Jug Fantasy continued...

2009 LBJ Winner????

OK, so I screwed the pooch bailing on Steve Elliott as one of my trainers before the Simcoe, costing myself two notches in the standings by falling from 6th to 8th without the 50 points I would have received. I was also less than thrilled when my brainstorm choice of Vertical Horizon came second after Jody Jamieson insisted on the lead with an inferior horse. That forced Campbell to tuck back in when JJ repelled his backstretch move...then deuce pop on the last turn, only to have JJ let the winner up the rail. I call bullshit. So, after all that, I am 134 points off the lead with the Jug to come...should be in 5th place, 59 points behind. I'm bitter...it looks grim.

Here is my plan for the Jug:

I think Vintage Master is the best horse. I have him, Takter & Dube. So does everybody else, I assume. He drew the four in the same heat as Well Said, who drew post eight. I am taking a stand against Well Said, leaving him out of my five allowed picks, as the only chance I see to win is to hope for some unlikely results.

My other trainer, Tracy Brainard, has two entered. If I Can Dream from post ten in the first division, away from VM & WS. She has named Tetrick, who I dropped in the last draft for Dube. Shoulda kept TT and dropped Pierce and just been done with Well Said, but, you know how it is. So, I'll activate IICD, Mr Wiggles, who looks tired but should relish the half, and Keep It Real, fresh horse, for the first division. I will not activate River Shark, though I'd kind of like to have him, and just hope his draw in the 10 horse field keeps him out of the hunt. He was also scratched from an overnight on Saturday, raising more questions and Sabatelli is listed as trainer when I had hoped he'd go back to the Brainard/Marks barn for the Jug.

For the second division I have Vintage Master activated. My other options are Chasin Racin (just OK in an overnight at Chester on Friday), Vertical Horizon, who I took for the above mentioned Simcoe but moves to Brainard/Marks for this one, and Well Said. I'm in a lose/lose here because Vertical Horizon can't make me a hero with VM in the race and me having Takter & Dube. Still, I have to take him, hoping he can pull the upset as not everyone has him, I'm sure.

In review, here's what I need to happen to have a chance at the big prize:

First Division: If I Can Dream to win from post 10, earning me 50 horse and 50 trainer points. Keep It Real and Mr Wiggles to run second and third in any order. Total gain= 137 points

Second Division: Vintage Master to win, 50 horse, 50 driver and 50 trainer points, Vertical Horizon second for a total of 175 points. Well Said eliminated.

Second Heat: Here I need some things to happen. Ideally, Brainard will replace Jimmy Morrill, who inexplicably chooses Doubleshotascotch in this heat, with Pierce on Vertical Horizon. He wins, gaining me the 150 point maximum and requiring a race-off. Vintage Master, Keep It Real, If I Can Dream and Mr Wiggles complete the top five finishers, and I get another 50 points from that.

In the Race-off, why can't Vertical Horizon win? I don't even care who drives, cause for the race winner I will get 250 points and the trainer / driver points are eliminated. It seems reasonable to me! You got a problem with that?

A Fine Mess...

The whipping DQ of Angostura at Mohawk suffers the misfortune of occurring under the worst possible circumstance. There is a tremendous response to the article at the bottom of the page linked above.

Trevor Ritchie is far, very far, down the list of guys who might be suspected of abusing a horse in any fashion, particularly whipping. Trevor is a very bright horseman, highly respected and rightfully so. He is very kind to the horses and has had remarkable success with his conservative style. It is truly a shame that the onus has fallen on him under these circumstances and the connections of the filly stand to endure an extreme penalty.


Cutting to the chase, this case is going to compromise the future of the rule eliminating one handed whipping, no doubt about it. I don't claim to have an answer, it is a difficult proposition and there is plenty of passion on both sides. But... I am always puzzled by the drivers contention, as was cited by Trevor in his statement, that the inability to whip one-handed compromises their safety. I raced horses for 20 years and I'm not saying that their contention is being used as an excuse, I just can't imagine how that happens. Feel free to share your opinion on the topic.

Sunday review

Mohawk had the highlights last night. Two splits of the Simcoe for 3CP, the first was of no consequence, the second saw Well Said measure off a game Carnivore in his final prep for the Jug. I thought it a purposeful start, confirmed by the positive (I think) post race interview with the enigmatic RP. Two divisions for the Simcoe 2CP featuring Sportswriter in a blue collar win (why would they bring him right back after the WR Metro to make 5 starts in as many weeks?).

Muscle Hill (he sure takes a nice picture) put on another exhibition, never taking a deep breath in his CTC elim. He hasn't shown any weakness as yet. Although I question the decision to take him all the way to Mohawk to make 4 starts in as many weeks then facing heats in the Futurity after a week off, it's impossible to fault the management thus far. In the other elim Southern Rocketop impressed by trotting away from Explosive Matter. That one has looked better each week from the Am Nat through the WTD with this race the best I've seen him. Judge Joe had some trot, he's sped up a bit since the sale. Explosive Matter had to be compromised by the lack of a race, should be more fit for the final. Maybe somebody can make a race of it next week, but I won't count on it happening.

The Artiscape for older mares at Tioga was a good race with Tug River Princess closing to win a tight one. They all look tired in that group, but their season is pretty much over, just the Allerage at The Red Mile and Am Nat left.

