Thoughts to start the Weekend

[richiebee]

Hey Chuck--you on the Casino Drive bandwagon yet? I know you are a big fan of
the Jazil/Rags to Richiebee bloodline. Can Casino Drive take the \"Coastal\"
route to Belmont Stakes glory with a win in the Peter Pan Saturday?

Monmouth Park opens today-- an extended meet for the \"Bore at the Shore\".

Yeah, I\'m a little jaded today---all the tabloids have as front page news my
Congressman and his goumada. Dig a little further in the papers to see that
Hillary is playing the race card--but its so hard to find a pantsuit that goes
with a white hood. And dont get me started on the fact that Myanmar will
probably end up getting more disaster relief than Louisiana.

So I guess the entire world is screwed up, not just racing. If you want to take
your mind off things, hurry over to Belmont which will likely feature lots of
off the turf racing, and kicks off with 10K claimers in race 1.

[tmon]

Richiebee you are pitiful. The fact that Myanbar has more then 100,000 dead and millions without homes means nothing other then they might get more aid then Louisiana.

[fkach]

>Dig a little further in the papers to see that Hillary is playing the race card--but its so hard to find a pantsuit that goes
with a white hood.<

Richie,

You are one of my favorite posters, but I finally found something I disagree with. ;-)

(JB, I hope I don\'t contribute to this thread getting out of control, but I want to comment. Please just delete the post if this is a problem).

I am far from a Hillary fan. I don\'t like her at all. I think a good argument can be made that she can\'t win and should just gracefully exit. However, I see nothing wrong with honest discussion of the demographics in some states vs. others and what that means for the general election vs. a democrat primary.

Blacks make up 13.3% of the US population and 20% of the voters in the democrat party. Obama is getting about 90% of the black vote. That\'s 18% to 2%. Assuming a black candidate is qualified and appealing in many other ways, it is very difficult for a white candidate to totally dominate him enough among non-blacks to win. That\'s why we are where we are and all you have to do is look at the state by state results and demographics to prove it.

The formula changes in a general election because last time I counted, there weren\'t a real lot of black republicans lining up to vote for Obama, but there are many more whites. He may get some republicans, but not many.

So in order for Obama to win, he needs to get all his current supporters plus the vast majority of Clinton supporters.

That may not be as easy as it usually is. This country has come a long way in recent decades, but I am willing to bet that at least some moderate democrats, independents, and elderly that are currently supporting Clinton are still not entirely comfortable with the idea of a black president. Given that McCain is generally regarded as a center right candidate, it would not shock me if some of them abandoned ship and vote for him.

That could turn what should be a total cakewalk for democrats given an unpopular war, poor economy, wildly unpopular president etc... into a very close race.

This may be a sorry state of affairs, but I don\'t think discussing the demographics, the probabilities, the reasons for Obama\'s success etc... vs. his electability in a GENERAL election should be off the table - especially if you are actually trying to win. I don\'t think the truth should ever be off the table. IMO, that kind of political correctness is more damaging than a few hurt feelings among people that can\'t handle the truth.

In fact, I will go as far as saying that those in media that are accusing Clinton of playing the race card for telling the truth in an effort to win are engaging in an even worse form of playing the race card by stifling honest discussion in their own effort to win.

[ronwar]

...Now, back to our regular scheduled programing

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

I\'m gonna go way out on a limb and with two predictions:

1. Better than Honor will never foal another Grade I winner, let along another Belmont winner and

2. That there was another horse on today\'s Belmont card that will make the big noise down the road.

 richiebee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Chuck--you on the Casino Drive bandwagon yet?
> I know you are a big fan of
> the Jazil/Rags to Richiebee bloodline. Can Casino
> Drive take the \"Coastal\"
> route to Belmont Stakes glory with a win in the
> Peter Pan Saturday?
>
> Monmouth Park opens today-- an extended meet for
> the \"Bore at the Shore\".
>
> Yeah, I\'m a little jaded today---all the tabloids
> have as front page news my
> Congressman and his goumada. Dig a little further
> in the papers to see that
> Hillary is playing the race card--but its so hard
> to find a pantsuit that goes
> with a white hood. And dont get me started on the
> fact that Myanmar will
> probably end up getting more disaster relief than
> Louisiana.
>
> So I guess the entire world is screwed up, not
> just racing. If you want to take
> your mind off things, hurry over to Belmont which
> will likely feature lots of
> off the turf racing, and kicks off with 10K
> claimers in race 1.

