We knew there would be no Triple Crown Champion when Cloud Computing won the Preakness Stakes. I was surprised that neither he, nor the Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming, were in the Belmont. The only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races this year was Lookin At Lee - who finished second in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness.
Twelve were entered in the 149th Belmont; Epicharis could not pass the veterinarian exam in the morning, and was scratched, so eleven horses went to the starting gate. The race is/was 1 1/2 miles on the main dirt track; the purse was $1.5 million, with $800,000 going to the winner. Meantime led the way out of the starting gate and at the first turn, Hollywood Handsome was caught charging up into traffic, clipped heels, and almost lost his rider. Irish War Cry took over the lead in the back stretch, and looked to be the winner, but Tapwrit came charging up, stayed stride for stride, then passed the chestnut, and won by two lengths in 2 minutes 30.02 seconds. Patch was third; Gormley fourth. Lookin At Lee finished seventh. Hollywood Handsome walked off the track, but had surgical staples applied to a laceration behind his left knee.
If you made a $2 bet to win on Tapwrit, you received $12.60; a $2 place on Irish War Cry paid $4.70; and a $2 show bet paid $6.50 for Patch. A $2 perfecta bet paid $45.20; a $2 trifecta paid $624.00; and a $2 superfecta paid $4,486.00.
Tapwrit won by two lengths over Irish War Cry, who was 5 3/4 lengths in front of Patch, who was 4 1/4 lengths in front of Gormley. This is the full order of finish: 1 - Tapwrit; 2 - Irish War Cry; 3 - Patch; 4 - Gormley; 5 - Senior Investment; 6 - Twisted Tom; 7 - Lookin At Lee; 8 - Meantime; 9 - J Boys Echo; 10 - Multiplier. Hollywood Handsome did not finish; Epicharis did not start.
I apologize for having gotten so lax in keeping this blog up to date. I find myself fascinated by the monkeyshines occurring in the 45th administration, and I keep spending more time in front of the television, instead of the keyboard and monitor. My television is in another room, just so I cannot stare at it and try to type and research... Thursday I watched the testimony of James Comey in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee; Friday, I celebrated my birthday by driving over Trail Ridge Road, through Rocky Mountain National Park (where we saw elk, elk, more elk, moose, and a large variety of birds). Yesterday I tried to catch up on household things, and watch the Belmont.
Today, I'm taking care of three houses full of pets, whose owners are on vacation... I have pet duties through the 29th of June, followed by a few days off (if nothing comes up).
And, of course, I'm also trying to keep up with all the new foals on Assateague Island - the ones belonging to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. As of last night, there had been 54 births (and 2 deaths)... including a palomino pinto baby born on my birthday to Marsh Mallow.
Showing posts with label thoroughbreds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoroughbreds. Show all posts
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Belmont Stakes On Saturday - Death of Holy Bull
Jonabell Farm announced this afternoon that stallion Holy Bull, at 26, was euthanized today due to the infirmities of old age. Holy Bull will be buried on Jonabell Farm.
Saturday, 10 June, will see the running of the third leg of the Triple Crown races. Neither of the winners of the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes will be running in the 1 and 1/2 mile race at Belmont Park. Originally, it was thought the betting favorite would be Classic Empire, who was announced to be training for the race soon after the Preakness. However, Classic Empire developed an abscess in the bulb of his off fore foot earlier this week, and was not officially entered.
Eight of the twelve entries in the Belmont Stakes have run in either the Derby or the Preakness. Here is a list of the entries, their morning-line odds, and their sires and grandsires:
1 Twisted Tom 20 to 1 Creative Cause Giant's Causeway
2 Tapwrit 6 to 1 Tapit Pulpit
3 Gormley 8 to 1 Malibu Moon A. P. Indy
4 J Boys Echo 15 to 1 Mineshaft A. P. Indy
5 Hollywood Handsome 30 to 1 Tapizar Tapit
6 Lookin At Lee 5 to 1 Lookin At Lucky Smart Strike
7 Irish War Cry 7 to 2 Curlin Smart Strike
8 Senior Investment 12 to 1 Discreetly Mine Mineshaft
9 Meantime 15 to 1 Shackleford Forestry
10 Multiplier 15 to 1 The Factor War Front
11 Epicharis 4 to 1 Gold Allure Sunday Silence
12 Patch 12 to 1 Union Rags Dixie Union
Nine of the colts were bred in Kentucky, with Twisted Tom from New York, Irish War Cry from New Jersey, and Epicharis from Japan. All are full males, except for gelded Twisted Tom. Tapwrit is the only grey horse in the field, with four chestnuts and seven bays.
Note that Epicharis was being treated for lameness on Thursday morning.
Saturday, 10 June, will see the running of the third leg of the Triple Crown races. Neither of the winners of the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes will be running in the 1 and 1/2 mile race at Belmont Park. Originally, it was thought the betting favorite would be Classic Empire, who was announced to be training for the race soon after the Preakness. However, Classic Empire developed an abscess in the bulb of his off fore foot earlier this week, and was not officially entered.
Eight of the twelve entries in the Belmont Stakes have run in either the Derby or the Preakness. Here is a list of the entries, their morning-line odds, and their sires and grandsires:
1 Twisted Tom 20 to 1 Creative Cause Giant's Causeway
2 Tapwrit 6 to 1 Tapit Pulpit
3 Gormley 8 to 1 Malibu Moon A. P. Indy
4 J Boys Echo 15 to 1 Mineshaft A. P. Indy
5 Hollywood Handsome 30 to 1 Tapizar Tapit
6 Lookin At Lee 5 to 1 Lookin At Lucky Smart Strike
7 Irish War Cry 7 to 2 Curlin Smart Strike
8 Senior Investment 12 to 1 Discreetly Mine Mineshaft
9 Meantime 15 to 1 Shackleford Forestry
10 Multiplier 15 to 1 The Factor War Front
11 Epicharis 4 to 1 Gold Allure Sunday Silence
12 Patch 12 to 1 Union Rags Dixie Union
Nine of the colts were bred in Kentucky, with Twisted Tom from New York, Irish War Cry from New Jersey, and Epicharis from Japan. All are full males, except for gelded Twisted Tom. Tapwrit is the only grey horse in the field, with four chestnuts and seven bays.
Note that Epicharis was being treated for lameness on Thursday morning.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Cloud Computing Wins Preakness Stakes
The seven-to-five betting favorite, and winner of the Kentucky Derby, Always Dreaming, jumped out of the gate beside Classic Empire and the two colts led the field to the top of the stretch. Then Always Dreaming began to fade drastically, even though the time for the early Preakness furlongs was slower than the Derby. It looked like Classic Empire, the second betting choice, and last year's two-year-old champion, would win the race. Then Cloud Computing, who last raced six weeks ago, came charging up beside Classic Empire. The two colts battled the last sixteenth of a mile, but Cloud Computing managed to win by a head. Classic Empire was four and 3/4 lengths ahead of Senior Investment, who was a half-length ahead of Lookin At Lee. Always Dreaming faded to finish in eighth place.
A $2 win ticket on Cloud Computing paid $28.80; a $2 place ticket on Classic Empire paid $4.40; and a $2 show ticket on Senior Investment paid $10.20. A $2 exacta bet paid $98.40; a $2 trifecta bet paid $2,194.60; and a $2 superfecta bet paid $16,325.60.
The race was completed in 1 minute, 55.98 seconds. Here is the order of finish, with their Derby finish spots in parenthesis, if applicable:
1 Cloud Computing
2 Classic Empire (4)
3 Senior Investment
4 Lookin At Lee (2)
5 Gunnevera (7)
6 Multiplier
7 Conquest Mo Money
8 Always Dreaming (1)
9 Hence (11)
10 Term of Art
No Triple Crown Champion in 2017....
A $2 win ticket on Cloud Computing paid $28.80; a $2 place ticket on Classic Empire paid $4.40; and a $2 show ticket on Senior Investment paid $10.20. A $2 exacta bet paid $98.40; a $2 trifecta bet paid $2,194.60; and a $2 superfecta bet paid $16,325.60.
