Curlin grinds out win in the Woodward

30 08 2008

 

The 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin, did not disappoint as an overwhelming favorite in Saturday’s 55th running of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes.  The son of Smart Strike was asked to chase surprisingly quick early fractions, and was able to gun down pace setter Pass the Point (hat tip to Gerald) in the final yards to move to second place all-time on the North American earnings list with $9,796,800.   The great Cigar is $203,015 ahead of Curlin with $9,999,815 in lifetime earnings.

Pass the Point rocketed out of the gate and took the early lead from the horse I thought would be on the lead, Wanderin Boy.  Divine Park and Curlin were ahead of the second flight of horses in the early going.  Pass the Point blazed to early fractions of 22.80 and 46.20 and took a full length lead that Wanderin Boy could never overcome. 

As the field entered the final turn, Curlin was gobbling up ground and coming all out with his run.  As we’ve seen so many times throughout the Saratoga meet, early speed on the main track can be extremely difficult to take down.  It took everything Curlin had to catch a 40-1 shot in Pass the Point.  Still, you never really got the feeling he was going to lose the race. He didn’t quite have his “A-game”,  but he had enough to pull away in the final strides to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

The final time for the Woodward was 1:49.34.  Curlin returned $2.70 for the win.  Pass the Point returned a whopping $13.80 for place to complete a $41.80 exacta.  Wanderin Boy hung on for third in a trifecta that paid $185.00. 

Divine Park and Out of Control were major disappointments in the Woodward finishing at the back of the pack.  A. P. Arrow was only mildly able to get uncorked finishing 4th.  Immediately after the race, the announcers on TVG started critiquing Curlin’s run.  It clearly wasn’t his best effort, but I think it’s worth noting that the official results chart denotes two separate instances of Curlin being “brushed” (on the first turn and at the five-eighths pole, respectively).  Coupled with the tighter turns of the Saratoga main track, the high propensity for front runners to battle on in the stretch, and the shorter 1 1/8 mile distance, I’m satisfied with Curlin’s run.   He did what he needed to do in order to get the job done.

Up next for the super-colt is anybody’s guess.  The Jockey Club Gold Cup, in which he defeated top older horse Lawyer Ron in 2007, would seem to be his next goal.  After that would likely be the Japan Cup.  A return to the Breeder’s Cup Classic and a showdown with top 3-year-old Big Brown remains unlikely for the moment.  Stranger things have happened though.

On a side note, Curlin and first defence led to a very lucrative day at Saratoga for yours truly.  I hit the pick 4 for $321, and thanks to Gerald’s focus on Pass the Point, was able to hit the trifecta as well.  Plus, as we speak, my beloved Alabama Crimson Tide lead #9 Clemson 31-10 early in the 4th quarter.  What a way to start a weekend!


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Curlin ready to roll in Woodward

29 08 2008

By far the highlight race this weekend will be Saturday’s 55th running of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, featuring defending Horse of the Year winner Curlin.  The race marks the champs return to dirt after a game effort finishing 2nd in the Man O’ War at Belmont Park.  All eyes will be on the 4-year-old son of Smart Strike as he attempts to climb to 2nd place on the all-time earnings list behind the legendary Cigar.

The field for the Woodward sets up like this:

  1. A.P. Arrow (C. Velasquez) 20/1
  2. Loose Leaf (E. Coa) 15/1
  3. Past the Point (E. Prado) 15/1
  4. Divine Park (A. Garcia) 3/1
  5. Curlin (R. Albarado) 3/5*
  6. Dr. D.E.C. (A. Arboleda) 50/1
  7. Out of Control (J. Velasquez) 12/1
  8. Wanderin Boy (J. Leparoux) 8/1

Curlin ought to be able to negotiate a good trip in the 1 1/8 mile distance of the Woodward.  Curlin is 2 for 3 lifetime at this distance, along with a 3rd place finish.  I’m on the record as saying I prefer 1 1/4 miles for Curlin in an ideal situation, but the appealing aspect of the Woodward beyond the historic significance of Curlin running at Saratoga is that the filed will all be carrying 126 pounds.  Additionally, he’s been training well, trainer Steve Asmussen says he should be able to handle the tighter turns of the Saratoga dirt track. 

