While sitting and working at my computer yesterday evening, I saw two bats fly by; and this morning, I saw the first goldfinches of the season. And I just had an immature house finch alight on the balcony railing, and inspect my desk and me through the window. It was very curious, and kept tilting it's head from side to side, while chewing on a pumpkin seed that was larger than it's bill. And there are now 31 foals kicking up their heels on the southern end of Assateague. - Today, if I were in Scotland, I'd say it was a soft day - overcast with a misty drizzle.
I realize that it's the normal course of Mother Nature and our Earth, but I'm appalled by the loss of life in the Rift Valley in Kenya. They had over a year of drought, and now have had two months of torrential rains. The majority of jobs and industries there are agricultural, and owners build reservoirs on top of hills. With the rains, the walls are breaking, sending floods down through the homes built below them. More than 157 people have died in the last month, either drowned or buried in mud.
Then, of course, there's the eruption of Kilauea on the big island of Hawaii, that began on 3 May. More than 15 volcanic vents have opened around the caldera, spewing lava and toxic gases. The latest warning say a large eruption could toss boulders as large as 10 tons in almost any direction, should there be an explosion within the caldera.
After all the crap coming from the White House since the last inauguration, I should not have been surprised or upset by the latest leak of information from a staff meeting held "behind closed doors." I'll be honest and say that I have rarely agreed with Senator John McCain's stance in politics. However, the man was a pilot in the Viet Nam War; his plane was shot down; and he was held prisoner in Hanoi for 5 years. He was a physical wreck when he returned home after his ordeal. But to have a White House staff member say that the Senator's opposition to the appointment of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA, "...doesn't matter; he's dying anyway" is disgusting. Special assistant Terry Sadler now claims that she said that as a joke, just as 45 always claims his disparaging remarks are jokes. Because a Senator is fighting brain cancer is no reason for Cadet Captain BoneSpurs and his chosen few to disparage an American hero.
Thoroughbred trainers are still deciding whether or not they'll have an entry in next Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Justify, the colt who won the Kentucky Derby, has already had a 1 and 1/2 mile gallop over the track there. Justify's regular jockey, Mike Smith, has received a 4 day suspension from the stewards at Santa Anita in California. His mount, under a right-handed whip, drifted to the left and interfered with Kent Desormeaux's mount. Smith's suspension will not affect his ride on Justify in the Preakness.
And I am throwing my complete support behind Jared Polis in his run for Governor of Colorado. Jared is a local from Boulder; he is gay, and he and his partner have adopted three children. I firmly stand behind all that Jared represents as a father and as a legislator, as he is currently serving in the United States House of Representatives, serving the Second Congressional District. He is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. - And I laughed out loud at one of his tweets this morning: You know you're living in the 21st century when your inbox contains an announcement about a "DNA Sale!" announcement for Mother's Day. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm getting Mom some beautiful flowers...
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Showing posts with label the Preakness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Preakness. Show all posts
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Black-chinned Hummingbirds
We had a late-May snow storm, here in Boulder, that began Wednesday night and lasted until late Thursday night. It began with rain and pea-sized hail, then turned to rain. At 6 in the morning, the precipitation turned into large fluffy snowflakes, but within an hour it was sleet. Our temperature throughout the day never rose above 31 degrees (F), and the clouds dropped a continuous fall of snow, sleet and rain. We ended up with a little over five inches of snow; Ward had 38 inches, and Nederland had 28 inches.
With the three bird feeders filled in the tree below us, and the small free-standing feeder we have on the balcony (besides the water bowl), we watched our feathered friends, along with the squirrels happily munch away all day. The usual visitors to our balcony are sparrows and finches - and we have pieces of sunflower seeds in their feeder. (The thistle feeder, and the nuts, berries and seed mixtures are used in the tree hanging feeders.) Also on the outer corners of the balcony are two solar-powered glass sculptures. A blue, green and clear glass owl (Wendell) is on the north side, and, in front of my desk window is Penny the penguin. Her body is blue,head black, face white - and she wears a red winter scarf and Santa hat.
At 5 p.m. in the midst of the snowstorm, with a temperature of 31 degrees, I was astounded to see a single hummingbird trying to feed from Penny's scarf and hat. I have always known there are hummingbirds in Colorado - as a matter of fact, there are 11 types that are usually found here in the summer. I have seen them in the suburbs, in neighborhoods where I house sit, and through open spaces and up in the mountains. In the two years I have lived in this apartment, I have not seen a hummingbird here. The hummer returned Friday morning, seeking nectar, again.