The race was completed in 1 minute, 55.98 seconds. Here is the order of finish, with their Derby finish spots in parenthesis, if applicable:
1 Cloud Computing
2 Classic Empire (4)
3 Senior Investment
4 Lookin At Lee (2)
5 Gunnevera (7)
6 Multiplier
7 Conquest Mo Money
8 Always Dreaming (1)
9 Hence (11)
10 Term of Art
No Triple Crown Champion in 2017....
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...
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Ten Vie For Black-Eyed Susans
There will be ten colts running in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. Half of them ran in the Kentucky Derby, while the other half are "fresh." Nine of the ten colts were born in Kentucky, with Conquest Mo Money being a New York bred. Following are the post positions, name of the colt, (where he finished in the 20 horse Kentucky Derby field,) his morning line betting odds, and the name of his sire:
1 Multiplier 50 to 1 The Factor
2 Cloud Computing 12 to 1 Maclean's Music
3 Hence (11) 20 to 1 Street Boss
4 Always Dreaming (1) 4 to 5 Bodemeister
5 Classic Empire (4) 3 to 1 Pioneer of the Nile
6 Gunnevera (7) 15 to 1 Dialed In
7 Term Of Art 30 to 1 Tiznow
8 Senior Investment 30 to 1 Discreetly Mine
9 Lookin At Lee (2) 10 to 1 Lookin At Lucky
10 Conquest Mo Money 15 to 1 Uncle Mo
The post time for the Preakness is 6:48 (EDT); the purse is $1.5 million for the one and three-sixteenths mile race on the main dirt track.
1 Multiplier 50 to 1 The Factor
2 Cloud Computing 12 to 1 Maclean's Music
3 Hence (11) 20 to 1 Street Boss
4 Always Dreaming (1) 4 to 5 Bodemeister
5 Classic Empire (4) 3 to 1 Pioneer of the Nile
6 Gunnevera (7) 15 to 1 Dialed In
7 Term Of Art 30 to 1 Tiznow
8 Senior Investment 30 to 1 Discreetly Mine
9 Lookin At Lee (2) 10 to 1 Lookin At Lucky
10 Conquest Mo Money 15 to 1 Uncle Mo
The post time for the Preakness is 6:48 (EDT); the purse is $1.5 million for the one and three-sixteenths mile race on the main dirt track.
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.....
Friday, May 5, 2017
My Favorite Race Horses - Photos
Man o' War 1917 - 1947
Hyperion 1930 - 1960
Seabiscuit 1933 - 1947
Northern Dancer 1961 - 1990
Forego 1970 - 1997
Ruffian 1972 - 1975
Sunday Silence 1986 - 2002
Kentucky Oaks Today, Derby Tomorrow
It was raining early this morning at Churchill Downs, and the main track surface was given a "sloppy" rating, while the turf track is listed as "good." The weather forecasters say there will be periods of both rain and sun throughout today. The Kentucky Oaks, the female version of the Derby, is scheduled to leave the starting gate at 6:12 EST this afternoon. There is a full field of 15 fillies, who will each carry 121 pounds, over the main track for 1 and 1/8 miles. The purse for this year's Oaks is $1 million... I'll be listing post position, filly, morning line betting odds, sire, and coat color. All of the Oaks entries were born in Kentucky.
1 Ever So Clever 20 to 1 Medaglia d'Oro dark bay
2 Lockdown 20 to 1 First Defence dark bay
3 Mopotism 20 to 1 Uncle Mo bay
4 Paradise Woods 5 to 2 Union Rags bay
5 Jordan's Henny 30 to 1 Henny Hughes gray/roan
6 Vexatious 20 to 1 Giant's Causeway bay
7 Farrell 5 to 1 Malibu Moon bay
8 Sailor's Valentine 30 to 1 Mizzen Mast gray/roan
9 Wicked Lick 30 to 1 Maclean's Music chestnut
10 Miss Sky Warrior 9 to 2 First Samurai dark bay
11 Tequilita 20 to 1 Union Rags bay
12 Daddy's Lil Darling 20 to 1 Scat Daddy dark bay
13 Abel Tasman 5 to 1 Quality Road bay
14 Salty 6 to 1 Quality Road bay
15 Summer Luck 30 to 1 Lookin At Lucky bay
There have been no scratches in the Kentucky Derby field for tomorrow. Girvin, who has a quarter crack in one hoof, will be wearing glued-on shoes. Following are the 20 starters, with their jockeys and trainers listed...
1 Looking at Lee Corey Lanerie Steven Asmussen
2 Thunder Snow Christophe Soumillon Saeed bin Suroor
3 Fast and Accurate Channing Hill Michael Maker
4 Untrapped Ricardo Santana, Jr Steven Asmussen
5 Always Dreaming John Velazquez Todd Pletcher
6 State of Honor Jose Lezcano Mark Casse
7 Girvin Mike Smith Joe Sharp
8 Hence Florent Geroux Steven Asmussen
9 Irap Mario Guttierrez Doug O'Neill
10 Gunnevera Javier Castellano Antonio Sano
11 Battle of Midway Flavio Prat Jerry Hollendorfer
12 Sonneteer Kent Desormeaux Keith Desormeaux
13 J Boys Echo Luis Saez Dale Romans
14 Classic Empire Julien Leparoux Mark Casse
15 McCraken Brian J Hernandez, Jr Ian Wilkes
16 Tapwrit Jose Ortiz Todd Pletcher
17 Irish War Cry Rajiv Maragh Graham Motion
18 Gormley Victor Espinoza John Shirreffs
19 Practical Joke Joel Rosario Chad Brown
20 Patch Tyler Gaffalione Todd Pletcher
May all the races be cleanly run (figuratively, since there will be mud everywhere), and may no horses or jockeys have any injuries......
1 Ever So Clever 20 to 1 Medaglia d'Oro dark bay
2 Lockdown 20 to 1 First Defence dark bay
3 Mopotism 20 to 1 Uncle Mo bay
4 Paradise Woods 5 to 2 Union Rags bay
5 Jordan's Henny 30 to 1 Henny Hughes gray/roan
6 Vexatious 20 to 1 Giant's Causeway bay
7 Farrell 5 to 1 Malibu Moon bay
8 Sailor's Valentine 30 to 1 Mizzen Mast gray/roan
9 Wicked Lick 30 to 1 Maclean's Music chestnut
10 Miss Sky Warrior 9 to 2 First Samurai dark bay
11 Tequilita 20 to 1 Union Rags bay
12 Daddy's Lil Darling 20 to 1 Scat Daddy dark bay
13 Abel Tasman 5 to 1 Quality Road bay
14 Salty 6 to 1 Quality Road bay
15 Summer Luck 30 to 1 Lookin At Lucky bay
There have been no scratches in the Kentucky Derby field for tomorrow. Girvin, who has a quarter crack in one hoof, will be wearing glued-on shoes. Following are the 20 starters, with their jockeys and trainers listed...
1 Looking at Lee Corey Lanerie Steven Asmussen
2 Thunder Snow Christophe Soumillon Saeed bin Suroor
3 Fast and Accurate Channing Hill Michael Maker
4 Untrapped Ricardo Santana, Jr Steven Asmussen
5 Always Dreaming John Velazquez Todd Pletcher
6 State of Honor Jose Lezcano Mark Casse
7 Girvin Mike Smith Joe Sharp
8 Hence Florent Geroux Steven Asmussen
9 Irap Mario Guttierrez Doug O'Neill
10 Gunnevera Javier Castellano Antonio Sano
11 Battle of Midway Flavio Prat Jerry Hollendorfer
12 Sonneteer Kent Desormeaux Keith Desormeaux
13 J Boys Echo Luis Saez Dale Romans
14 Classic Empire Julien Leparoux Mark Casse
15 McCraken Brian J Hernandez, Jr Ian Wilkes
16 Tapwrit Jose Ortiz Todd Pletcher
17 Irish War Cry Rajiv Maragh Graham Motion
18 Gormley Victor Espinoza John Shirreffs
19 Practical Joke Joel Rosario Chad Brown
20 Patch Tyler Gaffalione Todd Pletcher
May all the races be cleanly run (figuratively, since there will be mud everywhere), and may no horses or jockeys have any injuries......
