LostCode

In case you haven't seen this, here is a link to an article by someone near and dear to us.   Read it and see what you think.  It's innovative (that's code for I haven't decided if I like it or not) and could result in better quality races, bigger fields, and better payouts.  Take a look.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/columns/story?columnist=plonk_jeremy&id=3696177

I'm not sure if this is a fan that is a) dedicated, b) too dedicated, c) crazy.  You be the judge. 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/754268.html

I've enjoyed reading from those who had a good day Saturday.  I probably had my worst day ever.  I over thought, over handicapped and over bet the fourth through the ninth races.  I'm not ready for prime time, well, synthetic tracks anyway.  And I sure have trouble trying to figure out foreign horses.

Looking back on this year's races and horses brings to mind three highly hyped runners that sure didn't finish the season at that level.  I remember, and I'm sure you do too, the commotion over Pyro.  He didn't quite live up to his early billing.

Another one we heard a lot about for a short time was Harlem Rocker.  He was supposed to be the new Curlin it seemed.

And then the one that was going to beat everyone in the world, Casino Drive.  I think he was lucky he couldn't run against Big Brown in the Belmont.  He may have done worse and saved Brown from finishing last.

It amazes me how horses can look so good one day and then they can look so bad.  I guess it goes to Curlin's credit that he looked so good most of the time.  What a pleasure it has been to have seen him run for these two years.

I know this will be controversial but my horse of the year is Zenyatta.  She was just so impressive and especially last Friday.  What a great horse and what a great race.  She puts those ears up and goes about her business.  Some will say she never beat the boys but then Curlin never beat the girls (i.e. Rags to Riches).  She's undefeated and she gets my vote even if my vote means nothing.

I've taken a blood oath never to play a synthetic track again.  The oath, of course, should only last for, say. a month or maybe less.  I'll be glad when Churchill opens and I hope the betting problems are worked out so my outlet down here in Florida can carry the simulcast.  Congratulations to everyone who did well Saturday and may good luck continue for you. 

If you didn't think the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) was serious about steroids, check out this link.  I hope this is a start for other jurisdictions to follow.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/August/08/CHRB-to-reclassify-anabolic-steroids.aspx

There hasn't been much talk here about Big Brown.  AmCapper is the only one to have anything to say about the horse.  I know JP doesn't want to talk about him as he does not like the connections.  Too many want to write this horse off as a dud.  Well, lets look at the Haskell.

 Big Brown won the The Haskell Invitational August 3, 2008.  He won by 1 3/4 lengths.  The final race time was 1:48.31.  The first quarter was run in :23.05, the first half in :46.2, the three quarter in 1:10.85, the mile in 1:35.20 and the final was 1:48.31.  Last year's race fractions were First quarter in :23.49, the first half in :47, the three quarter in 1:10.70, the mile in 1:35.58 and the final was 1:48.35.  This year's race (2008) was just a tad faster than the race of 2007.

 Last year (2007) Curlin beat Imawildandcrazyguy, Cable Boy, Xchanger, and Reata's Shadow.  Last year, Curlin was beat by Any Given Saturday and Hard Spun.  This year (2008) Big Brown beat them all.  If you compare the horses that Curlin beat last year in the Haskell to the horses Big Brown beat this year I think you'll find them quite comparable.  The horses Curlin beat weren't any better than what Big Brown beat Sunday. 

 Big Brown did win The Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.  Curlin only won the Preakness.  Did they write Curlin off after the Haskell last year? No.

Is Big Brown a better horse than Curlin?  Who knows.  Curlin is a four year old and Big Brown is three.  If they met right now I think Curlin would win.  I think Big Brown has some medical problems.  I base this on comments (only comments) that others have made who attended the race at Monmouth.  The comments concerned what appeared to be his weight loss.  Is this due to a medical problem or the lack of steroids? 

This is what I hope for.  I hope Big Brown runs again.  I hope he has a new jockey.  I hope he and Curlin meet sometime this year on dirt or turf, but just meet.  If they meet, it will be good for me, it will be good for you and most of all, it will be good for horse racing.  Oh, and it will get the elephant out of the room.  Well, unless its a dead heat!!!!!