day riding in a few allowances and a minor stakes race. A very minor stakes race.<br /><br />In 2007, only a few weeks after lunching with the Queen of England, the charmin' Cajun found himself in wild and wonderful West Virginia, where <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2007/06/am-i-reading-this-right-kentucky-derby.html">he rode Go Now in the Slipton Fell Stakes at Mountaineer.</a><br /><br />And that, dear Reader, is the difference between "Win" and "Place" in the Preakness.</here>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-69585188045080895332009-04-24T01:04:00.000-04:002009-04-24T02:55:15.412-04:00Mystery dateFor months now, while other gals have been making eyes at <a href="http://www.greenbutgame.org/2009/03/19/iderby-dating-2009-i-saw-you-in-the-hallway/">Derby dates</a>, or <a href="http://www.brooklynbackstretch.com/2009/03/gulfstream-flirtation.html">flirting with out-of-town tracks</a>, here at the relocated Castle, I've been waiting ever so patiently for the opening of Prairie Meadows. None of that <a href="http://www.thatsamorestable.net/blog/?p=219">lukewarm</a> <a href="http://leftatthegate.blogspot.com/2009/04/oh-that.html">Derby fever </a>here -- I'm not looking for a one-night stand in May. Nope, I'm hoping for something more long-term than that.<br /><br />It's true that I've been <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/02/royalty-on-move.html">missing my old beau</a>, Mountaineer, something awful. And I was absolutely thrilled when <a href="http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/04/target-mountain.html">HANA chose Mountaineer</a> for its "buycott" race of the week, as it gave me a legitimate reason to take a peek at the ex. I must admit my heart went pitter-pat as I listened to announcer Peter Berry mentioning HANA's designated race. Simulcast hosts Mark and Nancy looked like they were having fun, too. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought there was a stakes race on the card.<br /><br />So, I guess I've have been a bit nostalgic for the former home track. Yes, I understand the arguments against year-long racing, but there was something comforting in the knowledge that Mountie was always there, maybe <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2008/08/loves-labor-lost.html">not the most attentive boyfriend,</a> but except for 2 weeks in January, a reliable alternative for a Saturday night.<br /><br />But now Mountie's 800 miles away now, and I've always been a "love the one you're with" kind of gal. So I'm definitely in the mood to give this new Perry Meadows guy a chance. So far, he's looking pretty good, with advertisements about racing on tv, radio, and even the lampposts downtown. And there are even <a href="http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/04/23/opening-night-prairie-meadows-picks/#pluckcomments">racing picks</a> for Friday's races on the Des Moines Register's site!<br /><br />Of course I've been asking around about Perry, snooping through tons of articles at the <a href="http://search.desmoinesregister.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=100&keywords=prairie+meadows&x=0&y=0">Des Moines Register</a>. I already know that there'll be no turf racing, ever. since there's no grass track. Sure, that's a big minus, but then again, maybe I'll like the quarter horses when they arrive in July. On the plus side, there'll be a Haskell-winning rider in the gate tonight: <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904240352">Tim Doocy</a>, an Iowa native whose 5000 wins rank him ahead of Gary Stevens and Eddie Arcaro.<br /><br />I'm trying not to expect too much, but really, doesn't it sound good: Spring in Iowa! Live races! Thundering hoofbeats! Ten-cent superfectas! Be still, my heart.<br /><br />Thoroughbred racing returns to Iowa tonight. And me, I've got a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_Date_%28game%29">mystery date.</a> Fingers crossed that he's a dream, not a dud!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SfFgR7OpxkI/AAAAAAAAAR4/fx0nOamUGSs/s1600-h/mysterydate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SfFgR7OpxkI/AAAAAAAAAR4/fx0nOamUGSs/s320/mysterydate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328145695229199938" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-6647821216887621492009-04-06T21:37:00.008-04:002009-04-07T01:42:24.836-04:00And the winner is ...Apparently, much of the racing world spent yesterday:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://theturkandlittleturk.blogspot.com/2009/04/post-race-analysis-for-race-day-april-4.html">rejoicing in a great day of Derby prep races</a></li><li><a href="http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/04/target-tampa-tuesday-race-6-pick-3-free.html">plotting to demonstrate the power of horseplayers to affect wagering pools</a></li><li> <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2009/April/06/Mullins-Defends-Detention-Barn-Actions.aspx">wondering how a syringe can be called a cough drop</a></li></ul>However, here at the Turf Luck, we were waiting for the announcement of the winner of <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2009/April/05/Alvarado-wins-Ryan-Book-Award.aspx">the Dr. Tony Ryan Award</a>, known 'round here as the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monograph Mile</span>. And oh, my, what a fabulous finish!<br /><br />Readers who've followed the <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/03/handicapping-monograph-mile.html">Monograph Mile</a> <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/03/monograph-mile-update-or-trifecta.html">preps</a> know that 3 contenders were entered for this, the highest honor in books about Thoroughbreds.<br /><br />At the post: <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Silks</span>, jockeyed by veteran <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dick Francis</span> enters the gate like a pro while co-author Felix watches intently from the stands. The well-bred <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The History and Art of 25 Travers</span> with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vic Zast</span> in the irons looks every bit a deserved favorite. The last to load, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita</span>, sporting a CD shadowroll, is ridden by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rudolph Alvarado</span>, whose only experience is in the quarter horse world of academia, history, and such.<br /><br />And then, they're off! Francis surges to the lead, engaging readers at the rail with his tale of murder and menace. Around the turn, Zast makes his move, and it's a thing of beauty, his mount powered by memories and art of races past. But look! Alvarado will not be denied! Suddenly, at the sixteenth pole, he pulls out the whip, posting <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv37IUHleLs">a YouTube video</a> to promote his book.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/Sdrh6PPlACI/AAAAAAAAARw/VhljauG4zqg/s1600-h/FrontCover-Untold.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/Sdrh6PPlACI/AAAAAAAAARw/VhljauG4zqg/s200/FrontCover-Untold.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321814300332195874" border="0" /></a><br />And under patient urging, <span style="font-style: italic;">Untold Story </span>comes on! Readers hold their breath, tickets clenched tight -- can he reach the leader in time?<br /><br />Then, suddenly, they're at the wire, and by a head -- it's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez!</span> Alvarado has scored the upset with a tale five years (and more than 15,000 race calls) in the making!<br /><br />I'm still breathless from the excitement.<br /><br />Though I was rooting for Dick and Felix Francis on <span style="font-style: italic;">Silks</span>, I can't help but be impressed by the dedication that led to this victory: Alvarado spent years tracking down sources nationwide, spurred on by a mention of Joe Hernandez in Lauren Hillenbrand's <span style="font-style: italic;">Seabiscuit</span>. For all his popularity as a sportswriter and race announcer, Hernandez lived a life shrouded in mystery -- even his own children had no idea where he was born! -- and it was only through unbridled tenacity that his story has been told.