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Kentucky Derby Entries' Bloodlines
Please see yesterday's blog for the morning-line betting odds for the entries. Following will be the colts in their post positions, with their sires listed, followed by the maternal sires.
But, first - Again, the race is on the main dirt track at Churchill Downs, and covers the distance of 10 furlongs, or 1 and 1/4 miles. Only colts are entered this year, so each entry will carry 126 pounds. Of the 20 regular entries (plus the two alternates, in case of a scratch), all were born in Kentucky, except for # 2 Thunder Snow, born in Ireland; # 3 Fast and Accurate, born in Pennsylvania; # 6 State of Honor, born in Ontario, Canada; and # 17 Irish War Cry, born in New Jersey. If you bet by coat colors, all of the colts are bay, brown, or dark bay, except for two gray/roans (# 3 Fast and Accurate, and # 16 Tapwrit) and three chestnuts (# 8 Hence, # 10 Gunnevera, and # 17 Irish War Cry).
Here's the field, with sires and broodmare sires:
1 Lookin At Lee Lookin At Lucky Langfuhr
2 Thunder Snow Helmet Dubai Destination
3 Fast and Accurate Hansen Green Dancer
4 Untrapped Trappe Shot Giant's Causeway
5 Always Dreaming Bodemeister In Excess
6 State of Honor To Honor and Serve Elusive Quality
7 Girvin Tale of Ekati Malibu Moon
8 Hence Street Boss A. P. Indy
9 Irap Tiznow Storm Cat
10 Gunnevera Dialed In Unbridled
11 Battle of Midway Smart Strike Concerto
12 Sonneteer Midnight Lute Half Ours
13 J Boys Echo Mineshaft Menifee
14 Classic Empire Pioneer of the Nile Cat Thief
15 McCraken Ghostzapper Seeking the Gold
16 Tapwrit Tapit Successful Appeal
17 Irish War Cry Curlin Polish Numbers
18 Gormley Malibu Moon Bernstein
19 Practical Joke Into Mischief Distorted Humor
20 Patch Union Rags A. P. Indy
AE1 Royal Mo Uncle Mo Saint Ballado
AE2 Master Plan Twirling Candy Henny Hughes
Tomorrow - Jockeys and trainers...
But, first - Again, the race is on the main dirt track at Churchill Downs, and covers the distance of 10 furlongs, or 1 and 1/4 miles. Only colts are entered this year, so each entry will carry 126 pounds. Of the 20 regular entries (plus the two alternates, in case of a scratch), all were born in Kentucky, except for # 2 Thunder Snow, born in Ireland; # 3 Fast and Accurate, born in Pennsylvania; # 6 State of Honor, born in Ontario, Canada; and # 17 Irish War Cry, born in New Jersey. If you bet by coat colors, all of the colts are bay, brown, or dark bay, except for two gray/roans (# 3 Fast and Accurate, and # 16 Tapwrit) and three chestnuts (# 8 Hence, # 10 Gunnevera, and # 17 Irish War Cry).
Here's the field, with sires and broodmare sires:
1 Lookin At Lee Lookin At Lucky Langfuhr
2 Thunder Snow Helmet Dubai Destination
3 Fast and Accurate Hansen Green Dancer
4 Untrapped Trappe Shot Giant's Causeway
5 Always Dreaming Bodemeister In Excess
6 State of Honor To Honor and Serve Elusive Quality
7 Girvin Tale of Ekati Malibu Moon
8 Hence Street Boss A. P. Indy
9 Irap Tiznow Storm Cat
10 Gunnevera Dialed In Unbridled
11 Battle of Midway Smart Strike Concerto
12 Sonneteer Midnight Lute Half Ours
13 J Boys Echo Mineshaft Menifee
14 Classic Empire Pioneer of the Nile Cat Thief
15 McCraken Ghostzapper Seeking the Gold
16 Tapwrit Tapit Successful Appeal
17 Irish War Cry Curlin Polish Numbers
18 Gormley Malibu Moon Bernstein
19 Practical Joke Into Mischief Distorted Humor
20 Patch Union Rags A. P. Indy
AE1 Royal Mo Uncle Mo Saint Ballado
AE2 Master Plan Twirling Candy Henny Hughes
Tomorrow - Jockeys and trainers...
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Kentucky Derby Odds and Post Positions
Sorry this is so late - I got caught up doing other things...
There are a full twenty entries in Saturday's Kentucky Derby; with two alternate entries in case any of the original entries scratch before 11 a.m. Friday, 5 May. The post positions and morning line betting odds are:
1 Lookin At Lee 20 to 1
2 Thunder Snow 20 to 1
3 Fast and Accurate 50 to 1
4 Untrapped 30 to 1
5 Always Dreaming 5 to 1
6 State of Honor 30 to 1
7 Girvin 15 to 1
8 Hence 15 to 1
9 Irap 20 to 1
10 Gunnevera 15 to 1
11 Battle of Midway 30 to 1
12 Sonneteer 50 to 1
13 J Boys Echo 20 to 1
14 Classic Empire 4 to 1
15 McCraken 5 to 1
16 Tapwrit 20 to 1
17 Irish War Cry 6 to 1
18 Gormley 15 to 1
19 Practical Joke 20 to 1
20 Patch 30 to 1
Alternate entries:
Royal Mo 20 to 1
Master Plan 50 to 1
More tomorrow!
There are a full twenty entries in Saturday's Kentucky Derby; with two alternate entries in case any of the original entries scratch before 11 a.m. Friday, 5 May. The post positions and morning line betting odds are:
1 Lookin At Lee 20 to 1
2 Thunder Snow 20 to 1
3 Fast and Accurate 50 to 1
4 Untrapped 30 to 1
5 Always Dreaming 5 to 1
6 State of Honor 30 to 1
7 Girvin 15 to 1
8 Hence 15 to 1
9 Irap 20 to 1
10 Gunnevera 15 to 1
11 Battle of Midway 30 to 1
12 Sonneteer 50 to 1
13 J Boys Echo 20 to 1
14 Classic Empire 4 to 1
15 McCraken 5 to 1
16 Tapwrit 20 to 1
17 Irish War Cry 6 to 1
18 Gormley 15 to 1
19 Practical Joke 20 to 1
20 Patch 30 to 1
Alternate entries:
Royal Mo 20 to 1
Master Plan 50 to 1
More tomorrow!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Looking At the Kentucky Derby
First, one major item that I forgot to reference about this years running of the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree - there were no major injuries during or after the race. There were bumps, bruises, and scrapes - but no torn ligaments, no broken bones. All forty entries checked out fine the day after the race. - Hooray!
We're now a little less than 4 weeks away from the Kentucky Derby - the "holy of holies" of three-year-old thoroughbred racing in the United States. Only twenty horses will be allowed to start in the race, and the entrants are now scored on a point system for finishing in certain graded stakes races. First, the horse must be nominated, and pay entry fees to stay nominated, up until March. Of course, a horse may qualify with entry fees and points, but not run due to other factors - lameness, illness, or injury. In fact, if the horse does not feel "right" to the jockey, the jockey can ask to withdraw the horse after the race warm up and before entering the starting gate, or the veterinarian at the starting gate may keep a horse from participating. If a trainer is not happy with the way the horse is exercising, he may be scratched. In any event, here is a listing of the top 25 horses with their point earnings - horses with the same amount of points are listed alphabetically by name:
1 Girvin 150
2 Gormley 125
3 Irap 113
4 Irish War Cry 110
5 Always Dreaming 100
6 Thunder Snow 100
7 Gunnevera 84
8 Practical Joke 74
9 J Boys Echo 63
10 State of Honor 62
11 Tapwrit 54
12 Fast and Accurate 50
13 Hence 50
14 Malagacy 50
15 Battalion Runner 40
16 Battle of Midway 40
17 Cloud Computing 40
18 McCraken 40
19 Patch 40
20 Untrapped 34
21 Classic Empire 32
22 Local Hero 30
23 Royal Mo 30
24 Iliad 20
25 Master Plan 20
I still think the Derby is wide open this year....
