Phillies take a Halladay posted by David

After the way Cliff Lee pitched against the Yankees in the World Series six weeks ago, I would have been surprised to hear that the Phillies were even listening to offers for their ace.  But when the chance to acquire Roy Halladay comes around, I suppose any team would be crazy not to listen.  Before I knew it, Halladay was a Phillie and Lee was heading to Seattle, where he’ll join his third club in the span of four and a half months.  How often does that happen to the defending Cy Young Award winner?

Mauer wins Triple Crown in my book

No major leaguer has won the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967, but this year Joe Mauer did lead the American League in what should be the three Triple Crown categories: batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444), and slugging percentage (.587).  Home runs are exciting and contribute to a higher slugging percentage, but if I were a manager, I’d much rather see my cleanup hitter go 3-4 than hit a solo shot and strike out three times trying to do it again.  Reaching 100 RBI’s in a season is a nice accomplishment, but the stat itself is overrated.  If all nine guys in the lineup are getting on base 40 percent of the time, it doesn’t matter who is driving them in; someone must be.

Granderson to patrol center in the Bronx

At the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis last week, the Yankees landed themselves a great centerfielder in Curtis Granderson.  Many of Granderson’s fans – myself included – were disappointed that he will be wearing Pinstripes next season.  Even so, I’ll keep rooting for him wherever he goes.  Of all the people I met at the World Baseball Classic, he was the happiest to be there.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Curtis Granderson is the truest friend of the game.

Breeders Cup weekend - will it answer questions or create them? posted by Jan Hoadley

Breeders Cup weekend started yesterday with an incredible performance in the Marathon. The gritty 9 year old Cloudy's Knight loped to the lead coming out of the turn and looked to be a winner until Man of Iron loomed on the inside. Coming out of the turn it shows what this weekend is all about. Both horses dug down for every ounce of energy they had and it took a photo to separate them. Perhaps Cloudy's Knight didn't see the challenger in time but the gutsy old guy fought back not giving up and driving back desperately.

 Yesterday was "ladies day" with features that included some of the top fillies. We saw the two year old She Be Wild get the Breders Cup Juvenile fillies while Midday captured the Filly & Mare Turf. Some said the Ladies Classic would be less than normal without Zenyatta, but such was not the case. Careless Jewell opened up to roll away from the field but couldn't hold on. Her strides shortened on the turn and in the stretch Life is Sweet romped to the front opened up by daylight - awesome race.

 Today are some bigger questions. Will Zenyatta beat the boys is the biggest with one of the most exciting Classic fields in some time. If she does it seems she's certainly earned Horse of the Year. I know Rachel Alexander has done a lot and at this point - BC morning - the 3 year old filly has credentials for the honor. She's done all that has been asked of her. She's set records. However, if Zenyatta should win the Classic, she would too. Beating the best in the world - I think she's a wrap for older mare as is Rachel for 3 year old (mare and top 3 year old) - but the Classic is where Zenyatta really has little to lose. If she wins she's the reigning queen. If she doesn't she's still the best older mare. Many believe this is a big step up but that's where we find the best.

The Thoroughbred World Loses Legends posted by Jan Hoadley

It's been a tough month for champions in the TB world. As mentioned in a previous post Gone West was lost. The others are also major horses that have left fans reeling.

 There's the loss, to a heart attack in his pasture, of popular sire El Prado of the 21st.

On the heels of hearing that was news of Summer Squall being euthanized due to age. Summer Squall chased Unbridled in one of the most memorable Derby races of all time. Summer Squall came back in the Preakness to the race that defined the gutsy race horse.

Sitting fourth down the backside Summer Squall put it in gear with Unbridled on the outside as they sat down for a drive and they collared the leader with Unbridled and Summer Squall head to head for several strides  then drawing off to an impressive win.

Today news came of two more major losses in Cryptoclearance and Kona Gold.

Cryptoclearance maybe didn't win a Triple Crown but he was always right there knocking at the wire. Now 25 he had a heart attack from complilcations following colic surgery.

Continue reading "The Thoroughbred World Loses Legends"

5 Top True Sports Movies posted by Jan Hoadley

The best sports movies can vary. What sport you like makes a difference too! There's classics like Chariots of Fire and underrated like Prefontaine and can't miss Friday Night Lights. For the horse racing fan there are special movies too. The five best in my opinion are not only for the horses they represent but the larger than life story around them. In no particular order, check these out!  ( MORE)

We're Seeing History posted by Jan Hoadley

Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward Stakes today in a smoking time of 1:48.1 holding off a hard charging Macho Again. She still has critics. She has won from coast to coast, at the top, against fillies, against 3 year olds, now against older horses. She has a perfect, unblemished season. She's been criticized she didn't "work for it" in some races - can't be said for the Woodward. There were several gunning for her waiting for a mistake from the three year old filly who dared tread outside her gender AND age! It's criticized she won't be at the Breeders Cup but it seems like unless something spectacular happens then she's done everything she needs to do for Horse of the Year, top 3 year old, top 3 year old filly and only Zenyatta arguably could stand between her and a clean sweep to best female running.

 For many racing isn't about the Pick 6 or the Daily Double. Many who enjoy a good horse never bet a trifecta and wouldn't think of dropping a hundred dollar bet on horses betting. They're no less important to the sport. No female has won the Woodward - ever! The word "great" and "legend" is bantered about too often.

