It is going to be tough to get our stakes fix at Belmont Park this weekend. Saturday’s CCA Oaks drew just five runners, with four betting interests.

It’s closing weekend at Belmont Park with Saratoga opening on Wednesday. The opening week stakes schedule looks like this at the Spa:

7/23/2008 The Schuylerville III 100,000 added F2yo 6 Furlongs

7/24/2008 The Sanford II 150,000 2YO 6 Furlongs

7/25/2008 The Lake George III 150,000 added F3YO 1 1/16 (Turf)

7/26/2008 The Diana I 500,000 F&M 3&UP 1 1/8 (Turf)

7/26/2008 The Whitney (Hdcp) I 750,000 3&UP 1 1/8

7/26/2008 The Go For Wand (Hdcp) I 250,000 F&M 3&UP 1 1/8

7/26/2008 The Alfred G. Vanderbilt (Hdcp) II 250,000 3&UP 6 Furlongs

7/27/2008 The Jim Dandy II 500,000 3YO 1 1/8

I had to venture out of New York to find decent stakes action for today:

CNL R7: Kitten’s Joy S.

#1 Midwatch   9/2

#7 Ballast   4/5

#2 Mint Slewlep   6/1

MTH 9: Klassy Briefcase S.

#8 Sophie’s Salad   7/2

#6 Fancy Diamond   4/1

#9 Beau Dare   3/1

PHA 8: Greenwood Cup

#3 Three in the Bag   3/1

#1 Barcola   7/5

#6 Evening Attire   5/2

BEL Race 9 CCA Oaks G1 (5:15 et)

#2 Acoma  2/1

#1 Little Belle / #1a Music Note   1/2

#3 Never Retreat   8/1

#4 Flaming Slew   15/1

Analysis: #2 Acoma gets the call but with just four betting interests, this race becomes a pass. She comes off a career best winning the G3 Dogwood last out and has a chance to pull off the upset over the overwhelming favorite entry sent out by Godolphin. The filly is getting better with each start and looks capable of handling the extra ground here. I love her pedigree, by Empire Maker out of a stakes winning Danzig mare that has dropped a few nice runners including Arch ($480K), Festival of Light ($632K), and Alisios ($265K).

#1 Little Belle was no match for Proud Spell last out in the Ky Oaks. Three came out of that race to win next out including third place finisher Pure Clan, who won the G3 Regret and G1 American Oaks in her next two starts. #1a Music Note beat Proud Spell last out in the G1 Mother Goose, which was her stakes debut.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 9/5 or better.

EX: no play

TRI: no play

CNL Race 8 Virginia Oaks (G3) (5:06 et)

#9 Cherokee Queen   5/1

#7 Namaste’s Wish   3/1

#10 I Lost My Choo   9/5

#4 Athena’s Gift   8/1

#9 Cherokee Queen is the most inexperienced filly in the field, having made just three career starts and hopefully this gal still has plenty of upside.  Last out the filly came with a six wide rally and finished gamely to beat Alw-1 foes in her first go against winners. Two back she broke her maiden on poly at Keeneland and two she beat that day came back to graduate in their next starts. She is in good hands with Motion barn and ahs shown she can handle nine furlongs.

#7 Namaste’s Wish did not fire her best last out in the G3 Boiling Springs off a seven-week break. She was a good second two back in the Gaviola at Belmont and won a stake in New York on the turf last fall when she won the Ms Grillo in her first go against winners. The filly was a $600K purchase and a full sister to dirt stakes winner Purge ($905K). She has enough pedigree to handle her first go at nine furlongs.

Wagering

WIN: #9 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 7,9 / 4,7,9,10

TRI:: 7,9 / 4,7,9,10 / 4,6,7,8,9,10

CNL Race 9 Virginia Derby (G2) (5:44 et)

#3 El Sultry Sun   10/1

#2 Old Man Buck   5/1

#7 GIo Ponti   9/5

#8 Sailor’s Cap   8/5

#3 El Sultry Sun checked in seventh last out in the Colonial Cup, tracking the early pace, angling to the inside and fading in the stretch. The colt regressed off a career top when winning the Lamplighter two back at Monmouth. I love this guy’s pedigree, he is a half to multiple turf stakes winners Solar Splendor ($1.2 million), Sultry Song ($1.6 million) and Strategic Mission ($414K). Colt figures to bounce back with a better effort and perhaps the boggy conditions last out affected him as well.  Worth a look at a decent price here.