We're now a little less than 4 weeks away from the Kentucky Derby - the "holy of holies" of three-year-old thoroughbred racing in the United States. Only twenty horses will be allowed to start in the race, and the entrants are now scored on a point system for finishing in certain graded stakes races. First, the horse must be nominated, and pay entry fees to stay nominated, up until March. Of course, a horse may qualify with entry fees and points, but not run due to other factors - lameness, illness, or injury. In fact, if the horse does not feel "right" to the jockey, the jockey can ask to withdraw the horse after the race warm up and before entering the starting gate, or the veterinarian at the starting gate may keep a horse from participating. If a trainer is not happy with the way the horse is exercising, he may be scratched. In any event, here is a listing of the top 25 horses with their point earnings - horses with the same amount of points are listed alphabetically by name:
1 Girvin 150
2 Gormley 125
3 Irap 113
4 Irish War Cry 110
5 Always Dreaming 100
6 Thunder Snow 100
7 Gunnevera 84
8 Practical Joke 74
9 J Boys Echo 63
10 State of Honor 62
11 Tapwrit 54
12 Fast and Accurate 50
13 Hence 50
14 Malagacy 50
15 Battalion Runner 40
16 Battle of Midway 40
17 Cloud Computing 40
18 McCraken 40
19 Patch 40
20 Untrapped 34
21 Classic Empire 32
22 Local Hero 30
23 Royal Mo 30
24 Iliad 20
25 Master Plan 20
I still think the Derby is wide open this year....
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Bits and Pieces
I will have reports and photos from the Chincoteague pony Spring Round-Up shortly, and plan to post a lot of photos, thanks to many friends. I will definitely credit the photographers, if they identify themselves!
I'm finally starting to feel as if my spring sap is being to run. Waking up with a good humor and looking forward to getting my jobs done. Unfortunately, I also just looked at my calendar, and the only day I do not have anything scheduled to do is April 24th. I guess that will be my day off this month.
Horse racing - Nyquist and Mohaymen raced each other for the first time in yesterday's Florida Derby. Mohaymen met his first defeat, finishing fourth, with Nyquist the winner by 3 1/4 lengths. (Mohaymen had been the betting favorite.) ... Jockey Calvin Borel, three-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, has announced his retirement. .... The great race mare Zenyatta celebrated her 12th birthday on Friday. She has a "foal watch party" going on, as she is due to deliver a new foal by War Emblem at any time.
Today, one of the most iconic and world renowned businesses began. The Pony Express was only in operation for 19 months, with the inaugural rider starting his journey on 3 April 1860. The Pony Express was closed on 26 April 1861, two days after the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line. The route ran between Saint Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Using the regular mail, delivery time from one place to the other took 21 days. The Pony Express guaranteed delivery in 10 days - and charged a whopping $2.50 per letter. It's hard to imagine those days with no radio, no television, no transcontinental railways or telegraph. (Just think how today's children would respond to a time without cars, telephones, computers, televisions, airplanes, and instant communication!)
I'm finally starting to feel as if my spring sap is being to run. Waking up with a good humor and looking forward to getting my jobs done. Unfortunately, I also just looked at my calendar, and the only day I do not have anything scheduled to do is April 24th. I guess that will be my day off this month.
Horse racing - Nyquist and Mohaymen raced each other for the first time in yesterday's Florida Derby. Mohaymen met his first defeat, finishing fourth, with Nyquist the winner by 3 1/4 lengths. (Mohaymen had been the betting favorite.) ... Jockey Calvin Borel, three-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, has announced his retirement. .... The great race mare Zenyatta celebrated her 12th birthday on Friday. She has a "foal watch party" going on, as she is due to deliver a new foal by War Emblem at any time.
Today, one of the most iconic and world renowned businesses began. The Pony Express was only in operation for 19 months, with the inaugural rider starting his journey on 3 April 1860. The Pony Express was closed on 26 April 1861, two days after the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line. The route ran between Saint Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Using the regular mail, delivery time from one place to the other took 21 days. The Pony Express guaranteed delivery in 10 days - and charged a whopping $2.50 per letter. It's hard to imagine those days with no radio, no television, no transcontinental railways or telegraph. (Just think how today's children would respond to a time without cars, telephones, computers, televisions, airplanes, and instant communication!)
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Horse Racing Is Getting Interesting, Again
I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed (all over again) by California Chrome's performance in the $10 million Dubai WorldCup race yesterday. I saw it live, on a racing channel, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I loved California Chrome two years ago when he won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. I wasn't that upset that he lost the Belmont, but his owner's hateful, hurtful, bombastic tirade after the race was over caused me to lose interest in the horse, himself. Last year, CC's owner boasted that he'd win the Dubai World Cup race, but CC finished second. He did not race well in England. As a five-year-old, this year, the owner stated that the horse was "five lengths better" for the same race. While European horses horses frequently run longer races (on the turf) than American horses, it's highly unusual to have a mile-and-a-quarter dirt race for older horses - excepting the Breeders Cup Classic. I was very excited when California Chrome won the World Cup race yesterday by a distance of five lengths... Not only did he run and win convincingly, he ran three and four paths out for most of the trip, and his saddle slipped backwards during the race. Jockey Victor Espinoza made a thrilling and athletic ride on the young stallion; at the finish line, Chrome's girth was around his last rib, instead of behind his elbows... All I can say is Wow!
The Kentucky Derby, to be run on May 7 this year, is beginning to look like a delightful free-for-all. The three top picks are generally agreed to be Nyquist, by Uncle Mo; Songbird by Medaglia d'Oro, and Mohayman by Tapit. Lani, another son of Tapit, won the UAE Derby earlier this week, and secured a gate position for the iconic May race at Churchill Downs. Gun Runner was impressive winning the Louisiana Derby yesterday. Cupid, another son of Tapit trained by Bob Baffert, won the Rebel Stakes on 19 March. And it looks like American Pioneer will be entered in the Arkansas Derby ... Yep, I love horse racing in the Spring!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Odds and Ends
We're half-way through February in a new year, Thoroughbred foals are being born all over the country, horse racing enthusiasts are starting to talk about the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown in the United States, and the British Triple Crown in the United Kingdom. I am looking forward to Saturday, the 20th, when Ziconic will make his racing debut. Unlike his elder brother, Cozmic One, Ziconic seems to realize that racing, and going under the wire first, is the name of the game in his current life. Cozmic One, the oldest son of Zenyatta (by Bernardini), has raced twice but not with his Mom's need to win. In his first race, he finished last in a field of six; in his second race, he was seventh of nine contenders. Cozmic One doesn't seem to be able to focus on his job. Ziconic, the younger brother, by Tapit, seems to enjoy racing much more. I'm looking forward to his race on Saturday. Zenyatta, herself, is due some time in March with a second foal by War Front. This foal is eagerly awaited, as her last foal (also by War Front) died from injuries in a paddock accident. I hope her progeny can continue her winning ways.
One of my four granddaughters, a pre-teen, has just won the National Cheerleading Team title with her squad. She is certainly making her parents and grandparents proud. I only wish my husband could be here to express his encouragement to her and the other participants.
I can start collecting my retirement pay from working at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida in a few months. They have given me the choice of a lump-sum payment, or a monthly stipend for the rest of my life. The lump-sum payment is enticing, but I'd lose 30% of it due to federal taxes, and then there are state taxes, too. I'm pretty sure I'll choose the monthly stipend over the lump-sum.
