The Pinkie's Official “Horse Racing” Page
Under The Lights At Churchill Downs
By: Carl H | June 19th, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingWell KY Senate President David Williams declared the video slots bill dead yesterday, even as it moved toward a vote by the full House. And since the racing industry is floundering while legislature continues to shoot down plans of resurrecting it, Churchill Downs is doing something tonight it has never done in its 135 year history: Race at night….
Williams said the Senate instead would consider his alternative plan to help the horse industry without expanded gambling. DUMB MOVE.
I just don’t get it. Horses ARE Kentucky. And Kentucky is dying rapidly. According to several industry ‘experts’, Turfway Park and other tracks across the state are in dire straits and could be forced to shutdown within three months if something is not done quickly.
Why are people opposed to putting slots at the racetracks?? Because they see it as expanded gambling and lowering morals?? The track is already an avenue for gambling, how do slot machines make it any worse????
House leaders are proposing to use revenue from the slots to pay for more than $1.3 billion in school funding through bonds and direct appropriations as a way to persuade members to support the bill.
However, this is seen as ‘unfair’ by others in the legislature: Sen. Charlie Borders, chairman of the budget committee, to which the slots bill likely would be assigned, agreed with Williams that there seems to be little support in the Senate, and particularly in his committee. He said members don’t like that the House is tying more than $1 billion in funding for education in an effort to pass the legislation.
“That’s not a good way to make public policy,” he said. Borders, R-Russell, said some committee members find the process in the House to be “distasteful.”
Borders’ committee has 11 Republicans, one independent who caucuses with the Republicans and just five Democrats.
Distasteful? It is distasteful to try and pass a bill that immediately would pay dividends and create revenues that in turn is going to be put towards funding our state’s education? Again, I’m just too dumb to understand I guess — must be that there Kentucky education I got me.
Anyhow, come on out tonight and join a targeted crowd of 20,000+ at Churchill and watch these majestic beasts race under the lights. The gates open at 4pm and the race card starts at 6pm with the final race going off at 11:11pm. (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
Tonight, guests will receive a celebrity welcome into Churchill Downs with the chance to walk the red carpet, which will be richly decorated with colorful buntings and seasonal flowers. The Voice-Tribune’s Angie Fenton and Kentucky Derby 2009 Chief Party Officer Nick “RiNickulous” Ferrara will be on hand to interview guests as they arrive, adding to the “celebrity arrival” feel. Once inside, the Downs will come alive with color and live music for an extended “Happy Hours” celebration to remember.
Happy Hour will last until 8pm and admission is $10.
For a full rundown of all information go to Churchill’s Official Site.
Borel pushes slots at Kentucky tracks
By: nickev | June 8th, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingFrankfort, KY – Borel is helping the Kentucky Equine Education Project, a horse industry group based in Lexington, to urge passage in an upcoming special legislative session of a bill to allow slots at the tracks to increase purses.
Borel is featured in a radio ad and has written a commentary about the issue.
“If it doesn’t pass soon, then we will fall way behind, and those hard-working people all over Kentucky who take care of the horses will have to relocate to other states,” Borel said.
He notes that he moved to Kentucky 12 years ago “to be in the middle of the horse racing and breeding capital of the world.”
“There are reasons that Kentucky has been recognized as No. 1,” Borel said. “We have strong race tracks and internationally known races which provide a year round circuit. We have the finest breeding farms and horses in the world. And, we have outstanding horsemen and women who take care of the horses.
“No other state has this foundation, but Kentucky is at a crossroads. Our position as the best is slipping. Every other state in the region now helps fund their purses and breeders’ awards with money from alternative forms of gaming.”
Courtesy of Bluegrass Politics
Let’s do it. We need a way to lose money at the track in between races.
Summer Bird Wins the Belmont
By: nickev | June 7th, 2009 | Category: Horse Racing - VideosCalvin Borel fell just short in his attempt to win the Triple Crown on two different horses and Carl H proved once again to be the worst horse racing predictor in the nation. The man picked Summer Bird last and once again proclaimed that Birds do not belong in horse racing. Well, I think the Birds beg to differ.