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Below: Rudolph Alvarado, flanked by Shane Ryan and Mark Simon, in the winners circle for the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award</span>. (<a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2009/April/05/Alvarado-wins-Ryan-Book-Award.aspx">Thoroughbred Times</a>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SdrMjxFBueI/AAAAAAAAARo/s5GWKqUmM5E/s1600-h/Alvarado-ttbookaward.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SdrMjxFBueI/AAAAAAAAARo/s5GWKqUmM5E/s320/Alvarado-ttbookaward.jpg" alt="Rudolph Alvarado wins the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, courtesy of Thoroughbred Times" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321790824533572066" border="0" /></a><br />Congratulations to Mr. Alvarado! And for those who want to learn more about this tale of an amazing Latino of an earlier era, autographed copies of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Voice of Santa Anita: The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez </span>are available for a mere $16.47 from <a href="http://www.voiceofsantaanita.com/index.html">www.voiceofsantaanita.com</a>, where you can also find a <a href="http://www.voiceofsantaanita.com/LookInTheBook.html">sample chapter </a>from the book and <a href="http://www.voiceofsantaanita.com/SampleCalls.html">examples of Herandez race calls</a> dating as far back as the Big 'Cap of 1937.<br /><br />By the way, the team at <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Thoroughbred Times</span></a> (which presents the award along with the folks at <a href="http://www.castletonlyons.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Castleton Lyons </span></a>farm) has done a fabulous job of providing coverage of the Award this year, offering <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/media/pdfs/bookaward0221.pdf">a great pdf of the semi-finalists</a>, and now posting replays of the final stretch including <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=newsembed&content_id=Alvarado_BA09.flv">video of Rudolph Alvarado</a> and <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=newsembed&content_id=Zast_BA09.flv">Vic Zast </a>speaking before the Award presentation. (<a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=newsembed&content_id=Williams_BA09.flv">Peter Williams</a> spoke on behalf of the absent Francis duo.)<br /><br />And the video offerings don't stop there; awards show addicts may also view judges <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=newsembed&content_id=Audrey_BA09.flv">Audrey Korotkin</a> and <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=newsembed&content_id=Mooney_BA09.flv">Bill Mooney</a> offering opening remarks. I was especially interested in Ms. Korotkin's comments, which noted that this year, the award attracted more publicity, "not just in local paper, but from blogs online..." As <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> blog that has followed this award since its inception, we at Turf Luck were delighted with this shout-out to the online world.<br /><br />Budding writers take note: during his opening remarks, <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=newsembed&content_id=Ryan_BA09.flv">Shane Ryan</a> noted that "if anyone would like to do a book about Gio Ponti next year, they'd be more than welcome. It sounds a bit like Seabiscuit: named after an Italian architect, trained by a Frenchman, and owned by a crazy Irishman." I must admit: if someone wrote it, I'd read it!<br /><br />Yes, once again the Monograph Mile proved to be a satisfying race -- and not a syringe in sight.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-62783714957792134862009-03-31T20:48:00.010-04:002009-04-01T00:07:07.575-04:00Doing our part -or- swimming with the (big) fishes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SdLoZFNvgUI/AAAAAAAAARc/162maavyRuE/s1600-h/DSCN1194.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SdLoZFNvgUI/AAAAAAAAARc/162maavyRuE/s200/DSCN1194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319569627472167234" /></a><br />The good folks at the <a href="http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/">Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA)</a> called a "buycott" today, and here at the Quinella Castle, we did our part to further the cause of lower take-outs and higher responsiveness to horseplayers. It was a tiny, tiny part, but really what do you expect of a castle crammed into a one-bedroom Des Moines walk-up?<br /><br />HANA encouraged horseplayers to wager on a run-of-the-mill $7.5K claiming race, the sixth at Will Rogers Downs, and voices ranging from <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown09/columns/story?columnist=finley_bill&id=4028701">Bill Finley</a> to the <a href="http://thoroughbredbloggersalliance.blogspot.com/">TBA</a>'s own <a href="http://www.greenbutgame.org/2009/03/27/pool-party/">GreenButGame</a> joined the chorus to let handle-power be heard. And it worked! According to those with way more mathematical skills than I, the HANA buycott increased <a href="http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/03/thanks-everyone.html">the overall pool by 96%</a>, and the exacta pool rose by a whopping 147%.<br /><br />Even the lowly quinella pool was up 62%, though sadly I had nothing to do with that, as I'm a tad rusty on looking for my favorite wager. After Keeneland stopped offering the quinella, I pretty much quit looking for the most melodious of wagers. Long ago, I resigned myself to a recurring refrain of "box that exacta and call it a quinella." So, while speed-reading the cool Trackmaster Platinum Plus past performances while sipping my morning cup of joe, I simply missed the Q in the list of wagering options.<br /><br />This is especially unfortunate as the HANA race turned out to be one of those occasions when the quinella actually outperformed the exacta box wager: the $1 exacta box paid $19.60 while the similarly priced $2 quinella paid $32.60.<br /><br />But the important thing is this: the Quinella Castle's tiny contribution to the buycott combined with wagers big and small to make a difference in the race 6 handle at Will Rogers Downs. Minnows as well as whales were swimming in those mutual pools, and together their wagers added up to the sort of efforts that can lead to meaningful change. Deep pockets or just pocket change, we've all got a stake in getting the attention of racetrack management.<br /><br />I'll be putting some of my meager winnings into a bottle of cheap champagne with which to toast those smart HANA folks. And, since the Quinella Crew are <a href="http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2008/07/welcome-to-hana-were-horseplayers-just.html">HANA members</a>, I guess we'll have to say, "Here's to HANA! Here's to us!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-59957976259439210992009-03-24T23:44:00.000-04:002009-03-25T00:22:13.895-04:00Monograph Mile update -or- trifecta bustedThe <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2009/March/19/Wide-range-of-works-tabbed-as-Book-Award-finalists.aspx">finalists for the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award</a> (aka the Monograph Mile) have been announced, and sadly, <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/03/handicapping-monograph-mile.html">my trifecta </a>is simply another addition to the ticket litter on the grounds of the Quinella Castle. Once again, my inability to gauge the imports and my stubborn resistance to betting on favorites combined to do me in.<br /><br />Without further ado, the finalists:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/History-Art-25-Travers/dp/1595310231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237362595&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The History and Art of 25 Travers</span></a> by Vic Zast, featuring the art and posters of Greg Montgomery. This is that favorite I so blithely ignored. All I can say is that I recognized the strength of this entrant, compared it to sleek and fit equine entrants from Dubai, and noted that "it has all the makings of a winner." I just didn't include on my ticket!