I had to laugh this morning - I have on my calendar that, beginning tomorrow, I walk the DD dogs every morning for at least an hour. Another woman is house-sitting, but she is recovering from a back and hip injury, so I'm to walk two of the dogs while she walks one. I sent an e-mail to both the dog owners and to the house-sitter earlier today, asking for confirmation that the trip was still going to be taken, and stating the dates. I also asked the house-sitter at what time she wished to walk the dogs each morning. The house-sitter called me back, almost immediately, and said she'd visited the people and critters (3 dogs, 1 cat) yesterday, and that I had the dates wrong. The family was returning on the 25th, not the 23rd... I read her my three letters from the owner, which designated the dates each time - she looked her original contact notes and found she'd made a mistake - I was correct. Then she asked if I could meet her to walk the dogs at 7 each morning, in order to avoid the middle school students. I told her that I could, but that I would have to arrive later on the weekend days. She asked why, and I told her the first buses that ran by my house on the weekend came by at 7:30 - there was an earlier one, but it heads east, while the dogs' home is west of me. She was completely taken aback by the fact that I don't have a car. She wanted to know how I got around, and I told her, by bus or by foot. She was also amazed that I don't own a smart phone....
I guess I live to the beat of a different drummer in more ways than one.
One of my four granddaughters, a pre-teen, has just won the National Cheerleading Team title with her squad. She is certainly making her parents and grandparents proud. I only wish my husband could be here to express his encouragement to her and the other participants.
I can start collecting my retirement pay from working at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida in a few months. They have given me the choice of a lump-sum payment, or a monthly stipend for the rest of my life. The lump-sum payment is enticing, but I'd lose 30% of it due to federal taxes, and then there are state taxes, too. I'm pretty sure I'll choose the monthly stipend over the lump-sum.
I had to laugh this morning - I have on my calendar that, beginning tomorrow, I walk the DD dogs every morning for at least an hour. Another woman is house-sitting, but she is recovering from a back and hip injury, so I'm to walk two of the dogs while she walks one. I sent an e-mail to both the dog owners and to the house-sitter earlier today, asking for confirmation that the trip was still going to be taken, and stating the dates. I also asked the house-sitter at what time she wished to walk the dogs each morning. The house-sitter called me back, almost immediately, and said she'd visited the people and critters (3 dogs, 1 cat) yesterday, and that I had the dates wrong. The family was returning on the 25th, not the 23rd... I read her my three letters from the owner, which designated the dates each time - she looked her original contact notes and found she'd made a mistake - I was correct. Then she asked if I could meet her to walk the dogs at 7 each morning, in order to avoid the middle school students. I told her that I could, but that I would have to arrive later on the weekend days. She asked why, and I told her the first buses that ran by my house on the weekend came by at 7:30 - there was an earlier one, but it heads east, while the dogs' home is west of me. She was completely taken aback by the fact that I don't have a car. She wanted to know how I got around, and I told her, by bus or by foot. She was also amazed that I don't own a smart phone....
I guess I live to the beat of a different drummer in more ways than one.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
American Pharoah Triumphant
I'll write about the other fantastic races of the Breeders Cup later today, or tomorrow, but today I'm going to sing the praises of American Pharoah. The three-year-old bay colt is moving from the racing barn at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington today to Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. He will no longer be a race horse; he will be a sire. He'll be galloped and exercised, but not honed to perfection for specific race dates. Hopefully, he will prove as successful at stud as he was on the race course.
American Pharoah was born on 2 February 2012. Ahmed Zayat owned and raced both of his parents - Pioneer of the Nile, a dark bay stallion, born in 2006, and Littleprincessemma, a chestnut mare also born in 2006. He is a bay horse with a very faint, tiny star on his forehead whorl - and that star might just be my imagination from his close-up photos; it just might be the skin visible through his whorl. Otherwise, the colt is without any markings - except, of course, his racing tattoo.
Bob Baffert asked to be his trainer, and was given into his care. American Pharoah was named through an on-line contest. Justin Zayat loved the name, and sent it in to the Jockey Club. It was accepted, but Justin was not aware that the word Pharoah was misspelled - which causes my spell-check program a lot of grief. The colt's debut race was not something to be remembered - he was wearing blinkers, he acted up, and he finished fifth. But Bob Baffert saw something in the way he ran.
His next race entry was a Grade 1; his blinkers were off, and the tale of success began. He was the early favorite to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile in 2014, but a bruised foot kept him out of training and he missed the race. He was still named Two Year Old Colt of the year.
He was undefeated as a three-year-old heading into the Kentucky Derby, where he was the betting favorite. He won the Derby; he won the Preakness; and then he won the Belmont Stakes, too. America had the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. I remember seeing Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed win the Triple Crown, but I don't think I was as excited with any of their wins as I was with American Pharoah's. Maybe it was because there was such a long drought between Triple Crown Champions; maybe it was because there had been discussion of changing the Triple Crown races and racing dates; maybe it was because Mom had brought me up on tales of Man o'War, and visiting him in Berlin, Maryland; maybe because it was a family-owned and celebrated horse - I don't know. All I know was I felt excited and electrified when the plain bay colt won the Triple Crown.
It was announced that he would be retired at the end of his three-year-old racing season to stand at stud. That was quite acceptable in my eyes. And I was delighted to hear that Ahmed Zayat and his family had decided to race American Pharoah a few more times for the American (and horse racing) public. I was ecstatic when the Pharoah won the Haskell Invitational. I was devastated when he finished second in the Travers Stakes, having been worn down by Frosted in a speed duel, and then bested by Keen Ice. There are all kinds of excuses for that race - the colt was tired from the Triple Crown campaign; he'd galloped much faster than planned the day before the race in front of a racing crowd in the afternoon; the speed duel with Frosted.... It just wasn't a day that American Pharoah would win. It was horse racing.
Then there was all the hyperbole of the press for the Breeders Cup Classic race. Could the colt do it? Could he win the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup Classic? Did he have the guts - after all, he'd lost the last time out? Could he beat Beholder, even though he had a one pound allowance? Could he beat Honor Code? Since Frosted and Keen Ice were also entered, would they try to tag-team him, as they did in the Travers? And what about Gleneagles? He was shipping in from Ireland, a Classic-winner against older horses in Europe. Then there were the hard-pounding Tonalist, Hard Aces and Effinex also in the mix.
Bob Battaglia made American Pharoah the odds-on betting choice for the race. He stayed the betting favorite until the betting windows closed. American Pharoah led the race from the first jump out of the starting gate until the finish line, one and one-quarter miles later. The plain bay colt went out a winner, and in grand style. He raced eleven times, won nine of his starts, finished second once, and was fifth in his first race ever. It doesn't quite equal Man o'War's 20 starts with 19 wins and 1 second, but in this day and age, it's one heck of a record.
I salute you, American Pharoah! And now we have to wait three years to see what your two-year-old sons and daughters will do on the track....
American Pharoah was born on 2 February 2012. Ahmed Zayat owned and raced both of his parents - Pioneer of the Nile, a dark bay stallion, born in 2006, and Littleprincessemma, a chestnut mare also born in 2006. He is a bay horse with a very faint, tiny star on his forehead whorl - and that star might just be my imagination from his close-up photos; it just might be the skin visible through his whorl. Otherwise, the colt is without any markings - except, of course, his racing tattoo.
Bob Baffert asked to be his trainer, and was given into his care. American Pharoah was named through an on-line contest. Justin Zayat loved the name, and sent it in to the Jockey Club. It was accepted, but Justin was not aware that the word Pharoah was misspelled - which causes my spell-check program a lot of grief. The colt's debut race was not something to be remembered - he was wearing blinkers, he acted up, and he finished fifth. But Bob Baffert saw something in the way he ran.
His next race entry was a Grade 1; his blinkers were off, and the tale of success began. He was the early favorite to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile in 2014, but a bruised foot kept him out of training and he missed the race. He was still named Two Year Old Colt of the year.