After taking clients to the Denver International Airport yesterday, I stopped and purchased a hummingbird feeder on the way home. I mixed up the sugar water, and hung the feeder, almost next to my window. By the time I had walked from the balcony to my bedroom, and sat down at my desk, a hummingbird had appeared and was eating. I was thrilled! I kept seeing a single hummingbird all afternoon, and up until 7:30 yesterday evening.
I was awakened at 5:25 this morning by Nedi, who was in the windowsill and chittering. The hummingbird spent almost five minutes sipping nectar. It has made multiple visits since then. Less than ten minutes ago, a male and female appeared and ate together... I looked them up in my birder's guide, and found that they are black-chinned hummingbirds.
Then, too this morning, Beatrice, my room mate, called me into her bedroom, where we could see three deer feeding on the hill behind the apartments. I took photos, but two had left by the time I returned. I am now sitting at my desk, awaiting the return of the hummers, so I can "capture" them with my camera....
And, don't forget - The Preakness Stakes will be run this afternoon at Pimlico Racetrack, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Always Dreaming will be following his quest to become a Triple Crown Champion. There was a heavy rain early this morning on the track, so we will have to see what the footing is like this afternoon/evening...
With the three bird feeders filled in the tree below us, and the small free-standing feeder we have on the balcony (besides the water bowl), we watched our feathered friends, along with the squirrels happily munch away all day. The usual visitors to our balcony are sparrows and finches - and we have pieces of sunflower seeds in their feeder. (The thistle feeder, and the nuts, berries and seed mixtures are used in the tree hanging feeders.) Also on the outer corners of the balcony are two solar-powered glass sculptures. A blue, green and clear glass owl (Wendell) is on the north side, and, in front of my desk window is Penny the penguin. Her body is blue,head black, face white - and she wears a red winter scarf and Santa hat.
At 5 p.m. in the midst of the snowstorm, with a temperature of 31 degrees, I was astounded to see a single hummingbird trying to feed from Penny's scarf and hat. I have always known there are hummingbirds in Colorado - as a matter of fact, there are 11 types that are usually found here in the summer. I have seen them in the suburbs, in neighborhoods where I house sit, and through open spaces and up in the mountains. In the two years I have lived in this apartment, I have not seen a hummingbird here. The hummer returned Friday morning, seeking nectar, again.
After taking clients to the Denver International Airport yesterday, I stopped and purchased a hummingbird feeder on the way home. I mixed up the sugar water, and hung the feeder, almost next to my window. By the time I had walked from the balcony to my bedroom, and sat down at my desk, a hummingbird had appeared and was eating. I was thrilled! I kept seeing a single hummingbird all afternoon, and up until 7:30 yesterday evening.
I was awakened at 5:25 this morning by Nedi, who was in the windowsill and chittering. The hummingbird spent almost five minutes sipping nectar. It has made multiple visits since then. Less than ten minutes ago, a male and female appeared and ate together... I looked them up in my birder's guide, and found that they are black-chinned hummingbirds.
Then, too this morning, Beatrice, my room mate, called me into her bedroom, where we could see three deer feeding on the hill behind the apartments. I took photos, but two had left by the time I returned. I am now sitting at my desk, awaiting the return of the hummers, so I can "capture" them with my camera....
And, don't forget - The Preakness Stakes will be run this afternoon at Pimlico Racetrack, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Always Dreaming will be following his quest to become a Triple Crown Champion. There was a heavy rain early this morning on the track, so we will have to see what the footing is like this afternoon/evening...
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Off For a While & The Preakness
The Preakness Stakes will be run Saturday at Old Hilltop, Pimilico Racecourse, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Always Dreaming will be facing horses from the Kentucky Derby, as well as several new, and fresher, horses. I wish him well this Saturday.
I am just so completely amazed and disturbed by the actions of the current President of the United States that I feel the need for a break from my blog - otherwise, it would be full of angst. The way the elected leader of our country is acting is completely idiotic; he speaks without thinking of consequences and he lies out of both sides of his mouth. He makes me ill. I get up every day and wonder what the stupid bigoted child has done this time. I'm headed back to my psychiatrist and therapist, thanks to him and his administration.
I'll be back in a few days.....
I am just so completely amazed and disturbed by the actions of the current President of the United States that I feel the need for a break from my blog - otherwise, it would be full of angst. The way the elected leader of our country is acting is completely idiotic; he speaks without thinking of consequences and he lies out of both sides of his mouth. He makes me ill. I get up every day and wonder what the stupid bigoted child has done this time. I'm headed back to my psychiatrist and therapist, thanks to him and his administration.
