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Hey Kevin – I work with Jess Jackson and I stumbled across your site. Let me know if you’re missing anything for your Curlin mural and I’ll see what I can track down around the office.
Take care.
Kevin McGee
Kevin,
Well, we seem to share first names and affection for Curlin! I would be eternally grateful for anything you guys could share. There’s not a Curlin momento in the world I would ever refuse. I’m very thankful you stopped by and left a comment here. Such a gesture means the world to me.
Please let Mr. Jackson know that I thank him from the bottom of my heart for allowing Curlin to run again. He’s so right. We need a hero so badly right now. I’ve always known Curlin was the one from the moment I saw him.
Raincoaster?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drbethsnow/401065796/
Regards,
-drmike
Awesome!
Thanks drmike!
Ok. I’m ready to post this review. I can’t wait until Friday. Take a look at your shoutbox on BC. The only thing I’m missing is 3 names! I’m not impatient or nothin’ *sigh*….
Hey Kevin,
I appreciate you taking my back after an ugly encounter on Wildcat Blitz. I would like to link you in the near future, and since I don’t blog much (once evry five days), I don’t really know how it all works. Our blog is predominantly UK sports, but we know how much people love Churchill and Keeneland, and we would love some help…so if I could link you in the near future, that would be awesome.
Thanks again, your blog puts ours to shame!!! If you could reply to my e-mail when you get a chance, much appreciated!
Long shot…would you be interested in a bourbon expert? Mint Julep recipe, Kentucky bourbon Q&A?
I work with some joiint client’s of Kevin McGee’s father (first one above) in Bflo (small world)…thanks for being the first to post a comment at my site…I have a BC winner’s photo of Curlin..email me and I’ll send you a copy Monday. I also have some pretty good shots of him in the paddock at last year’s Belmont (Robby mounting him)….thanks geno
TVG’S LIVE COVERAGE OF TOYOTA BLUE GRASS STAKES WILL BE THE BIGGEST PRODUCTION IN NETWORK’S HISTORY
Nation’s Marquee Prep Race to be Broadcast to Over 130 Million Homes Worldwide
LOS ANGELES (April 8, 2008) – TVG, America’s Horseracing Network, will broadcast the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) from Keeneland Race Course live for the first time in the network’s history on Saturday, April 12, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. The anticipated running of leading Kentucky Derby contender Pyro in the Blue Grass will be the dramatic centerpiece of TVG’s live, start-to-finish coverage of the 2008 Spring Race Meeting at Keeneland which features 15 additional graded stakes races.
The scale of TVG’s broadcast coverage of the Blue Grass will be unprecedented for the network. 24 cameras will be on location to capture every angle of the racing action, more than four times as many cameras as a typical on-track production. Jockeys in the Blue Grass will wear TVG’s All-Access wireless microphones allowing viewers to hear the sounds of the race from their perspective. Real-time tracking technology with the Trakus system will enable viewers to easily identify and follow their horses throughout the race. TVG will also debut state-of-the-art, in-race graphics, including Orad’s TrackVision technology which is similar to the “yellow line” graphics used in football games to highlight the first down line. The TrackVision technology will highlight the finish line, 100-yard markers and the racing lanes in the event of an inquiry.
“TVG is proud to partner with Keeneland to provide horseracing fans around the world with wire-to-wire coverage of Keeneland’s annual Spring Race Meeting, including the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, one of the premier races of the year,” said Tony Allevato, TVG senior vice president and executive producer. “This year’s Blue Grass features some of the top three-year-olds in the country and TVG’s production team is going all-out in an effort to provide this historic race with coverage and distribution it deserves.”
Beyond TVG Network’s 30 million homes, TVG’s Toyota Blue Grass Special will air live or on tape delay on FOX regional sports networks across the country and live on Sirius Satellite Radio. The one-hour telecast will reach nearly 110 million homes domestically making it the most widely distributed TVG program ever.
