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Book Review: Ready Player One
Ernest Cline. Ready Player One. New York: Crown Publishers, 2012. 384 pages. This is a hard novel to review. I’ve got to confess that I came very close to not making it more than a twenty pages into this book. It’s set in a dystopian future, with a disillusioned teenager … Continue Reading ?
Frantasticulous
The Champion Stakes wasn’t Frankel’s most brilliant win (replay), but it didn’t have to be. His winning margin was 1 3/4 lengths, well below his average, and the provisional ratings of 139 from Timeform and 137 from Racing Post put the race slightly below his best. But he exits, a perfect 14-for-14, and that’s what [...]
Firsts and Lasts in Ontario
In advance of a trip to Woodbine for next Sunday’s Pattison Canadian International Stakes, I’ve been reading up on the race’s history. It’s drawn globetrotters such as Dahlia; it’s been part of championship seasons like that of 1997 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Chief Bearhart. It was also Secretariat’s last race. That the Triple Crown winner [...]
Beta
Mike Watchmaker on the Travers: Alpha looked like he was going to win a few strides before the wire, but he was unable to completely close the deal. It was almost as if no one really wanted it. That’s the trouble with Alpha (from this handicapper’s perspective). He’s a beautifully made and classy horse — [...]
Super Frankel
“I suppose steer is the word, isn’t it?,” Tom Queally said to Racing UK analyst Nick Luck after riding Frankel this afternoon to his 13th straight win in the Juddmonte International at York (replay link; no video embedding allowed). It was the first time Frankel went beyond a mile in what’s been a smashing three-season [...]
Majestic Prince: Vintage Footage
Another gem out there on Youtube.
Year of the Blue-Collar Horse
A post-Breeders’ Cup malaise combined with the arrival ofcolder weather and the end-of-semester crunch has left me uninspired. Can yousay “burnout”? I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting this and yet the sport feelscompelled to shove more and more racing at us. Show More Summary
"Last-Out PID" Handicapping Angle for Keeneland
On Keeneland’s opening day, the “last-out at PID”handicapping angle worked well for me—with Hoofit ($25.60) winning the G3Phoenix, and Gutsy Call ($12.40) taking race 10. Neither horse should have beenso underestimated. Well-bred Gutsy...Show More Summary
Shiny Beads and Shallow Flattery
I’m as guilty as the next person of focusing adisproportionate amount of attention on the “stars” of horseracing—namely, 3-year-olds and a diminishing number of older horses challengingthe renowned G1 races. All-too-often their stories overshadow those of horses who,in another age, would have been worshipped for their durability. Show More Summary
Kelso' Greatest Fans
The passing of Hall of Fame trainer Carl Hanford brought tomind fond recollections of Kelso, a horse who raced before my time, but onethat makes my top 10 list of those whose exploits I wish I could have witnessedfirsthand. Of all his...Show More Summary
Race Track Twisters
Wednesday’s tornado that hit Churchill Downs damaged barns,but fortunately no horses or people were injured. Back in April, I wrote of the1915 tornado that damaged the Latonia track and killed 11 race horses on a PennsylvaniaRailroad train bound for Windsor, Ontario. Show More Summary
Stay Thirsty, My Friend
Post positions for the Belmont Stakes have been drawn, with Derby winner Animal Kingdom (9) and Preakness victor Shackleford (12) outside of Nehro (6), but flanking Mucho Macho Man (10). Euro invader Master of Hounds who shipped in Tuesday...Show More Summary
CONFIRM
Bright, bay and beautifully bold - INGLORIOUS takes the 56th Woodbine Oaks Cindy Pierson Dulay photo WOODBINE OAKS - PLATE TRIAL day Stunning afternoon sees wagering spike, $4.4 million bet, up from $3.6! INGLORIOUS - 83 - “If she’s doing well, she’s going [...]
IMAGE
Aaaah, school reunions, very surreal, with a bit of the bizarre and yet very rewarding. Back from a weekend away, likely the last one as the big races are coming.. let’s catch up and get set for WOODBINE OAKS day. FIFTY PROOF - 96 BEYER TO WIN GRADE [...]
PRANCE
POSING - Jockey Krista Carignan knows she’s going to win and looks around as the fleet filly MY NATALIE wins at Fort Erie last Sunday by more than 7 lengths for owner/trainer MARTY DREXLER. NORM FILES PHOTO Join THOROUGHBLOG AT FORT ERIE on MAY 23 (holiday Monday) for a free handicapping seminar discussing approaches [...]
R High Figure
As measured by the speed figure makers, the Kentucky Derby field may be “solid, competitive … and slow,” but there’s a dominant figure in the Oaks. Speaking of figures … “Frankel’s performance can only be described as awesome,” said the official BHA handicapper for milers, apparently as awed as everyone else watching Frankel cheerfully gut [...]
IRON
HEAD’S UP - the snow is coming again this week to southern Ontario and it will be cold! Still some winter to go even if Spring is supposed to arrive 2 nite! But….less than 2 weeks until WOODBINE OPENS… YAY! Sovereign Awards and racing coming up!! his gaffer is by young sire MIDNIGHT LUTE out [...]
Positive Suggestions To Help Fort Erie Grow
Bill Finley just did a piece Constructive, Realistic Fixes. In the article he suggests 7 very doable things that horse racing can do to help improve horse racing's growth. You may not agree with all 7 of his suggestions, but he does make a good case for each. Show More Summary
Groundhogs, Gaga, and Other Ramblings
Last month, my microwave broke. I have had to cook. Real food. Gone is the luxury of quickly heating up some kind of frozen pre-made concoction that my children happily devour. Instead I find myself perusing cookbooks and writing shopping...Show More Summary
Classy Kat
A Beyer speed figure of 90 for Kathmanblu, winner of the one-mile Sweetest Chant over the Gulfstream grass on Saturday (replay). “It may be sacrilege to say,” tweeted @BH_MaidenWatch minutes after the race, “but Kathmanblu is starting to remind me of a former Maiden Watch horse named Rachel.” I’m not quite ready to commit myself [...]
