Bring Home the Gold

redemption

So I am sitting in the quiet confines of Club Gato Sunday night in the aftermath of the victory that was USA 5 Canadia 3....and the phone rings, it was an exhuberant Member of the Swetaer Nite Executive Committee.....none other than Donn E Beisbol calling to state that this victory extracted a slice of Revenge for the Canada Cup Incident of 1991.....that was the night the Royal Mounted Police fabricated tales against me and requested that I leave the Montreal Forum "and never return" ....something silly about tossing an icey cold delicious Cup of Molson Golden towards the ice , but hitting the wheelchair section.....twice....we all know that would be considered alcohol abuse.....Thanks Donnie for the support as always....now how do I get to Wicked Wandas?

The Ghost of Sweater Nite Past

the goal that changed the world

30 years ago today, in the sleepy village of Lake Placid, Mike Eruzione crept in from the right point, took a pass and found the twine.....the world would never be the same.

Saturday Recap

I myself was in Leggetts of Manasquan for the Mid-Winter run and so i did not get to see any of the preps yesterday , below is the recap that appeared on ESPN , sound like Todd Pletcher has a few more good ones on the hunt at this stage.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- A 3-year-old division lacking a breakout effort so far in 2010 got one on Saturday when Eskendereya walloped the highly-regarded Jackson Bend and Buddy's Saint while turning in a tour de force performance in the Grade 2, $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Eskendereya ($9.80), the third choice, turned back a bid by Jackson Bend going around the final turn and then bounded clear to win by 8 1/2 lengths under jockey John Velazquez. Jackson Bend, the 5-2 second choice, held on for second, three-quarters of a length in front of third-place Aikenite.

"We've never gotten to the bottom of him," Pletcher said. "He finishes very strong in all his works."

Buddy's Saint, the 9-5 favorite, was clobbered along the fence when heading into the first turn, moved up down the backstretch but then bottomed out, beating only early pacesetter Lost Aptitude, who stopped to finish last in the 10-horse field.

Eskendereya and Aikenite are trained by Todd Pletcher, who also won the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds with Discreetly Mine.

"That's the longest two minutes in sports, the stretch run there," Pletcher said after watching the race on a television at Oaklawn.

Eskendereya, a son of Giant's Causeway owned by Ahmad Zayat's Zayat Stables, has now won three times in five starts. He has won two straight at Gulfstream, and Pletcher said he would come back next month here in the Grade 1 Florida Derby

Pletchers Time ?

it's sooooo early, but still you have to wonder if 2010 is the year Mr. Todd Pletcher and the Great John Velasquez finally breakthrough and win the Kentucky Derby. Yesterday beneath the warmth of the Floridian sun at Tampa Bay Downs this duo took a broad leap towards that goal. RULE , son of Roman Ruler, looked as good as a three year old on Valentines weekend could look, strong , strong effort in capturing the Sam Davis Stakes. An obviously pleased Pletcher hinted after the race that his next step with this colt will be downstate in Gulfstream Park for the Floriday Derby as his final prep for KY2010...

Bob Baffert who expects to take favorite LOOKIN AT LUCKY to the May 1st Ball also saddles MACAIS winner of the Baffles Stakes and now a derby hopeful.

TIZ THE ONE , a half brother to Dermotts filly TIZACLANCYGIRLNOW looked strong winning a prep race at Gulfstream with Alan Garcia uptop for trainer Chad Brown.

The feel good story of the day had to be WOW WOW WOW charging to victory from the 10 slot and looking strong in doing so for none other Horse Racing Legend and Hall of Famer D Wayne Lukas.......this year since I am going to the Derby I am hoping that all my lifetime Favorites have entries...how special wold it be to see Mr Lukas, Baffert, Zito, Hardy, Jenkins and Pletcher, going toe to toe for all the mint juleps in Dixie.

75 days is an eternity in Horse Racing , but at least at this juncture it is shaping up to be an All Star Cast.....keep those fingers crossed and don't tear up your tickets until it's official.

Road to the Derby

in case you missed it, the first nominations for the Kentucky Derby were announced on Friday....366 horses in total , there is a link on ESPN if you wish to view the horses, their pedigree , trainer and ownership.....Mr Baffert has 13 so far , of which our early fave "Lookin At Lucky" is one. his also has one of Tiznows offspring Tiz Chrome.......today there are 5 races sprinkled across the map for these same 3 year old hopefuls, The Bob Lewis, the Sam Davis and the baffle Stakes highlight the card.......pay attention out there......real money is at stake.......check back here periodically for a sure fire guide of whom NOT to bet.

today we love an exacta of Tiz Chrome and American Lion...

we tip our caps to Hunter S

He became a man the day of the greatest game he ever played. Everything he ever knew about common decency and morality he learned that day in December from Alan "The Horse" Ameche; and today in the Superbowl he would earn his wings. The crowd had assembled; a crowd of America's elite. Toyata salesmen from all around the country -- orientals and even those suspected of being orientals -- stacked on the thirty yard line watching him sweat and wipe caked blood from his face. The Gallow brothers -- Ernest and Julio -- party guys who had skinned a few Mexicans and forced them to carry them on their shoulders down to the pre-game tailgate parties at the colosseum. The Pepsi and Coka Cola bottlers of America -- Coke adds life; It's the real thing -- bombarded by missiles; flying flaming matchbook covers. The waterheads from General Motors up in the top seats where they belong; getting the worst of the pollution. All sorts of weird mother****ers were at the game.
Super sunday. Dawn. My recollections of the last twelve hours are very dim. All that I know for certain is that shortly after I checked in, two third-world drug abusers dressed as hotel employees forced their way into my room; ransacked it, drank all my liquor, did all my drugs, stole my dinner. The security precautions aren't beefed up at this hotel; I'm looking for safer accomodations. It's a sad state of affairs when this reporter has to go heavily armed to breakfast

Super Sunday

I believe the Colts are better in every way.....I love to take points and root for Dogs....but not this year.....this year w lay the 5 1/2 ......Colts win 35-24...My Team Has NEVER Lost a Super Bowl when I have dusted off the Old Club Liev Jersey.

Sweater Nite 12...the grand finale?

everyone should have received their letters ( except Dano...rumor has it that Jonesee has dano's letter)......This year the festivities start early... 3:00 the puck drops in PC's for the USA Vs Russia semifinal....just like 1980....Friday Feb 26th...which is the anniversary of Big Bob Mclarens passing ( keep Kevin and the Mclaren Boys in your prayers that day especially) it is also the anniv of the First World Trade Center Bombing....

Salty Dog Bayridge Brooklyn

well i must say that when i heard a pack of city workers were brawling in the Salty Dog last week , my first thoughts turned to the Dept of Sanitation....i figured those crazy sanmen got liquored up at their funeral and were taking out their aggressions on the unsuspecting public.....imagine my surprise when the sordid details of the FDNY emerged....one can only hope that the innocent firemen are exonerated and the truly guilty are punished....

Rip Torn

it warmed my heart to read such a charming story as the one making the rounds about Rip Torn....if you missed it, he broke into a bank at 3:00 A.M. completely hammered and was rummaging around with a loaded pistol.....when the Police arrived he told them to " Get out of my house".......God bless him.....to a certain degree we have all been there....your living room, Gerry Graney's Car, Casa Calamaris basement, blue seats at MSG, a bank in CT, the security station at the Garden state Arts center, backseats of taxi cabs ....they all look the same after a case of cold ones.