[tmon]

Better than Honor is only 12 years old. She has a yearling Giant Causeway and is being bred back to A.P. Indy. She will be bred to the best sires in the next 5-10 years. She also had a excellent filly Teeming who was 3 wins in 4 races before getting injured. I think she will throw another G1 winner.

[richiebee]

Tmon:

I feel badly that I offended your sensibilities in re Myanmar; my point was not
to make light of death and destruction elsewhere in the world, but to point out
in a general way that the United States has consistently become involved in
politics and situations around the globe (my opinion, especially the Middle East
and Southeast Asia) while ignoring plenty of issues which need addressing
within our borders.

I guess it is fair to say that I am an old fashioned Woodrow Wilson style
isolationist; we have the geographic advantage of being surrounded by two oceans
and bordered by two relatively benign neighbors, yet have spread ourselves thin
trying to be a world conscience and world power, the result being that we have
created a great deal of resentment towards us, the unfortunate proof of which I
drive past each day on the way to work.

With regards to Better than Honour,you should know better than to confront
Chuckles with the facts. The Clown, while a magnificent Derby handicapper
(just ask him) is not canny enough to realize (as most all of us do) that a
broodmare being represented by a Belmont runner for 3 straight years (not to
mention producing 2 straight winners) is quite an accomplishment in itself.

[richiebee]

Chuckles_the_Clown2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I\'m gonna go way out on a limb and with two
> predictions:
>
> 1. Better than Honor will never foal another Grade
> I winner, let along another Belmont winner and
>
> 2. That there was another horse on today\'s Belmont
> card that will make the big noise down the road.


Ambassador of Chuck*:

Before TGJB converted you into a performance figure spouting
acolyte, you used to be the Prince of Pedigree, a Bastion of
the Bloodlines. As such, it pains me to see that you can not
acknowledge the magnitude of Better Than Honour\'s Belmont
double dip. And if you refuse to acknowledge her achievements,
at least spell her name correctly.

True, Jazil won what some might call a boat race. True, Rags
to Richiebee caught a field of tired colts to give your fav-
orite conditioner his only Triple Crown race win. True neither
of these Belmont winners came back to accomplish much afterwards.
But it is also true that RTR\'s Belmont win will stand much larger
if Curlin continues to excel as a 4YO (apparently he is nominated
for the Arc de Triomphe).

Looking at Casino Drive, I have come to appreciate how strong a
pedigree this horse has for the \"Classics\" (can I say that with-
out endorsing him to win the Belmont?). CD is sired by Mineshaft.
Mineshaft is a son of AP Indy, Belmont winner. AP Indy was sired
by Seattle Slew,Triple Crown winner. The dam of AP Indy was Weekend
Surprise, who also produced Preakness winner Summer Squall. The sire
of Weekend Surprise was Secretariat.

The dam of Mineshaft, Prospector\'s Delite, won 2 prestigious Grade
I stakes, the Ashland and the Acorn. The dam of Prospector\'s Delite,
Up the Flagpole, won the Delaware Oaks, and produced 10 winners
including English champion Flagbird, Alabama winner Runup the Colors,
and Top Account, who won the G2 Kings Bishop.

On CD\'s bottom side, Better Than Honour\'s CV seem almost modest. BTH is
a daughter of Blush With Pride, KY Oaks winner. BTH had one graded stakes
win, the Demoiselle, on a DQ. Oh and she did throw those 2 slow Belmont
winners.

I, like many of this years Derby runners, will be passing on the Preakness.
I am hoping that Big Clown wins in Baltimore, emerges sound and heads
for the Belmont where he hopefully will face some freshened Derby runners,
whatever Pletcher and Zito TC nominees are still standing,
and the pedigree rich Casino Drive.

I might even make a live appearance at the Belmont Stakes, my first since
Colonial Affair\'s win in 1993. That was a historic year, marking the first
(and only?) TC race win by a female rider, and avenging the defeat of CA\'s
sire PC in the Belmont Stakes.

My primary purpose in going to Belmont, which needs a Triple Crown conten-
der in the worst way, is not so much to witness history. Actually I am
planning on borrowing Mrs Richiebee\'s fur coat, grabbing a big bucket of
KFC (by Yums!) and scuffling with the idiots from PETA.

-----
* An homage to a very fine Pa bred filly,by What Luck out
of Detente. I had the pleasure of grooming her as a 2YO well before she
ever breezed. She went on to have a much bigger impact on Racing than I did.

[big18741]

Chuckles_the_Clown2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I\'m gonna go way out on a limb and with two
> predictions:
>
> 1. Better than Honor will never foal another Grade
> I winner, let along another Belmont winner and
>
> 2. That there was another horse on today\'s Belmont
> card that will make the big noise down the road.

Unbridled Song over Farma Way mare.
Darley-Albertrani.

I thought he looked better breaking his maiden than Casino Drive did in his perfect trip Peter Pan.Curious to see how the two races were scored.

[tmon]

Richiebee you do realize that within a year 94.8% of Louisiana\'s home owners had settled their insurance claims for $10.3B. You actually think the Myanmar are going get that much for their complete damage. And Congress has spent over $122B on Katrina related damage. How much do you want to be spent?

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

Rags to Richiebee,

I still factor pedigree with the 3YO\'s this time of year with great frequency. I love the fact that Casino Drive may run in the Belmont with Better than Honor\'s broodmare history.

She has foaled two Belmont winners. That is a fact Belmont bettors cannot ignore. The crop is weak. Casino Drive just scored on the track. He deserves to be a Belmont favorite.  I would think 5-1 would not be too low, perhaps 4-1 second choice, just like Rags to Richiebee. Let is be so!

Right now, I\'m concerned with the Preakness, but in a few days I will fully support the great support building for Casino Drive.

