I've been somewhat MIA from the internet(s), knee-deep in research and organization. As I was publicly "outed" yesterday by the Bloodhorse, my excitement and anticipation continues to grow each day. I've been afforded a platform at one of this industry's largest networking events, and I plan to offer all of those in attendance unique insight that I believe has the potential to change the future of horse racing in North America forever!!
Currently, Robert Evans, CEO of CDI Inc. has been making the PR rounds with interviews on the Courier-Journal, DRF, and now he shows up at Times-Picayune/NOLA.com, just in time for the re-opening of the Fair Grounds. I wrote Mr. Evans' assistant a personal invitation to the blog panel next next week, but haven't heard back as of yet. I've been able to come up with some semblance of an email address for Mr. Evans and am in the process of trying to reach him directly. Not sure if it is correct, as no one at CDI would give me his direct e-mail - ahhh, the joys and respect that go along with being a blogger in the horse racing world!!
Mr. Robert/Bob Evans: If you're out there, I truly hope you can find 90 minutes to attend our discussion on December, 7th at 8:30 am at the Westin Paloma in Tucson, AZ. With all of your recent public comments about technology and change, I think you'll be able to contribute as well gain some more invaluable insight from our top-notch panel.
-What's the deal with all of the recent Jockey "tussles"? I, for one, enjoy hearing about jockeys mixing it up with one another in the jock's room after racing. It shows me they actually care about what goes on during a race. I'm sure a large percentage of these altercations have more to do with Jockey well-being and personal issues, but still, if these guys are taking swings at each other after a race, that shows some serious dedication and commitment to success on the track. Jonny V., P. Val, Mr Husbands, et. al. keep up the fire-y goodness!! This is one story, and here's another.
-I am currently in the lovely Nutmeg State, Connecticut and will make my way north to the Internet-less Bershire Mountains for a day or two starting tomorrow. I might be able to sneak down to the local town for some wireless action, but if I don't, I hope everyone has a great, happy, healthy, enjoyable Thanksgiving Day!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
APB Out on AvgHorsePlayer?
Where do the days go? I haven't posted here in almost a week now and I am beginning to feel embarrassed.
Huge (HUGE) props to my blogging brethren who have been kicking high-level ass over the past week. Every time I sit down to read and write, I come across another amazing post.
The past weeks have found me buried in research and preparation for one of the biggest events of my life.
Some of you already know this, but for those of you that don't...here goes:
Yours truly has humbly accepted an invitation to be a part of an upcoming panel at the 32nd Annual Symposium on Racing and Gaming hosted by the University of Arizona's Racetrack Industry Program.
The panel I will be speaking on is entitled, "The Blog: New Media Monster?
The moderator for the panel is Bob Wolff, VP - Public Relations, Robert Brandt and Associates. Here's a link to his company. If you click on the first "face" on the left, you can get more information on Mr. Wolff.
Other panelists will be:
Dr. Nora Ganim Barnes, Chancellor Professor of Marketing, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth- Here's a link to Ms. Barnes' bio courtesy of UMASS-Dartmouth's website.
Stephen W. Dittmore, Assistant Professor, East Stroudsburg University - Here's a link to Mr. Dittmore's University of Louisville's Bio page and here's a link to Mr. D's resume.
If you're keeping score at home, that's one VP and two PhD’s. Hopefully I'll be able to hold my own, even though my highest level of completed education is a few years short of a Ph. D.
With only a Master's Degree under my belt, I hope to bring my recent real world experiences to the table to provide insight and focus to the meaning and future of blogs, Internet technologies and horse racing.
I've been working my tail off recently researching and putting together thoughts and ideas to bring to the table for this event. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas of their own that they think I should know about, please feel free to email me: drubin14@hotmail.com
In the meantime, I look forward to covering this industry with my fellow bloggers. Providing links, ideas, and opinions that the MS(HR)M are unable to provide is something that I know we all take very seriously.
Thank you for reading, and thank you all that have been supportive in this movement. The indsutry has a ways to go, but it looks like the powers that be are beginning to take notice. This is good news for everyone involved!
Huge (HUGE) props to my blogging brethren who have been kicking high-level ass over the past week. Every time I sit down to read and write, I come across another amazing post.
The past weeks have found me buried in research and preparation for one of the biggest events of my life.