“We’re looking forward to another outstanding spring meeting and one of the most exciting Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in recent memory,” said Nick Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland. “TVG allows us to bring the Keeneland experience not only to horseracing fans, but to new audiences throughout the U.S. and the world.”
During Blue Grass week, TVG’s special programming will include the Toyota Blue Grass Post Position Draw Show, hosted live by Todd Schrupp at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 9. On Friday, April 11, the network will air an exclusive, one-hour Blue Grass edition of The Works beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Last year, the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes once again served as a major step toward the Kentucky Derby (GI) with Blue Grass runner-up Street Sense moving on to win at Churchill Downs three weeks later. This year it is Pyro, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (GIII) and Louisiana Derby (GII), who tops the list of Derby contenders expected to run in the Blue Grass. Also expected to run is Cool Coal Man, Nick Zito’s upset winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GIII) in February.
TVG’s live broadcast of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes will also be shown internationally on At the Races in the United Kingdom and Ireland and on the Dubai Sports Channel in the Arabian Peninsula. After the race, fans will be able to relive the action via TVG Broadband’s distribution partnership with Hulu.
ABOUT TVG
TVG, the official TV and Interactive Wagering partner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and a subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST), is the most widely distributed horseracing network in the world. TVG viewers in certain areas can wager interactively on races via telephone, the Internet, TVG Mobile or Interactive Television by establishing a wagering account online at http://www.tvg.com or by telephone at 1-888-PLAY-TVG.
Horseboy! Say it ain’t so! You can’t LEAVE– there will be a horrible void, roughly the size of a thoroughbred, in just EVERYTHING. A couple of idiots just ain’t worth it. Please do not trot off! -Jenn
Hello. You don’t know me at all, but I have read your posts over at BC for awhile now.
There are times I have felt the same way, especially when I read someone making a general, and often times wrong, assumption about a person of any given political persuasion. Most times, I ignore it and move on. Sometimes, I feel the need to speak out and then I wind up knee deep in back and forth ridiculous and infantile exchanges that quite frankly, aren’t worth the time it takes to type a response.
My point is, please don’t leave because someone angered you. There will always be people that make off the cuff comments to get a rise and there will also always be people who post knee jerk comments without realizing the harm their comment makes or they just don’t give a shit.
Hey, I’m a Republican from Kansas. Know how many times I’ve heard that I’m a toothless, homeless, undereducated, cow owning, Bible thumping, lemming like follower? More times than I care to count. And what makes me all these “things”? When someone asks, “So where do you live?”. Sad, but true.
I actually love discussing politics with someone with different opinions than my own. I’m not so closed minded that I totally shut down.. at least with people who discuss politics with respect. I don’t necessarily have to agree, but we can have a back and forth that if nothing else, opens our eyes to what the other ’side’ thinks. Unfortunately, given todays political climate, that’s nearly impossible. Nearly, but not totally. So please, don’t give up.
Truth is, people expect certain people to be a certain “way”. Some people watch Fox news for example. Some are ‘right’ some are ‘left’. I’m ‘right’ but I don’t watch, while my MIL is what I’d call FAR ‘left’ and yet she watches.
So in my mind, the people who make such puerile comments that generalize people based on very little information about that person, don’t deserve your anger. They deserve your pity. Don’t satiate someone by leaving. Stick around and let them stew that they didn’t e-win.
I hope you reconsider.
Peace -
TheMrs.
Hey kdawg,
I leave for a while and I find one of my friends has given up on BC. What’s up with that? Let me know.
Gloss
Kdawg, just wanted to say hi and I am sorry you won’t be around BC anymore. I always enjoyed your input in the discussions. I completely understand where you are coming from though and think it shows a lot of maturity to step away from a situation that is no longer healthy for you. You will be missed and you will remain my favorite “horse”. Take care and be well.
