Amy and I celebrating Rachel Alexandra's victory in the 2009 Preakness
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I’m a proud member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (TBA)
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I’m a Featured Writer for the TVG Community website
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I”m currently covering the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic for the NTRA
This might surprise you, but I didn’t start out as a horse racing fan. In fact, to many family and friends my love for this odd little sport of ours is perplexing and the source of endless fascination. I actually started out as a baseball, and then later a football fan.
Horse racing didn’t really take hold inside of me until my 20’s. But when it did – boy did it ever take hold! It was around this time that I also first met my wife – who being a Baltimore native had heard of the Preakness, but thought it was more of a concert/party than an actual horse race. In just a few short years our appreciation for racing had grown to such an extent that we were late for own wedding while listening intently to the car radio as Sarava pulled the upset in the 2002 Belmont Stakes.
My own story as a racing fan begins back “home” in Cecil County, MD. I first fell in love with horse racing in my youth during my yearly visits to the steeplechase races at Fair Hill, MD. It was there that I laid my first bets, got my feet wet in the game of horse racing, and began pondering the idea of getting more involved. I didn’t understand much about what I was doing, but I was willing to learn.
As a young adult I found myself working and going to college almost within walking distance of Pimlico. The yearly Preakness festivities were something that I looked forward to with eager anticipation. In those days, half the attraction was the college party atmosphere, but armed with my Daily Racing Form, I’d go about waging war on the race card for the day convinced I could pick some winners. Not surprisingly, sometimes I was right and quite often I was wrong. It really didn’t matter to me. What mattered was having an opinion and standing behind it – and learning from my mistakes.
Not surprisingly, eventually my handicapping skills improved with a bit of hard work and determination. Coupled with this improvement was a developing deeper appreciation for the entire sport, and a desire to share and indeed nurture that appreciation by talking horses with as many folks as I could. One of the things I”ve always loved about horse racing is that it’s an inherently social sport. If you go to a baseball game, you aren’t talking about each ball and strike with everyone around you – but if you go to a horse race you’ll wind up talking about the races with dozens of random strangers. Everyone wants to talk. We’re all champing at the bit to do so.
In time I found myself becoming quite attached to many of the horses who have run past my field of vision. I (somewhat) jokingly refer to myself as the “world’s biggest Curlin fan”, as that horse touched my heart in a very special way. My wife and I had cheered our hearts out for him in the 2007 Preakness after arguing with all who would listen for the weeks building up to the race that he would prove himself a champion. We were so moved by his victory that we stood shaking and totally unable to speak for what must’ve been a solid 10 minutes.
In 2009 we both fell in love with the filly Rachel Alexandra prior to the Preakness, and have since followed her across the East Coast from Maryland to New York to New Jersey. We even had the honor of “escorting” Rachel Alexandra to the paddock for the 2009 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. Talk about the experience of a lifetime!
Getting to share those kinds of exhilarating experiences with the woman you love, while watching the horses that you love in the biggest moments of their lives – there’s nothing else like it in sports. That’s why I often call horse racing the “best kept secret in America.” If folks had any idea how incredible it can be, the lines would be too darn long for me at the betting windows/voucher machines.
And of course there have been countless other highlights along the way. Shortly after starting this blog I became a proud member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (TBA). Joining this distinguished group not only put me in contact with some of the best young writers in the world talking about horse racing, but helped put this site on the map (quite literally). In fact, many of the TBA members (myself included) are now blogging for the NTRA covering the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Championships. You can keep up with my posts covering the Ladies’ Classic on the NTRA website.
The blogging, of course, led being selected to serve on the NTRA Online Marketing Task Force in the fall of 2008. It was here that we presented our strategy to the NTRA for marketing the sport to a new generation of fans – a topic that I feel quite passionate about. In relating the strategy and success of the NFL in carving out a television infused niche in the country over the last 50 years, I settled on the term “Take Back Saturday” to summarize the central theme of our 52 page report. That theme being to tell a continuous and compelling story from the Triple Crown to the Breeders’ Cup by offering regularly nationally televised Grade 1 racing from across the country.
Recently I’ve also had the pleasure to become a Featured Writer for the TVG Community website. Considering TVG is on in the background at our house perhaps as much as 8 hours a day, that wasn’t a difficult decision to make.