Some of you already know this, but for those of you that don't...here goes:
Yours truly has humbly accepted an invitation to be a part of an upcoming panel at the 32nd Annual Symposium on Racing and Gaming hosted by the University of Arizona's Racetrack Industry Program.
The panel I will be speaking on is entitled, "The Blog: New Media Monster?
The moderator for the panel is Bob Wolff, VP - Public Relations, Robert Brandt and Associates. Here's a link to his company. If you click on the first "face" on the left, you can get more information on Mr. Wolff.
Other panelists will be:
Dr. Nora Ganim Barnes, Chancellor Professor of Marketing, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth- Here's a link to Ms. Barnes' bio courtesy of UMASS-Dartmouth's website.
Stephen W. Dittmore, Assistant Professor, East Stroudsburg University - Here's a link to Mr. Dittmore's University of Louisville's Bio page and here's a link to Mr. D's resume.
If you're keeping score at home, that's one VP and two PhD’s. Hopefully I'll be able to hold my own, even though my highest level of completed education is a few years short of a Ph. D.
With only a Master's Degree under my belt, I hope to bring my recent real world experiences to the table to provide insight and focus to the meaning and future of blogs, Internet technologies and horse racing.
I've been working my tail off recently researching and putting together thoughts and ideas to bring to the table for this event. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas of their own that they think I should know about, please feel free to email me: drubin14@hotmail.com
In the meantime, I look forward to covering this industry with my fellow bloggers. Providing links, ideas, and opinions that the MS(HR)M are unable to provide is something that I know we all take very seriously.
Thank you for reading, and thank you all that have been supportive in this movement. The indsutry has a ways to go, but it looks like the powers that be are beginning to take notice. This is good news for everyone involved!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
As the "Burners" say, I've been decompressing
It’s been a few days since my last post and I’ve been using those days to “recover” from what I am calling, “The Greatest Eight Days of My Life.”
What kind of recovery would I need after such an amazing experience? Since returning from Louisville, I’ve been using the time to decompress, refresh and re-organize.
The next few weeks will be exciting adventures which will take me back east to New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Capped off by a quick stop back here in Portland, before turning around for Tucson, AZ the first week of December.
I have so many shout-outs and thank yous to send out across the Internets(s), but I am still crafting that list – it is a long one! I can’t help but remember all of the good people I met on my epic journey to this year’s Breeders’ Cup.
In the meantime, I hope you are checking out all of the other TBA-ers, as they continue to rule the Wild Wild Web in alternative horse racing coverage.
So with this country a little bit bluer today, hopefully signifying a turn for the “more gooder”, I wish you all a good day and I promise to up the post ante from this point on.
It’s great to be back in Portland, but it’s even better keeping an eye on the future....
I’m off for some food and caffeine, but will be back soon with thoughts and thank yous.
If you aren’t already…have a great day!!
What kind of recovery would I need after such an amazing experience? Since returning from Louisville, I’ve been using the time to decompress, refresh and re-organize.
The next few weeks will be exciting adventures which will take me back east to New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Capped off by a quick stop back here in Portland, before turning around for Tucson, AZ the first week of December.
I have so many shout-outs and thank yous to send out across the Internets(s), but I am still crafting that list – it is a long one! I can’t help but remember all of the good people I met on my epic journey to this year’s Breeders’ Cup.
In the meantime, I hope you are checking out all of the other TBA-ers, as they continue to rule the Wild Wild Web in alternative horse racing coverage.
So with this country a little bit bluer today, hopefully signifying a turn for the “more gooder”, I wish you all a good day and I promise to up the post ante from this point on.
It’s great to be back in Portland, but it’s even better keeping an eye on the future....
I’m off for some food and caffeine, but will be back soon with thoughts and thank yous.
If you aren’t already…have a great day!!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
UPDATED w/ Youngest Jockey Correction 12:15 PM Breeders' Cup Classic Wrap-Up Press Conference and Breakfast
Just walked out of the final Press Conference for this year's Breeders' Cup week. John Asher hosted this morning's breakfast which retraced each and every race and brought back into the limelight those winning connections that still remained in Louisville.
As one of the greatest weeks of my life winds to a close here at storied Churchill Downs, here are some highlights and quotes from this morning's press event held in the 6th Floor Millionaires Row dining room.
