As I warm up the pipes for the sing along tomorrow, here’s the ’08 version..
-k-
Another Memorial Day Legend
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Tag Archives: Racing
Borel, Swell
I’d pondered whether or not a jockey had ever won the Triple Crown when riding different horses. As it turns out, if the radio station I listened to on my return trip from getting my hair cut is correct, no. This has never happened.
Today, there’s a chance that it could come to pass. Calvin Borel, riding Derby winner Mine that Bird, rides the Derby winner again in today’s Belmont Stakes.
Much as I’d like to see a four legged Triple Crown winner, I’ll settle for one that walks on two. Especially since I picked Calvin’s mounts in my last live track outing1, and they did fine by me.
-k-
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Is this a Fluke?
Watching Bump Day from Indianapolis, I’m pondering how long it’s been since there has been no rain during Indy qualifications. Seems like a long time to me, but then I lose track of such things.
Bump Day is always a drama-packed event, as underfunded teams, teams struggling to get a break, scramble to find an extra bit of speed. Making the Indy 500 field is an achievement; I’d give retirement a shot if I had even the last-place money from that race.
So, I’m on the bridge in the tbbs WorldHQ control room, watching all the exciting action, and warming up the pipes for a rousing rendition of Back Home Again in Indiana one week from now.
-k-
Indy Cars
While I typed into this old waste of bandwidth blog yesterday afternoon, the Indy 500 Pole Day Qualifying was run, and I missed it. I was somewhat bummed about that, but I enjoy all the Indy drama, so I thought I’d ass up and watch some of the second day qualifying. The 500′s website said it would be on ESPN2; no soap. Nor ESPN, nor ABC. I just thought that the Indy 500 had finally fallen from grace with the teevee networks.
Then, a scan around the DirecTV guide showed Indy qualifying on some channel called VS, DirecTV channel 603. Never heard of VS; had no idea we even got it. I’m watching it now. Hmm, Uncle Google reveals that VS is the network formerly known as the Outdoor Life Network.
OK, then.
-k-
Still Love ya’, Brownie
It wasn’t Big Brown’s day today at the Belmont. In spite of the acumen of jockey Kent Desormeaux, who judiciously steered Big Brown to the outside early on, and who appeared to be content to let Big hold in third down the backstretch, there was “just no horse” 1 left coming off turn 4.
Desormeaux never went to the whip; he knew that on this day, the horse didn’t have it in him. So, he eased him up, and Big Brown ran dead last. Last. But not dead. And not hurt. Even in defeat, the man/horse team showed up well.
In the spirit of monetary gains, the following payoff for the winner, Da’ Tara:
79.00 28.00 14.80
I’d be proud to have handicapped the race, and chosen Da’ Tara to win. I’d also gladly shred the winning ticket to have a Triple Crown winner.
Maybe next year.
-k-
Technorati Tags: Belmont, Big Brown
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And they’re Off! (Almost)
The Belmont post parade underway. Big Brown looks like he has another day at the office.
Run, big fella. 1-4 odds to win; only way to cash a huge ticket is to bet a bunch.
-k-
Hoping for a Triple Crown
Tomorrow, the running of the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Having been an admirer, if not a good judge of horseflesh for a long time, I’ll just say Go Big Brown. Even if $2.00 gets me $2.10 for the win.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a Triple Crown winner; I’m ready for one.
-k-
NASCAR HotPass Lineup
The Channel/Driver/Car grid for tonight’s running of the Sharp AQUOS 5001 shakes out like this:
795 – Tony Stewart, #20
796 – Clint Bowyer, #07
797 – Jeff Gordon, #24
798 – Juan Pablo Montoya, #42
799 – Dale Earnhardt JR, #8
I must head off to my fantasy racing site, hopefully to improve my team. Kurt Busch is peaking at the right time, and he’s on the pole; if the price is right, he’ll be on my team this week.
In the meantime, the race doesn’t start until 8PM EDT, the better for NASCAR to vie for prime-time ratings points. The business of NASCAR is business, after all. And there’s NHRA qualifying for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals right now, on ESPN2. With six big hours of finals to be telecast tomorrow.
Good stuff.
-k-
[tags]directv, HotPass, NASCAR, NHRA[/tags]
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Whatever Moves the Product
It’s no secret that Michael Waltrip has had an abysmal season on the Nextel Cup circuit. I have mulled over how his sponsors must feel about his performance. And, today. during ESPN’s coverage of the Pennsylvania 500, a NAPA ad that went something like this:
Scene: Michael Waltrip Racing, Cornelius NC.
Michael is on camera, and acknowledges that his season has been sub par. He then reads and answers mail from fans; the answers follow:
- Yes, I’ve checked; the parking brake is not on.
- No, I’m not saving tires during qualifying.
- My head is still on my shoulders, but thanks for your concern.
Lemons, lemonade, anyone?
-k-
[tags]NAPA, NASCAR, michaelwaltrip[/tags]
The King of Toughness
Via The Fat Guy, news of a near tragic event. A.J. Foyt, “Super Tex”, a racer’s racer, was operating a bulldozer at the edge of a lake. The bank gave way, the dozer and AJ fell 15 feet into the water. He managed to crawl out of the steel cage around the dozer cab, and swam to safety.
AJ was not hurt; he didn’t even go to the hospital. And, this being a Sunday, he’s at Michigan International Speedway, overseeing his IRL team in today’s race.
When you talk cojones, you’re talking A.J. Foyt.