Kelly
contact me about creating new
fans, much to tell you
Shoot me an email KStaff – don@with-malice.com – if you’re still interested in writing a short piece on the Derby… maybe something along the lines of “The Derby For Dummies”…
Kevin,
I am a beginning horseplayer, and would like some advice on how to get focused and make sense of all that is out there.
So far, I have wagered online on the Derby, the Preakness, and some other cards at Belmont. However, I am overwhelmed by the number of tracks to choose from and the confusion over which races are important.
Should I focus my attention on one or two tracks, or spread my attention among several?
Also, how do you keep up with which races are important (graded stakes)? Is there a list races that lead up to the big three?
What tracks and races do you try to focus on?
Lastly, do you utilize the DRF online, Equibase, or use your online service for PP’s? Do the PP’s online from the DRF provide all of the handicapping that the print form does?
I thank you in advance for your time, and I have enjoyed your site.
Good luck this weekend,
Brandon
kevin your site is really good if i may i would like to give your readers some horse to watch. i did this a few years ago for racing picks.com and was pretty successful at it. 70 % winners in next 2 starts with many youngsters that went on to be stakes winners. azeri and point given being 2 that come to mind. you have my e-mail let me know if you like the idea.
gary curry.
p.s. you have my e-mail im a west coaster with a job so i`m on at night.
Hey! Thanks for adding GetSulky to your blog roll! Great videos we love the updates. If you have anything on horseracing humour please post. We are trying to engage humour into the sport from our site too, so if you want to embed any videos from our channel by all means. Thanks a lot.
Don and Ron
I am contacting you to let you know about a new site that teaches people the basics of horse racing in a very interactive and colourful manner. I have left a couple links for you to check out, you can see our YouTube channel below as well. Thank you for your time and continuing to spread this great sport. Happy trails.
http://www.getsulky.com/
http://www.getsulky.com/lennyarnold.php
http://www.youtube.com/user/DonandRon
Regards,
Don and Ron
I found your address on an MS Blog. Do you have interest in persuing the MS Topic?
read this
http://cristblog.drf.com/crist/2008/06/unfishy.html#comment-118528350
Kevin,
I was wondering if you are interested in swapping links. You will put a link of my webpage on your page, and I’ll do the same for you. If you are interested, please email me. If you would like, check out my site.
Thanks,
The Tout
Downthestretchnews.com Blog
Kevin,
I made a change in my url, could you please update my link to http://www.downthestretchnews.com
Thanks,
Nathan
~The Tout
Downthestretchnews.com
Hey Kevin,
I made a documentary about the 2005 champion sprinter, Lost in the Fog, and I’m writing to introduce myself and give you some info on upcoming screenings that may be of interest to your readers:
Saratoga Film Forum – http://www.saratogafilmforum.org
Thursday 7/31 5:30PM and 8:00PM
Friday 8/1 5:30PM and 8:00PM
Saturday 8/2 8:00PM
Sunday 8/3 7:00PM
I’ll be in Saratoga for the Friday and Saturday screenings to introduce the film and answer questions. All the screenings will be at the Saratoga County Arts Council Building 320 Broadway @ Spring St.
Additionally the film will be playing at the Rhode Island Int’l Film Festival – http://riiff2008.withoutabox.com/festivals/event_item.php?id=17465&fetch=movies
Thursday 8/7 3:15PM Columbus Theatre Arts Center 270 Broadway in Providence.
Thanks in advance for any mention you can make and let me know if you’d like to talk some time about a reciprocal link between the film’s website and your site. Thanks and all the best.
John Corey
LOST IN THE FOG
http://www.lostinthefogthemovie.com
Hello , Do you know the name of the man who owns that horse called Guadalcanal and the name of his stable / farm ? I heard he was a Veteran and The Kids want to ask him to autograph The Flag of Honor and help find a sponsor to send it on a cross country trip to the 34 States we have not been to yet . My cell # is 321 – 557 – 3086 in Florida . Thanks / cool site
Hey Mr K of the Dawg, Just wondering if you have thought any more about the meet up in September? Jenn aka thrifty and JD aka Techfun are a go, as well as me of course.