I'll be back in a few days.....
Saturday, May 16, 2015
The Preakness - and Results of the Black-Eyed Susan
Well, I didn't do very well in picking the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes yesterday. But I didn't entirely wipe out, either. Longshot Keen Pauline went to the lead early in the race and stayed there. Include Betty was running last for most of the race, then came roaring up in the stretch to finish second. Ahh Chocolate finished in third, after running in fifth place for the majority of the race. Danessa Deluxe managed to get fourth. Keen Pauline paid $32.80 for a $2 win bet; Include Betty paid $5.40 for a $2 place bet; and Ahh Chocolate paid $4.40 for a $2 show bet. The $2 perfecta paid $211; the $2 trifecta paid $1,356; and the $2 superfecta paid $3,253.80.
The NBC Sports Network will show live Preakness day races, the NBC will take over, then after-race coverage will be by NBC Sports again. There are eight horses contesting the Preakness Stakes today; all are three-year-olds, all carry 126 pounds over the one mile and three sixteenths. The purse is worth $1.5 million. Five of the eight entries ran in the Kentucky Derby, and they will be facing fresh opponents, who did not race two weeks ago. Here are a list of post positions, horse's name, finish place in the Kentucky Derby, jockey, morning line betting odds and sire:
1 American Pharoah (1st) Victor Espinoza 4 to 5 Pioneerof the Nile
2 Dortmund (3rd) Martin Garcia 7 to 2 Big Brown
3 Mr. Z (13th) Corey Nakatani 20 to 1 Malibu Moon
4 Danzig Moon (5th) Julian Leparoux 15 to 1 Malibu Moon
5 Tale of Verve Joel Rosario 30 to 1 Tale of Ekati
6 Badhisattva Trevor McCarthy 20 to 1 Student Council
7 Divining Rod Javier Castellano 12 to 1 Tapit
8 Firing Line (2nd) Gary Stevens 4 to 1 Line of David
Six of the eight colts were born and bred in Kentucky; Danzig Moon was bred in Ontario, Canada, and Badhisattva was bred in California. There are three chestnut colts and five bays running. The chestnuts are: Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Badhisattva.
It would be great to have a Triple Crown champion this year - but can American Pharoah win from the first post position, and with Dortmund in the second slot? Will D Wayne Lukas surprise us with Mr. Z? How much did the Kentucky Derby take out of the five colts? My feelings (which are much good any more) are: Badhisattva in first; Firing Line in second; and Divining Rod in third. - But then, of course, American Pharoah might be able to "Wow!" all of us.
The NBC Sports Network will show live Preakness day races, the NBC will take over, then after-race coverage will be by NBC Sports again. There are eight horses contesting the Preakness Stakes today; all are three-year-olds, all carry 126 pounds over the one mile and three sixteenths. The purse is worth $1.5 million. Five of the eight entries ran in the Kentucky Derby, and they will be facing fresh opponents, who did not race two weeks ago. Here are a list of post positions, horse's name, finish place in the Kentucky Derby, jockey, morning line betting odds and sire:
1 American Pharoah (1st) Victor Espinoza 4 to 5 Pioneerof the Nile
2 Dortmund (3rd) Martin Garcia 7 to 2 Big Brown
3 Mr. Z (13th) Corey Nakatani 20 to 1 Malibu Moon
4 Danzig Moon (5th) Julian Leparoux 15 to 1 Malibu Moon
5 Tale of Verve Joel Rosario 30 to 1 Tale of Ekati
6 Badhisattva Trevor McCarthy 20 to 1 Student Council
7 Divining Rod Javier Castellano 12 to 1 Tapit
8 Firing Line (2nd) Gary Stevens 4 to 1 Line of David
Six of the eight colts were born and bred in Kentucky; Danzig Moon was bred in Ontario, Canada, and Badhisattva was bred in California. There are three chestnut colts and five bays running. The chestnuts are: Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Badhisattva.
It would be great to have a Triple Crown champion this year - but can American Pharoah win from the first post position, and with Dortmund in the second slot? Will D Wayne Lukas surprise us with Mr. Z? How much did the Kentucky Derby take out of the five colts? My feelings (which are much good any more) are: Badhisattva in first; Firing Line in second; and Divining Rod in third. - But then, of course, American Pharoah might be able to "Wow!" all of us.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Surfer Dude Is Dead
Tomorrow the Black-Eyed Susan, the fillies race equivalent to the Preakness, will be run. There are nine entries, only two of which ran in the Kentucky Oaks - Include Betty and Luminance. In Preakness news, American Pharoah, who won the Kentucky Derby drew the number one starting gate position for the second race in the Triple Crown. I'll expound on the starters, and their pedigrees, in tomorrow's and Saturday's blog entries.