#2 Old Man Buck made a mild late rally to finish third last out in the G2 Jefferson Cup in his first go off a seven-month layoff. The winner of the race was Tizdejavu, who came back to win the G2 American Derby at Arlington in his next outing on 7/12. The colt is a two-time turf stakes winner and in good hands with McPeek.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 2,3 / 2,3,7,8

TRI: 2,3 / 2,3,7,8 / 2,3,4,7,8

Let’s head out to Calder for the Summit of Speed:

Calder Race 7 Azalea S. G3 (3:30 et)

#4 Dancing Allstar   4/1

#6 Indyanne   4/5

#3 Dite Moi    12/1

#2 Orinoquia   6/1

Analysis: #4 Dancing Allstar may not get much respect at the windows shipping in from Hastings, but all this gal has done is win 8 of her 10 starts, finishing second in her other two outings. She went gate to wire to win a restricted stake last out, flattered when the runner up came back to win an open $532K stake at Hastings in her next start on 7/5. She owns a solid pace profile throughout and while she will be tested for class here she looks up to it.

#6 Indyanne has won her three career starts by a combined 23 lengths. She came back off a nine-month layoff with a sharp win against Alw-2 optional claimers at Golden Gate. She won for fun and is the deserving fav in here but the 4/5 morning line sure looks light.

Wagering

WIN #4 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 4,6 / 2,3,4,6

TRI: 4,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 1,2,3,4,6

Calder Race 8 Carry Back S. G2 (3:58 et)

#1 Salute the Sarge   8/1

#2 Golden Spikes   3/1

#7 Lantana Mob   8/5

#4 Gentleman James   6/1

Analysis: #1 Salute the Sarge makes his first start since a fifth place finish in the Laz Barrera at Hollywood going seven furlongs on the fake stuff. The winner of the race was Two Step Salsa, who came back to win the G3 Affirmed in his next outing on 6/15. The colt has won both of his starts at sic furlongs but through a nine race career has yet to race over a fast dirt track. Put in a quick work on 7/6 and if he takes to the Calder surface, he will be in the mix here at a decent price.

#2 Golden Spikes just held on to win the Unbridled last out over the main track here and he was cutting back from nine furlongs and popped a career top. The colt has won 3 of 4 over the surface and has done his best running around one turn. Owns a solid pace profile throughout and just needs to avoid the bounce here.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 1,2 / 1,2,4,7

TRI: 1,2, / 1,2,4,7 / 1,2,4,5,7

Calder Race 9 Princess Rooney Hcp G1 (4:26 et)

#4 Dream Rush   8/5

#5 Miraculous Miss   4/1

#6 Looky Yonder   3/1

#1 Dixie Dreamer   8/1

Analysis: #4 Dream Rush had things her own way, turned for home with a clear lead and could not hold off #6 Looky Yonder in deep stretch, finishing a length back in second in the G2 Vagrancy. The filly was beaten at 4/5 and the price here may not be much better. She did catch a main track that was playing to outside stalkers and closers last out. She was also coming off a seven-month layoff. She figures to be tighter second off the bench for Violette barn and she has popped  a couple of bullets since her last start.

#5 Miraculous Miss came up short in the stretch last out in a fourth place finish in the G1 Humana Distaff, her first go off a five-month layoff. Two back she took on the boys in the G1 DeFrancis and checked in third, beaten 3 ¾ lengths by Benny the Bull. She finished fifth in this race last year in her lone start over the surface. She will need to see some pace in front of her and she should be rolling late.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 8/5 or better.

EX: 4,5 / 1,4,5,6

TRI: 4,5 / 1,4,5,6 / 1,4,5,6,7

Calder Race 10 Smile Sprint Hcp G2 (4:54 et)

#8 Benny the Bull   7/5

#6 Ravalo   12/1

#3 Indian Chant   4/1

#1 Man of Danger   3/1

Analysis: #8 Benny the Bull came with a five wide rally to get up late to win the G2 True North, a tough beat as we had #1 Man of Danger as our top pick at nearly 10/1. Damn that hurt. The winner overcame a main track that was slightly inside speed favoring. He ahs won four in a row and owns a solid pace profile with the edge in late pace figures. The trip to Dubai did not seem to take the starch out of him. Only knocks are the light price and fact he has not had a trip over the surface here.

#6 Ravalo is in deep here, but has won six of his last seven starts and earned triple digit Beyers in three of those outings.  He goes form Tapeta back to the main track here and will have a tough time getting to the lead against this speedy group. However, his 12/1 ML sure looks tempting.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 8/5 or better.