He was undefeated as a three-year-old heading into the Kentucky Derby, where he was the betting favorite. He won the Derby; he won the Preakness; and then he won the Belmont Stakes, too. America had the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. I remember seeing Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed win the Triple Crown, but I don't think I was as excited with any of their wins as I was with American Pharoah's. Maybe it was because there was such a long drought between Triple Crown Champions; maybe it was because there had been discussion of changing the Triple Crown races and racing dates; maybe it was because Mom had brought me up on tales of Man o'War, and visiting him in Berlin, Maryland; maybe because it was a family-owned and celebrated horse - I don't know. All I know was I felt excited and electrified when the plain bay colt won the Triple Crown.
It was announced that he would be retired at the end of his three-year-old racing season to stand at stud. That was quite acceptable in my eyes. And I was delighted to hear that Ahmed Zayat and his family had decided to race American Pharoah a few more times for the American (and horse racing) public. I was ecstatic when the Pharoah won the Haskell Invitational. I was devastated when he finished second in the Travers Stakes, having been worn down by Frosted in a speed duel, and then bested by Keen Ice. There are all kinds of excuses for that race - the colt was tired from the Triple Crown campaign; he'd galloped much faster than planned the day before the race in front of a racing crowd in the afternoon; the speed duel with Frosted.... It just wasn't a day that American Pharoah would win. It was horse racing.
Then there was all the hyperbole of the press for the Breeders Cup Classic race. Could the colt do it? Could he win the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup Classic? Did he have the guts - after all, he'd lost the last time out? Could he beat Beholder, even though he had a one pound allowance? Could he beat Honor Code? Since Frosted and Keen Ice were also entered, would they try to tag-team him, as they did in the Travers? And what about Gleneagles? He was shipping in from Ireland, a Classic-winner against older horses in Europe. Then there were the hard-pounding Tonalist, Hard Aces and Effinex also in the mix.
Bob Battaglia made American Pharoah the odds-on betting choice for the race. He stayed the betting favorite until the betting windows closed. American Pharoah led the race from the first jump out of the starting gate until the finish line, one and one-quarter miles later. The plain bay colt went out a winner, and in grand style. He raced eleven times, won nine of his starts, finished second once, and was fifth in his first race ever. It doesn't quite equal Man o'War's 20 starts with 19 wins and 1 second, but in this day and age, it's one heck of a record.
I salute you, American Pharoah! And now we have to wait three years to see what your two-year-old sons and daughters will do on the track....
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Within The Law
California Chrome has a bruised foot and will not race at Royal Ascot tomorrow. This was to be his first race since finishing second in the Dubai World Cup. Will he stay in England to race? Or will he be shipped back to the United States?
Ahmed Zayat has said that American Pharoah will now be training for the Breeders Cup races at the end of October. Hopefully the Triple Crown champion will get in at least three more races before his retirement to stud duty in January 2016.
I have been watching the slow dismissal of jurors in the trial of the Aurora Theater shootings with interest. Why do people believe that societal rules and a judge's orders do not apply to them alone? It's like watching traffic in Boulder - many pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of vehicles simply do not believe that traffic laws are meant to be followed by their privileged selves. As I was driving on a four-lane road, with 4-foot-wide bike lanes on either side, I had to pass a bicyclist "in" the bike lane. I was in the right hand lane, with the bicyclist to my right. Another vehicle was staying beside me in the inside lane, so I couldn't move to the left. The bicyclist was riding hands-free, on the white line that divides the bike lane from the traffic lane. I slowed down and crept as far to the left as I could, however the car to my left was driving on the centerline, and I had another vehicle trying to drive up my tail-pipe - so I could not give the bicyclist the 3-foot clearance decreed by the law. I passed much closer to the bicyclist, praying the whole time, that he wouldn't hit a rock or pebble, and crash into the car I was driving. He didn't fall or weave any closer, but he did yell at me, and pound his fist along the side of the car as we/it passed him. He had a clear, clean recently swept 4-foot-wide bike lane to make full use of. There were no other bikes in sight. So why ride on the painted dividing line? Why ride, in traffic, without either (or both) hands on the handlebars? (When I ride my bike, I ride as close to the cement curb and pavement join as possible to avoid being close to vehicular traffic, and I actually stop at Stop signs. - Am I really that strange?)
I readily admit that when I'm on the highway I "go with the flow" and sometimes find myself flying along at 10 or more miles per hour above the speed limit. I have jay walked across a street during low traffic times. If there is absolutely no one in sight, I might slow down and roll through an intersection while on my bike. I always yield to pedestrians. I stop at all zebra crossings and blinking lights, if pedestrians or bicycles are present. I believe that speed limits are posted for a good reason - traffic usage, intersections, hills and curves, and road access.
I just can't understand deciding that rules and regulations that were designed to protect us should be totally ignored - other than an occasional red light traffic stop. Does that mean I'm stuffy and always think within the box? Does it mean that I believe that societal rules are good for all? Does it mean that I agree with all rules and regulations that we live with in today's world? NO. But I do believe that certain rules and regulations were developed and set into place to save us from ourselves, and to save us from others. Maybe my parents were extremely good explaining things when I was a child; maybe I have a well-developed since of logical progression; maybe I'm just a hide-bound fool. What ever drives me, I know that I like to be within the law....
Ahmed Zayat has said that American Pharoah will now be training for the Breeders Cup races at the end of October. Hopefully the Triple Crown champion will get in at least three more races before his retirement to stud duty in January 2016.
I have been watching the slow dismissal of jurors in the trial of the Aurora Theater shootings with interest. Why do people believe that societal rules and a judge's orders do not apply to them alone? It's like watching traffic in Boulder - many pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of vehicles simply do not believe that traffic laws are meant to be followed by their privileged selves. As I was driving on a four-lane road, with 4-foot-wide bike lanes on either side, I had to pass a bicyclist "in" the bike lane. I was in the right hand lane, with the bicyclist to my right. Another vehicle was staying beside me in the inside lane, so I couldn't move to the left. The bicyclist was riding hands-free, on the white line that divides the bike lane from the traffic lane. I slowed down and crept as far to the left as I could, however the car to my left was driving on the centerline, and I had another vehicle trying to drive up my tail-pipe - so I could not give the bicyclist the 3-foot clearance decreed by the law. I passed much closer to the bicyclist, praying the whole time, that he wouldn't hit a rock or pebble, and crash into the car I was driving. He didn't fall or weave any closer, but he did yell at me, and pound his fist along the side of the car as we/it passed him. He had a clear, clean recently swept 4-foot-wide bike lane to make full use of. There were no other bikes in sight. So why ride on the painted dividing line? Why ride, in traffic, without either (or both) hands on the handlebars? (When I ride my bike, I ride as close to the cement curb and pavement join as possible to avoid being close to vehicular traffic, and I actually stop at Stop signs. - Am I really that strange?)
I readily admit that when I'm on the highway I "go with the flow" and sometimes find myself flying along at 10 or more miles per hour above the speed limit. I have jay walked across a street during low traffic times. If there is absolutely no one in sight, I might slow down and roll through an intersection while on my bike. I always yield to pedestrians. I stop at all zebra crossings and blinking lights, if pedestrians or bicycles are present. I believe that speed limits are posted for a good reason - traffic usage, intersections, hills and curves, and road access.
I just can't understand deciding that rules and regulations that were designed to protect us should be totally ignored - other than an occasional red light traffic stop. Does that mean I'm stuffy and always think within the box? Does it mean that I believe that societal rules are good for all? Does it mean that I agree with all rules and regulations that we live with in today's world? NO. But I do believe that certain rules and regulations were developed and set into place to save us from ourselves, and to save us from others. Maybe my parents were extremely good explaining things when I was a child; maybe I have a well-developed since of logical progression; maybe I'm just a hide-bound fool. What ever drives me, I know that I like to be within the law....
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Just Stuff...