Hi like your blog would like to exchange links with you ! Please email me
Nice work
Tom
I would like to if you offer advertising. Let me know if you are interested and we can discuss it further.
Hey Kevin,
I came across your site while searching for racing blogs and I wanted to compliment you on the great job you’ve done with The Aspiring Horseplayer. I used to have a racing blog myself but stopped it a couple of years ago, mainly due to time constraints, but also because I never really found my “voice” when i was writing. (I tried to be all things to all people and it just didn’t work out.) I was thinking of starting up another one (with a much narrower focus) but there are so many good ones out there already I don’t know what more I could add to the genre. But you never know what will happen. Reading your blog and a couple others I have found has given me the itch to try it again, so perhaps I’ll give it a go. Anyway, good luck to you, and go Curlin!
Gino
Dear Kevin, I am from england and coming over for the breeders cup
Who in your opinion has the better chance in the breeders cup classic
Colonel John or Go Between
Regards Mike England
Michael,
That’s an interesting question to ponder. I was a Colonel John guy going into the Derby, as I love the offspring of Tiznow. I was wrong then, and I followed it up by betting against him in the Travers. Wrong again.
I’d say Go Between is the better horse on paper, but the Colonel has those intangibles (namely the heart of Tiznow) that makes me lean in his direction.
Best of luck at the Breeders’s cup. The horses I’m most excited about that weekend are Zenyatta, Street Boss, and of course the Curlin/Big Brown matchup.
WHAT LEVEL OF HANDICAPPER ARE YOU?
myhorseplayer.com brings you this helpful and handy guide.
You know you’re an EXPERT handicapper if…
…your nickname is “Slim”, “The Greek”, or “Doc”, even if you’re none of those things.
…you know the difference between Pro-Ride, polytrack, cushion track, dirt and turf, but your own lawn needs mowing.
…you rate members of the opposite sex using Beyer figures.
…when asked about the ’situation in the Middle East’, you respond: “I think Curlin will win Dubai this year.”
…Trevor Denman was the M.C. at you’re wedding.
…you know every liquor store in town that carries the Daily Racing Form but have no idea where the library is.
…at one time in your life you have owed money to somebody named “Vinny” or “The Swede”.
…you are on a first name basis with trainers, groomsmen, track bartenders and computerized betting machines.
…you love the smell of manure in the morning.
…you get straight-edged shaves from a real old-time barber. He is the only person who’s advice you listen to. His name is Old Red.
…you once challenged Russell Baze to an arm wrestling match. And lost.
…you have a tote board in your kitchen.
…you make it to all the morning work-outs, but never your own.
…you calculate the costs of everything in $2 increments.
…there’s a jockey on your lawn. Edgar Prado
You know you’re a BEGINNER handicapper if…
…your favorite jockey is “the kid from Spiderman”.
…you ask “where are the cheerleaders”?
…you bet every horse to “win, place, or third.”
…you try to feed the horses.
…you fill out a Pick 6 card and then wonder ‘when’s the power-ball thing?”
…you pick horses according to the color of the jockey’s ‘pajamas’.
…you are wearing shorts, open-toed shoes, and/or sunglasses on the back of your head.
…you think fillies are horses from Philadelphia
…you’re winning every race.
If you’re none of these things, then you’re probably a NOVICE handicapper, like most of us.
For more handicapping advice, news, forums and more, go to myhorseplayer.com, the home of the Class Number System
Hey Kevin! How’s it going? I was just browsing some old posts of mine and ran across some of your comments. Like I said before, I’m really impressed by your knowledge of history and hope you will visit again sometime!
Do you know that your comment form isn’t functioning?