EX: 6,8 / 1,3,6,8

TRI: 6,8 / 1,3,6,8 / 1,3,6,8,9

Let’s get caught up with the track bias reports for the past two weeks:

Churchill Downs

6/25/08: slight edge to runners on or near lead, 3 path in, 2 gate to wire

6/26/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/27/08: slight edge to speed, 2-3 paths, 4 gate to wire

6/28/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

6/29/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

7/2/08: edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths, 2 gate to wire

7/3/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 0 gate to wire  

7/4/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-4 paths, 1 gate to wire

7/5/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

7/6/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

Belmont Park

6/25/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

6/26/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

6/27/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

6/28/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/29/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

7/2/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

7/3/06: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

7/4/06: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

7/5/06: edge to stalkers/closers, 4-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

7/6/06: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

Hollywood Park

6/25/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

6/26/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths best, 2 gate to wire

6/27/08: edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

6/28/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

6/29/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

7/2/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

7/3/08: edge to runners off rail, 4-5 paths, 2 gate to wire

7/4/08: edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths, 3 gate to wire

7/5/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 1 gate to wire

7/6/08: edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

In most cases, when I miss an important component when handicapping a race, it sends our bankroll into the red. It is not often I miss something and it actually turns out well, but that is exactly what happened up Saturday.

The seventh race at Belmont Park was a first level allowance race on the turf. In the race was Monastic Springs, who we nailed when he made his debut on May 24, returning $27.80.

I fell in love with his pedigree; he is by Sadler’s Wells out of the G1 winner Ipi Tombe. I could not believe our luck when he was overlooked at the windows in his debut and had a very tough trip, overcoming traffic troubles to win by a neck.

I made a note to watch for him to run back, as he looked like a colt with a bright future.

On Friday when handicapping Saturday’s seventh race, I found Wesley, trained by Mark Hennig who was coming off a fifth place finish in the Barbaro Stakes and making his first start on turf.

The pedigree stood out. He is by El Prado out of an Alysheba mare that has dropped three turf winners including stakes winners Cloakof Vagueness ($433K) and Dynameaux ($280K).

When I handicap any turf race, I pull up the pedigree of each runner in the race. I must have been distracted for a couple of seconds, because not only did I miss seeing Ipi Tombe in the pedigree of Monastic Springs, you would think a horse that I cashed at $27.80 just last month would immediately ring a bell.

Somehow, I completely overlooked the colt, and did not realize this horse (who I was anxious to bet back) was in the race until several minutes before post time, after I had already bet the race.

I sat stunned as the horses approached the gate. How the hell had I missed this? If I had been at the track, I likely would have rushed to the windows, canceled all of my bets, and reloaded.

Instead, I sat on my hands as they loaded in the gate, muttering profanity under my breath on just how stupid I was.

For someone that is meticulous when looking up pedigrees in all maiden and turf races, how had I missed this?

I could have gone and bet more on the race with Monastic Springs, but I actually thought to myself that I should punish myself by watching the colt win without wagering on him

The only bright spot was his 12/1 morning line odds had shrunk to 5/2. It looked like the only one to overlook this colt was me.

Wow, was I feeling stupid.

Then something happened that just does not happen to horseplayers when we screw up. Monastic Springs was never a factor in a seventh place finish while my top pick Wesley made a good late rally after having to steady in traffic, angling to the rail to run by three horses in deep stretch and returned $17.80 for the win.

For those of you that profited, you must have had a few nice things to say about me.

I on the other hand, had to go take a shower.

Good grief, where is everyone going?  

Trainer Richard Dutrow is going on “vacation” for the next 15 days after the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority suspended Dutrow for 15 days after Salute the Count tested positive for an excessive amount of clenbuterol.

It is Dutrow’s 13^th drug positive in his career. The clamor has already started that the trainer’s penalty should be harsher for a such repeat offender.

It’s also ironic that Dutrow gets nabbed just days after one of his client’s, IEAH Stable announced they are going drug free by October 1.

No sooner had the Dutrow story hit the wire, another trainer was in the news. Steve Asmussen had a horse test positive for lidocaine.

The horse that tested positive was Timber Trick, who broke her maiden on May 10 as the even money favorite at Lone Star Park.

Lidocane is a Class 2 drug and is considered a performance enhancer. Asmussen may be looking at another lengthily suspension.

These stories come on top of Eight Belle’s trainer Larry Jones having a horse test positive.

Stones River, tested positive for having an overage of clenbuterol in his system following a June 8 win at Delaware Park.

Jones is claiming sabotage.

Having three big name trainers all have positives revealed won’t get the sport any favorable headlines in the mainstream media.

It probably will also not go over well with the House Committee for Energy and Commerce, who held hearings last week on the state of thoroughbred racing.

To top it all off, jockey Jeremy Rose was suspended for six months by the Delaware Park stewards, who claimed Rose “engaged in extreme misuse of the whip during the stretch run while on the horse Appeal to the City.”

(For the head on view of the race via You Tube click here.)

In the thirty years I have played the horses, I can’t remember a time where this sport is more out of sorts.

There are so many problems facing this industry, there is barely enough space on the entire Internet to write about of them.

It’s to the point I am just numb.

And the scary thing is, we are nowhere near rock bottom yet. The ship has no captain and is taking on water.

There is nobody within the industry with enough intelligence (or power) to get this sport out of the gutter. If Congress steps in, things can only get worse.

I wish I had the answers. The problem is, there are too many questions.

All I know is, Saratoga opens in less than a month. On July 23, I’m just going to do what every track executive seems to be doing. I’m going to ignore all of the sport’s problems and just do nothing but handicap and wager on Saratoga until closing day on September 1.

On September 2, I’ll start shaking my head and bitching again

I returned from my once a decade vacation ready to get back to work but found my main computer had been fried by a storm that hit while we were gone.

I’m ready for a new vacation.

My full card reports for Churchill Downs and Belmont Park will return on Wednesday.

I did get to catch up on this month’s Track Bias Reports:

Belmont Park

6/1/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/4/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

6/5/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/6/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

6/7/08: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 5 gate to wire

6/11/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/12/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

Churchill Downs

6/1/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/4/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

6/5/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths best, 3 gate to wire

6/6/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

6/7/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-4 paths best, 0 gate to wire

6/8/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/11/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths best, 1 gate to wire

6/12/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

Hollywood Park

6/1/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

6/4/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

6/5/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

6/6/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 0 gate to wire

6/7/08: edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

6/8/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 1 gate to wire

6/11/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-4 paths, 1 gate to wire

6/12/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 1 gate to wire

Here are some interesting props being offered by Bodoglife.com 

Will Big Brown win the Triple Crown?

Yes                   -300

No                    +220

Will Big Brown race again after the Belmont Stakes?

Yes                  +275

No                    -400

Will the official TV rating of the 2008 Belmont Stakes broadcast on ABC exceed the 13 share rating in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win Triple Crown?

Yes                  -200

No                    +150

What will Big Brown’s margin of victory in the Belmont Stakes be?

1 - 5      Lengths                         1/5

6 - 10    Lengths                         7/2

Over 10 Lengths                         20/1

Who will jockey Kent Desormeaux thank first upon being interviewed after the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

God/Jesus                                             `                       10/1

Horse - Big Brown                                                         3/1

Family or Family Member                                               6/5

Owner - IEAH Stables or partnership member                  8/1

Trainer - Rick Dutrow                                                     9/2

Fans/General Public                                                       5/1

Will Big Brown win the Belmont Stakes going wire to wire?

Yes                  +450

No                    -750

Will Big Brown take the lead in the Belmont Stakes and lose it?

Yes                  +150

No                    -200

Will jockey Kent Desormeaux whip Big Brown between the 1/8^th pole and the finish line of the Belmont Stakes?

Yes                   -350

No                    +250

Will a member of the Clinton Family (Bill, Hilary or Chelsea) attend the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

Yes                  -120

No                    -120

Will the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, attend the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

Yes                  +150

No                    -200

Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first quarter mile time of the Belmont Stakes? (According to Equibase results chart)

1^st or 2^nd place                            1/1

3^rd through 5^th place                    5/7

6^th place or higher                       14/1

Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first half mile time of the Belmont Stakes? (According to Equibase results chart)

1^st or 2^nd place                            1/1

3^rd through 5^th place                    5/7

6^th place or higher                       14/1

Will Big Brown’s winning time in 2008 Belmont Stakes be faster than that of Affirmed - 2:26 4/5. in 1978?

Yes                  +150

No                    -200

Will Belmont Park attendance for the 2008 Belmont Stakes exceed that of 120,319 in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?

Yes                  -275

No                    +200

Will the total all sources handle for the Belmont Stakes exceed the record $114,887,994 wagered in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?