The Boulder Iron Man 70.3 was won by two athletes who are not from Colorado - which was a slight surprise. The Iron Man consists of three separate races - a 1.2 mile swim in the Boulder Reservoir, followed by a 56 mile bike race, and then a 13.1 mile foot race. Yesterday's winners were Callum Millwood, a New Zealand native, in 3 hours 46 minutes and 47 seconds; and Alicia Kaye, from Clermont, Florida, in 4 hours 13 minutes and 10 seconds. I might be able to swim that distance, I could ride a bike 56 miles, and I could walk/jog 13.1 miles - but do it all in one day and in just over 4 hours ? In no way is that possible for me.... The folks who entered and finished this competition have my admiration.
We've had some flooding in Colorado, but nothing like the flooding in the country of Georgia - there were torrential rains in he hills above Tbilisi, the country's capitol. A small stream that runs through the city over-flowed its banks and flooded the city. The stream also runs through the Tbilisi Zoo, where it's reported that half of the animals are missing from their flooded and destroyed enclosures. Reported loose in the streets of the city are lions, tigers, bears, wolves and a crocodile. A loose hippo was tranquilized in one of the main squares; a male lion was killed with a rifle. Three zoo workers are known to be dead, and emergency workers are searching from house to house; they have already found 8 more dead, all drowned in their homes. Most of the city is still without power, and residents are being urged to stay inside until the government issues a statement that it's safe to be on the streets again.
Ba and Bob will return sometime this afternoon, and, if nothing crops up, I'll continue to have the use of Bob's Prius until the 24th of this month. Ba and Bob will be leaving for California on Wednesday, and I'll be back house-sitting Cyrano and Pounce until their second return. Having the use of their car is a wonderful gift - I can start moving a lot of my extraneous belongings into storage in preparation for my move. Lovey just trotted inside and leaped up to the top of the cat tree; Nedi was standing on the back of the chair of the patio watching her. They tickle my heart...
California Chrome is set to run in the Price of Wales Stakes at Ascot on Wednesday. His jockey will be William Buick, who rode Jack Hobbs to a second-place finish in the Epsom Derby. The owners had hoped to have Frankie Dettori ride CC, but the Italian jockey was committed to ride another entry. We'll see how last year's Kentucky Derby winner does in England, racing on grass. In the meantime, California Chrome's full sister, a two-year-old filly named Hope's Love ran in her first race yesterday. She stumbled out of the gate, but came flying at the end of the race to finish second by a half-length. The race was a 4.5 furlong race for maidens. Love's Hope looks like she might have the drive and kick of her brother...
We've had some flooding in Colorado, but nothing like the flooding in the country of Georgia - there were torrential rains in he hills above Tbilisi, the country's capitol. A small stream that runs through the city over-flowed its banks and flooded the city. The stream also runs through the Tbilisi Zoo, where it's reported that half of the animals are missing from their flooded and destroyed enclosures. Reported loose in the streets of the city are lions, tigers, bears, wolves and a crocodile. A loose hippo was tranquilized in one of the main squares; a male lion was killed with a rifle. Three zoo workers are known to be dead, and emergency workers are searching from house to house; they have already found 8 more dead, all drowned in their homes. Most of the city is still without power, and residents are being urged to stay inside until the government issues a statement that it's safe to be on the streets again.
Ba and Bob will return sometime this afternoon, and, if nothing crops up, I'll continue to have the use of Bob's Prius until the 24th of this month. Ba and Bob will be leaving for California on Wednesday, and I'll be back house-sitting Cyrano and Pounce until their second return. Having the use of their car is a wonderful gift - I can start moving a lot of my extraneous belongings into storage in preparation for my move. Lovey just trotted inside and leaped up to the top of the cat tree; Nedi was standing on the back of the chair of the patio watching her. They tickle my heart...
California Chrome is set to run in the Price of Wales Stakes at Ascot on Wednesday. His jockey will be William Buick, who rode Jack Hobbs to a second-place finish in the Epsom Derby. The owners had hoped to have Frankie Dettori ride CC, but the Italian jockey was committed to ride another entry. We'll see how last year's Kentucky Derby winner does in England, racing on grass. In the meantime, California Chrome's full sister, a two-year-old filly named Hope's Love ran in her first race yesterday. She stumbled out of the gate, but came flying at the end of the race to finish second by a half-length. The race was a 4.5 furlong race for maidens. Love's Hope looks like she might have the drive and kick of her brother...
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Will American Pharoah Win the Belmont Stakes?
Personally, I hope that American Pharoah will prevail over the seven other contestants. Why? Because American thoroughbred racing needs a boost, which it would get, if American Pharoah can win the Triple Crown Championship. Plus, I really like this colt's breeding. and I like his connections - his owners, trainer, and jockey. He is also a very good-looking colt - nice, calm eye, good head, great confirmation - and, apparently, he loves to run and win. I try not to like the betting favorite in any of the Triple Crown races - the last horse I was completely crazy over was Sunday Silence in 1989 - he won the Derby and the Preakness, battling Easy Goer, but Easy Goer won the Belmont. (Then, again, I was present when Sunday Silence defeated Easy Goer in the Breeders Cup Classic that same year.... Talk about a thrill!)
Some horses have certain affinities to certain tracks and certain states - Easy Goer never won a race outside of New York state. American Pharoah has won on tracks in California, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Maryland. But the Belmont track is huge. One circuit covers the mile and a half length of the Belmont Stakes race. Will American Pharoah like the footing? Will the air and humidity affect him? His buddy, Smokey (the AQHA registered This Whiz Shines, a horse bred for reining), travels with him, and NBC commentator Donna Brothers usually rides Smokey in her interviews with jockeys after the Triple Crown races.
The length of the race is the biggest test, as well as staying out of racing trouble. I want American Pharoah to win. But none of these colts has raced further than 1.25 miles - that extra quarter mile will be the telling factor. American Pharoah's pedigree says he should be able to run that distance; so does Frammento's and Frosted's pedigrees. And Frammento and Frosted like to run at Belmont Park.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens - and, as always, I'll pray that there are no injuries to horses or riders.
The Epsom Derby is also being run today, across the pond. Their post time is 4:30 GMT today, which means 10:30 MDT. I'll be eagerly awaiting the results from Epsom Downs - will Golden Horn remain undefeated? That would mean Frankie Dettori will win another Derby. There are twelve horses running in today's Derby.... Again, it's up to racing luck.
Some horses have certain affinities to certain tracks and certain states - Easy Goer never won a race outside of New York state. American Pharoah has won on tracks in California, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Maryland. But the Belmont track is huge. One circuit covers the mile and a half length of the Belmont Stakes race. Will American Pharoah like the footing? Will the air and humidity affect him? His buddy, Smokey (the AQHA registered This Whiz Shines, a horse bred for reining), travels with him, and NBC commentator Donna Brothers usually rides Smokey in her interviews with jockeys after the Triple Crown races.
The length of the race is the biggest test, as well as staying out of racing trouble. I want American Pharoah to win. But none of these colts has raced further than 1.25 miles - that extra quarter mile will be the telling factor. American Pharoah's pedigree says he should be able to run that distance; so does Frammento's and Frosted's pedigrees. And Frammento and Frosted like to run at Belmont Park.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens - and, as always, I'll pray that there are no injuries to horses or riders.
The Epsom Derby is also being run today, across the pond. Their post time is 4:30 GMT today, which means 10:30 MDT. I'll be eagerly awaiting the results from Epsom Downs - will Golden Horn remain undefeated? That would mean Frankie Dettori will win another Derby. There are twelve horses running in today's Derby.... Again, it's up to racing luck.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Eight in the Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown, will be run at 6:50 EDT on Saturday. Eight three-year-old colts are entered, running one and a half miles, for a purse worth $1.5 million. Eight horses, seven trainers, eight jockeys, eight owners, eight stallions, eight mares - all hoping to win the Belmont, but only American Pharoah can win the Triple Crown championship.
