$871,694 ...
... is how much Tiznow's offspring earned at the track over the weekend. Leading the way was Colonel John, one of three Tiznow colts in the midsummer classic. Well Armed picked up 2nd place money in the Pacific Classic. Tiznow is having a great year and this weekend boosts him back up to #2 on the General Sire list behind Smart Strike. Since his runners perform well on the synthetic, he has an outside chance to grab the top spot (though Curlin seems in line to bag at least $1 mill more for Smart Strike). Tiznow is proving to be a sire of stayers and has graded stakes winners on dirt, turf, and synthetic. None of his runners are particularly flashy but they keep going and going and going.
Marshall, it just wasn't our year. I had the same luck as you did at Saratoga (August 16th-23rd).
The creme de la creme of bad luck?
I couldn't even cash a (pathetic) $2 win ticket on a 20-1 - who got caught at the wire by an 88-1 shot!
It gets worse: The beaten jockey ended up winning five races on the same day (Travers Day).
The gods of racing must have been in a hurry. I didn't even get to the level where I could have lost a win photo or been DQ'ed after winning.
Saratoga, too, was not at all the place I loved in years past. Despite the much-appreciated efforts of the people that we did meet who were hard working and hospitable, the rest of the encountered clowns just ruined it.
When your best day was the dark day and you're fifteen miles to the east - at the Washington country state fair watching unspoiled kids going down the rug slide - someone's trying to tell you something.
Let's give a big salute to NYRA, who issued a sterile, pro forma "who gives a sh*t" statement of "regret" after retired jockey Roland Buckley was killed in a morning training workout.
That's moral bankruptcy, with unlimited temporary extensions.
Lanci's, the restaurant, is closing. Grief is ensured.
Next year, we spent more money and time at Del Mar and Keeneland; none at The Spud.
Sorry I haven't contributed more items. That doesn't mean that I haven't been reading your work - I have. Keep up the good work!
Imagine what a superb pair that you and Ray Paulick would make.
Highly recommended, despite its flaws: "Playing With The Enemy," by Gary W. Moore (updated paperback edition).
Highly Recommended, No Holds Barred: Driving Between Arlington Vermont and Greenwich, NY, on your way to Saratoga (stay on Route 313; the bridge is washed out). And this holds even after the meet is over - the trees are already turning crimson - the unlimited rainfall will produce a color bonanza this year.
Or take a spin on Route 40 from Greenwich NY all the way to its end. And for the fun of it, turn around and drive back on the same road, beautifully constructed on a high ridge with great panoramic views of the entire Saratoga-area valley.
Warm regards,
Don
Reply to this