What Baffert said posted by Johnny Matheis

Of course the people who read this link are for increased revenue in the horse racing industry. Those who read these blogs partake of the fun, and some have a bigger interest.

 So when Bob Baffert says we need to save horse racing in Kentucky because over 100,000 jobs are at stake, we ask if we are being selfish to agree.

In a word, "No". 100,000 is a lot of jobs, and when people Number One, who want to outlaw gambling say that these people Number Two can be retrained, the People Number One are not willing to retrain them. People Number One will not give them a chance. People Number One will not offer help or a solution.

Horse Racing is Entertainment. And it certainly can't be compared to killer industries like Tobacco, Firearms, and Alcohol, or even Motor Vehicles.

The question in Kentucky, where Ellis Park is on a deathbed in Evansville (technically Henderson, but for practical purposes Evansville), and Turfway is in dire straits in Florence (where the entire Cincinnati racing program is in trouble), is "Will slots help the race tracks?"

Probably. If Rush is in concert, they will draw a crowd. If you add the Cranberries in the same ticket, you'll get a bigger crowd.

Horse Racing is just a fundamentally fun spectacle. During the 1960s and 1970s, a large group of people with interests in motor vehicles tried to claim that the car races of movies replaced the posses on horseback. They argued that it was the same thing, and people would love it.

A few naive souls bought into it, and car chase scenes became common. You didn't have to worry about a car kicking you, and it did what a director told it to.

Hostilities and critics posted by Jan Hoadley

Rachel Alexandra had not even gotten to her stall when the critical comments began sizzling through the internet. She ruined the bid for the Triple Crown (kinda like Birdstone ended Smarty Jones') and how it'd be better for racing if Mine That Bird had won cause he won't be off to the breeding shed - he'll be around for fans to follow. She didn't deserve to be there. She hadn't beaten anything in the Oaks 'cause the good horses wouldn't run against her.

 So in one breath there's criticism she hadn't had enough competition then in the next she stepped up where she had some and that was wrong!  She's a legitimate filly. There is no guarantee Mine That Bird will run next year or later. Many fans are fickle - many stopped following Funny Cide once he was through the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown isn't supposed to be easy - that's why few achieve it and those who do are special.

However it's unfair to overlook this filly is special. It gave coverage of her and Mine That Bird so we didn't have to relive the Preakness with Barbaro ad nauseum. Yes accidents happen - it's tragic and heartbreaking. Some within the industry callously suggested Rachel shouldn't run because of Eight Belles last year and Go For Wand's breakdwn. That's like saying the colts shouldn't run because George Washington and Barbaro broke down so therefore all are unsound waiting for an accident. There have been other fillies in the Classics that did well - Winning Colors, Genuine Risk, Rags To Riches.

There was no disgrace in 2nd or 3rd today. This is a beautiful filly that can run. Let's treasure watching these two run. Congratulations to all the connections.

Coming to the Preakness posted by Jan Hoadley

The stories continue from the one horse stable of General Quarters to the "small time" New Mexico entry of Mine That Bird that rolled to victory in the Kentucky Derby.

 Since then many of the Derby starters were found to have legitimate excuses - Friesan Fire grabbed a quarter and had multiple scrapes on his legs. General Quarters had a wad of mud lodged in his nostril from the sloppy track. The winner got a perfect ride compared to many who didn't. Taking nothing away from MTB - he was the best on that day.

The sale and entry in the Preakness of Rachel Alexandra has caused controversy. Critics say we don't want another Eight Belles or Go For Wand - and while no one wants to see any horse break down are they worse than George Washington or Barbaro? Accidents are ACCIDENTS! Further it's insulting to fillies like Winning Colors and Genuine Risk who competed at the top level and exceled.

The stories were fanned when owners of the top 2 horses talked of entering extra horses to keep the filly out of the race. Ms Whitney showed class and sportsmanship in stating if that happened she'd pull her horse out to let the filly in. Rachel has earned the right to run.

In a few minutes we'll have answers. Will she make the boys run? Will she be asked (thus far she's not been asked for run)? Will Mine That Bird repeat? Will Genera Quarters bounce back or Musket Man or Pioneer of the Nile? Big Drama was cast in his stall this morning - a minor incident but will it be a factor? Will a fresh horse upset all? No matter what happens - here's to a safe trip for all!

