MarkRodriquez

Zenyatta was the greatest star the Breeders Cup has or ever will see. BC's witout her just aren't the same.

C'MON, WE ALL KNOW THAT UNDEFEATED HORSES THAT WIN BREEDERS CUP RACES HAVE NO RIGHT TO WIN AN ECLIPSE AWARD OR HOTY!

Agreed, compared to the NFL, admission, parking and a form are much cheaper than a ticket to the Packers game. But wait a minute, you don't buy $100 vouchers at the Packers game. Racing is in direct competition with other forms of gambling. Casinos don't charge admission or parking. And you don't have to spend $6 on a paper that would make you a better blackjack or slot player. To the not-so-serious player, racing is a difficult thing to grasp. The first question asked to me by novices: "How do you pick a winner?" That question could be answered a 100 different ways. ALMOST EVERYBODY I'VE TAKEN TO THE TRACK HAS POLITELY REFUSED WHEN ASKED TO GO AGAIN. When they don't understand how to play, it's no fun. A slot machine is much easier.

Furthermore DRF whiner, Steven Crybaby claimed that if the BC was permently moved to SA, eastern trainers would "boycott" the event. REALLY, Steve. Do Western trainers boycott the triple crown because it's held east of the Mississippi? And where's your list of trainers that are willing to tell their owners: "We're not running in the $5 million BC Classic because it's held in La-La land. Instead we'll wait for the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct!" WHERE'S THE LIST, STEVIE?

Brian, did you see the 350-foot redwood trees? Do you agree it's a beautiful place? I can't believe how uncrowded it is there. I'd like to retire there.

The greatest county fair of them all: The Humbolt County Fair at FERNDALE, CA. Located near Eureka, which is a mini San Francisco and right by the biggest trees in the world, the folks at Ferndale know how to have a good time. Nowhere can a crowd of 4,000 make so much noise screaming at a mule race. They also have thoroughbreds and Arabians, plus all the simulcasts from the big tracks. You will be in one of the most beautiful places you've ever been. But bring a jacket as 65 deegrees is a heat wave in Ferndale.

Furthermore DRF whiner, Steven Crybaby claimed that if the BC was permently moved to SA, eastern trainers would "boycott" the event. REALLY, Steve. Do Western trainers boycott the triple crown because it's held east of the Mississippi? And where's your list of trainers that are willing to tell their owners: "We're not running in the $5 million BC Classic because it's held in La-La land. Instead we'll wait for the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct!" WHERE'S THE LIST, STEVIE?

Furthermore DRF whiner, Steven Crybaby claimed that if the BC was permently moved to SA, eastern trainers would "boycott" the event. REALLY, Steve. Do Western trainers boycott the triple crown because it's held east of the Mississippi? And where's your list of trainers that are willing to tell their owners: "We're not running in the $5 million BC Classic because it's held in La-La land. Instead we'll wait for the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct!" WHERE'S THE LIST, STEVIE?

Santa Anita does have one problem: the unproven dirt track itself. It seems SA has been changing its surface because of problems. If the surface is unsafe or comes out like a dragstrip that produces world-record times, then go somewhere else. Hollywood Park actually has the safest surface, but easterners are tired of synthetic horses kicking their butts.

Every year the Super Bowl is played in a city with decent winter weather (unless it's played) in a northern domed stadium. That tradiltion has kept the game from being played in blizzard conditions. I was in Las Vegas the year Monmouth held it. I stopped betting on the races because of the quagmire that developed. Just this week Saratoga was plauged with sloppy tracks that can happen this time of the year. Santa Anita is the 1-5 favorite for having the best weather and fast track, now that Gulfstream is on the also-eligible list.