CtMBC



richiebee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chuckles_the_Clown2 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I\'m gonna go way out on a limb and with two
> > predictions:
> >
> > 1. Better than Honor will never foal another
> Grade
> > I winner, let along another Belmont winner and
> >
> > 2. That there was another horse on today\'s
> Belmont
> > card that will make the big noise down the
> road.
>
>
> Ambassador of Chuck*:
>
> Before TGJB converted you into a performance
> figure spouting
> acolyte, you used to be the Prince of Pedigree, a
> Bastion of
> the Bloodlines. As such, it pains me to see that
> you can not
> acknowledge the magnitude of Better Than Honour\'s
> Belmont
> double dip. And if you refuse to acknowledge her
> achievements,
> at least spell her name correctly.
>
> True, Jazil won what some might call a boat race.
> True, Rags
> to Richiebee caught a field of tired colts to give
> your fav-
> orite conditioner his only Triple Crown race win.
> True neither
> of these Belmont winners came back to accomplish
> much afterwards.
> But it is also true that RTR\'s Belmont win will
> stand much larger
> if Curlin continues to excel as a 4YO (apparently
> he is nominated
> for the Arc de Triomphe).
>
> Looking at Casino Drive, I have come to appreciate
> how strong a
> pedigree this horse has for the \"Classics\" (can I
> say that with-
> out endorsing him to win the Belmont?). CD is
> sired by Mineshaft.
> Mineshaft is a son of AP Indy, Belmont winner. AP
> Indy was sired
> by Seattle Slew,Triple Crown winner. The dam of AP
> Indy was Weekend
> Surprise, who also produced Preakness winner
> Summer Squall. The sire
> of Weekend Surprise was Secretariat.
>
> The dam of Mineshaft, Prospector\'s Delite, won 2
> prestigious Grade
> I stakes, the Ashland and the Acorn. The dam of
> Prospector\'s Delite,
> Up the Flagpole, won the Delaware Oaks, and
> produced 10 winners
> including English champion Flagbird, Alabama
> winner Runup the Colors,
> and Top Account, who won the G2 Kings Bishop.
>
> On CD\'s bottom side, Better Than Honour\'s CV seem
> almost modest. BTH is
> a daughter of Blush With Pride, KY Oaks winner.
> BTH had one graded stakes
> win, the Demoiselle, on a DQ. Oh and she did throw
> those 2 slow Belmont
> winners.
>
> I, like many of this years Derby runners, will be
> passing on the Preakness.
> I am hoping that Big Clown wins in Baltimore,
> emerges sound and heads
> for the Belmont where he hopefully will face some
> freshened Derby runners,
> whatever Pletcher and Zito TC nominees are still
> standing,
> and the pedigree rich Casino Drive.
>
> I might even make a live appearance at the Belmont
> Stakes, my first since
> Colonial Affair\'s win in 1993. That was a historic
> year, marking the first
> (and only?) TC race win by a female rider, and
> avenging the defeat of CA\'s
> sire PC in the Belmont Stakes.
>
> My primary purpose in going to Belmont, which
> needs a Triple Crown conten-
> der in the worst way, is not so much to witness
> history. Actually I am
> planning on borrowing Mrs Richiebee\'s fur coat,
> grabbing a big bucket of
> KFC (by Yums!) and scuffling with the idiots from
> PETA.
>
> -----
> * An homage to a very fine Pa bred filly,by What
> Luck out
> of Detente. I had the pleasure of grooming her as
> a 2YO well before she
> ever breezed. She went on to have a much bigger
> impact on Racing than I did.

[smalltimer]

How about the same amount of money Myanmar sent for the Katrina disaster?

[jimbo66]

This board is becoming more and more cynnical.  

1.  A horse gets off the plane, not having raced since breaking his maiden at 1-5 in a 13 horse field back in February, and dusts 8 of our second tier 3 year olds in the Peter Pan, in a race where he didn\'t figure to be at his best.  The time seems a pretty good 1:47 and change and he gets a bunch of detractors here?   Did anybody who doesn\'t think this horse is for real take a close look at how he moved on the track?  He has a long effortless stride.  It is no accident that Better than Honour\'s offspring have won the last two Belmont\'s.  That long effortless stride plays well at 1 1/2 in the \"test of champions\".  I don\'t care if Jerry gives this horse a \"2\" or even a \"3\" (although I would guess it is faster).  The horse will be tighter in the Belmont and will jump up, and it is likely that Big Brown will not be at his best in his 3rd race in 5 weeks.  I would take 5-1 now on this horse, without even knowing who is racing in the race.

2.  Better Than Honour drops two Belmont Stakes winners in successive years and the best she can generate from this board is \"she won\'t drop another Grade 1 winner\".  Gimme a break.  That is a tremendous feat as a broodmare.  And she has a legit shot to get her 3rd.  It doesn\'t matter is she never drops another winner of any type, she will still go down as a special brood mare.

3.  Richie Bee, I love you, but drop the comments on the tragedies.  People died in both tragedies, let\'s not compare them.   Even chuckles doesn\'t cross that line.  Come on.  Talk preakness.  You loaded your gun against Big Brown, as did I, as did our host, and we all came away beaten.  Who are you backing in the preakness and whY?  that is a topic for this board.

[richiebee]

Clownster:

Was just marveling at the Pedigree and hoping for a compelling Belmont. Will I
be betting a colt with 2 lifetime starts to win the Belmont? Not with your yen.

Now that I have probably insulted people other than myself, is it fair to ask
whether Japanese money will make its way into the American tracks\' wagering
pools? Looking for a better price on this Godzilla of a lightly raced prospect?
Better exchange rate? Commingling?

[girly]

With the Prince buying a major slice of Japanese racing, it may come at some point.