Saratoga Style

Today was opening day at the Spa, the 141 st. I wrote last week about the opening at Del Mar and my feeling that Del Mar oozes '40's class and style. Saratoga on the other hand makes me think of the early 1900's. Maybe it's the small town upstate setting, or just the layout of the place in general. Unfortunately like Del Mar I have not had the opportunity to attend the races at Saratoga, this is also on the bucket list.

I like the fact that the Spa has a dress code for the box sets, that you can reserve seats by simply placing the Form or a program on the seats you want, and a cooler on a picnic table. Saratoga is a step back in time, where proper attire and respect for others is still the norm.

For the horse racing fan the next six weeks at Saratoga is what we live the other forty six weeks for, well o.k. maybe forty five, Derby week is special. From the handicappers prospective Saratoga can be very beneficial to the bankroll or it can be an agonizing grind. For the overall fan of the sport, the bloodstock that passes through the starting gates and the jockey and trainer colonies are beyond compare. I am really looking forward to the crop of juveniles ready to start the journey of there three year old campaign.

Let's hope the weather is kind and a little dryer than the Belmont meet, I really like the turf races and don't like them moved to the main track. I imagine Rachel will be at the Travers to face the boys again possibly a rematch with Mine That Bird. It should be an enjoyable meet.

Del Mar Daze

Tomorrow is opening day at Del Mar. The legendary Bing Crosby opened the gates in 1937 and first class thoroughbreds have been pounding the dirt and turf since, minus the WWII years.

When I think of the quintessential race track setting I think of Del Mar. I have never been to the place but it is on the bucket list for sure. Just hearing the name makes me think of the early forties and the Hollywood Elite that graced the grounds. It was the place to be seen. It has lost some of it's star appeal in recent years, but I kind of like that fact. I don't want to see pics of Lindsey Lohan or Kim Kardashian at the place, seeing the celebs at the Derby with no clue as to what's happening is annoying enough. Don't know if anybody saw the "Real Housewives of Orange County" episode that was shot there....UUGH!

My only concern is the condition of the All-Weather track, it's has been an issue the last few years. I would really like to see California get away from the poly track mandate, I don't think it is proven to be that much safer, and some may say it is actually less safe than the traditional surface. Hopefully it won't be an issue and the meet is safe for jockeys and horses alike.

This is my first time putting some effort into handicapping a So. Cal. track, usually the races are run to late for me to follow but with online wagering it's possible now, how great is this Internet thing! We'll see how it goes and hopefully make a little money while we are at it.

Del Mar is in the spotlight all by itself for about a week until the Spa gets going, what a great time of year to be a fan of this game.

Nicky's coming out party.

O.K. so the much anticipated graded stakes debut of Barbaro's little brother is this weekend. Nicanor will face a field of nine others in the grade II Virginia Derby on the turf at Colonial Downs. I have felt for awhile that if this colt was not Barbaro's full sibling we wouldn't even pay attention to him. I have never seen this much attention paid to a three year old with a maiden win and an allowance win under their belt in mid July. And now as I am looking over the web I see that Nicky is the morning line favorite at 7-2. Some one punch me I must be hallucinating. I am no odds maker, but seriously, he may be my fourth pick in this race.

Don't get me wrong I would not mind if Nicky won this race. I feel from a marketing stand point Nicky winning would be great for the sport. A successful late summer early fall campaign from Nicanor would be fantastic. Nicky heading to the Left Coast for the Breeders Cup is a nice thought.

It would not be surprising if late Saturday you see the Nicanor bandwagon unloading.

Pinnacle Pride

Took a little trip down to Pinnacle Race Course this past weekend on Friday July 3rd. I have been an outspoken poster on some blogs about the inferior quality of the facility and the horses at the track. The facility is basically a pole barn with a bar, a few betting windows and some bathrooms. I do have to give the pavilion a pat on the back for the individual televisions in the simulcast area and the numerous t.v.s in general. There are no seats, the temporary ones removed this season, and basically a big circus tent put up in the bleachers place. In fact when you drive up to the track, it's rural setting makes one think they are going to a county fair. They have about five betting windows and one indoor bathroom, yes one, there are several port a potties though. Yes I said port a potties at the track, ridiculous!

I tried to explain to my wife on the way down to Pinnacle, what exactly she was in for. The last track she was at was Churchill Downs, to say the two tracks are at opposite ends of the spectrum is a understatement. She told me she didn't care about the aesthetics, she just wanted to enjoy the day at the track.

I also explained that the horses are no where near the quality of horses that one finds at Churchill, Belmont and Gulfstream for example. Actually I think the ponies at Pinnacle are mostly from the Eeyore sire line. Again she simply listened to my rant and said lets just enjoy the day.

We arrived at the track about 25 minutes before the first race, bought a couple of programs and the Form, and found a table in a tent next to the pavilion and paddock. I briefly taught my twelve year old son how to read the Form, the horses walked the paddock and wagers for the first were placed. Me and the boy went to the rail to watch the post parade and the race. I told the boy about the odds and how to read the tote board, and my son looked and me and said one of the funniest things he has said in awhile. "You can make money at this!" he shouted, yea buddy that's why daddy make those extravagant spreadsheets and yells at his computer on the weekends.

We had a fantastic afternoon at Pinnacle, the beers were cold, the racing was exciting, and Pinnacle allows for a very up close environment. Second funny boy comment, asking what the little shed with the scale by the winners circle was. I explained that's were they, meaning jockeys, get weighed after the race. He looks at the shed and says "How do the horses fit in there?" Priceless!

When all is said and done I will go back, will Pinnacle receive large sums of my bankroll, no.
I apologize to Jerry Campbell and the entire staff at Pinnacle for making fun of the place. I also apologize to the horsemen and women at the track, this is their lively hood and passion, who cares if it's not major league.