LeBron could beat me with Swine Flu posted by Chris Strickland

Say Swine Flu keeps spreading. Say it gets worse, like "Outbreak" worse, and the majority of people in the US get it, including LeBron James. I still don't think I could beat him one-on-one. Even if it was first to score. Or if we played "PIG." Remember when Jordan had the flu in the '88 playoffs, and he dropped 47 against the Knicks, AT the Garden??? We spectators/bloggers/sports fans seriously over-estimate the flu. If LeBron had swine flu, not only would he stuff me like a Quizno's Torpedo, he would still be able to beat the following athletes/teams:

-the entire Washington Wizards' starting lineup

-Charles Barkley

-Ricky Hatton

-Obama (with all due respect, Mr. President)

I would pay good money to see LeBron with the swine flu vs. Kobe with the swine flu. However, I believe LeBron would win that matchup, due to Kobe's closer proximity to Mexico. He'd have a stronger case, and it'd slow him down. Maybe fewer three attempts.

In other thoughts: the Celtics will win Game 7 in OT (obviously), and this time Paul Pierce, not Ray Allen, will be the scoring machine. The Bulls are going to double-team Allen, leaving Pierce open time after time for crucial 18-footers down the stretch. I'll even go as far as to say Paul Pierce is the greater playoff threat for the Celtics, only because he matched up against LeBron last year, and is known to be more clutch. Ray-Ray can rain three's all day. At the end of the day, Pierce is the TOUGHEST Celtic. He's the true heart and soul of that team.

I don't care that you can follow the Kentucky Derby on Twitter. Horse-racing will never interest me UNLESS I AM AT THE RACE. I went to the Preakness in Baltimore in 2004, and don't remember a thing. It's not like we eased into the day with Mamosas at brunch. I'm talking 9:30 am, Nattie Light, classic east-coast style. Getting sauced and acting like a fool is the only way to tolerate horses running around in circles. Until they start advertising with free pitchers at local breweries, or some kind of alcohol-laden incentive, I'm not giving it a chance.

Derby stories, disappointment posted by Jan Hoadley

Quality Road, Square Eddie and Willy Win all dropped out of the Derby this week with non-lifethreatening injuries and this morning I Want Revenge was added to the list when some heat was raised in the left front ankle. While it may be nothing or may be something, this close to the race of his life and with the tenacity he showed in his last race a little something may have turned into a big something. As disappointing as it is for trainers, owners and yes the fans too it underscores people *do* attempt to do right by the horses. In races this big everything has to be right.

It's been a rollercoaster ride just this week with a colt breaking loose Monday as Chocolate Candy was working. The loose colt instead slammed into a 2 year old filly, knocking her down and landing on her with fatal injuries resulting. The loss of a promising 2 year old is always saddening but underscores why to many a loose horse is always cause for alarm. At some stables it's not that big of a deal but seeing things like this changes everything.

 The stories from the Derby are always highlights that add strands to the fabric of racing and this year is no exception. While some watch for the betting and others watch for the celebrities most watch for the horses.

 There's Larry Jones, a true horseman that because of the harassment following the tragic breakdown last year of Eight Belles has announced retirement. He brings the nice horse Friesan Fire to the Derby with a legitimate shot. There's the $20,000 bargain General Quarters trained by an ex-teacher with one horse in the barn - this one; there's Pioneerof the Nile who's the only G1, Chocolate Candy and Mr. Hot Stuff meeting up for a re-race of the Santa Anita but under a different track. There's the longshot from the southwest Summer Bird and two legitimate horses in Regal Ransom and Desert Party.

Coolmore always helps to pick a derby winner posted by PJ Orlando

    Well this race will tell us a whole bunch about the derby. Maybe not in the way you think though. After this, we will know if the east coast horses are better or is it the west horses that have the best shot. Winning this race and then trying to win the first Saturday in may does not happen often, so lets not get our hopes up on any of these fringe players.

    Instead lets look more at the how these horses finish and who they have lost to in the past... I mean if a horse like Jeranimo can't finish in the top 4 in this race how are we suppose believe that Pioneerofthenile is really a true derby contender? So this race is always great for helping you clear up the derby.

    In this race the pace should be hot and that leads me to an unlikely horse. I like Conservative as the winner and we should all be looking for and getting a decent price. Bred for it and maybe just a late bloomer as a three year old. Plus Shug is not the type of trainer to really care about rushing a horse of caliber. Yet at the same time he's not going to try a graded race to just try it. I also like Brave Victory in this race but have a feeling he will run out of gas in the end. Square Eddie is going to really have to show he can rate now more than ever. Not even sure why a horse who is in even prepping here? Maybe Preakness is on their mind more than the Derby.

    So for a Superfecta I'd go Conservative, Brave Victory, Square Eddie and lets put Masala to round out that Super. Still a great race for to watch and take notes about.

The Derby Picture Sharpens posted by Jan Hoadley

There's the expected and the unexpected then sometimes there's just reminders that they have good days and bad days. Most horse owners know that until a horse is truly tested we don't know how good they are. Until we ask for that last measure that they have to give above their training and tap into their HEART we don't know if it's there. This is true for dressage horses, jumpers, reiners and every discipline but perhaps isn't so visible as with horse racing.