Indiana Downs showcased the $1.4 million ISS finals. New pickup trucks for some of the corn belt boys! Looking through the program, I was struck by the diversity of Indiana sires. A whole bunch of horses I've never heard of, particularly the trotters. Good for them.

Jug Fantasy Contest...sigh

So...I'm currently in 6th place of 500+ after 14 events with just tonight's Simcoe and the Jug itself to go. The rules allow a stable of 10 horses (only 5 of which may be activated for each race), two drivers and two trainers (always active). They also permit replacement of 2 horses, 1 trainer and 1 driver twice along the way. The second replacement period just ended, so the selections I now have must take me through the Jug.

I'm pretty happy with the horses in my barn. The logical choices, Well Said, Vintage Master, If I Can Dream, Mr Wiggles, Keep It Real, Dial Or No Dial, Chasin Racin and Johnny Z are held over. I replaced Art Colony (shut down) and Vertigo Hanover (disappointment) with Vertical Horizon (not really a Jug contender IMO but is 6/5 in the Simcoe tonight which would net 50 points and I can only use 5 for the Jug anyway) and River Shark (a flyer based on his Confederation Cup showing, hoping for a good post in a cheap division). Minor angst over those additions, but pretty OK.

The trouble for me was replacing a trainer and a driver. I started the contest with Pierce and Tetrick as my drivers. Pierce for Well Said, which has paid off handsomely. Tetrick on spec, as he had Dial Or No Dial at the start, Teague uses him a lot and I just thought he'd pick up a live steer. Didn't happen.

My trainers at the start were Steve Elliott (Well Said) and George Teague, who had like a hundred eligibles. Teague did me some good, but as I looked over which horses were eligible to which races after the first replacement, I decided to swap him out for Tracy Brainard. That went well, as If I Can Dream won two contest races for her while George didn't win another contest race.

So...now as I pour over the possibilities, it is announced that Well Said may skip the Jug. Oh no! I don't know how to take this. I think he will race, but I also think Vintage Master, off his Cane win, may be the best horse for the Jug and I don't have either his trainer (Takter) or driver (Dube). So much there will depend on who draws in which division and, of course, the post draw.

After much consternation, I keep Pierce and pitch Tetrick for Dube. I think Dube might catch another live horse (River Shark maybe) for the Jug while Pierce is tied to Well Said and has really no other live options. OK.

Selecting the right trainers is far more difficult for me. I finally decide to keep Tracy Brainard, thinking that If I Can Dream is a good small track horse but does need a good draw...and...she was the trainer of record for River Shark at Flamboro, that might happen again...and...she might have a bunch in the Jug with all the Brooks horses from which to choose...and...she's got two, albeit outsiders, in the Simcoe. OK.

Now what do I do with Steve? He's got just the one, but that one is Well Said. I've scored a lot of points with Steve along the contest and the horse is a complete lay down in the Simcoe tonight, 50 points for the taking. But what if they don't come for the Jug? On the other hand, Takter has committed with VM and I really like the horse. He was vicious in the Cane and showed speed, a new wrinkle. I replaced Elliott with Takter, then immediately had second thoughts but once you make that click, you can't change, you're locked in.

So...we will see...I'll keep you posted...sigh.

She's a he!

South African running sensation Caster Semenya has been determined to be a hermaphrodite. The 18 year old has been running roughshod over her competition in women's track events, resulting in accusations that she is in truth a male. Turns out, she's both. Those of us familiar with Martha Maxine can relate to the circumstance. Weird, huh?

To choke or not to choke?

The tabloids are abuzz with TV reality tramp Tila Tequila's accusation that her BF Shawne "Lights Out" (gotta love it) Merriman gave her the business the other night when she tried to leave their love nest. "Lights Out", on the other hand, claims he was doing his civic duty by trying to prevent the demure Ms Tequila from embarrassing herself with a display of public drunkenness. Ms Tequila (can those be real?) responded by placing "Lights Out" under citizen's arrest for a laundry list of violations, including false imprisonment. Whatever happened to "Love, Honor and Obey"? I'm gonna call it a wash.

Atta Boy David!

The Squirrel is pleased to learn of Dave Palone's induction into the Harness Racing Hall Of Fame. His remarkable accomplishments, well documented in other mediums, clearly qualify him for this recognition. Left undocumented is the lengthy list of personal efforts he assumes by his place at The Meadows, which he has always handled with aplomb. Well spoken, clever and witty, Dave is someone I'm always happy to see. This is the highest honor one may achieve in our sport. I'm proud of him.

...and we're back!

Hello varmint followers! Back to blogging after summer hiatus.

Let us begin with a short review:

It has been a good summer for those of us who enjoy harness racing (a small, yet select group) with Muscle Hill, Well Said, Lucky Jim and a host of others providing many thrills. I was fortunate enough to be at The Big M, as it were, for the Hambletonian day card and it was fabulous!!! The emphasis has now shifted to Canada and the 2YO stars are appearing to enhance the experience. I am personally quite anxious to get to Lexington for the two weeks of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile, where the suspects will be separated from the prospects.
Stay tuned between now and then for clever reviews and witty observations...it has been too long.