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#1
11-25-2007, 04:50 PM
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2007 - The Highs And Lows
Really curious to read what the fellow members on this board consider their highs and lows from this Horse Racing year. It can be from any angle from ownership, gambling, training whatever. I'll start.
The highlight of my year was being able to travel to several tracks with my Granny. She got to see Churchill for the first time. When I pulled that car into Lot 17 and I glanced over the look on her face was great. All day long she just smiled. So did I. I decided on that day that my ashes when I leave this earth will be spread on the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs. No question another highlight for me was another great experience at The Little Brown Jug. Folks, whether you love, hate or are neutral on Harness Racing you owe yourself at least one visit to this piece of American Pie. An atmosphere second to none - every one of your senses will be in full swing. From hearing the legendary Roger Hustons' voice bellowing thru the speakers, the smell of the fair food bringing you back for more, a quick walk thru the Hall of Fame and the new barns the list just goes on and on. Another high for me personally was the quick realization that my gambling was close to getting out of control. I caught it early in the year and have held steadfast to my word to keep it inline. I now find myself having more fun then ever at the track. Without question my biggest low for the year was seeing how racing in Ohio is on a slow decline. As our neighboring states fuel their purse money with slots we here in the Buckeye State keep plodding along with cheap purses, cheap horses and the future does not look good. Sure I still love those hard working friends I have made thru the years who send out those Maidens in that race at Beulah but times are moving ahead everywhere else and at Beulah and all other tracks in Ohio time is not standing still but rather falling backwards. Why in the world people turn their eye on slots is beyond me when the Ohio State Lottery is present in every Gas Station and Convience store known to man. Not too mention most of those who voted against the slots are the same ones who support Bingo at the local "Firemans Hall" or Church. I don't want slots at the track but I don't want these Horsemen to move their tack elswhere when they have all this right in their backyard and have for decades. Their is something to be said for history is their not? Looking forward to reading your replies and best wishes for the New Year! 
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#4
11-25-2007, 05:45 PM
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high: Midnight Lute winning the BC sprint....and remembering when he could hardly walk without his crooked legs clunking together.
low: Itty Bitty Pretty breaking down....and remembering bottle feeding her for the first week of her life.
__________________
 Seek respect, not attention.
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#7
11-25-2007, 06:07 PM
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High - getting to Saratoga for opening week for the first time, hanging out at the BBQ with the greatest folks on the planet, and getting American Dream'a in the Winners Circle on Toga's opening day.
Absolutely nothing can compare to getting your picture taken on opening day at the Spa. Low - the weather at Monmouth for the BC, and watching the van and tarps come out for George Washington.
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#8
11-25-2007, 07:51 PM
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"Funist" - Dee Tee Stables
Lowest of the lows - The New York State political system with the NYRA situation (or anything else they handle!)
__________________
"Change can be good, but constant change shows no direction" http://www.hickoryhillhoff.blogspot.com/
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#9
11-25-2007, 08:59 PM
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High: Rags to Riches in the Belmont. I never was a fan of hers before that race, but with the determination she showed and the excitement she created in the stands that day I was turned.
Honorable Mention going to Panty Raid winning the American Oaks. Quote:
Quote:
__________________
please use generalizations and non-truths when arguing your side, thank you
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#11
11-25-2007, 11:22 PM
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High: An exciting Triple Crown with more than a few compelling stories, followed by many of the top 3 year olds running the rest of the year, including the Classic.
Low: Losing Barbaro. Just about everyone realized the odds were against him, but it seemed like he had made so much progress by the end of '06/ early '07 that they even talked of him leaving New Bolton. And then seemingly in an instant, he was gone.
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#12
11-26-2007, 03:27 PM
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Highs: Curlin's Classic and Rag's Belmont...
Lows: Can't get past Barbaro and George Washington. I just remember the Eclipse Awards and "Team Barbaro" getting the special award and then losing him a week later. The breakdown of George all but ruined the B/C for me. There were several "Euros" at the hotel we stayed at for the Breeders' Cup, and I remember the "Gorgeous George" jackets that they were wearing... I can't imagine the heartbreak they must have felt losing him under those circumstances.