Wanderin Boy figures to be the early pace setter breaking from the outside.  I could see Curlin being just off him, as I don’t think Albarado wants to allow Divine Park to get first jump on him after what happened when Red Rocks was able to do so in the Man O’ War.  Both Curlin and Divine Park figure to be stalking well early on.  Turning for home I expect these two to surge pass Wanderin Boy and from there we’ll see what kind of fight Divine Park has in him.  If anyone is going to beat Curlin, it would appear Divine Park is the horse for the job.

Looking at the rest of the field, Past the Point could be a factor in things early on as well as Loose Leaf.  Still, I wouldn’t expect a very hot pace on Saturday.  Wanderin Boy could well be comfortably alone on the lead in the early going.  If the pace does heat up, that would seem to work into the hands of both Curlin and Divine Park.  Additionally, I wouldn’t count A.P.Arrow out from making a late run at things. 

The x-factor of the race would appear to be Out of Control, a 5 year-old son of Vettori (Machiavellian).  Like Curlin, he’ll be making the turf-to-dirt move for the Woodward, and could beany kid of horse on the surface switch.  The limited runs he’s had on dirt have certainly not been disgraceful, with a win and a show in 2 starts.   He could well be right there with Curlin and Divine Park in an exciting finish to the Woodward if Curlin doesn’t show up with his best stuff.

I’ll obviously be playing Curlin for the win – but go with either Divine Park or Out of Control if you’re trying to make a score.  There’s not a lot of money to be made on a 3/5 favorite.  Underneath I’ll use the two horses I just mentioned (Divine Park and Out of Control), and I’ll toss in Wanderin Boy and A.P. Arrow for show.

5/4,7/1,4,7,8 ($6)

As for the undercard,  Lucky Island looks like a horse you could single on and/or construct a trifecta around in the Forego (race 9).  I’d use First Defence underneath, and would probably include him on any multi-race wagers as well.  Eternal Star, Tasteyville, Ferocious Fires, and Premium Wine all warrant observation in the post parade as well, as any of them could wind hitting the board.  My straight-up prediction would be:  7/2/5

Here’s wishing everyone well in your Saturday wagering.  I’ve also got to give a quick nod to my beloved Alabama Crimson Tide who will be kicking off against Clemson later in the night.  Roll Tide!  Would be quite a night if Curlin and Alabama were to come through for me.  Go baby, go!  Run ‘em down Curlin!!!!


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Categories : Curlin, Handicapping Selections, Saratoga

Benny the Bull retired

27 08 2008

Breaking news I just saw over at Ron Correll’s site:

http://articles.tracksideview.com/2008/08/27/benny-the-bull-retired-with-ankle-chip/trackback.aspx

It would seem that IEAH stables sprinter Benny the Bull has finished his days as a word class sprinter.  Usually you wouldn’t think I’d be very upset when my not-so-favorite trainer Rick Dutrow loses a colt, but I really liked this guy.

I remember vividly having him keyed on a few bets this past Belmont Day.  During the undercard racing action, Benny was the overwhelming favorite in the Grade 2 True North Handicap.  He was coming back from Dubai and early on in the race did not appear he was even going to finish in the money. 

Then, in the final few hundred yards, he unleashed a charge unlike any I’ve had the pleasure of seeing first hand.  He blew past the field from about 6 wide and nailed Man of Danger by a neck at the wire.  It was unbelievable.  At the time it seemed to be a good omen for Big Brown, but we all know what happened later that afternoon and needn’t return there.

Now, truth be told, I really wanted Benny to continue his winning ways heading into the Breeder’s Cup Sprint.  Partly because I thought he’d be an obvious contender, but more appropriately because I wanted to play local California hero Street Boss against him.  Now we’ll never get that showdown, which ought to have been a good one.  Instead I’ll be stuck with likely favorite odds on Street Boss rather than an upset. 