What’s my goal in all of this? Well, to be honest I’m not really sure. Partly I just enjoy talking about the sport with folks, but I’d be kidding if I said I didn’t have dreams of one day making it big somehow. Whether that means at the betting windows, as an owner of a race horse, or through some other sort of good luck break, only the future may know. We’re only human, right? I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t dreamt of hugging my wife and kids after we win the Kentucky Derby. The one thing I’ve learned in life though is to appreciate what you’ve got while you’ve got it – and not worry too much about what might (or might not) be in the future.
When not obsessively talking about the horses, I’m a diehard Alabama Crimson Tide football fan (Roll Tide!), and a military history buff – with an emphasis on the U.S. Civil War.
So, in short, that’s my story and helps explain why I’m here. Drop me a comment if you have a moment and let me know what brought you this way.
If you want to know even more about me after reading this page:
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I’ve thrown together a “100 things about me” sub-page you can find here.
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You can contact me by clicking here.
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You can can check out some horse racing videos I made on youtube featuring photos and race replays I found on the internet by clicking here.
…..and if you’ve read this far, do leave some comments.
2nd comment?
Good luck with the blog… I like your taste in layout theme too.
I promise that I’ll interview my sister-in-law (who is a relatively successful horse trainer in country Australia) during December…
Don
Thanks Don, I’ll be looking forward to the interview!
Still hope to conduct that interview, and I am dead-serious about a guest piece…
Honestly, that would be the greatest honor of my blogging experience thus far. I accept the invitation and will let you know when I’ve got one that I think your readers will enjoy. It will most likely be closer to Kentucky Derby time.
Also just realized that I don’t have you blogrolled on my site – I’m fixing that now!
A horse racing blog, the first one I’ve seen of this kind! When I was very young I was mad on the sport, (I’m in UK) at school pupils and teachers came to me for tips
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Very nice blog, I’m sure you enjoy writing it.
Mark.
Thank you very much, Mark. no time like the present to fall back in love with the sport!
I get to watch some racing action from the UK every morning on the TVG network here in the states. Royal Ascot is a place in particular I hope to visit one day.
I see on your blog that you are a fan of the movie Zulu. I had what I’d classify as a “mild obsession” with that film in my grade school years and still consider it to be one of the most beautiful war films ever made. If the Zulu War interests you I highly recommend Mike Snook’s “How Can Man Die Better” and “Like Wolves on the Fold.” “How” is the better of the 2 and focuses on Isandlwana.
Oh my god, I thought you were a chick! Hilarious!
Anyway, I know nothing about horses, except some rumores involving Catherine the Great…heh heh heh…do you have another blog? I truly enjoy your comments on Raincoaster’s.
Just saying hello. I came across your site while searching for my handicapping contest sight in which I need to make selections on tomorrows Calder stakes and the Big A’s Gravesend. Still haven’t found it but hung out here for a bit and threw up a few comments.
I live in southern NJ and follow the mid-atlantic racing and graded stakes nationally seriously. My uncle/cousin used to own/train standardbreds ( pacers/trotters ), a friend of is a blacksmith at Philly Park and another is a Asst. trainer for T. Dutrow and handles some horses for R. Dutrow and D. Houghton when they ship into Philly Park.
Cool site, look forward to visiting frequently.
Stiletto – thanks for stopping over! This is my one and only blog. You thought I was a chick? How emasculating!
I’m guessing that’s because raincoaster and I share such an absurd sense of humor. What can I say – she’s one of a kind!
This is my only blog thus far, but I’ve considered others. I’m just not sure I’d be able to commit the time at this point in my life.
@ Phil J – Outstanding – glad you like the site! Feel free to come on down and offer us your insights whenever you visit. How’d you end up in the handicapping contest? Look forward to hearing from you again.
It is a contest on the internet. I’m actually in a few. Publichandicapper.com is a free contest with weekly prizes and what not.
Phil – I’ll have to check that out. So how did you do? One of my biggest challenges with many of the contests I’ve seen is that picking winners is only half the battle – making the proper wagers is equally important. I don’t usually bring a bankroll of more than $100 to $200 for a serious day of wagering, and many of the contests give you a theoretical bankroll of much larger than that. Suffice to say my money management skills leave something to be desired with such large amounts. I’m guessing it takes some time to figure out the proper strategy in such events.
Time permitting I should have some Laurel selections for Friday in addition to the usual Santa Anita picks. I need to start looking at Gulfstream here to as that meet starts to heat up. Do stay in touch – would love to know your picks/insights whenever you have a spare moment!
I’ve done ok in a few, in the money finishes. Never won any. I’ve played in a couple DRF National Handicapping Tourneys at Delaware and online through the New Jersey Online Wagering service, but haven’t qualified for Vegas.
I would agree with your assessment of what it takes to win. Though, I’ve only played in W/P or W/P/S type tournaments I know some you can play exactas and Pick 3’s etc. I think, most importantly it needs to be your weekend. The tracks and races that are assigned need to be ones that you like and are good at and you need to find live horses that fit your angles.
I try to play in contest that cap the number of entries a person can have at 1 or 2. Some of them don’t and you’ll have one guy with 5 entries playing every long shot in a race on one or two of his entries.
I’m playing from home today so perhaps I’ll add some picks to your SA thread.
I’ve always wanted to play in those tournaments but for whatever reason never got around to doing so. I’ve toyed with the idea at Delaware Park and at Pimlico, as I seem to do pretty good at those tracks. Dead on assessment you gave about it being “your weekend.” I seem to do much better in the spring/summer than I do in the winter overall.
I really enjoy your comments – keep ‘em coming! Would love to know your thoughts on Santa Anita today.
My first couple were difficult. It is a different mindset than your normal wagering day. You may love an 8-5 shot but that isn’t doing you much good in these tournaments, especially the ones that are like 20 to win and 20 to place flat bets. If you’re playing in a tourney that isn’t capped, a solid 8-5 isn’t bad, because you can bet your whole bankroll on it and see where you stand.
I don’t have a “season” I do better in I don’t think. I def. have certain types of races that I like to bet and understand better. Certain tracks also. You just need those races and the right tracks and you to be on your game. I also think certain ‘cappers do better in those tourneys than others do.
You obviously saw my Lrl and SA selections for the day.
One things I’ve been meaning to ask you, beings that you are from Central PA, do you like Sprint Car racing?
Oh man- I note that I forgot to answer your question- sorry about that buddy. I’m actually not into sprint car racing at all. My grandfather was huge into cars, my father is huge into trains, and I guess horses become the transportation themed obsession that I inherited from that lineage.
There’s a track of some sorts right behind our neighborhood. I think they call them “thunder cars”, whatever that is. All I know is that from May to October Friday and Saturday nights are almost unbearably noisy around here. The track is a few miles away but the sound carries very well.
B-movie cheese?
Are horse movies (or horse racing movies) as formulaic as other sports films and animal films for that matter?
sittingpugs – To a certain degree, yes. Seabiscuit is probably the best example. It’s your classical triumph in the face of adversity tale. There actually aren’t that many horse racing films out there.
Most of my movie interests are other genres. Cheesefests like “Star Crash” (we’re talking David Hasselhoff with a lightsaber level of cheese here), or “Night of the Lepus” (“Bones” from Star Trek against giant bunny rabbits). It’s so random and absurd it leaves me speechless. I guess I appreciate oddities.
Apart from that, my favorites include some war movies, sci-fi movies, horror movies, and of course a healthy dose of Kubrick.
I know Lincoln Speedway in Hanover, PA runs Thundercars and Sprint Cars. Lots of the folks out that way are diehard oval dirt track racing fans.
You nailed it Phil – I’m pretty sure Lincoln Speedway is the track by my house. I’m right next to Hanover Shoe Farms, who produce a lot of harness racing types.
NICE blog! As a horse enthusiast myself I enjoy anyone’s blogs that have anything to do with the equine world. Although I don’t really know a lot about the TB racing industry, I do enjoy watching it. I am from Texas and am into quarter horses (wouldn’t you know?) and paints. I use to work for a stud farm here in Texas years ago, but again QHs. Best of luck with your blog! I am new to this and am amazed at how many great blogs there are out there! YOUR’S stands out! Many blessings to you!
Punchi- Welcome! Thanks so much for your incredibly kind comments! You sure know how to make someone’s day!
I admit that I’m primarily focused on thoroughbred racing, but feel free to come on down and give us updates on quarter horse racing any time the mood so strikes you.
I’ve got lots of family in Texas, mostly centered around the Houston area (Conroe, I believe).
I left you a comment on your blog as well. You should put a patent on that “MAC” term!
I’ve been known to emasculate a few here and there…don’t let me near your horses!
Ha! Stiletto you’re a nut! Something tells me that you took great pride in doing so as well!
How are things going with the meathead? I figured by now he’d have a stiletto permanently implanted between the eyes. And dude, what’s up? When are we partying together? You realize it’s up to us to get the Word Press community together and, in the words of the immortal M.C. Hammer, “turn this mother out.”
Hey there, found your blog off of blogcatalog.com. Nice to see someone else my age with a passion for racehorses! Would love to talk more with you!
Dan
Dan B – Anytime buddy – feel free to stop by and offer up your thoughts/opinions anytime the mood strikes you. I look forward to hearing more from you!
Have a look @ a horse in So Cal named “Sea Of Pleasure” rans a VERY fast 2nd on 01/20/08 and is expected to run on 02/10/08 he should improve and perhaps move onto Santa Anita Derby??
Michael – Ah yes, Sea of Pleasure. I’m pretty sure I had him in my pick 4 the other day when he faced Gayego (I liked them both) in the San Pedro. I’m away from my home right now travelling so I may be way off on that, but that’s what I can recall off hand. I also recall someone talking about this horse on the forums at about.com (a great community for horse racing fans, if I may say so), so I know there are others that totally agree. I’ll keep my eye open. Any clue where he is pointing next?
Hi Kevin, wow this is the first time I met a horseplayer online! Your blog is really interesting and I bet you this won’t be my last visit
Miund, Wow, thanks for the kind sentiments. I”m glad you found it interesting. One of my main goals here is to introduce the sport of horse racing to new fans who probably haven’t seen it before.
kstaff … I just located 472 photos of Curlin! You probably know every site out there with him on it though, but 472 is a whole lot for one horse!
Awesome!
My favorite horse racing photographers are Vanessa Ng and Cindy Pierson Dulay from http://horseracing.about.com/
They take some of the most amazing photographs I’ve ever seen. Plus they are huge fans of the sport and have a wealth of knowledge. Great forums over there too that I wish I had more time lately to hang out in.
I have no luck getting to sites that are marked ‘gambling’. My Trend Micro always blocks me from it. It just happened again when I tried to access the link you just gave. I’ll have to see how to change those settings!
Here is where I found the photos, I’m still going through them. On page 15 he is getting a bath and being a goof.
http://horsephotos.com/searchresults.jsp?pageNumber=2&Keywords=curlin++
Ah yes, I love those pictues!
I’ve actually got a couple of photos from horsephotos.com (20×17) haning on my living room wall of Curlin.
Kevin, I forget how I found your site. I think it is very well laid out, easy to read etc on this run up to the Derby especially. I’ve been handicaping for around 20 plus years, and watching longer than that. I’m on the west coast in Calif. near Bay Meadows/GG. Orig. from NJ, but my dad was a co-founder of Little League Baseball orig. from Williamsport, PA. He got me into all sports early on.
That Pyro is well worth the number one rating right now. He did it AGAIN, but that Risen Star S race was absolutely incredible. Silky Sullivan move over, there’s a NEW Silky in town. I don’t think even Silky S had one like Pyro’s Risen Star run seriously. I’ve been to the Fairgrounds many times, but not to the races, the Jazz Fest. I’ve been in music for many years. I think that Yankee horse is owed some honorable mention, did you notice his run to show in the L Derby? I will try to keep commenting, as I’ll be keeping up with the run up. I didn’t go to the El Camino Real, so I can’t say much about the Autism horse, I think the Goldensteed horse is still in the running though. My general thoughts are that track surface is MAJOR factor always. I went to Oaklawn once, and won like 6 of 8, or something like that because I studied the track bias for about 3 weeks before I went down there with my buddies from N central Ark. Yes Jug Bands started out in Louisville, and used to play at the Derby back when, thats why I put my web site as our jugfest one. We have that as a music assoc. now non-profit. A big weekend coming up again this week for the 3 yr olds! That’s why the run up makes it all so exciting.
