Racing Year in Review 2009

Well -

Its been a long and exciting year for Thoroughbreds in 2009. I will touch on some highs and lows with some thoughs on each.

Highlights -

Zenyatta - was the best story of the year when she inhaled the BC Classic field. I stood applauding alone in my living room as I had just witnessed one of the most special endings to a racing career since Personal Ensign. I wish she had raced a few more times but she wasn't the one bought mid-season to exploit the slow 3 yr old colts. That was ..

Rachel Alexandra - was an amazing feat when she won the Oaks by 20 lengths then was gobbled up by Earnest & Julio Gallo for a remarkable mid - summer run. She had me and the entire crowd amazed after her gutty performance in the Woodward. Too bad that race gutted her and she was put away for the remainder of the year.

Wesley Ward - while I used to hate him as an apprectice cause he would beat Angel Cordero so many times that season of his 'bug' at Saratoga - but I've learned to appreciate his training skills. It was a breakout year for Wesley as he scored at the Royal Ascot meeting in England. Not many people would even think to go to Royal Ascot - but he did and won respect and his horses ran very well.

Andy Serling - I've been aware of Andy since he is a Saratoga Springs local and goofy about horse racing like the rest of us who grow up here. I loved listening to his Saratoga DRF seminars at Siro's for years. Well thanks goodness the NYRA hired him full time. Andy is insightful and very entertaining. He will quickly become the Nation's Best TV Handicapper.

Chip Woolley - this trainer was thrust into the spotlight when Calvin Borel rode the race of his life and scored in the Kentucky Derby on Mine that Bird. He was a refreshing personality on the Derby scene. But what makes him memorable to me is what they did the day after they won the Derby. Mr Woolley and the owner of Mine that Bird stood in front of the Derby Museum and gave out the roses from the wreath around Mine that Birds neck from his Derby win the day before. Very classy for Derby winning connections, nonetheless extremely down to Earth.

Linda Rice - while everyday NY players certainly know her , she accomplished an awesome feat this season. Linda won the trainers title at Saratoga. Having to face the 150 horse trainers like Todd Pletcher and Steve Assmussen, she won the title with 32 horses in her barn. She expertly picked her spots and got the most from her stable. Way to go Linda ...

Lowlights -

Rene Douglas - please keep Rene in your daily prayers. He is still paralyzed from a summer spill at Arlington. Polytrack needs to go. The riders at Arlington were terrified to fall because it was like concrete. Please remember Rene - and Replace the Polytrack !

Scott Blasi - the assistant to Steve Assmussen who was over- seeing Rachels R&R at the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga. One morning while Rachel was being led out to graze, we were told to look away from Rachel - the boss would get mad. Are you kidding asshole ? Look away from a horse in plain sight ? Get a grip Mr Blasi.

Bobby Frankels passing - enough said - he was turf legend , he will be sorely missed. Its too bad Juddmonte has given most of the horses over to Billy Mott. They should have stayed with Humberto and kept in Bobby's family.

Jan Rushton - I miss Jan. She was a highly perceptive and intellegent pre- race analysist with the NYRA. Jan moved home to the Carolina's to take care of her family. I remember many years ago talking with Jan in the paddock in Saratoga. That old bastard Harvey Pack had just insulted her on live TV because he didn't like her hat. So I started the conversation with that and it went from there. Jan at that time was primarily an excersise rider for Shug McGauhey who happened to gallop both Heavenly Prize and Inside Information. I asked Jan who she though was better since they had never faced each other. Jan said HP but I argued for Inside Infomation. It was settled later that year in the BC Distaff when Inside Information whipped up on the field including Heavenly Prize and won by 10 lengths. God Bless you Jan , I hope your family is doing better.

New York State - this is the worst of the lowlights, the NYS government. They approved VLT's for Aqueduct in 2001 - and the project is yet to be STARTED !! These scumbags and slugs of the Earth are trying to get 'their piece of the pie'. Its all about GREED. They are costing NYS $1,000,000 a day in revenue !! Hey its not like were running a budget deficit right !! These pieces of shit are too busy trying to get their share rather than decide on a company to run the VLT's. The state is losing money. NYRA needs this income to continue operations. But our dumb governer would rather put 60 NYS troopers in his motorcade so he looks more like a governer or install skylights at the capital building for $48 million dollars while horse racing suffers. Way to go Patterson. Take Obama's advise and just crawl back under a rock.

That's it for now - the very best of luck !

Have a profitable New Year -