HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Literally unnoticed in all the fanfare elsewhere was the
virtually anonymous 30th anniversary of the opening of The
Meadowlands. And where were you Sept 1, 1976? Quick Baron
7-1 on the board and about 3-5 in the overflowing press
box! It was a WEDNESDAY evening. Rambling Willie won the
feature in 1:55 and some odd.
RUNNING THE TABLE
Might be the first time a Hall of Fame horse ever was personally
on hand to collect his trophy, as there was Run The Table
(sans tux) but with Jack accepting his deserving honors
at The Canadian Banquet. …
ERNESTO
Always so unfortunate when the weather person puts a damper
on what should really be a superior night of racing. Would
have been interesting by the way if CABANA FEVER had actually
won the SHE’S A GREAT LADY seeing as how her dam BEACHY
LADY is a Jennas Beach Boy daughter of none other than SHE’S
A GREAT LADY…
DOONBEG
Can’t think of anything more appropriate to make one
indulge in unabashed CHEERING than the sight of diminutive
DOONBEG honing in on the leaders at about mid stretch. The
noble little gamester embodies all that is great about competitive
sport…
PALONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN
Speaking of little gamesters. PALONE RANGER is back seemingly
over his heart ailments and will test the waters in the
Jug Preview at Scioto.
CONDOLENCES
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the connections of FILLIEOFTHEFUTURE
(Artsplace-Cathedra Dot Com). We know what its like to lose
one of that caliber.
THE SUSPENSION
Whereas the suspended may have been a tad over zealous and
obvious in his allowing a trailing stable mate inside clearance,
the real culprit here is the decision to uncouple what so
obviously was and should have been a “coupled”
entry.
Regardless of separate ownerships there can and often will
be long reaching implications such as trainer gratuities
and bonuses that the betting public are not privy too and
should be protected from. Even if ”entry mates”
have no intention of helping each other the fact that they
often will not “hurt” each other makes for a
common interest therein.
There’s an old axiom how “Things seldom happen
unless they are eligible to happen” and in this case
the eligibility was clearly evident. Couple ‘em and
there are no more questions!
TRADITIONS
Heard some flak how the connections of what is obviously
a surprise superstar chose not to make supplementary payments
to a several traditional classics while they will supplement
to selected events.
For whatever the reason this modestly priced colt may not
have warranted extensive staking in the early stages which
under the rules denies entry to many lucrative events,
That said and given the costs and risks involved in supplementing
especially on smaller tracks, the connections are certainly
well within their rights to plot the most prudent course
for what is now a valuable commodity.
Conversely perhaps it could be considered incumbent upon
classic events to devise methods ensuring the strongest
possible fields get to go post ward each year.
REPLAYING THE REPLAY
Fortunately somebody with clout actually watched and reacted
to the “qualifier” now removed from of the official
record of a trotting colt from a very prominent mare that
temporarily received what could be considered a dubious
credit. The charted line itself is replete with Xs and obviously
other observers noticed the horse visually galloping the
entire length of the homestretch. Thankfully it got reversed
before anyone could inadvertently wager on a galloping 52
and change mile.
HUH?
Not sure we totally comprehend this scenario. Several horses
from a particular stable are ordered scratched after entries
have been taken-starting fees posted- and horses shipped
in. Why weren’t the entries simply refused if all
were not up to established standard?
Bob Marks