Nikki’sgoldensteed was the one I thought actually would’ve won the El Camino. I didn’t see Autism Awareness at all in that one. Thanks for stopping over again roblejeune. I’m away on business this week and apologize to just be replying now.
So we’ve got ourselves a jug-band reader, eh? I’ll take it!
I’ll have to stop over and check you guys out when I get back in town.
I fly home late Friday night and I’ll be promptly posting my picks for the prep races as soon as I return. It kills me to be away from home and not able to blog this week…..Especially with the Rebel and other races coming up. It may be early Saturday (I can see myself pulling an all-nighter when I get home) by the time the posts are up, but do stop back on Saturday when you get up and let me know if you think my picks make sense of if I left my brain on the plane (which I’ve been known to do from time to time)
: )
Kevin, thanks for sharing more about your story and how you fell into your horse passion. I grew up with horses and can appreciate how you were drawn into this particular hobby and interest. BTW, I am listening to your podcast now! Cool.
Globalgirl – wazzup? Glad to see you stop over from blogcatalog. I had no idea you had connections to horses in your past. You learn something new about folks everyday!
heya just dropping by to say hi.
You know it’s always great to hear from you, Sulz. I just wish I could get you over here more often.
i’d love to, except that try as i might, i just don’t get all this horsy thing.
you know, you ought to consider having your own personal blog, and put all those crazy photos you find and posted in the forum into this blog instead. it’ll be a riot! 
That just means I’m not doing my job. My whole goal here is to reach new folks. I’ve thought about doing another blog, but this one takes up enough of my time as is. I’ll just live vicariously though folks like you for my off-topic pleasures.
There actually aren’t that many horse racing films out there.
National Velvet
International Velvet
The Black Stallion
Hidalgo
^&^ Night of the Lepus—good choice. Bunnies can be creepy. Harvey! Donnie Darko!
Those are some good ones, Sittingpugs. I know my friend Raincoaster is very fond of Hidalgo in particular.
That’s awesome that you’re aware of Night of the Lepus – who couldn’t love giant killer bunnies? They just don’t make classics like they used to.
Donnie Darko is one of my all-time favorite movies as well. I just love odd films.
2 Seabiscuit movies, The Ruffian movie, Phar Lap movie and Black Gold.
Secretariat expected by 2009!
BlogCatalog is a better place because of your membership in it.
dude. seriously? don’t go. not all the leftys are bad any more than all the right wingers are wingnuts.
i promise i’ll write you into the next parody if you’ll come back. (or not write you into it, whichever you prefer)
Mark and Ender – thanks and I love you guys deeply – I mean that – it has just become bad from a mental health standpoint for me to stay around there any longer. Which believe me, is rather heart breaking. I’ll have a giant void as well. There’s only so much you can take of folks claiming that anyone who isn’t in love with Obama is a racist nazi – no matter how polite about it they may seem. I don’t have the time nor the desire to change people’s minds, so if that’s how folks think, clearly that’s not the place for me. I had fun with you guys while it lasted though. Definitely some of my best memories as a blogger.
I tried to be fair and even jumped on a few right wingers (such as that Sam Freedom moron) that spewed bullshit – but to all day continuously see folks comparing you to nazis, racists, or patronizing you with comments about how impossible it is to fathom that someone could actually have a different opinion? It’s beyond maddening. What really gets me though is that the community will jump down the throat of one of these agitating righties – yet I never saw anyone express outrage at douchebags like that certain ass-clown. When I find myself hoping and wishing that one day I’ll get the chance to….. yeah – it’s time to go. That’s just not the kind of stuff I want to waste my time even thinking about.
I won’t be back either. I’m a stubborn ole’ ass, as all who know me can attest, and I never go back on my word. It was a tough decision, but I feel it’s for the best. I will miss you guys – and you are always welcome here – ALWAYS. God bless you guys and thank you for your friendships.
Gonna miss you there at BC, but I get what you mean in your commentary to Mark and Ender.
