Clearly, the Derby winning Mine That Bird deserves to be favored. Usually, coming out of the Derby and Preakness is the kiss of Death simply because of such hard surfaces in 2 weeks time, but this year the surfaces had a bit of cushion. This doesn't mean Bird will automatically be unhurt, but his chances are much better. Still, while he outran his bloodlines in the Derby, and ran true to them in the Preakness, we can figure the Derby is the one race against form, and that he won't run as well in the Belmont.

The Preakness had a fairly soft field, as usual. Mine That Bird is still the class. Dunkirk can be excused his one clunker in the Derby. The big question is how soft were the California invaders? Since Pioneer of the Nile ran second in the Derby, one can give credibility to the West Coast this year, at least in the odds.

Continue reading "Could the Belmont be Hot Stuff?"

Racing starts in New York at 11:35 Eastern time, so go early if you want to make the thrid race.

It's a maiden race in which you have a triple whammy entrant. Trained by Zito, he raced at Keeneland, and he is a grandson of Star de Naskra. Allof these combine to figure on improved performance. WOODFORD MANHATTAN is likely to be about 15-1, coming off a poor showing on turf at Belmont. He ran second at Keeneland before that, and to be brutally honest, the best run at Keeneland.

His two main rivals are McGaughey's BIMINI and a 4 year old EMPIRIOR. Figure on you superfecta or tris to use these runners in about this order 6-8-4-12, with outside chances for the 2, 10, 7, 11, and 9.

3rd Belmont;

6 WOODFORD MANHATTAN 15-1

8 BIMINI 8-1

4 EMPIRIOR 8-1

12 FRENCHONIONSOUP 10-1

Continue reading "Spot plays for Belmont and Churchill on Belmont Day 6-6-2009"

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.

Continue reading "What Baffert said"