“He’s all business on the racetrack. But he’s a big old love bug in the barn.”

New York Times article about Nobiz Like Shobiz and the Derby Trail in general.

[NYT – Requires Log-in]

Glen Ellen Farms is the organization in the previously mentioned article.

I found them by way of Blue Horse Charities, an interesting group who’s goal is to “keep all thoroughbreds out of the hands of killer buyers”.

Check out the “Who We Help” page for a list of rescue organization that they help… go donate, go local!

Story of a race horse rescuer with little support… highlights some of the ugliness of the sport.

It would be great to get outfits like this one the type of media attention that the Barbaro foundation is getting.

Even better, it would be great if the Barbaro foundation could funnel a percentage of it’s donations to lesser known outfits!

Given that the Lexington exacta paid $1002, next year I may do more exacta boxing on longshots early in the 3 year old season… or maybe I’ll try it for the 2 year olds later on this year.

$1002 for a $2 exacta!!

Photo Gallery of Hard Spun’s new half-sister, Turkish Tryst 2007.

I reiterate, extremely cute (pictures), be warned.

I love Premium Tap and am bummed to think he may not run much, if at all this year and definitely not in the states… was really hoping to see him at least in the Breeder’s Cup this year.

[Story on NTRA]

My strategy for the 3rd pool was to basically bet against Curlin, Street Sense & Circular Quay (and watch them win, place and show on Derby day).

The things that I don’t like about Curlin are that he hasn’t raced against tough competition and we have no idea if he’s got the heart for a fight. Could he hold his own against Street Sense in the stretch?

As for Street Sense, he seems to need precise placement to really get the job done. While Circular Quay overcame a potential huge disaster in the Risen Star and finished well, I’ve never had a gut feeling for him.

$10 on:

No Biz – while somewhat goofy, I think he’s probably the horse to beat

Hard Spun – the only teeny tiny reservation I have about him is that he hasn’t beaten, or run against, any of the favs

Scat Daddy – he’s so gutsy!

Tiago – if he performs like his last race, watch out

$8 on:

Great Hunter – looked to me like he got stuck in traffic in the Blue Grass, he’s beaten both Street Sense & Circular Quay

$6 on:

Cowtown Cat – ran great his last 2 races

Domincan – can’t believe his odds didn’t lower more

All Other 2 year olds – you never know

$2 on:

Officer Rocket – even though his showing was poor in the Arkansas Derby, he’s beaten Teufelsberg, Hard Spun & Street Sense!

Teuflesberg – he’s beaten Hard Spun and despite his incredibly slow pace was pretty game in the stretch during the Blue Grass, I think he’ll do better when he’s not the pacesetter.

I also put some money on the Oaks, I haven’t been following the Ladies too closely (that will change next year), but here’s what I did:

$4 on:

Boca Grande

Octave

$2 on:

Autobahn Girl

Moonee Ponds

Ding, Ding, Ding… Round 4!

Contender 1

No changes here… and to see all of the sizes and treatments, view the original submission.

Contender 2

The creator of this contender says:

My thought regarding color was that it could be changed according to the site owner’s preference. Also, for RSS and such, move ‘Alliance’ up to the top in one big string and replace that with ‘RSS’ / whatever.

Reminders: If you vote for tweaking please leave your thoughts how/what should be tweaked.

Even if you’ve voted before, this is a new round so please vote again!

Ding, Ding, Ding… Round 3!

Contender 1

No changes here… and to see all of the sizes and treatments, view the original submission.

Contender 2

Our latest submission from an Anonymous Logo-er!

Reminders: If you vote for tweaking please leave your thoughts how/what should be tweaked.

Even if you’ve voted before, this is a new round so please vote again!

Let Round 2 voting begin!

Contender 1

First up, I did some revisions on the original submission, version 2 includes the following changes:

1. Attempt at creating a hoof on the front right leg

2. Removing the negative space between the back legs

3. Slight clean-up on the font

This version also assumes all the treatments from the original.

Contender 2

Our late submission!

Please vote! Also please leave feedback if you like what you see but feel it can be improved upon.