 This is an incredibly special horse. She's running on level with speed figures of Sunday Silence, she's maybe not against Derby winners as Slew/Affirmed challenged..but is that her fault? Where is last year's Derby winner? What should she prove?

Human nature wants to push the limits. By pushing limits we find how good a horse is but each time is a risk. While many criticize for not running Rachel in the Breeders Cup due to the poly track recent studies shows it's a very real risk indeed! If a horrific breakdown occurs is it worth it to see her and Zenyatta? The answer in hindsight is always no and accusations of greed and cruelty - but before hand people scream for speed. Foolish Pleasure and Ruffian. Bayakoa and Go For Wand.

Great Sports Moments in Horse Racing posted by Jan Hoadley

 Horse racing has some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. There are stories that are quite unlike other sports because the main players do not care about prize money or earnings and have no concept of retirement. The horses themselves either have the will to run and compete or they don't, and if they don't there is no amount of whipping that will make them be a champion.

In looking for the best moments in the sport several come to mind not only for the horses themselves but the people around them.

Continue HERE.

Tips For Betting The Ponies posted by Chris Johnson

In the world of horse racing, many people chose to watch the races for the excitement. There are the novice horse wager, who will choose a horse to bet on, by their appearance. When it comes to the more seasoned veteran of horse gambling, they take an even broader approach to choosing a winning horse. Now there are those who look at just the winning horse, the top two, or the tri-vecta (top three).

There are several books on the market to help teach a “system” of betting on the results in horse racing. Then there are those who choose to create there own “system” that works for them.

When it comes to horse racing, there is no “sure-fire” way to pick the winning horse every time. To choose the horses that are more likely to win a race, there are several factors to consider. How did the horse perform in its last race, its last 5 races, its last 10 races, the jockey, the weather, the turf, etc. All of these factors come into play, when a person bets their “hard-earned” money on a horse race.

First, let’s get ourselves a racing form, not the free racing forms at the horse track, but the Daily Racing Form. This will give us more information to make our chooses by. Look at the last 10 races the horses competed in. Some will say the best place in handicapping the horses is to look at the trainer and jockey. Though checking our the trainer and jockey is a part of the process, it’s the horse that really matters.  

When checking the last 10 horse races, you have to keep in mind the amounts of money the horses competed for. This helps to determine the higher-grade of horse you’re looking at. Higher rated horses usually have a determining factor in the outcome of other horse races. If the horse competed against higher earning horses, and lost, then that information aides in determining the horses ability to win. Look at the finishing position and speed figures, this will aide you in the determining factors or the race. Always attempt to not bet on horses that are moving up in grades. These horses have a more difficult time adjusting to the tempo or pace, of a higher-grade race.
Continue reading "Tips For Betting The Ponies"

top female thoroughbred athletes posted by Jan Hoadley

"The best female athletes in horse racing warrant attention as much as the colts as in most cases the best challenged and beat the colts. Among the greatest fillies in the sport of horse racing is one that complete statistics can't be given and two that died doing what they were bred to do  - run" (MORE HERE)Continue reading "top female thoroughbred athletes"

Pioneer of The Nile retired, Jade Hunter pensioned posted by Jan Hoadley

A soft tissue injury has ended the career of Pioneer of the Nile. The son of Empire Maker won 4 straight graded stakes and was 2nd in the Derby.

From one of his races, the santa Anita Derby:

Also Jade Hunter, sire of Azeri, has been pensioned from stud duty. Those interested in visiting him may do so - he is at Old Friends.

As a stallion:

Daughter Azeri at the top of her game - 2002 Breeders Cup Distaff.

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.

Harness driver Brian Sears earns 7,000th win (AP)

Harness driver Brian Sears has raced to his 7,000th victory. Sears reached the milestone in Friday's first race at the Meadowlands Racetrack when the 42-year-old driver guided trotter Muscles Marinara to an easy victory. Sears was harness racing's Driver of the Year in 2009. He surpassed $100 million in lifetime earnings, ranking him eighth on harness racing's career list. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Slew's Tiznow beats favorite to win at Santa Anita (AP)

Slew's Tiznow ran down heavy favorite Aggie Engineer in the final yards to win the $56,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita on Friday. Aggie Engineer went straight to the front of the field of five as expected, but Slew's Tiznow and rider Garrett Gomez seized the lead in the final sixteenth and won by a half-length, covering one mile in 1:36. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Kissa Melissa wins Big A feature (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Rachel & Zenyatta return to the races (AP)

The two leading ladies of American racing return to action Saturday, with 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra making her season debut in New Orleans and undefeated Zenyatta revisiting the scene of her Breeders' Cup triumph in California. If all goes well, the filly and the mare are scheduled to face each other for the first time on April 9 in the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational at... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Lookin At Lucky to make 2010 debut in Rebel (AP)

Lookin At Lucky won't be looking at much in Saturday's Rebel Stakes, and that's exactly how his trainer wants it. The Kentucky Derby hopeful will wear blinkers for the first time when he makes his 2010 debut in the second of Oaklawn Park's three big 3-year-old prep races. Lookin At Lucky headlines a seven-horse field for the Rebel in Hot Springs, Ark., which will be his first race... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports