SALESTOPPER CONNECTIONS
Interesting that four of the seven $300,000 yearlings at
Harrisburg were actually by Perretti stallions. Two of them
Bedtime Song and D Liteful Hanover were by first crop trotters
Windsong’s Legacy and Revenue which bodes well for
each one. The other pair Touchdown Town (Graceful Touch)
and A Starlet Form (My Starlet) are by the mainstay stallion
leader Muscles Yankee- each from a Perretti Mare.
In addition, VENICE MENACE the sales topper pacing colt
at $280,000 was from the Perretti mare Mattaroni while the
most expensive pacer overall Rarified Hanover happens to
be a full sister to Rocknroll Hanover.
Kind of keeps things in the PERRETTI family…
INTERESTING DISCLAIMER
Noticed this language on the front cover of the Black Book
Past performances second edition in which is stated
‘The following past performance lines have been supplied
by the U S T A and are current from their records as of
a certain date”.
Directly underneath that statement which in itself seems
rather self explanatory- looms a disclaimer stating: “WARNING:
These race lines are not official” Apparently this
is done because the reproduced lines may or may not contain
pertinent data also found on the eligibility papers.
Most significant here is how that the sales company commendably
chose to protect prospective purchasers by advising that
these published race lines be verified for accuracy! Conversely
one wonders why racetrack programs don’t protect prospective
bettors by illuminating the realities and/or pitfalls of
wagering on elimination races via similar disclosure type
language. This would clarify that horses in a given elimination
race are seeking to qualify for some lucrative future event
and accordingly may or may not be pulling out all stops
to win THIS particular event.
In some cases, winners get to pick their post positions
for the final, in other cases, its either an open draw or
a structured draw where elimination winners draw for the
first two or three positions –whichever is applicable
and so on down the line.
We do know how the NFL is super strict as to accurately
declaring projected starters as probable, questionable doubtful
etc, so that their unsanctioned bettors can at least make
their unsanctioned plays armed with as much information
as possible.
ITEMS
Dave Mattia’s USTA website commentary about Snow White’s
horse of the year aspirations bought back memories of season
1975 when Savoir prevailed over Silk Stockings in balloting
that some thought was a miscarriage of justice.
The argument back then was that while Savoir was indeed
a deserving and WORTHY FFA trotting champion winning the
Roosevelt International amongst other things, he was not
necessarily the greatest FREE-FOR-ALLER to have trotted
down the pike. Whereas Silk Stockings attained stratospheric
levels seldom if ever approached by any filly of her age
and gait and arguably was as great if not better than any
pacing filly to have preceded her. Moreover, her closest
rival Tarport Hap would certainly make everybody’s
all time greatest roster but that year, Silk was clearly
the Queen.
This year’s balloting offers several worthy candidates
including Donato Hanover, Dewycheatumnhowe and Snow White.
Of those, Donato must be ranked AMONG the greatest trotting
3-year-olds of any era. Certainly a case could be made that
Dewycheatumnhowe is among the better 2-year-olds trotters
to be seen lately although one need only go back to last
year to cite a 2-year-old trotting colt of comparable stature.
On the other hand Snow White seems the undisputed BEST 2-year-old
trotting filly of this or any era and arguably the best
“filly” of any breed since Ruffian.
Thus the question becomes does being a divisional best
of all years super cede being an acknowledged divisional
best of a single year in horse of the year balloting.
Hmmmm….
THE OTB DOOMSDAY STUFF
Enjoyed Dean Hoffman’s illuminating description of
the current plight of New York OTB as heading towards doomsday-especially
the quotes from the New York Mayor and the authoritative
New York Times. OTB was a questionable venture from inception,
although modern day offshoot operations like FAVORITES of
Woodbridge, New Jersey seem to have gotten it right. Perhaps
a handful of FAVORITES type simulcast parlors strategically
sprinkled about the five boroughs would be more suitable
towards satisfying contemporary requirements
NOT SO MIGHTY
That the Monticello casino is somewhat less than profitable
is hardly a shock. Most remotely acquainted with gambling
realities recognize the inevitability of loss syndrome which
dictates that since the pool of existing customers ultimately
must lose, there’d better be a significant pool of
potential replacement customers in the surrounding areas.
In short, LOCATION…
COHEN ZONE
Do endorse Andy Cohen’s Breeders Crown timing sentiments
as the post thanksgiving date is so contrary to the spirit
of what a championship series is supposed to be.
To reiterate: Have long felt that the Crowns should emulate
the Cups isolating the 2-year-olds but combining the 3’s
and ups in what would truly be a championship venue.
Certainly the sight of Curlin prevailing at Monmouth goes
a long way towards establishing his championship credentials
while Bernardini lost little luster the year before when
it was established just how good his 4-year-old conqueror
Invasor really was in the Dubai World Cup.
SALES STUFF
Read in Chris Wittstuck’s column the item illustrating
some auction houses requiring registration of prospective
bidders which gives an identity to every bidder and would
thereby provide an audit trail for those who actually bid
on a horse or item thus eliminating farm employees from
“bidding up prices”.
While rather noble in theory it conversely fails to address
the practice some buyers employ of telegraphing intentions
to other prospective buyers thus inhibiting competitive
bidding by those who then conclude the horse in question
is unreachable
Bob Marks