Being a person of color who doesnt support Obama has also left me raising my shield defending my right to choose! I really have not seen those exchanges but lately alot of people have been mentioning them so you are right in doing what is right for you. I will miss your spirited exchanges with Anok that left me literally gasping for air. I was serious about you two developing a comic-relief blog!
I will just continue to visit you here! I am learning alot about horses! And am excited about it. One of my greatest friends is a mounted officer and I have grown to love his horse.
All the best to ya KDawg68!!
Thanks houseonahill ! I’m glad it made some sense. It’s a very emotional decision as I’ve loved blogcatalog for so long. It was like my home away from home. i’m still very thankful for all the folks I was able to meet along the way (such as you), and of course Anok will always be near and dear to me. I had hoped at one point that the friendship between her and I would be an example of how folks with wildly disparaging views could find common ground – but their are just too many agitators who only wish to stir up trouble. I’m a guy that loves harmony – plus I wear my heart on my sleeve and have difficulty restraining my emotions. Some of those exchanges in the last couple of days got so nasty that it was hard to walk away from them. I don’t want to carry that baggage around. I don’t want it affecting me. I was their for the friends and laughs, not the character assasination name calling fights.
It’s still a great place – one I’d strongly recommend to folks – but it’s just not for me. I have no desire to get angry with folks. It’s not something I enjoy at all.
Say, coincidentally, did you know that Curlin was named for an ex-slave that fought in the Union Army during the Civil War? Pretty cool, huh? The story that I heard (I haven’t really researched it or anything) was that his namesake had rough time getting his pension from the Federal govt, but was proud of his service throughout his ilfe. One of the folks that originally owned a minority share in Curlin named him after their relative – the ex slave turned soldier that helped defend the Federal Govt in the crisis of the Civil War. I’ve always thought that was fascinating from a human interest perspective. Of course, I’m also a big Civil War buff, so it scored points in that regard as well. : )
Definitely keep in touch, amigo.
Kdawg – I’m missing you.
I just seen the thread at BC – I absolutely agree. But hey…….
By the way – if you ever want to mingle with the celebs at the Kentucky Derby grand stand I’ll be happy to pass you my colonel discount
beleive me bro- I’m missing you as well – you and all the good folks over there. You know I’ll take you up on that offer someday, right?
I may be gone from BC – but I’m still here – and I’ll still stop over and check you guys out whenever I get the chance. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for the countless hours of intelligent discussion over there that you were largely to thank for. You, Chelle, Claire, Anok, Mark, Ender, the whole gang. I love you guys more than you’ll ever know and am honored to have met you all.
I remember enjoying Hidalgo for the most part, but I don’t remember if I liked it or not. It did, however, remind me of Paulo Coehlo’s novel The Alchemist…not narratively, but thematically perhaps.
Former President Ronald Reagan was in a horse movie too–well, a tangential horse movie. It’s called Stallion Road (James V. Kern, 1947).
We miss you.
@ Tiffany – I miss you guys too, Tiff. Real bad – so much it hurts. It’s like being away from family. But, I couldn’t hang around and become part of the problem I was noticing. I wasn’t about to stay and turn into the same things I claim disturbed me. I came for the laughs, friends, and community feeling. We had that there once. It was magical. Lately, I just wasn’t feeling the love anymore. In fact, all I was sensing was hostility and aggression, which isn’t what I’m about if I can help it.
I still love BC though. Always have and always will. Believe me when I say this hurts me more than it hurts anyone else (at least I think it does) – but I feel like I had to do it. Hopefully it was the right choice. I am prone to making boneheaded mistakes though. My horsepicks speak volumes for that.
I do wish I hadn’t fired off that “goodbye” post though. I just talked to Gloss Green and he told me it was at the top of the threads. That doesn’t make me proud. I was definitely emotional when I wrote it – but hey, what can I say – I’m human. Hopefully there isn’t too much infighting going on about it. That wasn’t my intent. I just had to vent and felt like if i was going to dissappear that many deserved an explanation.
It was a pretty poor explanation though. If I had to do it over again it would’ve only said how much so many of you mean to me – and that I love the place too much to watch myself spiral downward into being part of the problem.
I have to say, I like you more now than ever… and respect your decision. You’re so friendly, straightforward and obviously have integrity. Thank you for being you.
