Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Cup & Saucer is Set - Pure Magic for Race Fans

On Monday, Blissful Breeze won the third and final trial for this year's Gold Cup and Saucer, and the field for this Saturday's final is set.

One thing we have learned from this spectacle the last several years, is that it's hard to keep people away from it, despite the relatively small purse. On HD.com an insider posted that Mark MacDonald, recent Canadian driver of the year and the perennial $5M + winner, has booked off his Saturday stakes drives at Mohawk to compete in the Final in Charlottetown.

That is something rarely seen nowadays - drivers booking off solid mounts where they are going for hundreds of thousands of dollars in an evening, to compete in one $60k race. But for those who have been to the Gold Cup, it probably does not surprise them too much.
Scott and Wayne celebrating.

Delaware's finest trainer (if not the best colt trainer in the US) George Teague only had one horse qualify for the final - Western Ace. His other entrant, Southwind Lynx, is in a $20k race this weekend. I hope George and Brenda have a great time this week, and spread the word.

The final will be televised on HPITv (it goes at midnight on Saturday Atlantic time, 11PM eastern) and the last four races comprise the $10,000 guaranteed pick 4. The race will be bettable at Twinspires, America's ADW, I believe Ebet affiliates and a few others. If you are a thoroughbred fan and are sitting around Saturday night wondering what to do, pop it on at about 15 minutes to post via one of the ADW's listed. The post parade is the best post parade anywhere, in my opinion, and to see so many people jam a harness track on an island with a small population, is pure magic for any racing fan.

If you love the sport of horse racing, you will love this event.

Notes: 

The lasix debate is a funky one, as we have spoken about many times here. Teresa looks at it today.

Perretti Farms is selling their broodmare stock. An absolute shame. This is one of the finest farms in the history or our sport. When I go through the catalogs I look at every one of their colts and fillies because I know we are probably looking at a potential champion. We'll see if we can fire off Bob Marks a few questions and find out more about this story.

Another unique event is the Xtreme racing at Georgian Downs. This year's conditioned sheets are out.

One of our pals, Jason Settlemoir, has been inducted into the USHWA Hall of Fame. Way to go Jason; we need about a hundred of you. If we had that, we'd be in good shape.

1 comment:

That Blog Guy said...

Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and Favorites in New Jersey will be offering simulcasting on the CDP card that night.

There is a question if NJBETS will be able to offer it as CDP's signal doesn't use Roberts racing network. I was told if the card will be broadcast on the web with online video streaming, you may be able to bet but have to switch to the online video streaming to watch. If no online video streaming, they won't be able to offer it via NJBETS. A decision should be made by tomorrow.

I know this was a last minute decision so the problems are understandable.

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