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#13
11-27-2007, 02:51 PM
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As far as racing moments go:
High: This was a REALLY bad year for top class racing - but there was a trio of genuine all-time Great debut performances turned in by Curlin, Magnificence, and Indian Blessing. From that standpoint, it was a spectacular year for all-time great debut performances. Low: I was certainly most annoyed that Street Sense somehow put himself into position to be a first ballot hall-of-famer - and an "all-time great" on acomplishment in recent history - that with only a single run left in his career. And it centered solely around wins in the BC Juvie and Ky Derby that just looked so much better on the surface than they were analytically. To sound every bit the bitter queen, the impossible trip Street Sense got in the Ky Derby was my low racing moment of the year.
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#14
11-27-2007, 03:55 PM
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Highs:
Going to Santa Anita in March and seeing Lava Man winning the Big 'Cap. Rags To Riches winning the Belmont, that was some race. Even though i'm not a huge fan. Seeing Curlin's breathtaking display in the Classic Lows: George Washington's tragic end in the BC. Teuf's serious injury The overhype of Street Sense prior to the BC was completely stupid and the lack of the respect the other got because of him was a low in itself.
__________________
Avatar ~ Nicky Whelan  and now we murderers because we kill time
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#16
11-27-2007, 05:34 PM
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Highs: Joining this forum in March. Never been part of anything like this
before. It's been entertaining and educational. Most trips to Saratoga I've ever taken. Had a blast each time. Even had a profitable meet. First time in a while. Lows: The NYRA/State government debacle Had my worst big-5 gambling wise. Took some tough beats at annual "get togethers" for the Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Travers and the Breeder's Cup. I believe it's the first time I didn't cash a single ticket on Breeder's Cup Day. Still had a blast with the guys. Any breakdown of a horse and injury to a jockey.
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#17
11-28-2007, 09:44 AM
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High - Rags to Riches' Belmont win - what heart
An e-mail from Steve back in February that began with: Congratulations.. You own a racehorse! MassCap back for 2007 and hopefully for a long time to come Low - Barbaro and George Washington, R.I.P
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#18
11-28-2007, 07:04 PM
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Great idea.
High Point: Illinois Ruling Stops Horse Slaughter in U.S. The only positive thing that has come out of decisions made by our State legislators and Executive Office thius year. Won't bore you with politics here but it's a mess: http://www.bloodhorse.com/articleind...e.asp?id=40918 Best memories: 1) Having the opportunity to attend a Corporate Function in the Million Room at Arlington Park. I get to Arlington Park about 4-6 times a year with my wife and kids (ages 9 & 13) in the grandstand and it is a great place for family fun; but getting to see the races from the Million Room with an incredible view and fabulous food and service was awesome! 2) The winning jockey autographs goggles and gives them away to kids after races on the weekend at Arlington Park. My daughter got goggles from Robbie Albarado this year adding to her collection of signed goggles from Mark Guidy, Rene Douglas and Chris Emigh. Two Hall of Famers and the best two riders on the Chicago circuit! 3) Hitting the Turf Festival Pick 3 at Arlington Park on Arlington Million Day along with a win bet on Grand Couturier and an exacta with Grand Couturier and English Channel in the Sword Dancer at Saratoga on Million Day. Won over $650 in a span of an hour making my year at the races a profitable one. 4) Illinois OTB, NTRA, Monmouth allowing for advance wagering on the Breeders Cup. My father and I have a tradition of watching and wagering and Mom and Dad retired to Arkansas. They could not make it to Illinois this year so I bet our Pick 3s Friday ending in the 10th and 11th and went south to watch at their new home. Hit both Pick 3s we played and while they were chalky it ended in a profitable day that I got to spend with Dad. 5) On the phone with Dad watching the Belmont with both of us cheering on Rags to Riches over Curlin to get us profit on our Pick 3. 6) Street Sense. I picked him to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile based on his win at G3 Arlington Park and my daughter had him in the Ky. Derby. All of his races were incedible to watch. Even in defeat he proved a true champion who gave his best each time. Kudos to all 3 year olds, what a great year for the Derby Trial! Lows: I too share the frustration over the loss of great equine athletes in their prime. I hope the synthetic surfaces which have disrupted my ability to effectively analyze past performances serve to diminish the loss of those we cheer to victory.
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#19
11-28-2007, 07:18 PM
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Quote:
but of course the pols can say they cleaned up their backyard.
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