That being said (I use that phrase entirely too much, I’ve noticed), as I like to do when a horse of name and record finishes their career in an unanticipated fashion, I’d like pause and tip my hat to Benny for a moment.  Here’s how I’ll always remember him from the True North Handicap.  Pay extra attention to the final 100 yards.  He’s like a projectile screaming out of a cannon.


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Categories : Benny the Bull, Horse Racing News

3 Days to Curlin

27 08 2008

Three days people.  Just three short days and we’ll be able to view the greatness that is Curlin yet again.  Honestly, it’s a bit hard to get totally jazzed about the Woodward Stakes since he’ll likely face a small field, but it doesn’t matter – it’s Curlin!  He could be running by himself and I’d likely end up watching.

Saturday is of course the running of the Woodward at Saratoga.  The other day Curlin breezed 4 furlongs in :49.14 in his final tune up for his return to dirt.  After finishing 2nd in his initial turf try in the Man O’ War, sandwiched between winner Red Rocks and fellow former Breeder’s Cup Turf champion Better Talk Now, owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen have moved the colt off the grass and back to his preferred surface. 

So far we’ve only got a handful of likely entrants running against him. They’ll include A.P. Arrow, Wanderin Boy, Merchant Marine, Divine Park, and Star Plus.  There’s a slight chance that we may get Harlington and/or Past the Point as well.  This would suggest that the other owners believe they are running for place and show, and you can’t really blame them for thinking so. 

We obviously won’t be getting the Big Brown vs Curlin matchup that was much discussed by horse racing fans across the nation.  Much of that drama has died down now as the two colts appear headed on different courses for the remainder of their 2008 campaigns.  Whether Big Brown comes back in 2009 is a huge question.  Curlin, it would seem, still has the door open to a 2009 campaign as a 5-year-old.

I’ve droned on at great lengths about my love for Curlin in many a post here, so I’ll spare you my rah-rah “forward at the double quick, charge!” style of Curlin cheerleading – at least for the moment.  Instead, I’ll let Curlin do some of his own cheerleading. Or perhaps more correctly, I’ll let the awesome-terrific Vanessa Ng and her wonderful photographs of Curlin currently on display in a special “Curlin’s Corner” section of the main NYRA website do the talking for him. 

That’s right, I said “awesome-terrific.”  I trust you’ll understand I don’t combine multisyllabic expressions of awesomeness lightly.  When I say Vanessa is awesome-terrific, I totally mean it.  I’ve only had the pleasure of chatting with her a few times over at Cindy Dulay’s forum, but they rank among some of my favorite conversations with a passionate horse racing fan that I’ve ever had.  If you ever get the pleasure of hearing her talk about her love of Curlin, Swale, or Smarty Jones – it’s the kind of stuff that makes you want to believe in a particular horse with all of your heart, and let that heart burst with joy when they turn for home on top.  Rousing stuff indeed.  I’ll hold out hope for an exclusive interview with her as long as this site exists, no matter how unlikely that prospect might be.

Wonderful job there, Vanessa!  Those are now some of my all-time favorite Curlin photos. 

Speaking of CIndy’s forum, there’s a handicapper there that posts daily picks under the name of Dr. Swine Smeller that I’ve grown most fond of.  He gives out some live longshots, and win or lose his insights are highly entertaining stuff.  Some other posters have commented on it and I’ve come up with a theory.  I think for many of us handicapping becomes such a labor of love, that we often focus on the labor and forget about the love part.  We know we “have” to do it, just as a crossword puzzle junkie has to practice their trade – but how often do we approach it with absolute joy as opposed to mundane repetition?  I think that’s where he scores, at least in my opinion.  You can just tell he’s having fun as he’s going, and that’s really what being a horseplayer is all about.  Hats off to Dr. Swinesmeller.  I’ve been a bit rejuvenated in jumping into the past performances since reading his stuff.  I hope he starts a blog someday (if he doesn’t have one already).

But back to Curlin, Here’s hoping he looks as good on the track on Saturday as he has thus far throughout his 2008 campaign. 