I’ve bookmarked you.
I am still in Hamburg, so I missed all this! I am sorry that you had to leave, but I respect your decision.
I am sure I will find myself back here to check up on you though
You know you aren’t losing me that easily , GG and Claire!
I thank you guys for your continued friendship. It means the world to me. Do stay in touch.
You WHAT??? serious!!!
I just saw the thread in BC (STUPID ME, i missed it)(*sobs*) i won’t get to see you leaving me looooong comment and coooooool advice again…
But, you still blogging here rite? the aspiring horse player site
UGH, can’t see your avatar anymore now in my readers widget…
ok, i respect your decision Kev… have a great weekend, i hope i still can chat with you
see yaaaaaa
regards,
~^_^~
*SOBS*
!!!!!!!!!!
You didn’t think you would lose me that easily, did you Tris? Yeah, it’s true and to be honest I’ve been so busy with work, horse races, and yard work that I probably would’ve been Missing-in-action even if I had stayed around.
I’ve got you in my blogroll so we won’t be losing touch. : )
Now if I could just get you into horse racing…….
She’s (Trisna) really loosing you Kdawg.. and she told me about her disappointed about your decision in leaving BC.
Well, it’s all yours..
Have a great day!
Nice seeing over at my blog, I replied to your comments over there.
There will be more Blow Up adventures happening this weekend
Hope you are well?
Just dropping to say hi as an appreciation to your kindness… but when I saw your blog, hhhmmmmm horseriding! Shucks! I always wanted to ride on a horse, but I never had a chance!
@dreesyach – I hear ya bro. I’ve been in touch with her. She’ll never lose me as a friend.
@Claire – dear god. Should I alert the authorities already? Why do I feel that Willy will be involved again?
@Baikong – hey there! Nice of you to stop over. It’s really not horse riding as it’s much more focused on horse racing. I just love thoroughbreds so much. Check out the “custom videos” tab and you’ll get an idea. I grew up with sports heros most of my life, and nowadays they happen to be of the 4 legged kind (specifically Curlin).
oh yeah! horse racing i mean! 4-legged sport heroes are fantastic! dont you know that here, horse racing is not really popular BUT horse fighting is!
The authorities didn’t turn up
Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday, there is a party going on without you
Happy birthday, Kevin. I’m not going to encourage you to come back because what you said here made a lot of sense to me and only you know whether anything has changed that would make it the right move. But I will be delighted to converse with you again if that IS your decision. Enjoy the day, either way.
We miss you Kevin!
Happy Birthday you sly horse. There is a candle light vigil in your honor going on over at BC.
You really SHOULD grace us with your presence. Or else we will smoke you out and tickle you relentlessly with feathers!
Hehe… i can see you SMILING WiiiiiiiDE…
Happy to see you back at BC again and also want to say this…
On your birthday,
I wish for you the fulfillment of all your fondest dreams.
I hope that for every candle on your cake you get a wonderful surprise.
I wish for you that whatever you want most in life,
it comes to you, just the way you imagined it, or better.
I hope you get as much pleasure from our friendship as I do.
I look forward to enjoying our friendship for many more of your birthdays
H.A.P.P.Y. .B.I.R.T.H.D.A.Y
Hey now, don’t AAwww… at me.
I’m stealing the poem somewhere (forgot the URL) haha, it’s not mine. okieee.. have a party and go nuts…
~^_^~
Cheerio
heard today is your birthday? happy birthday!! *hugs*
You guys are the best! Claire, The Mrs., Anok, Trisna, Tiff, Sulz – I’m so lucky to have you guys as friends. You guys are freakin’ awesome! Thanks for making it a great birthday.
Hey Kevin; If you love cheesy B-Movies, you must have found the one about horse racing called, “Let It Ride”?! It’s about 15 years old starring Richard Dreyfuss, Terri Garr and Jennifer Tilley… it’s a great comedy and a must see for any horse player!
kstafford
69 thousand hits!
cricky
i know nothing about horses – but they are truly magnificent looking animals
to see them jump over fences is breathtaking – that they can jump so high considering how heavy they must be – it’s astounding
all the equipment they use is so beautifully made too
am a huge Monty Roberts fan – bought his book about 10 yrs ago?
good luck with yr weekend horsing/equestirian? pursuits
got any ant lawyers you can recommend?
cheers
hoh
@Gary – I’m such a slacker. I see I somehow forgot to respond to a comment about one of my favorite things in the world – cheesy b-movies! I’ve seen let it ride. In fact I think of that movie every time I’m at the track. We usually start up a parlay show-pool amongst friends and reenact a bit of the “let it ride” mentality. Of course, winning $.20 on the dollar for such a risk is never quite rewarding enough.