Belmont Stakes Predictions
By: Carl H | June 4th, 2009 | Category: Horse Racing
Well, I went 0-fer in the Derby and 1-for-13 in the Preakness, so let’s see if I can build off that momentum for the 141st running of The Belmont Stakes on Saturday. I have disrespected and discounted Mine That Bird and Calvin Borel in the last two legs of the 2009 Triple Crown, dare I wear the dunce cap for the third strait time? Let’s find out. Here are my predictions for the 1 1/2 mile “Test of the Champion”:
Post time: 6:27 p.m. EDT at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Purse: $1 million.
Distance: 1 1/2 miles.
Weight: 126 pounds.
Television: ABC 5-7 p.m.
10. SUMMER BIRD – PP:4 – Don’t care if he finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and the other bird won it… still don’t think bird’s should be racin’ against horses… unless Calvin Borel is their jockey…
9. LUV GOV – PP:5 – LUV GOV finished 11th in the Preakness. Is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, but is owned by his breeder; which I think in horse racing may be similiar to breaking the “never get high on your own supply” rule.
8. MINER’S ESCAPE – PP:9 – In his most recent start, MINER’S ESCAPE won the Federico Tesio Stakes on May 2nd at Pimlico Race Course. Sired by MINESHAFT, the 2003 Horse of the Year, but this is 2009 and this horse is unproven and will stay that way.
7. DUNKIRK – PP:2 – The Todd Pletcher trained horse won his first two career starts before finishing second to QUALITY ROAD in the Florida Derby and then a disappointing 11th in the Kentucky Derby. More disappointment here as DUNKIRK never challenges.
6. CHOCOLATE CANDY – PP:1 – Finished fifth at the Kentucky Derby and has been at Belmont Park ever since. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer claims the horse has been very happy there, but I see no evidence to back that claim up.
5. BRAVE VICTORY – PP:10 – Finished 3rd in the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) to the winner CHARITABLE MAN. Sired by LION HEART, a tremendous JCVD flick…
4. FLYING PRIVATE – PP:8 – Trained by four-time Belmont Stakes winner D. Wayne Lukas, FLYING PRIVATE is coming off a fourth place finish in the Preakness. The man’s father is FUSAICHI PEGASUS for cryin’ out loud…
3. MR. HOT STUFF – PP:3 – COLONEL JOHN’s full brother, MR. HOT STUFF should benefit from the added distance. A very disappointing 15th in Louisville five weeks ago, but Eoin Harty will have him ready to roll come Saturday.
2. CHARITABLE MAN – PP:6 – The Peter Pan Stakes (G2) winner won’t run out of gas, he’ll just get run down. Has the talent, but not the experience. Is two-for-two on this track, but Saturday will make him two-for-three….
And the winner...
1. MINE THAT BIRD – PP:7 – “We’re gonna win, no questions asked,” Borel predicted Monday at Churchill Downs following Mine That Bird’s workout where he covered a half-mile in 50 seconds.
Well alright Calvin, I’ve been made a fool of twice in the last six weeks, it won’t be thrice. Calvin BO-RAIL and MINE THAT BIRD will cross the finish line first, leaving the world to wonder, “What if Calvin didn’t prefer the ladies?” Borel becomes the first jockey to ever win the Triple Crown aboard two different horses, and ‘tanks’ everyone involved in making his dreams come true.
BOREL & BIRD; WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN...
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Post
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Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Chocolate Candy | G. Gomez | J. Hollendorfer |
| 2 | Dunkirk | J. Velazquez | T. Pletcher |
| 3 | Mr. Hot Stuff | E. Prado | E. Harty |
| 4 | Summer Bird | K. Desormeaux | T. Ice |
| 5 | Luv Gov | M. Mena | D. W. Lukas |
| 6 | Charitable Man | A. Garcia | K. McLaughlin |
| 7 | Mine That Bird | C. Borel | C. Woolley |
| 8 | Flying Private | J. Leparoux | D. W. Lukas |
| 9 | Miner’s Escape | J. Lezcano | N. Zito |
| 10 | Brave Victory | R. Maragh | N. Zito |
Calvin Borel to ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont
By: nickev | June 1st, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingNEW YORK — And on Belmont Stakes day, the filly will rest.