Yesterday, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company announced that the 23-year-old stallion, Surfer Dude, had died. Surfer Dude was born in the spring of 1992. He was last seen, with his mares, on Assateague in mid-February of this year. During the winter and early Spring, he was known to be secretive, and extremely protective of his mares and foals. But people who are hard-core pony watchers, and the CVFC Pony Committee, were disturbed when he wasn't rounded up in April, with the rest of the ponies and multiple herds. It was noticed that his usual herd mares were split up into other herds. Sometimes, as a stallion gets older, and can't compete with the younger stallions for the attentions of the ladies, he will withdraw after losing several fights, and occasionally turns into a hermit. None of his fans believed that the Dude would take that "easy way" out.
Yesterday morning, members of the Pony Committee were searching an extremely thick patch of brush, on foot. Blond hair was seen, snagged on a branch, very close to the ground. The remains of Surfer Dude were found. His microchip and a DNA sample were recovered, and it was then announced that the Big Man - the Show Man - was no longer with us. It is assumed that he died in early to mid-March, possibly from a heart attack, or from a lightning strike. Due to the location of the body, it's thought that the heart attack scenario is more likely to have happened.
We have Surfer Dude's son, Surfer's Riptide, as a stallion with his own herd at this time. Last year, one of the buy-back foals was another son of Surfer Dude - a bright chestnut colt with a huge blaze and blue eyes. This spring, one of Surfer Dude's mares, Got Milk?, produced a beautiful filly, with a large blaze. Currently the filly has a gun-metal grey coat, but it's thought that she will shed out and be a black. Finally, I remember Surfer Dude as a baby. I remember him as a stallion. I'd love to actually own one of his babies, but that isn't to be. I hope he thunders across the sky, tossing his lovely head and eyes, with blond mane and tail streaming in the wind,since he has crossed the rainbow bridge.
Yesterday, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company announced that the 23-year-old stallion, Surfer Dude, had died. Surfer Dude was born in the spring of 1992. He was last seen, with his mares, on Assateague in mid-February of this year. During the winter and early Spring, he was known to be secretive, and extremely protective of his mares and foals. But people who are hard-core pony watchers, and the CVFC Pony Committee, were disturbed when he wasn't rounded up in April, with the rest of the ponies and multiple herds. It was noticed that his usual herd mares were split up into other herds. Sometimes, as a stallion gets older, and can't compete with the younger stallions for the attentions of the ladies, he will withdraw after losing several fights, and occasionally turns into a hermit. None of his fans believed that the Dude would take that "easy way" out.
Yesterday morning, members of the Pony Committee were searching an extremely thick patch of brush, on foot. Blond hair was seen, snagged on a branch, very close to the ground. The remains of Surfer Dude were found. His microchip and a DNA sample were recovered, and it was then announced that the Big Man - the Show Man - was no longer with us. It is assumed that he died in early to mid-March, possibly from a heart attack, or from a lightning strike. Due to the location of the body, it's thought that the heart attack scenario is more likely to have happened.
We have Surfer Dude's son, Surfer's Riptide, as a stallion with his own herd at this time. Last year, one of the buy-back foals was another son of Surfer Dude - a bright chestnut colt with a huge blaze and blue eyes. This spring, one of Surfer Dude's mares, Got Milk?, produced a beautiful filly, with a large blaze. Currently the filly has a gun-metal grey coat, but it's thought that she will shed out and be a black. Finally, I remember Surfer Dude as a baby. I remember him as a stallion. I'd love to actually own one of his babies, but that isn't to be. I hope he thunders across the sky, tossing his lovely head and eyes, with blond mane and tail streaming in the wind,since he has crossed the rainbow bridge.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
No Triple Crown Winner This Year
I watched several of the races before today's Preakness. I have to confess that, after watching Skyring win the Dixie Stakes, I made a fourth $10 to win bet. Skyring last won a race last year, in May, at Pimlico; the trainer is D Wayne Lucas, and the jockey Gary Stevens. I had picked Oxbow in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago; but he turned up as the longest bet for the Preakness today, and I just had a feeling that the Lucas-Stevens combination wouldn't be beaten. Oxbow was on the lead from the gate to the wire. He was tired, but finished gamely - and I ended up with a winning bet. My $10 returned as $328; of course, I did loose $30 on my other bets, but I ended up in the black.