<br /></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Untold-Story-Joe-Hernandez-Voice/dp/0615187579/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237362513&sr=1-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita</span></a> by Rudolph Alvarado. Of this entry, I observed: "Meticulous research and competent writing give this one a chance to hit the wire. And -- it comes with a CD of Hernandez's actual calls. I have no idea of what to do with this equipment change." Obviously, I'll need to pay attention to "first time CD" angle in the future.</li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silks-Dick-Francis/dp/0399155333/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237360001&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Silks</span></a> </span>by Dick Francis and Felix Francis. At least my favorite entry will end up no worse than show. As I mentioned: "The racing scenes are vivid, the plot is engrossing, and all in all, I expect this one to turn in a solid performance."<br /><br />For those of us who applaud a horse's 4-year old, 5-year old, 6-year old campaign, an author with 40+ titles to his credit is akin to the "iron horse" who draws fans year in and year out, often without fanfare. I know this particular award wasn't created to honor a body of work, but still, I'm rooting for <span style="font-style: italic;">Silks, </span>the entry from the best of the jockeys-turned-writers who's kept horse racing on the bestseller lists through thick and thin.<br /></li></ul>The award winner will be named on April 5, and so far as I know, the event will not be covered by NBC, ESPN, or Book TV. Nonetheless, here at Turf Luck Wagering, Inc., we'll be waiting for the results to be posted with unabated interest: two weeks of laundry is on the line. I'm still alive with my bet on <span style="font-style: italic;">Silks</span>, but the King's got his baskets on <span style="font-style: italic;">25 Travers</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-81595822695383921062009-03-20T23:21:00.002-04:002009-03-20T23:52:15.984-04:00Royale Michele goes to the post<span style="font-weight: bold;">Royale Michele</span>, once a Mountaineer regular, <a href="http://http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2009/02/royalty-on-move.html">now a G-2 winner</a>, goes to the post in the Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct today on Saturday. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Secret Gypsy </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zada Belle</span> look like the ones to beat, but homesick as I am, I can't help it: Go Michele!! Here's hoping she makes it 5 in a row.<br /><br />(You can find past performances for the race at <a href="http://www.tlorehorses.com/trainers/pletcher/index_new.cfm?page=brisnet">Todd Pletcher's site:</a> look for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Awesome Ashley</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Distorted Passion </span>to find the Ultimate PPs from Brisnet.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-33262834182907198932009-03-17T23:15:00.018-04:002009-04-08T01:55:31.469-04:00Handicapping the Monograph MileWith only days before the three finalists are named for the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, the wagering is hot and heavy here at Turf Luck, where I'm betting two weeks of doing the laundry (down 4 flights of stairs!) that I've got the winner in this year's Monograph Mile. I've studied the conditions:<br /><blockquote>One of the richest book awards in the world, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award honors the best books published about Thoroughbred racing. ...Nominees for the Book Award can be in any category: fiction, non-fiction, handicapping, training, children’s, health care, photography, etc., as long as it pertains to an aspect dealing with Thoroughbreds. Judges selected by Thoroughbred Times will critique books on content, plus design, layout, and artwork, when relevant, to select the 2008 winner. (<a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/September/09/Book-Award-renamed-for-Dr-Tony-Ryan.aspx"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thoroughbred Times</span></a>)<br /></blockquote>Now let's take a look at the field:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The favorites</span><br />A couple of big horses lead the entries:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My Guy Barbaro</span></span> by Edgar Prado with John Eisenberg brings together a great jockey and a beloved racehorse -- there's no better combination in a two-turn race. Mix in the skills of John Eisenberg, author of <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Match-Race-Americas-Spectacle/dp/0618872116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237346678&sr=1-1">The Great Match Race</a></span>, <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50898515&referer=brief_results">Native Dancer, The Grey Ghost: Hero of a Golden Age</a> </span> and <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Longest-Shot-Lil-Kentucky-Derby/dp/0813190339/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237346744&sr=1-1">The Longest Shot: Lil E. Tee and the Kentucky Derby</a> </span>and Barbaro, in literature as in life, is once again the one to beat. As one <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=15027056&postID=1255974131797886981&isPopup=true">commentor</a> noted, this contender might not be in the same league as <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-winner-is.html">last year's winner</a>, but <span style="font-style: italic;">My Guy Barbaro</span> remains a strong entrant from the HarperCollins barn, nonetheless. For a peek into shedrow, you might check out Eisenberg's description of working with Prado at last year's New York Times blog, <a href="http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/his-guy-barbaro/"> The Rail</a> , and you can peek in the paddock by browsing inside the book over at the <a href="http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061464188">HarperCollins site.</a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 3-1.</span></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/History-Art-25-Travers/dp/1595310231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237362595&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The History and Art of 25 Travers</span></span></a> by Vic Zast featuring the art and posters of Greg Montgomery is this year's coffee-table entry. A visually stunning book, with impeccable breeding: author Zast, whose writing graces <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood-Horse,</span>HorseRaceInsider.com, and MSNBC.com brings deep knowledge and literary craftsmanship; Mongomery's "British Railway Art style" posters take you right to the best of Saratoga: the paddock, the starting gate, the rail, the stretch. It's the most expensive of those going to the gate, which is fitting since it's the kind of book the Sheik would own. And its homage to the long tradition of Saratoga's premier race shows it can go the distance. Really, this one has all the makings of a winner. But ... with 100 of its 144 pages devoted to graphics, is <span style="font-style: italic;">25 Travers</span> game enough? Judge for yourself with a look at <a href="http://www.gregmontgomery.com/posters/">Montgomery's Travers artwork</a> and <a href="http://www.25travers.com/">the book's website</a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 5-2.</span><br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">The juveniles</span><br />Two youthful runners go to the gate in this year's race:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Black-King-Kentucky-Derby/dp/1584302747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237350601&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby: The Story of Jimmy Winkfield</span></span></a> by Crystal Hubbard captures the thrill of racing in this an accurate telling of the legendary jockey in language that's accessible to the mid-elementary school set. The illustrations by Robert McGuire are a tad muddy, but beguiling, especially when depicting quiet moments, such as Wink and his 1900 mount, Thrive, alone in front of Churchill's famous spires. The judges may appreciate the book's frankness when dealing with racism in the 1900s, as well as this entrant's ability to reach a new generation. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 10-1.</span></li><br /><li>The tiny barn of Mitten Press sends out <a href="http://www.mittenpress.com/title.asp?intAcumen=65174"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Twoey and the Goat</span></span> </a>by Robbie Timmons. Written for readers in grades 3-6, the book tells the story of Two Links Back, "Twoey," and his companion, a goat named Kidd. Though the facts of the story are true -- Two Links Back was an Illinois-bred who raced 59 times (8-10-4) before being rescued by CANTER -- Timmons has fictionalized the thoroughbred's tale with Twoey's thoughts as he learns to be a racehorse, is injured, and eventually finds a new home. All while accompanied by his dear friend, Kidd. More information about the story is available at <a href="http://canterusa.org/">CANTER</a>, and you can watch this one warm up by checking out the <a href="http://www.mittenpress.com/promo/65174-inside.pdf">excerpt at Mitten Press</a> (pdf). <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 10-1.</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">The sprinter</span><br />A solid runner tries to go the distance:<br /><ul><li> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Track-Retraining-Thoroughbred-Racecourse/dp/1570764026"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beyond the Track: Retraining the Thoroughbred from Racehorse to Riding Horse</span></a></span> by Anna Morgan Ford with Amber Heintzberger fulfills the promise of its title: explaining how to deal with leg injuries, hoof problems, aftereffects from steroid use, and gastric ulcers. It offers a step-by-step training program that she's honed in her work at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption. It does this all very, very well; it really is a wonderful guide. And I'm sure the judges will give consideration to the dearth of books on the topic of retired racehorses, but -- I'm thinking the track bias is towards something a tad more ... literary. Others more likely. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 15-1.</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">The shipper</span><br />It seems as if there's always at least one runner that is a total mystery to me. It's much like trying to decode a major turf race with all those foreign entrants and nothing to go on but a finish and those darn Racing Post/Timeform speed figures. This year's mystery entry:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Untold-Story-Joe-Hernandez-Voice/dp/0615187579/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237362513&sr=1-1"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita</span></span></a> by Rudolph Valier Alvarado. From the apparently one-horse barn of <a href="http://www.voiceofsantaanita.com/index.html">Caballo Press of Ann Arbor</a> comes this tale of a most fascinating racetracker: Joe Hernandez, long-time announcer at Santa Anita. Hernandez called a phenomenal 15,587 consecutive races at Santa Anita, from the day the track opened until 1972 when internal bleeding caused him to faint at the mic. Along the way, he was a trainer, auctioneer, bloodstock agent, and turf writer. All during a time when few Mexican-Americans enjoyed much success at all. It is a fascinating life. Meticulous research and competent writing give this one a chance to hit the wire. And -- it comes with a CD of Hernandez's actual calls! I have no idea of what to do with this equipment change. A visit to the paddock reveals that excerpts from both <a href="http://voiceofsantaanita.com/LookInTheBook.html">the text</a> and <a href="http://voiceofsantaanita.com/SampleCalls.html">the CD </a>are available on the author's website. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 7-1.</span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">The aging veteran</span><br />The old favorite we love to cheer, still in the running:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silks-Dick-Francis/dp/0399155333/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237360001&sr=8-1">Silks</a></span></span> by Dick Francis and Felix Francis. Francis has ridden more than forty mysteries featuring thoroughbreds and racetracks to the bestseller lists, and he is by far the most established author in this race. And still he keeps on writing, a deft hand on the pen, handily bringing home another winner. While I wasn't particularly fond of his entry last year, as I fond it to have "too much cooking, not enough racing", this year, he's brought us a fine tale of murder in the jockey's quarters and an amateur steeplechaser who sets out to find the murderer. The racing scenes are vivid, the plot is engrossing, and all in all, I expect this one to turn in a solid performance. <span style="font-weight: bold;">TL odds: 6-1.</span><br /></li></ul>Though I have a suspicion that the track bias favors important non-fiction works for grown-ups, I believe this might be the year a novel finishes first. That cagey paperback rider, Dick Francis, has saved one of his best tales for late in his career, and at the age of 88, it's likely there won't be many more opportunities for racing to honor the contribution this jockey to the Queen has made to the sport. When racing fans talk about furlongs and irons with those who've never seen a track, and they seem to understand -- it's because of Dick Francis. He's the Kelso, the Evening Attire, of this field, and he's certainly proven he can go the distance and then some.<br /><br />Beyond that, I think it's a toss-up, with contenders of such diverse strengths. I'm terribly fond of children's books, and by reaching the semi-finals, the two juvenile entries have shown that the stewards (judges Audrey Korotkin, Bill Mooney, and T.D. Thornton) are open to reading books geared to younger readers. Of the two, I'd give the edge to <span style="font-style: italic;">Twoey and the Goa</span>t for its answer to the question, "How does a horse become a race horse?" along with its focus on the current hot topic of horse rescue.<br /><br />Likewise, I'm giving Edgar and his guy Barbaro the edge over the other biography going to the post. His genuine affection for the horse, his adept co-author, and the competency of the big-time stable seem more likely than the CD-equipped story of Joe Hernandez.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Turf Luck picks:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Silks</span> by Dick Francis and Felix Francis</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Twoey and the Goat</span> by Robbie Timmons</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Guy Barbaro</span> by Edgar Prado with John Eisenberg</li></ul>Wish me luck on the trifecta!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-12559741317978869812009-03-11T23:08:00.007-04:002010-02-14T15:50:26.868-05:00Monograph Mile: race to posterityExcitement is mounting here at Turf Luck: the entries have been announced, and at last it's time to wager on the Monograph Mile! Though you'll not find this "race" on the NTRA calendar, it is, to my mind, one of the most important competitions in thoroughbred racing, for the Monograph Mile -- or, as it's more commonly known, <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2009/February/17/Diverse-choices-up-for-book-award.aspx"><span style="font-weight: bold;">the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award </span></a>-- immortalizes our sport in a way no single race can. Now in its third year, the award is presented by <a href="http://www.castletonlyons.com/">Castleton Lyons </a>and <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/default.aspx">Thoroughbred Times</a> to honor the best book published about some aspect of the Thoroughbred industry. Here at Turf Luck, we stumbled a bit over its previous hyphenated name and dubbed it The Monograph Mile. "Monograph" because librarians like to say the word monograph. And "Mile" because writing a book is definitely a route, not a sprint.<br /><br />Though I tend towards hyperbole now and again, I don't think I'm exaggerating the importance of the award for the health of our sport. Sure, snazzy Web 2.0 sites and free past performances may be one way to draw in new fans, but website archives can vanish with a click of a corporate mouse, disappearing from cyberspace like dust in the wind.<br /><br />But books -- books have a way of living on and on and on. Sometimes displayed prominently on coffee tables, sometimes on dusty library shelves, sometimes in the 10-cent bin at the Goodwill, but nonetheless they endure, the ultimate mobile device, no batteries required, little time-traveling pieces of history and storytelling that can carry the best of our sport into the hands of future generations. <br /><br />If you doubt the ability of books to transcend space and time, think on this: a copy of last year's Castleton Lyons-Thoroughbred Times Book Award winner, T. D. Thornton's excellent <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Not-Long-Shot-Season-Horse/dp/1586484494/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236835401&sr=8-1">Not by a Longshot</a>, </span>is owned by the <a href="http://www.stratfordlibrary.govt.nz/liberty3/gateway/gateway.exe">Stratford District Centennial Library,</a> located "in the heart of Taranaki" which, apparently, is somewhere in NEW ZEALAND. And at the moment, the library's copy of Thornton's description of a year at Suffolk Downs is checked out, due back on March 24. Meanwhile, this same library doesn't own any books by Bill Nack, whose <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ruffian-Track-Romance-William-Nack/dp/1933060301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236835476&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ruffian</span></a> was a finalist for the award last year. And there's not a single title about Secretariat listed in the library's catalog.<br /><br />This is the power of awards, my friend.<br /><br />So it is with much anticipation that we here at Turf Luck gear up for the naming of this year's award winner. Seven semi-finalists for the Award have been named, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Thoroughbred Times </span>has done a stellar job in producing <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/media/pdfs/bookaward0221.pdf">a one-sheet PDF file describing the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, the semi-finalists, and the judges.</a> Three finalists will be announced sometime next week, and the winner will be named on April 5. Tomorrow, I'll try to handicap the field, and you'll see: it's a diverse bunch, and this year's winner is hard to predict. <br /><br />But today, I simply hope to encourage you -- especially if you live in a town that actually has a racetrack at the moment -- to print out <a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/media/pdfs/bookaward0221.pdf">the list of semi-finalists</a> and hand it to your local librarian. Few librarians can resist the siren call of The Book Award. Caldecott, Nebula, Quill - it makes no matter. We're suckers for these things. <br /><br />So let your friendly neighborhood librarian know what <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> care about. If it's too much to actually talk to the Bun, e-mail the library. Say something like this: "I know you want to buy another copy of the latest James Patterson novel. But please consider purchasing one of these. Racing is important to me." Feel free to wax lyrical about racing books that you've enjoyed or to discuss how racing affects your local economy. Words like "well-written" will get the librarian's attention. But for god's sake, mention the award.<br /><br />Future generations will thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-19080481339121255062009-03-11T00:37:00.005-04:002009-03-11T01:55:10.150-04:00Considering Jeffrey's CatYes, I know the horse racing world is all caught up in discussing Derby contenders. Yes, it's oh, so interesting to wonder whether <span style="font-weight: bold;">Stardom Bound</span> will take on the boys someday. And it really is righteous to <a href="http://superfectablog.blogspot.com/2009/03/let-me-count-ways.html">give props to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Einstein</span></a> for a fine outing in the Big 'Cap.<br /><br />But here at the Quinella Castle, we're still following those beloved claimers that we came to know -- and love! -- during our visits to Mountaineer. So folks, here's the news flash for this week:<br /><br />On Saturday, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.pedigreequery.com/jeffreys+cat">Jeffrey's Cat</a>, who's been racing at Beulah Park since December and faring poorly in the $3500 claimers there; <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jeffrey's Cat</span>, who hasn't won a race since September 2007, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jeffrey's Cat</span>, who's now got a new trainer, Douglas Adams -- <span style="font-style: italic;">that<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jeffrey's Cat</span> returned to Mountaineer and wired the field at 19-1 odds. The 7-year old <a href="http://www.pedigreequery.com/catienus">Catienu</a>s off-spring combined with 2nd place finisher 8-year old <span style="font-weight: bold;">Right Nice</span> for a $905 exacta.<br /><br />* insert interlude for wild applause here*<br /><br />Two years ago (almost to the day), when Jeffrey's Cat won at 17-1, I found myself <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2007/03/hot-tip-from-poet.html">quoting Christopher Smart</a>. Now, of course, I must paraphrase <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilate_Agno#Jeoffry">Jubilate Agno</a> again:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><blockquote>For Jeffrey's Cat won, at 19-1 odds, in the second on Saturday at Mountaineer.<br />For he was the quickest to the wire of any creature in the race.<br />For the handicapper is a mixture of gravity and waggery.<br />For there is nothing sweeter than a long-shot coming home first.<br /></blockquote>Congrats to the valiant gelding, always quick on the lead, and congrats, too, to trainer/owner Douglas Adams. So long (for now), and thanks for all the fish.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-64810305370135770102009-02-20T23:37:00.006-05:002009-02-21T01:53:56.844-05:00Aaron Gryder says: READAfter decades as a cable-free household, as part of our recent move, the Quinella Castle finally joined the world of many channels. And it turns out that we've arrived in the cabled world just in time for <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jockeys</span></a></span>, the Animal Planet reality show that has been critiqued on numerous sites throughout the blogsphere.<br /><br />While many others have critiqued the series, and <a href="http://cangamble.blogspot.com/2009/02/chantal-sutherland-chantal-sutherland.html">others</a> <a href="http://pullthepocket.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-feel-like-ive-joined-club_15.html">have focused</a> on the awesome <a href="http://www.greenbutgame.org/2009/02/09/sutherland-and-stra-in-the-money/">hit-generating power </a>of female jocks Chantal Sutherland and Kayla Stra, here at Turf Luck, we know that inquiring minds <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>want to learn more about that bookmark featuring Aaron Gryder.<br /><br />Yes, you know what bookmark I mean. Surely you noticed the irrepressible Joe Talamo <span style="font-style: italic;">holding a book </span>during tonight's episode, "Foul". Joe seems rather impressed that Gryder actually appears on a bookmark, and, for a nanosecond, Talamo points said bookmark towards the camera.<br /><br />Immediately, I'm sure, you said: <span style="font-style: italic;">"Hmm, can't afford the horses, the cars, or even the damn silks. But, by gum, I'm wondering, where, oh where, might I find such a useful and fashionable bookmark?"</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SZ-baqNwjbI/AAAAAAAAARE/SASRTPIjObo/s1600-h/jockyread.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SZ-baqNwjbI/AAAAAAAAARE/SASRTPIjObo/s320/jockyread.jpg" alt="Aaron Gryder, not Chantal Sutherland, READ poster" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305129768376634802" border="0" /></a><br />Wonder no more, pilgrim. Your friendly neighborhood librarian has tracked down the source of this gotta-to-have-it item. You'll find Gryder grinning next to Captain Sparrow on <a href="http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/templates/printer_version.asp?page=1331">a bookmark produced by Arcadia Public Library</a> -- with some assistance from Santa Anita Park. You can even see pics of the photo shoot on the <a href="http://arcadiapubliclibrary.blogspot.com/2007/11/arcadia-public-library-on-flickr.html">library's blog</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arcadiapubliclibrary/2809413166/">Flickr stream</a>.<br /><br />And yes, dear readers, I understand that you're dying to know just what book Gryder is reading to the sanguine Sparrow. It's <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral</span></span> by Kat Shehata, a book for the mid-elementary set that captures the feel of Depression-era racing by telling the tale of perennial favorite Seabiscuit. Back in<a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2005/11/childrens-book-week-racetrack-reading.html"> 2005</a>, I remarked upon the odd yet effective use of the actual call throughout the book, and though the illustrations by Jo McElwee are a tad murky, they do capture the feel of the great match race. The book is out of print, but used copies may be purchased through <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Seabiscuit-vs-War-Admiral/Kat-Shehata/e/9780971784314/?itm=2">Barnes and Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seabiscuit-War-Admiral-Greatest-History/dp/0971784310">Amazon</a>. And of course, you can always check with your local librarian to borrow a copy for free.<br /><br />And now, as author and poet Julia Alvarez knows so well, it's time for me to disappear.<br /><span><blockquote><p><span style="font-style: italic;">Why I Am in Love with Librarians</span>:<br /></p><p>I love how they know things<br />only to pass them on,<br />how they fade into the faux-wood-paneled<br />walls of the reference room,<br />their faces hidden between the covers of books,</p> <p>how they look up only to help you:<br /><i>What is the capital of Afghanistan?</i><br /><i>How do the Maori bury their dead?</i><br /><i>Who invented Barbie? How many were murdered in Guatemala in '84?</i></p> <p>—every query worthy of their attention,<br />any questioner taken seriously,<br />curiosity the only requirement.<br />I love how they listen, their lined faces opening,<br />their eyes already elsewhere:</p> <p>scanning a plain for the lights of a distant city,<br />hunting for bodies in the highlands,<br />searching the web for Barbie—<br />their minds like those flocks of little birds in winter<br />swooping over a landscape, looking, looking.</p> <p>And always when they get back to you,<br />that sweet smile on their faces,<br />pride and deep affection for what can be known,<br />as if Barbie's invention<br />or the tally of the massacred</p> <p>could save you, could save the world!<br />And who knows if Stalin or Hitler<br />had spent their youth in the library,<br />history might be rewritten,<br />re-catalogued by librarians?</p> <p>Curiosity sends us out<br />to a world both larger and smaller<br />than what we know and believe in<br />with a passion for finding an answer<br />or at least understanding our questions.</p> <p>That road is paved with librarians,<br />bushwhackers, scouts with string<br />through the labyrinths of information,<br />helpers who disappear the moment<br />you reach your destination.</p><p>-- Julia Alvarez, as reprinted in <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA267683.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Library Journal</span></a>.</p></blockquote></span>G'night!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-5885836626865092482009-02-18T12:02:00.000-05:002009-02-18T01:02:44.578-05:00Royalty on the moveAs many readers know, in late November, the Quinella Castle packed up the ole bookmobile and moved to Iowa. There's been a lot of adapting going on 'round here, and a few expected periodic bouts of homesickness when we yearn to see familiar faces -- or a hill on the horizon.<br /><br />What has been unexpected is just how much we miss good old Mountaineer, our one-time local track. As we've spent the past few months hunkering down under wicked prairie winds and the weight (wait?) of dark days at our new local track, Prairie Meadows, I've found myself:<br /><ul><li> watching Mountaineer replays on Calracing, just to hear Peter Berry's lovely Australian intonations echo off the West Virginia hills.</li><br /><li> visiting the Prairie Meadows OTB just to watch the fabulous team of Mountaineer simulcast hosts Mark Patterson and Nancy McMichaels share insights into each and every race at the Mountain. (In my admittedly unscientific observations, Nancy hits at least one trifecta a night, and Mark's explanations of his selections are truly educational.)</li><br /><li>anxiously following the <a href="http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/02/number-one.html">HANA rankings</a> in hopes that Mountaineer might fare better than I expect. Sadly my guy Mountie didn't make the top 20. I'm not surprised, what with Mountie's rather high takeout and pedestrian wagering options, but golly, a girl can hope.</li></ul>Now that I'm a Mountaineer ex-pat of sorts, I find my virtual stable full of horses that, like me, visited Mountaineer a time or two before galloping off to challenges far from the West Virginia Panhandle. So it was that this weekend, while others discussed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chocolate Candy </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Evita Argentina, </span></span> my attention was focused on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Royale Michele</span>, winner of Mountaineer's <a href="http://www.mtrgaming.com/racing/pdfs/charts/new_year.pdf">New Year's Eve Stakes,</a> who shipped off to Maryland and <a href="http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49227/royale-michele-steps-up-wins-fritchie">won the Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SZuUQHhnzfI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/2E7utYtf-nw/s1600-h/RoyaleMicheleBarbaraFritchie09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SZuUQHhnzfI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/2E7utYtf-nw/s200/RoyaleMicheleBarbaraFritchie09.jpg" alt="Royale Michele in the 2009 Barbara Fritchie Handicap - Photo: Maryland Jockey Club, Jim McCue" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303995990777777650" border="0" /></a>Formerly trained by Todd Pletcher, <a href="http://www.pedigreequery.com/royale+michele">Royale Michele</a> landed at Mountaineer and the barn of Matthew Kintz last fall, where the four year old filly clicked off three wins in a row for her new trainer. With no stakes on the Mountaineer schedule until May, and the usual trials of wild and not so wonderful West Virginia winters, Kintz chose to ship to Laurel early enough for a Feb 6 work on the track.<br /><blockquote>“We were having difficulty training at home with the weather there and I’m glad we came down early,” Kintz said. “I’m very pleased with the way she worked, very pleased with the condition of the racetrack.” (<span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49174/barbara-fritchie-attracts-nice-field">Bloodhorse</a></span>)<br /></blockquote>Afterwards, Kintz remarked:<br /><blockquote>"Geovany [Garcia] rode her race as we discussed it. I thought the race might unfold that way and she ran a phenomenal race." (<span style="font-style: italic;">Bloodhorse)</span></blockquote>Some might disagree by noting that Royale Michele's race was not so much phenomenal as fortunate. Some might observe that but for an awkward start by favorite <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seventh Street</span> -- who reared in the gate and trailed the field until gamely closing in the stretch for second -- Royale Michele would not be a GII winner.