Acting NTRA and Breeders' Cup CEO Greg Avioli kicked off the breakfast by saying, "We are looking to come back to Churchill Downs (although nothing has been finalized) as early as 2008.
JUVENILE FILLIES
Dreaming of Anna's Trainer, Wayne Catalano, "We haven't seen the best of this fillie until she gets back on the turf."
JUVENILE
Connections of Street Sense are, "Looking forward to running the first Saturday in May."
"We chose (Calvin) Borel to ride this horse specifically for his superior horsemanship."
Trainer Carl Nafzger comes of as what's great about this sport: loyalty, humility, patience, sense of humor, and an eye for talent.
FILLY AND MARE TURF
Ouija Board becomes only the 7th horse all-time to win two Breeders' Cup Races
Trainer Edward Dunlop, "Ouija Board has been a life changing experience for me and many others."
Ouija Board (and Red Rocks) jockey Frankie Dettori was awarded the Bill Shoemaker Award for outstanding Breeders' Cup jockey. The award given out annually is voted on by members of the international racing media.
Dettori was not in attendance at this morning's breakfast as he was on his way to Melbourne to ride in the upcoming Melbourne Cup.
Ouija Board owner Lord Darby was on hand to accept the award on behalf of Dettori who it was noted, made a stop in Las Vegas on his way to Melbourne.
My question: What's it like to be with a guy like Dettori in Vegas after pocketing nearly $400K in his two victories Saturday?
SPRINT
Trainer Doug O'Neil on Great Hunter, "Still on the Derby trail. He is a superior animal."
MILE
Winning jockey Eddie Castro (22) becomes the youngest to win a Breeders' Cup race (FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS) Until Jara (18) takes the Classic with Invasor
DISTAFF
This race (exacta) put me permanently up for the day. I happened to have Round Pond on top of BOTH Asi Siempre (DQ-ed) and Happy Ticket. I had more vested in the official order of finish, so the DQ worked in my favor
Everyone is still sobered by the tragic events that took place in this race
TURF
Red Rocks will target Dubai in the spring and then shoot for Monmouth Park in 2007
Trainer Brian Meehan said (even before the race) that this horse will be better a a 4 year-old.
CLASSIC
Kieran McLaughlin's brother, who spoke on behalf of the winning trainer said that Shiek Hamdan may race Invasor in Dubai, but "was too excited to make a decision and wanted to sleep on it last night."
As one of the greatest weeks of my life winds to a close here at storied Churchill Downs, here are some highlights and quotes from this morning's press event held in the 6th Floor Millionaires Row dining room.
Acting NTRA and Breeders' Cup CEO Greg Avioli kicked off the breakfast by saying, "We are looking to come back to Churchill Downs (although nothing has been finalized) as early as 2008.
JUVENILE FILLIES
Dreaming of Anna's Trainer, Wayne Catalano, "We haven't seen the best of this fillie until she gets back on the turf."
JUVENILE
Connections of Street Sense are, "Looking forward to running the first Saturday in May."
"We chose (Calvin) Borel to ride this horse specifically for his superior horsemanship."
Trainer Carl Nafzger comes of as what's great about this sport: loyalty, humility, patience, sense of humor, and an eye for talent.
FILLY AND MARE TURF
Ouija Board becomes only the 7th horse all-time to win two Breeders' Cup Races
Trainer Edward Dunlop, "Ouija Board has been a life changing experience for me and many others."
Ouija Board (and Red Rocks) jockey Frankie Dettori was awarded the Bill Shoemaker Award for outstanding Breeders' Cup jockey. The award given out annually is voted on by members of the international racing media.
Dettori was not in attendance at this morning's breakfast as he was on his way to Melbourne to ride in the upcoming Melbourne Cup.
Ouija Board owner Lord Darby was on hand to accept the award on behalf of Dettori who it was noted, made a stop in Las Vegas on his way to Melbourne.
My question: What's it like to be with a guy like Dettori in Vegas after pocketing nearly $400K in his two victories Saturday?
SPRINT
Trainer Doug O'Neil on Great Hunter, "Still on the Derby trail. He is a superior animal."