Itsmyluckyday ran his eyeballs out, and finished just in front of Mylute, who was third. Orb did not have an excuse for his fourth place finish, other than he's never been caught and trapped on the inside - and he apparently didn't like it. Goldencents finished in fifth, with Departing (another of my picks) in sixth. Will Take Charge was seventh, Govenor Charlie was eighth, and Titletown Five completed the field. SO my betting choices ran first, second, sixth and eighth - not a wonderful set, but I did pick Oxbow.
It was great seeing D Wayne Lucas and Gary being interviewed together - it took me back to the Kentucky Derby of 1988 and the grey filly Winning Colors. Nice memories.
Itsmyluckyday ran his eyeballs out, and finished just in front of Mylute, who was third. Orb did not have an excuse for his fourth place finish, other than he's never been caught and trapped on the inside - and he apparently didn't like it. Goldencents finished in fifth, with Departing (another of my picks) in sixth. Will Take Charge was seventh, Govenor Charlie was eighth, and Titletown Five completed the field. SO my betting choices ran first, second, sixth and eighth - not a wonderful set, but I did pick Oxbow.
It was great seeing D Wayne Lucas and Gary being interviewed together - it took me back to the Kentucky Derby of 1988 and the grey filly Winning Colors. Nice memories.
Gary Stevens waves his whip after winning the Preakness on Oxbow
25 years ago - Gary Stevens and Winning Colors after the 1988 Kentucky Derby
Orb and the Preakness; Powerball Lottery
Orb is a very good horse, and he is the betting favorite for today's Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Orb will be breaking from the inside post, and will be under his usual jockey Joel Rosario. Joel has been pretty much unbeatable since before the Kentucky Derby, making the most of his mounts and using exquisite judgement in his racing decisions - yesterday's Black-Eyed Susan win aboard Fiftyshadesofhay is a great example. Orb has great breeding - his paternal grandsire is A. P. Indy, while his maternal grandsire is Unbridled. This morning, Orb was the three-to-five favorite, and he deserves to be. I, however, look for a longshot - I will place money on Departing, Govenor Charlie and Itsmyluckyday.
If Orb does win today's Preakness, then he will be the favorite for the Belmont Stakes in June. And he will be in a long line of horses who have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The question is, whether he will be able to "shorten up" today, running in a race shorter than a Derby, and then "lengthen out" to the mile and a half long Belmont. The track at Pimlico seems to be heavier and slower than usual, and there is another high chance of rain for the Preakness itself. If Orb can win today, does he have the "Real Stuff" to become a Triple Crown winner? The Belmont race track is known as "the giant killer" - the great Secretariat was defeated by Onion on that track... and it was also the site of Man o'War's only loss (to Upset). Horse racing can use a shot in the arm - and a Triple Crown winner this year would do the trick. The question is: Is Orb the next Triple Crown contender, or Triple Crown winner? (The last Triple Crown winner was Florida-bred Affirmed in 1978.)
And, I blogged last week about dreaming of winning the Powerball lottery. There hasn't been a jackpot winner since my post, and the estimated jackpot for tonight's drawing is $600 million. My dreams have not changed - other than that if I won such a large amount, I'd like to buy a lot of acreage out here in the western United States, and I'd allow a lot of BLM mustangs to roam free for the rest of their lives....
If Orb does win today's Preakness, then he will be the favorite for the Belmont Stakes in June. And he will be in a long line of horses who have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The question is, whether he will be able to "shorten up" today, running in a race shorter than a Derby, and then "lengthen out" to the mile and a half long Belmont. The track at Pimlico seems to be heavier and slower than usual, and there is another high chance of rain for the Preakness itself. If Orb can win today, does he have the "Real Stuff" to become a Triple Crown winner? The Belmont race track is known as "the giant killer" - the great Secretariat was defeated by Onion on that track... and it was also the site of Man o'War's only loss (to Upset). Horse racing can use a shot in the arm - and a Triple Crown winner this year would do the trick. The question is: Is Orb the next Triple Crown contender, or Triple Crown winner? (The last Triple Crown winner was Florida-bred Affirmed in 1978.)
And, I blogged last week about dreaming of winning the Powerball lottery. There hasn't been a jackpot winner since my post, and the estimated jackpot for tonight's drawing is $600 million. My dreams have not changed - other than that if I won such a large amount, I'd like to buy a lot of acreage out here in the western United States, and I'd allow a lot of BLM mustangs to roam free for the rest of their lives....
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