@hoh – thanks for the kind words. With any luck it’ll be 70,000 by the time today is through. You mention you are looking for a lawyer. Any particular legal field you’d need assistance in? I do know a few.
Good luck to your horse-racing passion! You got a really nice blog…
Kevin,
Is there a way to contact you directly? I like your writing and would like to chat about the possibility of having you write a guest article for us.
Check out our site http://www.casetherace.com. (Incidentally, we have a handicapping contest coming up.
Marla Simpson
MarlaSeattle@gmail.com
You have the best horse racing blog I think online Kevin. Very nice. If I can only get now HRTV, so I can see the Santa Anita races over the winter. I only have TVG.
Hi,
My name is Martin Uttley and I work on behalf of Totesport (http://www.totesport.com). I am writing to enquire whether it would be possible to include an article with a text link on your blog.
In case you are not familiar with Totesport, we are one of the leading online betting sites in the UK. We offer betting on all major sports and create many opportunities to win big cash prizes through online bingo and casino games.
We are currently working on increasing our online presence and as such, thought I would contact you as the writer of one of the leading sports blogs.
If this is something you might be interested in then please let me know so that we can discuss the opportunities further.
Kind Regards,
Martin Uttley
Top site you have here. Would you be able to email me when you get the chance?
Cheers
Thomas
Chewypup is a teenager.
Who the heck is chewypup and why do I care whether they are a teenager or not?
Very nice site – keep up the good work!
When did you update this? I like it. But where are the boys??
I love sharing this with you too, and soon Randy and Brandon will be able to go w/ us.
Those boys will grow up knowing how to build a Derby (or Preakness) trifecta play, and will understand why it may/may not succeed.
I updated this page the other day. Thought some of the spots here needed a bit of a makeover. It’ll have been 2 years since launch in a couple of months.
When I encounter problems at the bench, I use my computer to learn from other watchmakers. ,
Hello,
I found your site though Google as it is related to my own Pets site. I wanted to ask if you would be interested in a link exchange as I have a blog related to cats, http://www.thecatsblog.com
I have been swapping links for while now and have found it very beneficial to search engine rankings for everyone. If you are interested please add my link details and mail me back and I will add your link in the blogroll section of my site asap.
Here is my details:
Blog about cats
Thank you very much for your time and consideration on this matter and waiting for your positive reply.
Paul
Hi
I am John and working with puntersrealm.com， a sports betting portal.
I thinkhttp://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/carries something unique for our readers, and I thought we could help market each other’s sites in some way. I have a directory on my site where we list many similar such sports betting sites and I would be happy to include yours.
If I were to list your site, could you do something similar for me in return?
Many thanks,
John
Kevin, Stumbled on your site today while passing time during current snow/ice storm here in Oklahoma. I like your site as I am a race horse lover. I have a stallion I stand here in Ok his name is Lendell Ray, he won Jersey Derby and Lamplighter at Monmouth setting a new stks record in Lamplighter. He was 2nd in Crown Royal American Trf Sks at Churchill and Transylvania Sks at Keenland. Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by McCarrens, Bailey, and Gryder. He broke down in the Lamplighter and I purchased him to breed my mares to. So far 2 starters 1 winner in 2009 (the winner had 2 wins and 1 2nd and was winning her next race slabed her knee and had to be put down…my normal luck. My luck in handicapping is even worse so I try and just bet on my horses when they run. I’ve had prettyl good horses through the years…no stks winners just nice allowance and claimers but I still enjoy it…maybe in the future. I’ll keep in touch with your site.
Roger – very nice to hear from you! I’ll be keeping my eyes out for your runners now that we’ve made contact. Please do stop over as often as you can and keep us informed on how they are doing!