MILE
Winning jockey Eddie Castro (22) becomes the youngest to win a Breeders' Cup race (FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS) Until Jara (18) takes the Classic with Invasor
DISTAFF
This race (exacta) put me permanently up for the day. I happened to have Round Pond on top of BOTH Asi Siempre (DQ-ed) and Happy Ticket. I had more vested in the official order of finish, so the DQ worked in my favor
Everyone is still sobered by the tragic events that took place in this race
TURF
Red Rocks will target Dubai in the spring and then shoot for Monmouth Park in 2007
Trainer Brian Meehan said (even before the race) that this horse will be better a a 4 year-old.
CLASSIC
Kieran McLaughlin's brother, who spoke on behalf of the winning trainer said that Shiek Hamdan may race Invasor in Dubai, but "was too excited to make a decision and wanted to sleep on it last night."
9:05 AM Handle Record Details
Just want to clarify the handle records set yesterday (we like to be correct more often than not).
Saturday set a new "common pool sources handle record" for the Breeders' Cup. "The $136,726,378 breaks the old mark of $123,978241 set last year at Belmont."
The on-track total also set a BC record besting the previous mark set by Santa Anita in 2003. The total on-track handle topped out at $18.25 million.
$4.7+ million was bet into the Pick-6 pool with two tickets cashed for a payout of $1.4 million. 85 consolation tix were cashed for $11,318.
Saturday set a new "common pool sources handle record" for the Breeders' Cup. "The $136,726,378 breaks the old mark of $123,978241 set last year at Belmont."
The on-track total also set a BC record besting the previous mark set by Santa Anita in 2003. The total on-track handle topped out at $18.25 million.
$4.7+ million was bet into the Pick-6 pool with two tickets cashed for a payout of $1.4 million. 85 consolation tix were cashed for $11,318.
BC Classic Press Conference Part 1
This was from Satursay, but YouTube wasn't being very cooperative. There will be another part to this entry later on today at some point.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Handle Record..
$137+ Million sets the record for largest single day handle.
Attendance was 75,132 3rd largest in Breeders' Cup history.
Attendance was 75,132 3rd largest in Breeders' Cup history.
BREAKING NEWS: SHADWELL RIPS ANDY BEYER
In a post victory press conference, Shadwells, Rick Nichols called Andy Beyer's piece on The Maktoum family, "PIECE OF TRASH JOURNALISM."
In case you missed it, here's the article.
More press conference material to come and keep an eye out for all of the stories in other publications to capture the displeasure Shadwell has with Mr. Beyer.
In case you missed it, here's the article.
More press conference material to come and keep an eye out for all of the stories in other publications to capture the displeasure Shadwell has with Mr. Beyer.
5:20 PM 10 Minutes to Post
10 minutes to post and STILL no signs of double will pays for me. Oh well.
The Pick-4 will pay, which TVG finally showed is for $11k. The next closest is Invasor at $48K.
Good Luck Mike!!
5:08 PM Classic Time SHOW ME WILL PAYS!!
Mike over at Curb Your Enthusiasm is here at Churchill and his crew are alive in the Pick Four. They have Bernardini!!
No one is showing WILL PAYS THOUGH!!
I have a Double riding and can't find those anywhere either.
What is going on. I am up a good amount for the day, so thi sis all icing on the cake.
I had Red Rocks to win, and had Exacta in the Distaff
I am on Will Pay Watch....
No one is showing WILL PAYS THOUGH!!
I have a Double riding and can't find those anywhere either.
What is going on. I am up a good amount for the day, so thi sis all icing on the cake.
I had Red Rocks to win, and had Exacta in the Distaff
I am on Will Pay Watch....
4:33 PM
MAJOR TECHNICAL DIFFUCULTIES ARE NOT ALLOWING ME TO RECORD ANY MORE AUDIO RIGHT NOW!!
I am going to try and use the video camera here on. I def. want comments for the big race coming up.
Now, the TURF!!!
I am going to try and use the video camera here on. I def. want comments for the big race coming up.
Now, the TURF!!!
4:10 PM This sucks, but...
This turn of events is really sad and has taken the air out of my first victory of the day.
Ugly stuff, guys but it is a part of the game.
Ugly stuff, guys but it is a part of the game.
Just ran into...
Kenny Mayne in the press room. He was cashing in tickets. Turns out he hit the early pick-4 (goo for him) and likes th #2 and #14 here in the Distaff....Good Times
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