All of the colts were bred in Kentucky, except Mubtaahij, who was bred in Ireland. Todd Pletcher trains Madefromlucky and Materiality. Frosted is a grey (or roan), Frammento and Madefromlucky are chestnuts,, the other five colts are bay. Currently, the weather situation seems to be warm, bright, and dry for the Stakes race.
Here are the horses, in their starting post positions, with their sire in parentheses, followed by the names of their jockeys and trainers, and their morning line betting odds:
1 Mubtaahij (by Dubawi IRE) Irad Ortiz, Jr Michael de Kock 10 to 1
2 Tale of Vereve (by Tale of Ekati) Gary Stevens Dallas Stewart 15 to 1
3 Madefromlucky (by Lookin At Lucky) Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher 12 to 1
4 Frammento (by Midshipman) Mike Smith Nick Zito 30 to 1
5 American Pharoah (by Pioneerof the Nile) Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert 3 to 5
6 Frosted (by Tapit) Joel Rosario Kiaran McLaughlin 5 to 1
7 Keen Ice (by Curlin) Kent Desormeaux Dale Romans 20 to 1
8 Materiality (by Afleet Alex) John R Velasquez Todd Pletcher 6 to 1
I'll give you my picks Saturday - but I'd love for American Pharoah to win and become the twelfth horse to win all American Triple Crown races.
And I'm upset again. I know, that seems to be my natural state - but…. A visitor to Rocky Mountain National Park shot and killed a nursing cow elk near Mills Lake. First, NO Hunting is allowed in RMNP. Second, it is illegal to fire a weapon inside RMNP boundaries. Third, the baby elk has not been found, meaning it will probably starve to death. That makes me want to growl and howl, turn into a grizz and eat the person responsible alive.
All of the colts were bred in Kentucky, except Mubtaahij, who was bred in Ireland. Todd Pletcher trains Madefromlucky and Materiality. Frosted is a grey (or roan), Frammento and Madefromlucky are chestnuts,, the other five colts are bay. Currently, the weather situation seems to be warm, bright, and dry for the Stakes race.
Here are the horses, in their starting post positions, with their sire in parentheses, followed by the names of their jockeys and trainers, and their morning line betting odds:
1 Mubtaahij (by Dubawi IRE) Irad Ortiz, Jr Michael de Kock 10 to 1
2 Tale of Vereve (by Tale of Ekati) Gary Stevens Dallas Stewart 15 to 1
3 Madefromlucky (by Lookin At Lucky) Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher 12 to 1
4 Frammento (by Midshipman) Mike Smith Nick Zito 30 to 1
5 American Pharoah (by Pioneerof the Nile) Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert 3 to 5
6 Frosted (by Tapit) Joel Rosario Kiaran McLaughlin 5 to 1
7 Keen Ice (by Curlin) Kent Desormeaux Dale Romans 20 to 1
8 Materiality (by Afleet Alex) John R Velasquez Todd Pletcher 6 to 1
I'll give you my picks Saturday - but I'd love for American Pharoah to win and become the twelfth horse to win all American Triple Crown races.
And I'm upset again. I know, that seems to be my natural state - but…. A visitor to Rocky Mountain National Park shot and killed a nursing cow elk near Mills Lake. First, NO Hunting is allowed in RMNP. Second, it is illegal to fire a weapon inside RMNP boundaries. Third, the baby elk has not been found, meaning it will probably starve to death. That makes me want to growl and howl, turn into a grizz and eat the person responsible alive.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
The Ponies, Belmont Coverage, Epsom Derby
The Chincoteague High School Ponies baseball team did something great this year - they played their entire schedule and were undefeated. They were named the Region 41 Baseball Champions. Yesterday, the team started in the Play-Offs - and they defeated the Middlesex Chargers by a score of 8 to 4 in the East Regional Division. Way to go, young men!! I'll definitely be yelling, "Go Ponies!"
NBC has announced their coverage of the Belmont Stakes weekend. On Friday, the NBC Sports Network will have a program beginning at 3:30 EDT - I'm not sure if there will be live racing coverage from Belmont Park, or if it will be looking at (a) previous Triple Crown winners or (b) the 13 colts that have won both the Derby and the Preakness, but not the Belmont, since Affirmed last won the Triple Crown in 1978. There are two interesting stakes race at Belmont on Friday - the New York Stakes, for fillies and mares age 4 and up, which is 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf track; and the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes being run for horses four and up, covering 2 miles on the turf. The girls' race has 8 entries, while the 2 mile race has 11 contestants.
On Saturday, there will be 10 graded stakes races at Belmont, including the Belmont Stakes. There are two Invitational races, plus the Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a one mile distance - the female portion of the Triple Crown races. NBC Sports Network will begin coverage at 2:30 EDT; then NBC will take over coverage from 4:30 until 7 p.m. (EDT); with NBC Sports Network providing another 30 minutes of coverage after the race, from 7 until 7:30. All of the other stakes races look intriguing… I just hope for zero injuries.
The draw for Belmont post positions will take place today. I'll write about them tomorrow, but it looks like a ten horse field. American Pharoah is the betting favorite, and, if he wins the Belmont on Saturday, will be the 12th Triple Crown winner in America.
At 4:30 p.m., Greenwich Mean Time, the Epsom Derby will be run in England. There are 15 entries, and the last betting odds I saw ran from 3 to 2, to 250 to 1…. Wow. Here are the runners, listed alphabetically, with their odds behind their names: Best of Times 66 to 1; Carbon Dating 250 to 1; Elm Park 7 to 1; Epicuris 25 to 1; Giovanni Canaletto 7 to 1; Golden Horn 3 to 2; Hans Holbein 12 to 1; Jack Hobbs 11 to 2; Killimanjaro 20 to 1; Moheet 40 to 1; Rocky Rider 100 to 1; Rogue Runner 100 to 1; Storm the Stars 25 to 1; Success Days 16 to 1; and Zawraq 6 to 1.
Happy betting!
NBC has announced their coverage of the Belmont Stakes weekend. On Friday, the NBC Sports Network will have a program beginning at 3:30 EDT - I'm not sure if there will be live racing coverage from Belmont Park, or if it will be looking at (a) previous Triple Crown winners or (b) the 13 colts that have won both the Derby and the Preakness, but not the Belmont, since Affirmed last won the Triple Crown in 1978. There are two interesting stakes race at Belmont on Friday - the New York Stakes, for fillies and mares age 4 and up, which is 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf track; and the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes being run for horses four and up, covering 2 miles on the turf. The girls' race has 8 entries, while the 2 mile race has 11 contestants.
On Saturday, there will be 10 graded stakes races at Belmont, including the Belmont Stakes. There are two Invitational races, plus the Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a one mile distance - the female portion of the Triple Crown races. NBC Sports Network will begin coverage at 2:30 EDT; then NBC will take over coverage from 4:30 until 7 p.m. (EDT); with NBC Sports Network providing another 30 minutes of coverage after the race, from 7 until 7:30. All of the other stakes races look intriguing… I just hope for zero injuries.
The draw for Belmont post positions will take place today. I'll write about them tomorrow, but it looks like a ten horse field. American Pharoah is the betting favorite, and, if he wins the Belmont on Saturday, will be the 12th Triple Crown winner in America.
At 4:30 p.m., Greenwich Mean Time, the Epsom Derby will be run in England. There are 15 entries, and the last betting odds I saw ran from 3 to 2, to 250 to 1…. Wow. Here are the runners, listed alphabetically, with their odds behind their names: Best of Times 66 to 1; Carbon Dating 250 to 1; Elm Park 7 to 1; Epicuris 25 to 1; Giovanni Canaletto 7 to 1; Golden Horn 3 to 2; Hans Holbein 12 to 1; Jack Hobbs 11 to 2; Killimanjaro 20 to 1; Moheet 40 to 1; Rocky Rider 100 to 1; Rogue Runner 100 to 1; Storm the Stars 25 to 1; Success Days 16 to 1; and Zawraq 6 to 1.
Happy betting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)