We talk about horses, the sport of the kings and occasionally about stocks. We also do talk about wagering so If you are not over 21 yrs or do not wish to access content on wagering because of legal reasons or your religion, you are welcome to not read this blog.
So... This is Animal Kingdom's big race in the UK over a straight mile on an undulating course. While the toteboard is showing some second favorites among Declaration of War and Elusive Kate, I am going to explain here my reasons for picking others as contenders/competitors to Animal Kingdom.
I am going to take a shot with the other Gosden horse Gregorian (only a gr3 winner). Then with Trade Storm (he came well from a slow start in the Zabeel mile in Mar).
and also with Aljamaaheer.
The reason I am picking the Gregorian is because he is now riding with lesser weight than his other races where has run close to the top position at finish or won.
I am taking also some exacta shots with , w , , Also a place shot at Sovereign Debt. might regret for not adding him to exacta. I am going against the 4 Declaration of War... overhyped excuse horse in my opinion!
Good luck AK, Good luck all horses to finish well and safe.
June 17, 2013
Got an email today from Nike about custom sneakers.
You can customize colors, sole, trim colors, laces etc and also add a personal ID (upto 6 characters on each tongue - they do screen for some "offensive words" like f* words etc.--but the screening program is not very good). However if you do play around and are able to get past the screening program that does not mean the company may still manufacture it as I am sure they might have a human check prior to actual production or printing. So, your order could get cancelled (or you will be emailed) at some stage if you really want to risk using words that may violate their policy.
Anyhow, my choices would be Holy Bull or Ghost Zapper - Hope they are not "trademarked names".
and if I had $ 145 to spend on sneakers I would get either of those as a commemoration those great horses' achievements.
I am just doing this for fun as I recently watched Ghost Zapper's BC classic win and am generally pumped up by front running winner (like Fort Larned now) and hopefully Verrazano (at 1.25 mi in the future?). Below, is the video of the front running Ghost Zapper in his BC Classic record making run at Lone Star Park (record time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostzapper).
Sir Henry Cecil, the Scottish-born trainer who had a superb record of 25 British Classic winners and over 75 winners at the Royal Ascot, passed away at the age of 70. He died from complications arising out of cancer. He was the trainer of Frankel, the highest rated horse in the history of thoroughbred racing (well, at least by the British rating agency Timeform).
The visit to Penn National Racecourse for the Penn mile - the half a million dollar turf mile race for 3 yrs in North America (or at least USA), was a great success. I got to take along with me several friends who were all new to horse racing and one of them showed avid interest in handicapping and also ended up placing some bets.
Here is a clip from the start of the race...
The start of the Penn Mile Race
Of course, he played big longshots and unfortunately for us, the race he bet went to the favorites in 1-2 positions. Rydilluc came first, the odds on Charming Kitten (who came 2nd) were only moderate (The other fav Noble Tune did not fire). Still, it was a fun day to be out enjoying the great weather in Hershey PA area. The track saw a good turnout of people and the track side food was quite good. I had an odd combination of food - ice cream, really good potato chips and beer. Ok ok not so healthy.. but then I cook healthy food all the time, so I took a break today!
It was cool to see Johnny Velazquez, Joel Rosario and easily identify them. I could not identify Edgar Prado (but of course, I have never seen many pics of him for some reason!). I missed seeing Javier, Luis Saez and others as I was staring at the form.
I did however, get to see a jockey objection and disqualification, so I got to see good variety at the track!
A quick clip of the horses racing down the stretch at the finish!
Without much ado, here are some pics!
Dirt track, and beyond that was the turf track , Spectator standing close to finish line - staking out a good location
Post parade before Race 2, I think.
Dirt track with the toteboard and results monitor.
Rydilluc with Edgar Prado (left) - Charming Kitten (with Joel Rosario (right)
Rydilluc, winner of the 0.5 Million Penn Turf Mile
Gregorian (only a gr3 winner).
Trade Storm (he came well from a slow start in the Zabeel mile in Mar).
Aljamaaheer.
, 
Sovereign Debt. might regret for not adding him to exacta.