Or it could be my browser. Hmm…
Hello Kevin,
I’ve contacted Patrick about joining TBA…he gave me the protocol. I’ll put a link to your blog on my blogs(http://horseplayerpro.21publish.com/Amateurcapper/archive/2008/10/10/just-two-weeks-out-in-which-bc-race-will-a-favorite-be-defeated–after-today–co.htm and http://amateurcapper.blogspot.com/).
Sincerely,
Rob aka. Amateurcapper
Hello,
My name is Charles Wood. I am working under contract with an online sports betting site assisting their advertising team. I ran across your site, http://www.theaspiringhorseplayer.com, and would like to advertise with it. If you’re interested contact me at your earliest opportunity.
Thanks
Charles
Interested in The Aspiring Horse Player Website
I’m interested in advertising deal with you for a extended period of time. The Aspiring Horse Player Website is an ideal candidate site for us to advertise on, however we have some specific requests in the way we wish to set up or web advertising campaigns.
If you are interested in perusing this further please respond to this email
Kindest Regards and keep up the good work,
Joe in Costa Rica
Hello,
I came across your site and I have been very impressed by it. I would like to propose links exchange for our mutual benefit.
I own a few Sportsites. among them Goaljunky.com
Would you like to exchange Links ?
Regards,
Joe Verner,
Webmaster
Hi Kevin,
I have only had time to have a quick read through some of your blog (pretty quickly bookmarked it for later when I have some more time) and must say your passion for the sport instantly shines through. I don’t think I’ve come across a blog on the sport which is quite as original and passionate.
Since I work promoting a few sites based on different horse racing events my main aim was to approach you to see whether you wanted to consider some link and other co-operation proposals, if that’s something you might be interested in feel free to drop me a mail and I’ll send you a detailed proposal if not – you’ve gained a new reader none-the-less
Keep up the spectacular work!
-Jonas
Hey Kevin,
Just checking in to let you know that LOST IN THE FOG is now available on DVD through the website:
http://www.lostinthefogthemovie.com
I know you guys are always looking for items for the blog so I thought I’d throw it in the mix. Additionally, I’m going to be on Rider’s Up, Vince Francia’s show out of Turf Paradise. It’s on Sunday morning 12/14 at 10AM MST on KXAM 1310AM which can be streamed online. Vince is a good guy who handles marketing for TP. Hope all is well.
Best,
John Corey
http://www.lostinthefogthemovie.com
Hello Kevin,
I’m from LoadedWeb.com, and wanted to invite you take a look at our geo-based blog directory. Instead of strict categories – we categorize blogs from the city bloggers live, and also let bloggers categorize their own blog via tagging. It is a great way to find other interesting blogs from your city.
So – I just wanted to quickly invite you to submit your blog – you can do so over here: http://www.loadedweb.com/user.php?action=addblog
You can email me back if you have any questions or suggestions.
-Lesley
LoadedWeb.com
Dear Mr. Stafford,
I saw on your blog the heading “Flickr Horse Racing Photos,” and one of MY photos that you have blogged and used WITHOUT my persmission. On each one of my flickr photos I have clearly marked in caption and tags “ALL RIGHTS RESERVED” which means that you CANNOT use my photos in any way, shape, or form, without MY permission, which YOU DO NOT have.
Pleas cease and desist with your photo stealing and go take your own shots.
I have already reported this to flickr, Yahoo, and my attorney. Please do yourself a favor and removed my photo ASAP.
Cynthia M. Longo
Wow, I wasn’t aware of that. I’m using a feed to pick up photos that someone else developed to pick up horse related photos. I’ll gladly take the feed down. Let me know if anything else pops up. I appreciate the head’s up.
To be clear, I did NOT go to Flickr and “steal your photo” – it must have been picked up by the feed I was using, which has since been removed.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the attention to the matter. Apparently the feed/search thing is a loophole of sorts on flickr. Even though my photos are set to All Rights Reserved, there is a search function that allows for feeds unless it is turned off (andI have since turned it off). So it looks like you didn’t do anything all that wrong; it was just a surprise to see my and my friends’ photos on someone else’s page.