Yes                  EVEN

No                    -140

Which horse will win by more lengths, Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes or Curlin in the Stephen Foster Handicap June 14^th?

Big Brown in Belmont Stakes                  EVEN

Curlin in Stephen Foster                         -140

Will Big Brown remain undefeated in 2008?

Yes                  -250

No                    +180

Odds to win the Belmont Stakes - Grade 1 - Belmont Park, New York

Big Brown                                             1/3

Casino Drive                                          7/2

Denis of Cork                                         10/1

Tale of Ekati                                          20/1

Behindatthebar                                      25/1

Anak Nakal                                           40/1

Macho Again                                         40/1

Readys Image                                       50/1

Icabad Crane                                         50/1

Mint Lane                                              50/1

Spark Candle                                         50/1

Tomcito                                                 50/1

Belmont Stakes - Grade 1 - Belmont Park, New York - WITHOUT Big Brown

If Big Brown wins and your horse is 2^nd - you win.  If your horse wins - you win. 

Casino Drive                                          6/5

Denis Of Cork                                        9/2

Tale Of Ekati                                         15/2

Behindatthebar                                      8/1

Anak Nakal                                           12/1

Macho Again                                         12/1

Readys Image                                       16/1

Icabad Crane                                         16/1

Mint Lane                                              16/1

Spark Candle                                         16/1

Tomcito                                                 16/1

Time to catch up with this month’s Track Bias Reports:

Belmont Park

5/1/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/2/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

5/3/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/4/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

5/7/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/8/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/9/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

5/10/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/11/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/14/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/15/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/16/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/17/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/18/08: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 3 gate to wire

5/21/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

5/22/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

5/23/08: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 3 gate to wire

5/24/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/25/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

Churchill Downs

5/1/08: edge to runners on or near lead, 3-4- paths, 2 gate to wire

5/2/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/3/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

5/7/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/8/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/9/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths, 2 gate to wire

5/10/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

5/11/08: slight edge to runners off rail and close to pace, 3-4 paths best, 1 gate to wire

5/14/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/15/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/16/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths best, 2 gate to wire

5/17/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

5/18/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/21/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/22/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

5/23/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

5/24/08: edge to runners on or near pace, 2-3 paths, 2 gate to wire

5/25/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

Hollywood Park

5/1/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

5/2/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

5/3/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/4/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/7/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

5/8/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/9/08: track played fair, 3 gate to wire

5/10/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

5/11/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-4 paths, 0 gate to wire

5/14/08: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

5/15/08: slight edge to runners on or near pace, 3 path in, 2 gate to wire

5/16/08: track played fair, 0 gate to wire

5/17/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/18/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/21/08: track played fair, 2 gate to wire

5/22/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/23/08: track played fair, 1 gate to wire

5/24/08: slight edge to runners off rail, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

5/25/08: edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 0 gate to wire

 It’s been three days and the pain is not going away. I pinched a nerve in my back and have been laid up since Monday afternoon.

I have a new found respect for my wife, who has suffered from back problems the past few years. The excruciating pain I have felt the past couple of days is the worst pain I have felt since Jamie Spencer ruined my Arlington Million Day a few years back.

I hope to be back in action for Saturday’s racing.

Quick Pic Scandal Growing Wings

The California Horse Racing Board’s chairman stated that Scientific Games might have known of the computer glitch that lead to Big Brown being left off Quick PIc tickets as early as February.

The glitch became known when a bettor at Bay Meadows placed 1,300 superfecta Quick Pic tickets on the Derby, and none of the tickets included the #20, which happened to be Big Brown.

Coincidence? Another inside job? After all, the Fix Six Boys from the Breeders’ Cup a few years ago are all out of jail.

The investigations start while horseplayers are again holding the short end of the stick.

The lawyers may be stepping in on behalf of horseplayers. Girard Gibbs, LLP has purchased Google ads on horse racing web sites.

The Gibbs website is seeking horseplayers that placed Quick Pic wagers on the Derby or other races.

From the web site:

Girard Gibbs is investigating allegations that certain horses were excluded from supposedly random Quick-Pick betting selections at racetracks nationwide. Consumers who purchased Quick-Pick betting tickets for the Kentucky Derby may have had no chance to win due to an apparent Scientific Games computer problem causing certain program numbers to be omitted from what was purported to be a purely random selection method. The California Horse Racing Board is investigating the problem.

If you or someone you know purchased a Quick-Pick bet for the Kentucky Derby or any other horse race, and you would like more information on our investigation, please call 1-866-981-4800 or fill in the following form to send us an email.

