My new favorite song

(not the greatest sounding version, but I promise, if you go and buy the album, "Chained to the Chariot" you will NOT be disappointed.)

Keep an eye on Rotary Downs, I'm thinking they've got some cool, big things ahead of them....

I'm Betting Against

Somewhere around 11:00am Saturday morning, I'll roll into the first floor of Portland Meadows to watch and wager on one race - the 4th at Belmont.

In the 4th at Belmont I will be betting against Even Money ML favorite and $16mil. purchase The Green Monkey.

My money will go elsewhere.

As my racing compadre said, and I whole-heartedly agree, "I hope he finishes dead last, or breaks the track record."

I'm not saying he will do either, but my money will be saying that he doesn't finish 1st or 2nd.

For those of you keeping score at home, I'm taking SixThirteen to win and boxing an exacta with Holla Bend. That's, Sat., Belmont, Race 4, #1 WIN, #1,5 EXACTA BOX.

So the racing world isn't perfect. Somehow, everytime we seem to lament and are in the midst of a slow-period, something extremely interesting pops up on the scene.

THIS is why we love this game.

Exclusive Footage

No wonder it's taken this long! What is Pletcher thinking with training methods like this?...

....and if you didn't think he was worth $16,000,000, then you haven't seen this

I love horses and I love horse racing. I love being involved in this crazy business.

Sometimes, however, one needs to expand horizons.

The following are some pics of expanded horizons (don't get me started on Teuflesberg, one of our BCFL stables' draft steals could have earned us some needed points at Turfway. Good thing we've got Lawyer Ron...)

The Big House - EMPTY

The Big House - Full (109,733)

I think that's officially called "maize"


If you "click to enlarge" you'll see the score: Oregon 39 Michigan 7

Tailgate

Autzen Stadium - Eugene, Ore. (good seats on the field)

Qwest Field (Seattle, Wash.) - Empty

Qwest Field - Full

Qwest Field w/ dt Seattle in background (I feel like I took the same exact shots last year!)

Beautiful Hood River, Ore.

A blurry Stevie Wonder (if he comes near your town, fork over the shekels, it's way worth it)

Mongolian Grill

Dancing Nancie

Could this be the end of racing in Oregon?

Can't say I'm surprised at this development.

I know for a fact that OTB's can make money in this state. I wonder if MEC is willing to sell those rights separately.....?

In honor of Dwight Manley's resignation today from the Jockeys Guild, I thought I would (re)post an interview I did with Mr. Manley last year during Breeders' Cup week on the 5th floor at Churchill Downs.

Click here for the interview/post from 11/3/06.

Enjoy. Comment. Or don't.