<br /><br />But you'll not hear that sort of talk here, where I'm finding it rather comforting to quote Matthew Kintz, whose name graces so many of my old Mountaineer programs. Nope, here at the Castle, we'll simply delight in Royale Michele's victory in a contest where she ran her race while far from home ... as we try to do the same.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-66160966249912450102009-01-24T03:18:00.007-05:002009-01-24T04:26:35.160-05:00DIY Sunshine Millions CentralIn recent months, the Quinella Castle has been going through some royal relocation upheaval, and so, it’s been a bit quiet here at Turf Luck. But nothing shakes us out of the winter doldrums like the Sunshine Millions. I feel warmer just thinking about it – and believe me, in our new locale, warmth is a big deal.<br /><br />However, I’ve had trouble finding any sort of “Sunshine Millions Central” website, though it’s quite possible there’s one out there, cleverly hidden on one of those incomprehensible mazes that racing execs call a website. I’ve looked in vain for a single source that tells me which races are being run at Gulfstream, which races are being run at Santa Anita, when the darned races that comprise the Sunshine Millions actually begin, and where I can find past performances for the Millions races.<br /><br />Such a site may be out there, but I didn't find it in my admittedly cursory search. What's likely is that there is indeed a wonderful resource that provides all this and more, if I but give lots of personal data and a credit card number. Racing so often tells the new fan: <span style="font-style: italic;">No information for you -- until you pay</span>. I’m not sure this is a great way to market to a nation that’s made “Buyer Beware” a national motto, but there you have it.<br /><br />To fill the void, your friendly neighborhood librarian has thrown together the following list of links to free past performances for all but one of the Sunshine Millions races. And if you're looking for some winners, check out <a href="http://superfectablog.blogspot.com/2009/01/sunshine-millions-weekend.html">Superfecta's selections</a>.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gulfstream Race 7</span>(4:07 EST)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunshine Millions Dash</span><br />I couldn't find the past performances for this race, but you can see the <a href="http://www.ntra.com/races.aspx?id=37061&section=races">entries at NTRA.</a></li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gulfstream Race 8</span> (4:36)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/markhennig_136919.pdf">Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf</a></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gulfstream Race 9</span>(5:05)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/dougoneill_136901.pdf">Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint</a></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santa Anita Race 6</span>(5:23)<br /><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/baffert_136746.pdf"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunshine Millions Turf</span></a><br />A DRF Race of the Week, so the <a href="ttp://www.drf.com/row/pps/09SASunshineMillionsTurfStakes.pdf">DRF past performances</a> are also available.</li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gulfstream Race 10</span>(5:45)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/dougoneill_136902.pdf">Sunshine Millions Classic</a></span><br />Another DRF Race of the Week, so again, the <a href="http://www.drf.com/row/pps/09GPSunshineMillionsClassicStakes.pdf">DRF past performances</a> are also available.</li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santa Anita Race 7</span>(5:54)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/baffert_136747.pdf">Sunshine Millions Oaks</a><br /></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santa Anita Race 8</span> (6:26)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/dougoneill_136732.pdf">Sunshine Millions Sprint</a><br /></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santa Anita Race 9</span> (6:57)<br /><a href="http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/toddpletcher_136761.pdf"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunshine Millions Distaff</span></a></li><br /></ul><br />I believe this is the order of the races, but, dear Reader, I must warn you: time zones are not my friends, math is not my strong suit, and really, I had hoped for a more knowledgeable source to do this for me. How I tire of this Do-It-Yourself era.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-11893339914491414882008-11-02T22:14:00.007-05:002008-11-03T00:35:14.514-05:00Spooky sight from Halloween nightWinds of change blew in from the prairie last week, knocking over the card catalog and tossing the Quinella Castle into such a tizzy that blogging was impossible. Hopefully, those few folks anxiously awaiting the card catalog's BC Classic selection found their way to the <a href="http://thoroughbredbloggersalliance.blogspot.com/">Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance</a>, where <a href="http://www.greenbutgame.org/2008/11/02/next-time-you-need-picks-try-the-tba/">some phenomenal handicappers</a> posted their picks.<br /><br />The disarray here was so complete that I missed my Google Alerts for <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Grey Ghost Handicap</span>. <a href="http://turfluck.blogspot.com/2008/09/just-another-saturday-at-mountaineer.html"></a> When I finally had a chance to go through my e-mail, I discovered -- two days late and two dollars short -- that yes, on Halloween, the Meadowlands once again carded the 1-1/16 mile turf race "FOR GREY OR ROAN HORSES THREE YEAR OLD AND UPWARD ..."<br /><br /><span class="font11Black">This year's running was won by a Tactical Cat gelding whose name is familiar to many a TBA reader:<br /><blockquote>In a dappled dash to the wire, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Highland Cat</span> held on to win the $35,000 Grey Ghost Handicap by three-quarters of a length on Friday night at the Meadowlands. (<a href="http://www.thebigm.com/racingNewsDetail.asp?newsid=8257">Meadowlands website</a>)<br /></blockquote></span>Highland Cat's debut race is documented over at <a href="http://leftatthegate.blogspot.com/2005/10/highland-cat-pretty-good-shoe.html">Left at the Gate</a> along with much of his early career, as Alan shared the hopes and hardships of belonging to the partnership that owned Highland Cat. (<a href="http://leftatthegate.blogspot.com/2007/05/highland-cat-cuts-losses.html">Alan's post from May 2007</a> features my favorite picture of the good-looking grey, along with rare racetrack footage filmed by the Head Chef.)<br /><br />The Grey Ghost Handicap is just the sort of quirky thing that I enjoy watching live. Imagine it: greys by moonlight, on the turf! Somehow, I don't think the video does justice to "the spooky sight" but judge for yourself:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z1jePmbKpNo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z1jePmbKpNo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1jePmbKpNo">partymanners</a>)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15027056.post-7594104631669557692008-10-24T00:20:00.008-04:002008-10-24T02:07:55.170-04:00The library augury: BC picks from the card catalogOnce again, throughout the <a href="http://thoroughbredbloggersalliance.blogspot.com/">Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance,</a> you'll find <a href="http://superfectablog.blogspot.com/2008/10/breeders-cup-friday.html">thoughtful</a> <a href="http://cangamble.blogspot.com/2008/10/breeders-cup-2008-handicapping-edition.html">selections </a> <a href="http://postparade.blogspot.com/2008/10/2008-breeders-cup-selections_23.html">for</a> <a href="http://thoroughbredbloggersalliance.blogspot.com/">the Breeders' Cup</a>. While other TBA members may turn to the traditional tools of the handicapper's trade to uncover the angles for this weekend's races, here at Turf Luck, you'll find a different approach: the Quinella