Archive for January, 2009

Where Is It?

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 15, 2009 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

I am a Director of Marketing. You know, the person who gets to decide which commercial annoys you and goes where? The stuff that you read about, and then decide to go to the races. Well, that is the way it is suppose to work. But sometimes, the powers that be make it tough. When […]

World-Wide Hurt

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 13, 2009 in News | 1 Comment >>

2008 saw a contraction in the Irish horse racing industry for the first time in over 15 years, as the effects of the economic slowdown coupled with unprecedented bad weather conditions, hit the sector in the second half of the year. The industry has enjoyed consistent growth across all key measures since the introduction of […]

Things That Almost Did Not Happen

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 13, 2009 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

As a handicapper, horse-player, and all-around gambler, I have seen things that make grown men cry; or laugh, depending on your sense of humor. Here are a few things to think about as you recall some of your favorites. How about the day that I was a young lad who saved up his money and […]

Top Twenty 3-Year-Olds To Watch

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 12, 2009 in General Discussion, Handicapping, Kentucky Derby | No Comments >>

Rank. Horse, Starts-wins-2nds-3rds, Earnings, Sire, Trainer, Comment. 1. Old Fashioned, 3-3-0-0, $173,280, Unbridled’s Song, Larry Jones, The gray colt won the Remsen under wraps in the final furlong. 2. Break Water Edison, 5-2-1-0, $140,880, Lemon Drop Kid, John Kimmel, Impressive in the Nashua, he’s preparing to return in Florida. 3. Hello Broadway, 3-1-1-0, $71,060, Barclay […]

Three-Year-Old Update

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 12, 2009 in News | No Comments >>

Friesan Fire took a big step forward on the Kentucky Derby trail Saturday at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, rallying to the lead in the stretch run and winning off by 1 1/2 lengths. Patena also ran well late to take second and Au Moon was third. But it was Friesan Fire, a Kentucky-bred colt […]

Little Brother

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 12, 2009 in News | No Comments >>

Horse racing’s most famous sibling is about to get his first test. The bay colt Nicanor, the full brother to Barbaro, is nearing his debut, an occasion that will begin to answer a question that has hovered over him since shortly after his birth: Will he, too, be a star? His trainer, Michael Matz, who […]

Don’t Mess With Fire

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 12, 2009 in News | No Comments >>

Friesan Fire, a talented 3-year-old colt who had disappointed in his last three starts, finally showed why trainer Larry Jones considered him a legitimate Kentucky Derby (gr. I) prospect from the outset, as he took over at the top of the lane and held off a late charge by Patena to win the $100,000 LeComte […]

What Is The Answer?

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 12, 2009 in News | No Comments >>

Fewer gamblers, and less betting at blackjack tables and slot machines in Indiana’s 11 riverboat casinos last year, caused a sharp revenue decline statewide, compared to 2007. Casino executives and the head of the state’s gambling trade group blamed the worsening economy, rising unemployment and last summer’s $4-a-gallon gasoline prices for the decline — the […]

Pletcher Update

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 10, 2009 in General Discussion, News | No Comments >>

Trainer Todd Pletcher was conspicuous by his absence in the entries for Saturday’s Fort Lauderdale. Pletcher nominated three horses, Icy Atlantic, Z Humor and Alaazo, but opted to pass the race with all three. He said Icy Atlantic is being pointed for the Sunshine Million Turf on Jan. 24. Pletcher will be well represented Sunday […]

Ohio Back At The Table?

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 10, 2009 in News | 2 Comments >>

The company that spent $36 million to defeat a gambling measure last year, has returned with a proposal to transform Ohio’s seven horse-racing tracks into gambling emporiums and to allow four casinos in cities. Penn National Gaming Inc., the owner of a Toledo racetrack and one of the nation’s deepest-pocketed gambling companies, is talking to […]