Scientific Games claims the problem is isolated to the BetJet series wagering terminal.

There is no excuse for this type of error, and I would not be surprised to see an investigation point fingers on “humor error.”

Scientific Games should be tossed to the curb.

Here is one instance I will be rooting for the lawyers.

From the Onion

Nike Signs Big Brown to $90 Million Horseshoe Contract

PORTLAND, OR-In a move that added the world’s pre-eminent equine athlete to its stable of endorsers Tuesday, Nike signed Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown to a seven-year, $80 million endorsement contract that included a $10 million signing bonus as well as the creation of a signature horseshoe, the Air Brown.

“Nike is ecstatic to sign the top star in horseracing,” CEO and Nike president Mike Parker said, unveiling the “jumphorse” logo as the Kentucky-bred colt trotted onstage. “From Michael Jordan to Tiger Woods, Nike has created formidable partnerships with the very best in sports. I can’t say how proud we are to work with B.B., who is an extraordinary individual both on and off the track.”

“Big B doesn’t complain when he gets the far outside starting gate position,” Parker added. “He just gallops. And he gives hope to everyone out there that if they train hard, push themselves, and keep their snout clean, they can accomplish anything.”

Big Brown, whose Nike endorsement deal is the largest ever for a thoroughbred, was flown from New York to Portland in a private Nike jet stocked with the world’s finest bourbon, caviar, sugar cubes, cigars, carrots, and hay. Upon arriving on the west coast, the equine superstar’s handlers whisked him past a throng of cheering fans into a stretch limousine bound for Nike headquarters, where Brown, his 11-horse entourage, and his team of lawyers reviewed the contract one last time before signing.

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After Big Brown won the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday, the Unethical Persons With Too Much Time on Their Hands (PETHA) called for the immediate suspension of Dale Jarrett and the #44 UPS Truck.

“After hearing the results of the Preakness Stakes, we call for NASCAR to immediately suspend driver Dale Jarrett and his entire pit crew. We feel it is abuse to run that big brown truck against those tiny three year old horses,” a PETHA spokesperson announced on Monday.

“We also condemn the fact that a bear (Kentucky Bear) ran against this machine, and the thought that three drunks (Tres Borrachos) were also permitted to race is awful. Those three drunks should have been left in the infield to graze where they belong.”

“We are also in touch with the AARP, who we feel will surely condemn horse racing after they find out that Pimlico allowed 188 year old Icabad Crane to run in the Preakness,” the spokesperson continued. “Mr. Crane should be spending his time in Sleepy Hollow, which uses a polytrack surface, not on a dirt surface like Pimlico.”

Johnny Depp, who played Ichabod Crane in the movie Sleepy Hollow, did not return repeated phone calls for a comment for this story.

PETHA protested outside the main gates at Pimlico on Saturday, and did not see the race. They were seen having a picnic lunch provided by the Pimlico Media Department that consisted of Yum! Brands food left over from the Kentucky Derby, and were using neighborhood children with shopping carts to run their bets.

Another PETHA spokesperson, who watched the replay of the race on the local news later that evening, called for yet another suspension.

“We feel Big Brown and Kent Desormeaux should be suspended,” the spokesperson declared. “We feel it was inhumane to the other eleven horses in the race to be mocked by the jockey, who continued to look over his shoulder and between his legs when the rest of the field was hopelessly beaten. The rest of the horses were so embarrassed I am sure they will refuse to run in the Belmont Stakes.”

The spokesperson also wants trainer Richard Dutrow suspended for the Belmont Stakes for his refusal to stop calling everyone “Babe.”

“Calling everyone Babe is really annoying, “the PETHA spokesperson said. “We are going to fly Farmer Hoggett and the sheepdogs that helped raise Babe from a piglet into a full sized pig to New York to help us with our protest.”

Rumors that PETHA has a Pig Roast Dinner Fundraiser and Silent Auction scheduled for the evening before the Belmont Stakes could not be verified by press time.

PETHA only had 15-20 protesters at the Preakness and are hoping to double their presence at the Belmont Stakes.

“In Baltimore, we should have enlisted the The National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Centers (NALGBTCC) to protest Gayego being in the race, as well as American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) to protest Giant Moon,” the spokesperson said.

“For the Belmont, we will invite the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (NCALG) to protest Casino Drive being in the race,” she continued. “Perhaps we can get The Village People to perform and speak out against Macho Again.”