 Last weekend Dunkirk drew up with what looked to be another win on his record coming out of the turn but Quality Road found that heart. He not only looked his competitor in the eye but gave a "not today" flick of the tail and drew away to win in what looked too easy. Sometimes the challenge is less obvious, but this year is shaping up to be a banner year for the California horses shipping to Kentucky.

In the Santa Anita Derby Pioneer of the Nile lept out but in Feisty Suances and Unbridled Roman led until Pioneer of the Nile decided he was not content and took hold on the back side to push towards the front. Pioneer Of the Nile and Chocolate Candy once aain pushed a rivalry as first and second at the wire and it leaves Bob Baffert as the record fifth winner of the race. There wasn't a lot of pace and the dark colt looks like he needs something to run at. He gets at the front and the "fun" is over without something to run after. Often that is what gets a horse beaten as by the time a rival comes on it's too late. Pioneer Of The Nile it seems has not yet found his best stride - there's the question of it's as if there's something more and he hasn't yet hit his best effort.

The emotional time of year for horse racing posted by Jan Hoadley

Perhaps the spring brings more highs and lows to racing than any other time. There's the hope of brilliance as three year olds mature and find (or lose) what it takes to be a champion. There's disappointment, such as The Pamplemousse being scratched just before the Santa Anita Derby due to soreness and a concern on one leg - good for the horse but nonetheless disappointing. There's the buzz of a two year old by Songandaprayer who sizzled an eighth of a mile in 9.4 seconds at Keeneland Then there's the even more extreme off the track - the ushering in of a new generation of foals and too often saying goodbye to others.

Weekend in Indy, dam of Any Given Saturday and Bohemian Lady was bred to Distorted Humor for a full sibling to Any Given Saturday but the 14 year old mare had foaling complications and died along with her foal in mid January. There is a yearling colt and 3 year old filly, both by Distorted Humor.

 There's the unfortunate reminder that for all they've done they're still just horses when one of the top 2 year olds of 2001, Saarland, was euthanized after injuries from running into a feeder. His daughter Saarlight had just a few days earlier won a stakes at Laurel, and Saarland himself had been pensioned for fertiity issues.

 Grade I winner Got Koko had a respectable career including in the Lady's Secret Breeders Cup Handicap where she won over Azeri. The daughter of Signal Tap delivered a Bernardini foal March 4 and died from foaling complications. The foal survived. She was just 10 years old and highlights that every foaling is a risk. Too often people who "love their horse (usually an ordinary mare" and want to breed never consider she could die. Even in the best of circumstances with experienced people and top vets they can die. Got Koko earned three Texas championships and was Horse of the Year there in 2003.

Quality Road cashes Derby ticket in record time posted by Jan Hoadley

Dunkirk ran well but Quality Road ran a monster race in the Florida Derby.

Dunkirk has shown a lot of promise but a track record effort for Quality Road, a pretty and fast son of Elusive Quality out of a daughter of Strawberry Road. Casey's On Call set the early pace, with Dunkirk, a $3.7 million yearling making his third start, threatened but finished a tired second.

Quality Road heads to Kentucky with 3 wins and a second from 4 starts and a 1 1/8 mile track record at Gulfstream of 1:47.72 He's clearly got the speed, he's got time until the Derby and he's a legitimate horse to go.

Alysheba euthanized in Kentucky posted by Jan Hoadley

The gutsy Alysheba who won the 1987 Kentucky Derby and was Horse of the Year has been euthanized.

  Last fall he was pensioned and King Abdullah sent the 24 year old to the Kentucky Horse Park from Saudi Arabia so he would be home where the public could see him. It was a gift to American racing fans. Alysheba fell in the stall and was not able to get up. A veterinarian was summoned and he was transported but had badly injured his right hind femur. It was not responding and combined to a chronic spinal condition that caused the fall the pain and inability to stand left only one humane choice for the champion.

Alyshea won the Derby and the Preakness and was nosed ut in the Breeders Cup Classic by Ferdinand. He was the richest horse in the world until Cigar and then last year Curlin broke his record. A memorial will be planned at the Park. Rest in peace champ.

His loss makes the second Derby winner lost in just over a week following the loss of Lil E Tee, the 1992 Kentucky Derby winner who was euthanized due to complications from an intestinal problem. Lil E Tee was the only Pennsylvania bred to win the Derby until Smarty Jones repeated in 2004.

Judge closes Jockeys' Guild bankruptcy case (AP)

A federal bankruptcy judge has closed the case of the Jockeys' Guild, ending the long-running court supervision of the riders' trade association. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Stosberg signed the order this week to end the two-year process. The guild had previously settled a legal fight with its former director and came up with a plan to pay debts related to its health insurance plan. [read full article]

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Sal the Barber wins Belmont's Don Jack Stakes (AP)

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