Bluegrass

[P-Dub]

RICH Wrote:
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> seriously, you all like this this synth thing, a
> complete disgrace, I lost 20 dollars, complete
> rubbish, it\'s not the money, its the point. I hate
> what the poly has done to the triple crown races.


Rich,

Nobody really likes it, but they have races over it so we play them.

Nice hit Sekrah. Fine analysis Michael D.

[Silver Charm]

PDub should the Blue Grass still be a Grade One and does anyone take is seriously anymore as a big Derby Prep??

Forget ever seeing a great horse like Alydar running there again

[Funny Cide]

And if everyone wouldn\'t play it, then they\'d pull that surface up tomorrow and put dirt back down.

[P-Dub]

Silver Charm Wrote:
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> PDub should the Blue Grass still be a Grade One
> and does anyone take is seriously anymore as a big
> Derby Prep??
>
> Forget ever seeing a great horse like Alydar
> running there again


No.

There will be Derby caliber horses running in it, but tough to gauge the performances.

[richiebee]

Funny Cide:

The racing at Keeneland in Spring is quite superior to that currently being run
at Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Oaklawn and Aqueduct. Keeneland has a great turf
program, utilizing a lot of different distances and usually drawing full fields;
the Spring meet usually does not have much of a problem with off the turf weather.

Quality racing in New York at this time of year exists in memory only. They have
lost me 100% and my wagering dollars go elsewhere. Keeneland I believe will always
be supported by horseplayers, no matter what surface, because Kee draws top
horseflesh, trainers, owners, jocks etc.

So at this time of year its Keeneland for me. Monmouth should be spectacular this
summer. Woodbine, with big purses and big fields, might get a long look this
spring once turf racing returns.

As for New York racing (and nobody asked me), with their leaky roof, depressing
facilities and 16K maiden claimers on the turf, let me selfishly say that what
needs to happen, and now is the time, is that NY racing needs to be shut down
(leave backside facilities/training facilities open at Belmont and Saratoga) on
June 15th.

NYRA, and the whole notion of a quasi-governmental authority allowed to run
racing and racing facilities, should be scrapped. Bankrupt NYS OTB is living week
to week; today was supposed to be the last day of OTB, but they got a one week
reprieve. VLTs were approved 9 years ago but docked at Yonkers before they were
even seen from the shore at NYRA.

Reopen New York Racing next March with a new QUALIFIED private operator, who will
have the benefit of VLTs and control of a pared down OTB.

Apologists for NYRA need to be reminded that the leading owner in terms of
runners started was arrested for animal cruelty. NYRA was not awarded their
current long term contract on the basis of competence but rather capitalized on
their ability to bluff the state into believing NYRA\'s title to the real property
the tracks sit on would have stood up to legal challenges.

I seem to have wandered off-- back to Keeneland:

1)Good call by Silver Charm on Wasted Tears. Great call by Michael in the BG.
Michael retains his status as the \"Mad Bomber\" of the TG board.

2)Yesterday did nothing to change my view of the Derby, except maybe to add
another pace factor. Wonder who will get pushed off the bubble by yesterday\'s
results?

3)Signs of life: record BG live gate at Kee, 45 thousand at OP Friday to see
Zenyatta.

[Wrongly]

Richie

I\'ll answer your second question.  Death blow to Odysseus who now is #28, poor decision not shipping to Oaklawn.  Bubble also popped for Aikenite and Make Music for Me.  Currently on the bubble is Uh Oh Bango who\'s bubble might pop next week or the following week.

[Silver Charm]

The Odysseus move was seneseless. I dont understand what people are so afraid of by trying a Grade One on Dirt and maybe winning?

If a horse is rat and he wins the Derby he is still a rat. See Mine that Bird. There is no rush to grab a Derby winner as a Stallion regardless.

But a horse that likes to win races but doesnt win the Derby has value.

See Afleet Alex

[miff]

\"3)Signs of life: record BG live gate at Kee, 45 thousand at OP Friday to see
Zenyatta\"

Bee,

You are unfair. How could you leave out Jamaica Day at Aqueduct yesterday(massive crowd of 4,531 people on a Saturday). NYRA acknowledging the 20-30 Jamaicans who are amongst their most loyal daily customers.This is what NYRA comes up with as a \"Day\",total desperation.The winter NYRA race cards are painful and embarrassing to all regular players.

The alternative groups to NYRA,pre franchise award, were horrible but the current situation is now desperate and present NYRA top management must be replaced.


Mike

[Silver Charm]

To be blunt. After what Prado almost did I am not sure anyone wanted to be there.

This was brutal too watch and it could have been much worse.

I am going to be even more blunt. A smart racing friend of mine text me immediately after this occurred and said \"he reiminds me of Jose Santos in those final years\"

[Funny Cide]

Thanks for the reply, Richie, but I was just making the point.  Handicappers and owners (through their trainers) have the power to implement whatever changes they demand if they\'d just demand it.  If you hate synthetics, then you\'re only helping them stay around by betting them.  If you hate the BC on synthetics, then you\'re only helping the BC to remain on synthetics by betting them.  If you hate NYRA these days, then you only help them continue on the same by betting them.  Some would say racing should shut down for several months of the year, but if we can\'t even sit out 3 weeks of Keeneland, can you sit out several months?