Ah yes, “campaign.”  It’s great fun just using that word in an election year.  Forget Obama and McCain.  Curlin for President in 2008.  Here’s hoping he chooses Zenyatta as a running mate.


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Sunday Quick Hits – Pacific Classic could set up for Go Between

24 08 2008

Let me just start off by saluting “the Colonel.”  We were away most of the day yesterday, so I didn’t get to see the Travers until last night.  When I saw that Colonel John had won, my first reaction was “huh????” I had convinced myself that it was foolhardy to run the colt over dirt again after his Kentucky Derby run.  In so doing I broke one of my cardinal rules in handicapping.  Think about it – if Colonel John was good enough for me to give out against Big Brown in the Derby, shouldn’t he have been good enough for me to give out in the Travers?  Alas, I didn’t give him out (I sided with Harlem Rocker), and he goes on to nail Mambo in Seattle at the wire by a nose bob. 

This means I’m seeking a bit of redemption heading into Sunday.  I’m going to focus on Del Mar since we’ve got the Pacific Classic and a bevy of other good stakes races to ponder.  I love playing these “all stakes” pick 4′s, and Del Mar has one for us in races 7 through 10 on Sunday.

Starting with the Rancho Bernardo (Grade 2) in race 7, I like #3 Magnificence here.  She’s going to have to turn the tables on main rival #7 Dearest Tricksi, but I fully expect this to happen.  Dearest Tricksi handed Magnificence her first defeat last time out, and I keep coming up with these guys as the top two for the Rancho Bernardo.  Underneath those two I’d play #1 Silky Smooth and #6 Lethal Heat.

3/1,7/1,6,7 ($4)

Moving on to the Grade 2 Pat O’ Brien in race 8, we’ve got what appers to be a heck of a sprint on paper.  #3 Midnight Lute won the Breeder’s Cup Sprint last year and looks like a serious player here.  Don’t discount #8 In Summation though.  I’ll let you in on a little tidbit that might interest you.  A few weeks ago I was off from work one afternoon and was conversing with TVG’s Rich Perloff.  I asked him who he thought would in a sprint battle between Benny the Bull and Street Boss, two of the best sprinters in the nation.  Rich came back and said In Summation is the horse he’d want to see in that race.  I’ve gone back and watched some of In Summation’s races and have officially jumped on the bandwagon (though I’d still take Street Boss in the theoretical race just described).  Underneath these top two I’ll use #6 Barbecue Eddie and #2 Rebellion. 

8/3,6/2,3,6 ($4)

Moving on to the Del Mar Handicap (Grade 2), I think this race is all about #8 Daytona. If the “real” Daytona shows up than the others should be running for place and show.  If he doesn’t show up, than things open up a bit for several contenders.  #10 Monzante and #4 Whatsthescript look like the two major challengers, and I’ll play both of them underneath for place on the trifecta.  Rounding out the ticket I’ll add in #3 Storm Military.

8/4,10/3,4,10 ($4)

The feature race of the day is obviously the Grade 1 Pacific Classic.  When looking over this field it looks like a lot of speed has signed on . As such, I’m looking for a runner who should benefit from the pace up front, and I keep winding up with #6 Go Between and #10 Student Council.  Of those two I prefer Go Between, although Student Council is a horse that has burned me before.  #7 Well Armed would be much more attractive to me if there wasn’t as much other speed in the race. I like this guy and thought he returned from Dubai in good form.  He’s the horse I wanted to make “the pick”, but ultimately had to side against.  Of the rest of the runners, I think #4 Surf Cat could be finishing well and has a good shot to hit the board.

6/7,10/4,7,10 ($4)

As for the “all stakes” Pick 4 ticket, my initial opinion would look like this – although I’ll definitely be checking out the post parade of the Rancho Bernardo to finalize my opinion:

  • Race 7: 3, 7
  • Race 8: 3, 8
  • Race 9: 4, 8, 10
  • Race 10: 6, 7, 10

Total cost: $36 (2x2x3x3=36).