Queen has replaced her crown with a scarlet headscarf (and the most awesome hoop earrings ever!) to bow before the oaken drawers of the aging card catalog -- and thus divine the future in obscure 3x5 cards. Here's what the catalog has to say about Friday's Breeders' Cup card:<br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Filly Mare Sprint</span><br />While I was astonished to discover that actual books have been written about Jesse <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ventura</span>, I was simply delighted to find that <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/320785&referer=brief_results"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Mania for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Magnificenc</span>e</span> </a>looks at both American and European culture, truly a good omen for Stormy Atlantic offspring. However, I could not resist when the catalog tempted me with <a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Zaftig-Curves-Edward-St-Paige/dp/1883211174/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224822568&sr=8-1">Zaftig: The Case for Curves</a> by Edward St. Paige. True, there's only one curve in the race, but the catalog and I both find it amusing to consider the word "zaftig" in connection with anything Californian.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFQGBGKo_I/AAAAAAAAAQA/WYhGrispOAA/s1600-h/2008-FM-Sprint.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFQGBGKo_I/AAAAAAAAAQA/WYhGrispOAA/s320/2008-FM-Sprint.png" alt="Catalog card for Zaftig" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260573904049185778" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Juvenile Fillies Turf</span><br />The catalog first pointed me to <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/69734622&referer=brief_results"><span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Heart-Shaped</span> Box</span></a> by Joe Hill, and though it has one of those titles that I love to roll around in my head, I couldn't make it through this first novel from Stephen King's pseudonymous son , so rejected it as merely a tremor in the catalog force.<br /></p>I then spent a few moments contemplating the many cookie books from <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=mrs.+fields&=Search&qt=owc_search">Mrs. Fields</a>, feeling a tad guilty that I was never such a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sugar Mom.</span>. But at last, I found myself clutching the card for <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57440582&referer=brief_results">Naughty Girls' Night In </a>by Shana Dutie. I noticed that you can find this book shelved in the Business section of the Brooklyn Public Library, and I reflected on Naughty Night: isn't that just another way to say <span style="font-weight: bold;">Saucey Evening</span>?<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFfUH99KzI/AAAAAAAAAQI/T1lz9_WUKy0/s1600-h/2008-JuvFilliyTurf.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFfUH99KzI/AAAAAAAAAQI/T1lz9_WUKy0/s320/2008-JuvFilliyTurf.png" alt="Catalog card for Saucey Evening" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260590639086381874" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Juvenile Fillies</span><br />You can't read the entries for this field without humming a tune, but since last year's disastrous selection of a<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Dylan Thomas</span> audiotape, I'm ignoring audiovisual materials completely this year.<br /></p><p>So, even though I know the notes to sing, I will not glance at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Trapp-Family-Singers/dp/0060005777/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224823143&sr=8-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Story of the Trapp Family Singers</span></a>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Doremifasolatido</span> not withstanding. Likewise, there will be no crying for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Evita</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Argnetina</span> here, despite Nicholas Fraser's excellent memoir, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evita-Real-Life-Eva-Peron/dp/0393315754/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224823189&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Evita.</span></a> And, fond as I am of coal-miner's daughters everywhere, that darn Loretta Lynn CD, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Van-Lear-Rose-Loretta-Lynn/dp/B0001XASDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224823258&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Van Lear Rose</span>,</span></a> is staying in the Music Room's cabinet.<br /></p><p>Instead, in these risky times, it seems, well, <span style="font-style: italic;">prudent</span>, to follow the catalog's pick of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Act-Fast-Get-Rich/dp/0470075015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224823358&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be Smart</span>, Act Fast, Get Rich</span></a>, a stock market guide from Charles V. Payne.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFhdahsJtI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/eNtD4y4ug90/s1600-h/2008-juvfillies.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFhdahsJtI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/eNtD4y4ug90/s320/2008-juvfillies.png" alt="Catalog card for Be Smart" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260592997710178002" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Filly & Mare Turf</span><br />I'm sure I could find a few <span style="font-weight: bold;">Folk Opera</span>s gathering dust in the Music Room, but in light of my book-only resolution, my only catalog options are <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/48042032&referer=brief_results"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Halfway to Heaven</span></a>, a well-crafted romance by Susan Wiggs that's set in 19th century Washington DC and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wait-While-Red-Joan-Lees/dp/090904502X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224825744&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Wait a While</span></a>, a children's book about waiting for a surprise. The catalog seems to like them equally, so I'm my own here. Hmmn ... it's an election year, right? So the nod goes to the DC setting and Wiggs' numerous RITA awards. And hey, what's a Filly Friday without a little romance?</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFjK1Z3xnI/AAAAAAAAAQY/ij5csEufqlU/s1600-h/2008-FM-Turf.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFjK1Z3xnI/AAAAAAAAAQY/ij5csEufqlU/s320/2008-FM-Turf.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260594877530883698" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distaff; <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> Filly and Mare Classic; <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> The Race whose name we cannot speak.....</span><br />Darn that book-only rule! I have to reject the catalog card for<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Zenyatta</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Mondatta</span> by The Police.. Oh, but wait -- there's a book! Right there in the contents line of <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/236329609?tab=details#tabs"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Words and Music of Sting</span> </a>by Christopher Gable, you'll find ... <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zenyatta</span>. Go girl!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFlNIyslyI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zunoij-ZlR8/s1600-h/2008-Distaff.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kDyTH2EpkvQ/SQFlNIyslyI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zunoij-ZlR8/s320/2008-Distaff.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260597116118275874" border="0" /></a><p>The muse tires now, but we'll be back late on Friday with our picks of Breeders' Cup: Saturday Edition.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0