Latest Musings

While I'm sure some of you weren't holding your breath to see if I would add to my blog, I decided this would be a good day to offer my two cents on the latest happenings at Arlington. And I had time to write with our 2.30 post time on Fridays!

Oh, and I had a great time out in California in case you wondered. Taking in all the sights from Malibu, a hike in the San Gabriel Mountains, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Dodgers game, a morning visit to Santa Anita to Hermosa Beach. I had an great time (thanks to my awesome host)! And I'm finally over the cold bug I caught on the way back to Chicago (sneezing and coughing is not fun as a race caller).

So back here at Arlington.....

I can't help but be impressed with the start Rene Douglas has been off to. I know Rene loves to win at this meet, but his start to 2008 has been awesome (117-37-21-14 31.62%). And I guess the same could be said for perennial leading owner Frank Calabrese and top trainer Wayne Catalano. In the past, the pair have stuck with one jockey as the "go to" rider, but this year F.C. has been spreading the wealth among a few riders, including Rene, our newest oval teen Brandon Meier and Hall of Famer Earlie Fires, who landed a stake last weekend with Magnetic Miss (great training job Spanky Broussard).

I'm also keeping my eye on horses conditioned by Larry Rivelli and Steve Hobby. Both are also winning at a solid clip through 21 days at the meet. And Chris Block making an impact with nine winners at the stand.

Of course, the racing highlight this weekend will be the simulcast of the 140th Belmont Stakes (AP post time 12.00 central for a dozen races). So are you rooting for Big Brown to win the Triple Crown?

I have to admit, I've always been one to root for underdogs. And at 2-5, Brownie doesn't exactly fit that role. And the short odds will make him a tough bet unless you just want a souvenir ticket to put in your scrapbook or sell on Ebay. Only a few months ago, I remember a lot of sports reporters all but handing the Super Bowl trophy to the undefeated New England Patriots going up against the Giants. Guess what?

The New York football Giants got the last laugh and handed the Pats their first loss of the year in the biggest game of the season.

So with that said, I'm one of those that will sit back and watch the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes. If history is to happen, I'll applaud Big Brown for being a phenomenal athlete to capture the grueling Triple Crown while undefeated. I won't knock his competition throughout the Crown, but will give credit where credit is due to the horse. And if another three year old (Casino Drive) rises to the moment, I'll applaud him for not rolling over to his talented rival. I'm just looking forward to watching a great race!

And let's not forget Horse of the Year Curlin is waiting in the wings for his next start. It's exciting to have his connections campaigning this Champion for us in 2008. With all of the press for Big Brown, here's the Horse of the Year making his first start since capturing the Dubai World Cup as the highest rated horse in the World. So I'm looking forward to watching the Grade I Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs.

Soldier of Fortune just landed the Group I Juddmonte Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs under Johnny Murtagh for Aiden O'Brien (in case you wondered). I try to keep my eye on European results since our International Festival of Racing isn't too far off the calendar in August. I'm hoping for some great racing in our three Grade I races, The Secretariat Stakes, The Beverly D. and the Arlington Million. And you can even order your tickets on-line now!