Well it certainly wasn't Great, but it wasn't that bad either. This is a real tough day to look smart and an easy one to look bad. Yesterday reminded me of the BC at Churchill one year where all kinds of wierd stuff happened. Starting with Sheikh Albadou in the Sprint (Opening Verse, Miss Alleged,Arazi).

I thought the weather angle was overplayed,as I stated in my post Saturday morning. But it is not uncommon for there to be an 85 degree day in Dallas this time of year and that kind of heat will roast most of em. Trying to give selections, project weather, track conditons along with bias 3 days in advance is not exactly a small task.

I also thought there was a little too much, see how certain trainers are doing, or who is handling the heat or the ship and then adjust. Ask me now and I can probably give you some pretty good answers on who to bet. Just find somewhere to get down. Even on days where its bad Thorograph is still good. And thats saying something. Like I said earlier it gave me Singletary and I fumbled on the one yard line. Whose fault was that??

Something for the BC people to think about. I'm all for moving this event around because it helps keep the interest level up. In the last 10 years we have been to Canada, Chicago and now Texas. But when 3 of your 8 events are grass races it needs to be someplace where the Euro's are comfortable. This place clearly wasn't. Heck they barely even tried any of the dirt races, something they have been doing more and more of and in some years almost won the Classic.

Years ago when they put a one mile race in people thought it was a misfit. Now its almost the only race the American Breeders have anything suitable for. The Turf field keeps getting smaller and smaller while the Mile is a consistent overfill.

I thought the Media did a good job considering what little they had to work with.

My Awards:

Eclipse Trainer: Pletcher-a star is born

Eclipse Owner: Ken Ramsey-he made need that purse money soon to cover his bets from yesterday.

Comeback Trainer of the Year: D Wayne Lukas-Darth Vader has become Moses.

HOY: Ghostzapper-maybe since Stronach also stands the sire, he brings the horse back for another year. By retiring him now he could effectively cannibalize his own Stallion (Awesome Again-raise the fee Frank). Hold off another year be good to racing (the fastest horse ever) and maybe then its Darth Vadar becomes Moses II.