The latest episode of “How The Triple Crown Turns” resolved some major issues with the announcement that leading lady Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont next Saturday.
“While she is in great shape … we feel Rachel deserves a well-earned vacation,” the Preakness-winning filly’s co-owner Jess Jackson said a statement issued late Friday afternoon, about the same time most TV soaps had signed off with viewers wondering what new twists await next week.
In the Triple Crown’s final installment, it is this: Leading man Calvin Borel will get back on Mine That Bird with a chance to become the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont on different horses.
Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird at 50-1 odds, then jilted him for Rachel and beat the Derby winner in the Preakness by a length. Since Borel has ridden the filly to six straight wins, he said he’d be loyal if she ran in the Belmont. But now he’s free for Mine That Bird and ready to compete in his first Belmont with history riding on the outcome.
Mine That Bird, meanwhile, will attempt to become the 12th horse to complete the Derby-Belmont double and first since Thunder Gulch in 1995.
“Now that this decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes,” Borel said, thanking the gelding’s trainer Chip Woolley and co-owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach for their patience before naming a rider.
Courtesy of ESPN.com
With Mine That Bird’s propensity to finish races strong, he will be the odds-on favorite to win the mile-and-a-half long Belmont Stakes. The loss of Rachel Alexandra does reduce the drama of the race, but it will still be interesting to see if Calvin Borel can become the first jockey in history to win all three legs of the Triple Crown, with two different horses.
The biggest question now is, will Mine That Bird be pissed off at Borel for ditching him for Rachel Alexandra? Or will he be pumped to have his boy back in the saddle?
Post time is set for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and coverage will begin on ABC at 5:00 p.m.
Calvin Borel To Mount Nine; Come out to Happy Hour at Churchill Downs
By: Carl H | May 29th, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingSame song and dance as every Friday from now until July 5th…
Hot Dogs and Beer: $2.00
Margaritas: $3.00
Local Yumps: Courtesy of Churchill Downs, one lucky lady chosen ‘most stylish’ will win a $250 shopping spree at a Louisville boutique. This is the scene to be seen as the paparazzi will be on hand seeking out the best dressed of Louisville.
Come on out and join the Pinkie squad at the track!!! First post is at 2:45pm ET and you can check all the entrants here.
Calvin Borel will be riding in every race but the sixth, including Mike Battaglia’s favorites to win in the 2nd, 5th and 10th races.
Rachel Alexandra Wins the 134th Preakness Stakes
By: Carl H | May 16th, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingEarlier today nickev campaigned for Peter Griffin’s version of bird is the word. Whilst I love me some P. Griffin, I gotta go with Pee Wee’s version from Back to the Beach on this one:
Well, Bird was almost the word today, but not quite. Calvin Borel and the filly Rachel Alexandra held off the hard charging Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird by 3/4 lengths to win the 134th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in 1:55:08.
Calvin Borel predicted it, and Calvin Borel followed through. Rachel Alexandra becomes the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years (1924) and only the fifth ever.
Musket Man was third, with Flying Private rounding out the Superfecta. The rest of the field finished as follows: Big Drama, Papa Clem, Terrain, Luv Gov, General Quarters, Friesan Fire, Pioneerof the Nile, Tone It Down and Take the Points.
The Belmont Stakes will be run June 6th and we’ll have to wait and see if Rachel Alexandra will run there as well. Oh, and I finally got one right, going 1-for-13 — nailing the twelfth place finisher, Tone It Down.
Mine That Bird is the Word
By: nickev | May 16th, 2009 | Category: Horse Racing - VideosCan Mine That Bird do it again? If so, the Bird will definitely be the word. Yeah, I copied this strait off of NBC’s coverage, but why would they not go with the Peter Griffin version. Seriously.
Anyways, click here for the Pinkie’s predictions of the Preakness.
Calvin Borel is awesome; Come out to Happy Hour at Churchill Downs
By: Carl H | May 15th, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingYesterday two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel became just the fourth rider to win 900 races at Churchill Downs as he guided War Eagle Lady to a 14 3/4-length victory in the sixth race.
“I hope this is the start to a great weekend,” said Borel, who will ride Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra in tomorrow’s 134th running of the Preakness Stakes. Check here for my predictions.
