Gulfstream Park

[BitPlayer]

The comments from Gary Stevens on the Florida Derby telecast regarding the kickback being generally bad at Gulfstream, but particularly bad yesterday, were interesting.

I was amused by his slightly backhanded compliment, saying Gulfstream was a good place to prep for the Derby because the saddling areas are so confining.

Given that Magna\'s strategy seems to be to make the place primarily a television studio as far as racing is concerned, and to compete for horses and horsemen by making quality training facilities (Palm Meadows) easily accessible, it\'s surprising that they haven\'t done better with the racing surface and saddling area.

On the other hand, moving the Florida Derby back in order to keep the big trainers around a couple of weeks later in the spring seems to have worked.

[Silver Charm]

Do not know enough about the kickback to comment but one thing I did hear Gary say, between jumping back and forth from telecasts, was that Brother Derek was his pick for the Derby. Other than I guess Watchmaker someone not afraid to stick his neck out. And guess what guys you can still change your opinion.

From what I could tell both telecasts were very good and my hats off to Mike Pegram. A guy I have always respected when given the choice between the old traditional small purse trophy at the old traditional track or a boatload of cash, regardless of where he has to go, will take the money everytime. How many zeros and commas does tradition have in it?

Stevens opinion is not to be taken lightly. Here is another intelligent and highly qualified opinion to see the place firsthand and probably leave shaking his head. (My words not his) The crowd of 11,800 was only 2,000 more than what they drew at Tampa for Tampa Derby Day.

Stronach came on the air after the Pan American victory and said be patient they were going to be putting in more seating. A stainless steel uncovered bleacher that is like sitting on a hot waffle iron will not cut it.

I spoke with Boston Barry this morning who said he arrived at 11:00AM fried in sun, had no place to sit, stood in long lines and got totally cleaned until the last at Penn Nat\'l, around midnight.

TGJB I thought I read once you said that Ro Parro, your #1 client, was one of the top executives at Dell. I heard the CEO Kevin Rollins recently in an interview on Bloomberg and the questioner asked him that early on his dissenters said he was aloof, arrogant, just a tough guy to work for and deal with. The questioner asked him what he had done to change that, which he admitted he has, and his response was very simple. Rollins said I listen more.

Frank are you listening.

[marcus]

I missed the race and did not see the kick back but have considered and I\'m guessing , how little energy return there appears to be in that surface at GP . I watched other races there saturday and through out the meet and it look\'s  like there is zero bounce in it . Horse\'s have not looked relaxed and have not been moving with good extention at the end as though the track was playing very hard .

From my perspective the betting has been dull down at GP for a few meets now so I don\'t imagine the new facilities and or surface change are reason enough to explain that - though in previous years I\'ve seen the meet make a recovery in the last week or so and maybe it\'s the right time to take a shot at some prices at GP now .