Barbaro

2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, was euthanized on Monday. Barbaro suffered a devastating injury during the 2006 Preakness while trying to keep the dream of the Triple Crown alive and the complications resulting from that injury were just too much for him to overcome. I think it is a testament to the heart of a champion that Barbaro had that he survived for 8 months following the injury. He never lost on the racetrack and he only lost the ultimate race after giving his all trying to win it. Many sports fans don't necessarily agree with the idea of horse as athlete and while they may have a minor technical point there, I would certainly hope that no one would be able to argue with the fact that Barbaro was a champion in not only ability, but also heart and soul.

MAXXAM and The Millions

Sam Houston Race Park hosts one of its spotlight races on Saturday night with the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup. A field of ten has entered and the top pick on this front is the Steve Asmussen-trained More Than Regal. He won the Zia Park Derby last time out on December 9 and should be ready to rock and roll in his return go. Saturday is also the Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream and Santa Anita Parks. The highlight race in Florida is the $1,000,000 Classic and the pick there is Sweetnorthernsaint over Silver Wagon. Silver Wagon has never been this far before and the extra furlong could get him in the end. The prime California race is the $500,000 Turf featuring the best horse on the West Coast, Lava Man. However, I will look for a bit of an upset with the Neil Drysdale trainee, Sherwood Park, who is 3 for 4 over the grass at Santa Anita. Enjoy the first great racing weekend of 2007 and here's wishing the best of luck to you all.

Welcome to 2007

The calendar has now clicked over to 2007 and we are back to some important racing events happening again. The Breeders' Cup announced the addition of three more races to be run on Friday, the day before the traditional BC program. The Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint, and Juvenile Turf will be run on Friday at Monmouth Park, when the BC visits the Garden State for the first time. I think this is a tremendous addition (although I would also like to see them add a turf sprint). The only negative for us race-callers might be the end of All-Star Announcers Day (which I have been fortunate enough to be a part of three times, including this past year at Churchill Downs). That is traditionally the Friday preceding the BC card, so we'll have to see how that all shakes out in the coming year, but BRAVO!!! to the BC for expanding the opportunites of horses and horsemen to win these prestigious races.

I also wanted to alert everyone that we are racing at Sam Houston Race Park as well. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday programs are available and you can link to the SHRP website through the menu on the right of this page. Our MAXXAM Gold Cup is coming up on January 27th and I will have picks up for that race right here the day before. There will also be a look at the Sunshine Millions that day as well. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all in 2007.