Best of luck to everyone who is playing along.  It’s been a while since we’ve had such a totally stacked Sunday card.  Hopefully this is an opportunity to end our weekends on a high note.


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It’s Travers Time

22 08 2008

This Saturday’s 139th running of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Track looks like it may be the best 3-year-old race of the year.  Certainly it’s the most competitive from top to bottom since the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. We may not have Big Brown, but we’ve got a full field of 12 contenders and what looks like a great betting race.

The field for the 1 1/4 miles G1 Travers:

  1. Tale of Ekati  (E. Prado) 20/1
  2. Colonel John (G. Gomez) 8/1
  3. Da’ Tara (A. Garcia) 8/1
  4. Tizbig (C. Velasquez) 30/1
  5. Macho Again (J. Leparoux) 6/1
  6. Cool Coal Man (J. Velazquez) 15/1
  7. Amped (J. Chavez) 30/1
  8. Harlem Rocker (E. Coa) 4/1
  9. Mambo in Seattle (R. Albarado) 5/1
  10.  Tres Borrachos (T.Baze) 15/1
  11.  Pyro (S.Bridgmohan) 7/2*
  12.  Court Vision (K. Desormeaux) 12/1

Let’s start with a feel for how the pace sets up.  Looking at the race on paper we appear to have the makings of a speed duel between Belmont Stakes winner Da’ Tara and Tizbig. In other words a showdown could be brewing between a pair of Tiznow colts, who are known for having quite a bit of fight in them.  Add to that the fact that the two are posted eyeball to eyeball in the 3 and 4 holes, respectively, and it looks like we’ve got a battle on our hands up front early on.  I’ll be honest, I’m not sure which one is quicker.  Da’ Tara would appear to need the lead a bit more, but Tizbig is stepping up in class and will likely need to be fairly quick out of the gate. 

This should set things up for one of the runners coming off the pace. The question is who might get too close if a speed duel occurs and who might find themselves having some late traffic trouble?  Pyro is favored at 7/2, but I’m betting that won’t be the case at post time.  The two horses everyone is talking about are Todd Pletcher’s Harlem Rocker and the Neil Howard trained Mambo in Seattle.  I’d tend to agree that they look like the pair to beat on paper.

We’ll start with Harlem Rocker.  He graces the cover of the Saturday Daily Racing Form.  The impressive son of Macho Uno has run up a 4 for 5 lifetime record on his way to $445,000 in earnings.   The win that sticks out is the Grade 3 Withers where he defeated J Be K by 2 1/2 lengths and earned a 106 Beyer figure.  However, the race that most horseplayers are focusing on is his last effort.  While the 90 Beyer speed figure in the Prince of Wales may not seem like a winner on paper, it’s important to note that Harlem Rocker fought back in the stretch and refused to go down in defeat.  That’s big.  He strikes me as a colt with a lot of upside that we probably haven’t seen the best from.

Mambo in Seattle is a fast improving son of Kingmambo who will be piloted by Robby Albarado.  I know a lot of people are picking this guy and I can see why.  Let me just make the argument though that despite the sexy improving Beyer figures, that this is a horse “classing up”, potentially quite a bit.  This of course despite the fact that I don’t think this year’s 3-year-old crop was on par with those of recent memory.  Collectively I think this field will give him all he can handle, and he’s going to have to earn it if he’s to prevail. 

Pyro is a shaky favorite in my opinion.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the guy.  He was one of my favorites leading up to the Kentucky Derby, and I thought the Jim Dandy was a lock for him. Unfortunately he was upset by Macho Again, who will 6 lanes to his inside at the start of the race.  I’d look for a better performance from Pyro.  This is a battle tested member of this field, from his races against 2-year-old champion War Pass as a juvenile to his victories in the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, and Northern Dancer.   I think he’ll turn the tables on Macho Again today, but I’m a bit worried drawing the outside might leave him ducking in to save ground early on and then encountering some traffic problems if/when the field starts coming back to him.  He’s a player and he can win this thing with a solid run, but I’ll pass on the morning line favoritism and go with Harlem Rocker for the win.