Only Pat Day (2,482 wins), Don Brumfield (925) and Larry Melancon (907) have won more races at Churchill than Borel.
Come on out to Churchill this evening and enjoy Friday Happy Hours from 4:00-7:00pm ET. You can get you a tasty hot dog for just $2. How about a delicious Budweiser? $2. Or maybe you would prefer a trip to Margaritaville? Margaritas = $3.
Also for all the local yumps out there, you should dress to impress as each week, one finely dressed female will be named “most stylish” and win a $250 gift card to one of several Louisville-area boutiques!
Come on out and join the Pinkie squad at the track!!! First post is at 2:45pm ET and you can check all the entrants here.
Preakness Stakes Predictions
By: Carl H | May 14th, 2009 | Category: Horse RacingSince I did so well in my 135th Kentucky Derby Predictions (0-for-19) I’m assuming most of you have been on pins and needles awaiting my Preakness picks. Well, your wait is over. Here they are, from thirteenth all the way up to the winner of the 134th Preakness Stakes:
13. TERRAIN – PP:6 – Won his first three races, but a five race losing streak since becomes six at Pimlico.
12. TONE IT DOWN – PP:12 – Won’t be able to tone it up in order to keep up with the others. Back of the pack, start to finish.
11. TAKE THE POINTS – PP:11 – Unfortunately this isn’t basketball or football and there aren’t any points to take…
10. LUV GOV – PP:4 – Winless in his first nine starts, finally won on Derby Day at Churchill. Considering his owner was willing to pull him from the race if it improved Rachel Alexandra’s chances of getting in, not a lot of confidence from this horse’s stable.
9. MINE THAT BIRD – PP:2 – Mike Smith is not Calvin Borel, sorry Triple Crown hopefuls….
8. PAPA CLEM – PP:7 – Fourth place in the Derby and a head out of second, PAPA also won the Arkansas Derby. He won’t win in Baltimore.
7. FLYING PRIVATE – PP:10 – Finished last in the Kentucky Derby, but should have promise as he came to be by a Kentucky Derby winner (Fusaichi Pegasus) out of a mare by a Kentucky Derby winner (Unbridled).
6. MUSKET MAN – PP:3 – Impressed at Churchill and has exhibited an off-the-pace running style that, despite his sprint pedigree, argues for success in longer distances.
5. GENERAL QUARTERS – PP:8 – People love the grays, and this one has shown he’s not just a color by shocking the country with his 14-1 victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass.
4. BIG DRAMA – PP:1 – Showed in his debut and hasn’t been outran since, losing just once on a DQ in the Swale Stakes on the Florida Derby card.
3. PIONEEROF THE NILE – PP:9 – Won the Santa Anita Derby and that has boded well for Preakness horses in the past. Also coming off a second in the Derby to a horse with rocket boosters on his hooves (MINE THAT BIRD).
2. RACHEL ALEXANDRA – PP:13 – Extremely difficult to pick against this horse (who won the Kentucky Oaks by 20+ lengths) and Calvin Borel (again), but i’m a moran so i’m gonna do it…
1. FRIESAN FIRE – PP:5 – Sticking with my Derby pick, even though he was less than unimpressive two weeks ago, Larry Jones will finally find some good fortune.
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Post
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Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Big Drama | J. Velazquez | D. Fawkes |
| 2 | Mine That Bird | M. Smith | B. Woolley Jr. |
| 3 | Musket Man | E. Coa | D. Ryan |
| 4 | Luv Gov | J. Theriot | D.W. Lukas |
| 5 | Friesan Fire | G. Saez | L. Jones |
| 6 | Terrain | J. Rose | A. Stall Jr. |
| 7 | Papa Clem | R. Bejarano | G. Stute |
| 8 | General Quarters | J. Leparoux | T. McCarthy |
| 9 | Pioneerof the Nile | G. Gomez | B. Baffert |
| 10 | Flying Private | A. Garcia | D.W. Lukas |
| 11 | Take the Points | E. Prado | T. Pletcher |
| 12 | Tone It Down | K. Desormeaux | W. Komlo |
| 13 | Rachel Alexandra | C. Borel | S. Asmussen |