Best,
Cynthia
Hi Kevin,
As you probably know I’ve been talking to Patrick for the past week about sponsoring the TBA blogs. However because of problems updating them all via a widget is something we’d prefer not to do. So is there any opportunity to have a text link on your blog or write a guest column regarding something to do with UK Horse Racing where we could bury a link in that piece?
If so please get in touch with me via the e-mail provided.
Cheers,
Neil
Kevin,
My name is Peter. I work for a horse related site and am currently doing promotions. That being said, I would like the opportunity to place a link on theaspiringhorseplayer.com. I think it would be a nice fit considering the relativity of horses. If this is something you would be interested in, just let me know. Thanks in advance.
All the Best,
-Peter
My compliments on the site. One of the better ones I’ve come across as far as great coverage and opinions. We are heading to the Derby Infield this year, anything either at the track or away from it I should make sure not to miss. We are heading for a Bachelor Party.
Keep up the great work with the site.
Kevin,
I am sending this e-mail to ask for your assistance in getting the word out about the following. The website zootoo.com is currently having a contest known as the “Shelter Makeover II” where the winning shelter will receive up to $1 million in cash, services, and benefits. The contest is currently in phase 3, where America gets to cast their votes (10 per day) to one of the (10) finalists of their choosing. One of the finalists is Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, located in Glenville PA. It is the only horse resuce/shelter in the contest and is currently sitting in last place. In light of what has transpired in the past few weeks, what with the Paragallo debacle, the slaughterhouse legislation that is currently being contemplated in Montana, and the Mullins “Air Power” incident I was hoping that maybe you could throw it out there on The Aspiring Horseplyer to make your readers aware of this contest, and let them know that casting a vote (or 10 a day for that fact) for Angel Acres may go along way in helping them possibly win. All that anyone would need to do to cast a vote is register on the zootoo.com site (name and e-mail address and the shelter you wish to be affiliated with). The voting ends this coming Sunday evening; I know that it does not give people a lot of time to make a difference (I just found out about this contest tonight), but I have followed the ever growing blogosphere movement in the horseracing industry (i.e. The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance and The Paulick Report to name a few) and I am impressed at how quickly and organzied the bloggers can be when it comes to getting something done.
I know that in your position you would probably want to investigate this further before making any kind of endorsement (I am not affiliated in anyway with the horse rescue, other that being a huge fan of the horse and what these shelters try to do); however, if you are able to mention this on The Aspiring Horseplayer in anyway it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for the excellent work that you do with The Aspiring Horseplayer.
Hi Kevin,
I’d like to get in touch with you about your writing. Please email me at community [at] tvg.com.
Thanks,
Zoe
Kevin,
I just saw your comment on the “About Me” page of my blog. Sorry I didn’t catch it sooner! Yes, I’m one of the folks owning a VERY small share of Harlem Rocker through the Horsehats Racing Club/Adena Racing Venture. It is very exciting. I can’t wait for him to run again!
Thanks for the welcome to WordPress. I had my blog on Blogger but moved it. I like WordPress much better!
And your site is wonderful!
Elizabeth
Hi,
I have a couple of questions about your blog:
1) Is it OK with you if I spread some link love and link to your blog? I think my visitors would like your blog.
2) I noticed on your blog that you link to other blogs… do you think its possible for you to link to my blog myairshoes.com?
Please let me know what you think. Thanks for your time.
Arleen
Please shoot me an email… I would like to discuss some cross-promo options with you!
Kevin,
Fellow Pennsylvanian and life long Thoroughbred lover here.
I’m interested in speaking with you personally about my All Play Stable project and about purchasing some advertising on your blog. Also about the possibility of membership in TBA.
I would appreciate it if you would contact me.
Many thanks.
Paul Rothfuss
Kevin,
I haven’t dropped by in awhile but I wanted to commend you on your continuing exellent site.
Keep up the great work.
Best,
Alfredo