As for the rest of the field, yeah…I guess I’ve got to own up to it everytime this guy runs.  Fine – I was a Colonel John guy going into the Derby. There, I’ve said it.  In my defense I had Big Brown ranked #1 from the Florida Derby on, but that matters not when you give out the Colonel as your Derby pick.  I still like him, just not here and not on dirt.  I’d love to see him thunder home on top, but I’m not seeing it. 

Macho Again looks quite playable underneath at 6/1.   When you consider he’s been 2nd to Big Brown and has defeated Pyro, it’s hard not to like the “other” son of Macho Uno in the field today.  If you scratch a line through his Belmont run (you’d do it for Big Brown, right?) then his Derby Trial, Preakness, and Jim Dandy runs look pretty darn good against this field.  I have a feeling he’ll be right there in the thick of things in what should be a great finish to the Travers. 

I’ll paly Harlem Rocker for the win over Pyro and Mambo in Seattle for place.  To fill out the trifecta I’ll add in Macho Again for show.  I’m also going to toss in Cool Coal Man who may get a nice, if uninspiring trip.  He’s got a habit of sticking around if you toss out the obvious scratch in the Derby and a synthetics debacle in the Blue Grass.

8/9, 11/5, 6, 9, 11 ($6)

Unless of course one of you convinces me to go in another direction.


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Categories : Colonel John, Handicapping Selections, Pyro, Saratoga

Olympic Randomness

21 08 2008
As I divulged in my post yesterday about the Las Vegas announcement, I’ve been a bit obsessed with the 2008 Beijing Olympics lately.  I’m not sure what it is about them?  I remember being into the Olympics as a six-year-old back in 1984 when Mary Lou Retton was winning her glory in gymnastics.   Ever since then though, my interest in the Olympics has largely waned.

For some reason though, this year all that changed.  I have a theory about this.  Like most of my theories it’s a half-crazed one, but one that I enjoy pondering and spouting off about.  I think it’s because we finally have an enemy again.  Back in ’84, even though the ruskies weren’t there, they were still the enemy.  You still identified those bold C.C.C.P. initials with factory built super-machines bent on destroying the amateur “kids” we sent against them.  Then, at some point after Glasnost and Perestroika, they started to fade away, and with that fade went my interest in the Olympics.  Seoul, Barcelona, Athens – I didn’t pay but a minute’s attention to those games.

Fast forward to 2008 and we’ve got a new enemy it would seem these days.  A rising dragon if you will.  Obviously I’m talking about China and it’s new generation of factory built super-athletes, although surprisingly many of them seem rather midget like, or wisp like.  Heck, some of the time I can’t even discern the “men” from the “women” (and I use those terms lightly when discussing their “women’s” gymnastics squad).  They are the new C.C.C.P.  The new enemy we must face every 4 years and defeat in battle.  And if we don’t bring our absolute best – they look like a force to be reckoned with.  This then must be the reason I’m so addicted to this year’s Olympics.

Well, that and bikini clad female beach volleyball players playing in downpours of Beijing rain.  which might have something to do with it. :)

So what’s this got to do with horse racing?  Not a whole lot, really. In my typically insane fashion, I find myself looking at the Olympics through the eyes of a horseplayer.  Like I mentioned before, it’s a crime against humanity that I can’t key a trifecta ticket on Michael Phelps to win the 100 meter breaststroke with a longshot Australian and a kiwi New Zealander underneath.  Likewise, I should be able to make an exacta play keying on Jamaican speedster Usain Bolt.  Sadly, there is no (legal) way for me to do so at this point in time, more’s the pity.

So what’s a horse racing fan to do when they find themselves glued to the tube, painted in red, white, and blue and watching a cacophony of sports they’ve largely never cared about before?  Write a random blog post, of course!  What follows are my observations, musings, and random thoughts about what we’ve seen thus far at Beijing.  The few times I’ve ventured off-topic here in the past have been comical disasters, but I’ve tested the waters a bit by posting a lot of this over on blogcatalog and enjoying the back and forth banter it generated.  Here’s my top 10 thoughts on the 2008 Summer Olympics.

