My thoughts here concern Royal Ascot principally. as you might guess, from the different perspectives of the hallowed event.
However my story starts years back in Culver City Ca. The Fox Hills Country Club and my buddy Rowdy Yates. The occasion was the annual CBS studios golf tournament. The father of a neighbor girl was a CBS exec and invited me to be a caddy in the outing. I drew (to my surprise) a big raw boned guy with a calm manner, a quiet voice and one-a-hell-of-a slice. We became close over the next 5 hours in a way that only two guys like fish out of water and a finite supply of golf balls might.
That was the extent of my relationship with Clint. When his subsequent landmark spaghetti westerns became iconic and the title above a part of our national lexicon Mr. Eastwood became cemented into my memory.
With the clock counting down to the penultimate day of the tourney
The Bad
I bought winning onmi/swinger tickets in both the of first two days. The first in the race which saw a 2/5 favorite United States run out and paid 2.20 for each $1.00. On the second day I found one worth $2.70 for each $1.00, gag me with a spoon! Oh the horror of the takeout.
The Ugly
---------> They\'ll Let Anybody In (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/23/royal-ascot-marred-brawl-bare-chested-race-goer-shouts-finish/)
The Good
I like that the races, up to a mile i guess, are run straight. They start is off in the distance with little horses who grow in size as they approach the finish line which is sort of right in front of the crowd. For the live patrons, I suppose it is difficult to determine who is where from the head on view. All told it makes for exciting finishes.
Generally no ground loss for figure makers. Could be healthier for the horses? All in all it seems preferable to running around a turn. Contrasted to the need in the U.S. for a multi use facility.
Twenty of thirty entrants in a race. Heaven for long shot seekers like myself.
Have not noticed much from the U.S. trainers yet. G. Motion\'s Miss Aurelia was a winner once again (day 1). I have not looked ahead maybe there are some U.S. runner\'s today and in tomorrow\'s finale.
I hope those of you battling the elements of the phony climate change survive the heat, the winds, the floods, the fires. The visual spectacle of hats and tuxedos is pleasantly mind numbing in its apparent civilization.
Today I may risk turning on the sound.
Here we go again
Rather than try and beat the favorite Caravaggio, or try cash another 6/5 onmi swinger I\'m going superstitious with Lucky #11 Visionary. Trained by Robert Cowell a possible relationship to super successful Simon. And ridden by J. Spencer grandson of one my favorite guitarists.
Considering I\'m in to be entertained as in not for profit looks like $1 to place. It\'s a slow Fiday morning. Only six races together. How to turn a 20/1 horse into a 2/1 bet.
Geography angle
#13 Wisconsin, bred in Japan trained and raced in Ireland. 3 y/o fillies going 1+3/4 miles.
another place bet to get my $1 back.
Talk about ground loss. Wisconsin ran yuge considering his trip.
When I saw that I knew my $1 was in big trouble. Yet she did lead for a furlong or so.
What a venue that facility is. I\'m sure I don\'t have the hang of their racing. Too many people or too much money knows who the standouts are. No super trainers to mix things up. That Johnston guy seems to be having a good meet.
Big Day Tomorrow. Good Luck to all who jump in!