1. Michael Phelps is god. I now sacrifice chickens to his honor – well, to a crude paper mache replica of his likeness. I call it “Mikey.” Seriously though, why the hell would anyone talk trash to that guy to fire him up? And why can’t I key him on top of a trifecta when he races? He’s the Curlin of swimming.  No, check that, he’s the Secretariat of swimming. That finger touch victory of his for gold #7 – the highlight of the Olympics by far.

 

The greatest Olympic swimmer of all time - Michael Phelps

The greatest Olympic swimmer of all time - Michael Phelps

2. Misty May Treanor (U.S. women’s beach volleyball) is in love with me – she just doesn’t realize it yet.  It’s okay Misty, I understand.  I’m just heart broken that I won’t get to watch you anymore (unless you return for 2012), although I did stay up past midnight last night to watch you and Kerry Walsh crush China to win the gold! I’m usually not one to go for girls that could probably kick my ass, but in Misty’s case I make an exception.  Like a true American, I love a winner!

 

U.S. beach volleyball babe, and now 2-time gold medalist, Misty May Treanor

U.S. beach volleyball babe, and now 2-time gold medalist, Misty May Treanor

 

3. Ditto for Chinese beach volleyball babe Xue Chen. She just hasn’t found a way to express her love for me as she doesn’t speak English.  I can tell though…it’s the way she looks at me through the television set.  It’s like she’s saying “please, let me be your love slave.”  Sadly (for Xue), I’m already spoken for, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy watching her prance around in the sand in her bikini- and unlike Misty she ought to be back in 2012 for the London games.  It’s hard to cheer for the “enemy” – but she’s hot enough that I don’t really give a darn.  If loving Xue Chen is wrong than I don’t want to be right.

Chinese beach volleyball hottie Xue Chen

Chinese beach volleyball hottie Xue Chen

4. I’m mad as hell that I don’t get to see a Misty vs. Xue matchup in the gold medal game, but it’s all good as Misty and teammate Kerry Walsh brought a much needed gold home for the U.S.  Sadly (for me), Xue and her teammate lost to the Tian/Jang  Chinese team and Xue was forced to settle for a bronze medal after beating Brazil.  I’d have had no problem with her losing a tight one to Misty and Kerry and taking silver.  Silver looks good on her – but gold looks  a tad better on the Americans in my opinion.

5. Nastia Lukin should’ve won gold on the uneven bars.  The judges who denied her the gold should be hung, drawn, and quartered like common brigands.

6. Shawn Johnson or Nastia should’ve won gold on the vault when the Chinese gymnast Cheng Fei fell. Heck, the Chinese got so many “WTF?” scores to their benefit while our gals got screwed.  For what it’s worth – I think Shawn and Nastia kick total ass.  Way to go girls – you kept your head’s up AND brought back gold medals.  All while facing the best that the “People’s Children of China” could throw at you!  Shawn should have a bright future ahead of her as she’s got one of those infectious personalities that you simply  have to love.  Seriously, who on earth could not have been rooting for this girl?  I actually wanted her to beat Nastia for individual overall gold.

7. Chinese gymnast Cheng Fei looks like Dr. Zaius from Planet of the Apes.  Some won’t like it, but it’s the truth. 

Cheng Fei or Dr. Zaius? You decide

Cheng Fei or Dr. Zaius? You decide

 

8. Speaking of the female Chinese gymnasts, there’s no way half these girls were a day past 12.  There was something deeply disturbing about watching a bunch of 12 year olds prancing around in skimpy clothing.  I know many think “so what, that means you got beat by 12 year olds!”, but the truth is that the smaller/younger a person you send out there to compete, the more of an advantage you have.  It sounds like the IOC is finally getting serious about investigating that He Keixin girl, but to be honest I thought others looked younger.

 

Chinese "women's" gymnastics team - yeah right, more like a bunch of elementary school kids

Chinese "girls" gymnastics team. Calling them "women" would be stretch in my mind

 

8. I don’t think Cris Collinsworth, former Cincinatti Bengals WR, is quite the right guy for the job to be discussing fencing matches and bicycle races – but at least he isn’t Bob Costas.  I don’t know what it is with Costas that sickens me.  Actually I do – it’s the hair.  Bella on the other hand – watching him on tape delay covering the gymnastics routine was exactly like sitting at a major race with a diehard horse racing fan.  That was great television.

10. I still can’t believe I live in a world where trampoline, table tennis (ping pong), and handball are sports countries can win gold medals in, yet baseball is on it’s way out and American Football is no where on the radar. I know – next let’s add laser tag! Or Pokemon! Or Magic-the Gathering!!!  Like I said last week – at least send our thoroughbreds overseas to clean house against the Chinese ponies.

All in all it’s been an amazing two weeks, and I kind of appreciate the distraction from the daily grind that the Olympics offered.  Our Equestrian team did pretty well – so there were some equine tie-ins to the whole thing.  They  just didn’t get as much television time as some of the other sports. 

So hats off to the finest in the world.  Especially our own beloved Team USA.  We OWNED the water cube (except for diving, of course), and if it weren’t for those pesky Jamaicans, we’d have owned track and field as well.  The Chinese can keep their claim to table tennis.  That’s one sport I’ll never give a rats about – bikini clad competitors or not. 

I’ll be back on topic tomorrow night with a look at the Travers – which looks like a heckuva race coming up on Saturday.


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Onward to Vegas!

19 08 2008

First off, I need to apologize to regular readers of The Aspiring Horseplayer.  I know my blogging has been sporadic over the last few weeks – that daily (or in all honesty semi-daily) rush of content, analysis, opinion, and general randomness has been missing.

I assure you all that there are reasons.  And no, I won’t bore you with my oft-used “but my wife is pregnant” or “I work long hours” routine. No, this time it’s an actual legitimate excuse and something I’ve been meaning to share with you all for quite some time.

Not sure if anyone noticed, but the NTRA put out a press release today that actually mentioned me and a few other TBA bloggers by name. 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/46656.htm

That’s right, I’m part of a group that is headed out to Las Vegas next month in an effort to help the NTRA better understand how to attract the next generation of fans to our sport.

Obviously I owe a lot of thanks to those of you who stop over and here read my musings with regularity.  I’m still amazed and convinced that that hit counter at the bottom right of the blog is wrong.  Has there really been 70,000 visitors in the last year?  I remember thinking just a few months ago that the only people who would ever find me here were folks that knew me or that I gave the address out to. 

My how fast times can change.

Now I’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime for a horse racing fan.  The chance to speak out and know that “they” are listening.  So far the group’s going well.  The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (TBA)  is well represented.  We’ve got our fearless leader, handride,  and the always well-written Dana of Green but Game.  Those guys (I should say ”guy and gal”) will be joining me in Vegas for the conference.  And of course we’ve got other members in our larger “task force” group as well.  I debated whether or not to list them here and will add to this post if desired, but felt that they might wish to keep private their involvement at this point in time. 

With all of this in mind, I’d like to call upon you guys, the readers, to once again sound-off with any and all ideas you may have to help bring thoroughbred horse racing back to it’s rightful place of prominence.  I’m not at liberty to discuss details of what we’re working on so far (so as not to create any false assumptions or promises), but I’ll tell you that two of the major things I”m pushing for are handride’s standings initiative and a little idea I like to call “Take Back Saturday” – which in summary is a model of how the NFL turned Sunday into “football Sunday”, a day of the week that they absolutely owned, and what we can do as a sport to copy that success by focusing on our marquee Saturday racing action. 

So let slip the dogs of war, fellas!  Let’s hear ‘em.  I know a lot of you have shared some experiences and feelings in the past, and I pledge to do my best to represent as much of what you say as I possibly can.  If this experiment goes well, I have the feeling it just may usher in a new era of two-way communication between the NTRA and it’s fans.  What else can I say?  The phrase “opportunity of a lifetime” doesn’t even really do it justice, does it?


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