Some fine threads going on so I might comment that:

1) Maggie. The fact that she tabbed Isotherm before the 8th race, how did that
help me in constructing a P4 which started in Race 7? With about 90% of my
action sunk into multiple race wagers, Maggie's impact on my game will not be
significant.

The young lady is getting a cult like following thanks to NYRA's utilization
of her skills, the NYRA website, Twitter, etc. She has the kind of following
that neither of her excellent predecessors, Charlsie Cantey and Jan Rushton,
ever had the chance to develop. I always had a lot of added respect for Cantey
and Rushton because they were exercising some of NA's most valuable horseflesh
in the mornings. Thankfully we can still enjoy Charlsie's distinct voice on
the Claiborne commercials.

Let me divert myself and mention that NYRA's improved audio visual presentation
and NYRA's very informative website give me hope that NYRA has finally
realized, at least for the sake of downstate racing, that quality AV/quality
website might be as important, as a gateway, as is (was) live customer experience.

Back to Ms. Wolfendale, most of my respect for Maggie comes from the fact that
one of her biggest supporters (one of the first on the bandwagon) is known
cynic TheGuruJerryBrown.

2) Youth is Served. All I ask is that the next time someone posts about the
lack of young people at the track, reveal just which track you are speaking of.
I was at Belmont yesterday. Plenty of folks in their 20s and 30s, plenty of
married couples with kids; Monmouth, plenty of kids, plenty of families;
Saratoga: popular with kids of all ages. Keeneland is overrun by college kids
on Saturdays. Downs After Dark on Friday nights at CD supposedly draws
youthful crowds. I just have not personally experienced the absence of youth
that others have chronicled.


People complain that young people are not buying into racing while the older
fans are dying. Humans seem to be living longer, and I read recently that,
worldwide, more diapers will be worn by older adults than younger children.
So rather than wringing their hands about demographic myths, racing needs to
continue to pursue the retirees and pensioners; put those kiosks that Miff is
always talking about near the CVS and the Walgreens, in the restaurants that
offer Early Bird specials.

Fan's Notes updated: Marking, the 3YO first timer by Bernardini who was
heavily touted when gate scratched at the Spa, won easily at Bel for KMac last
Wednesday at a short price.

Bokeelia Island, a 3YO Shug colt who made a wild run to finish second in his
debut, was vet scratched 2 Fridays ago from a race won by Uncle Mo's sibling.
Bokeelia's 2YO brother broke his maiden at Belmont and is nominated to the
Champagne.

Fans Note from Saturday: Forever in Love, for La Verdad's connections (Lady
Sheila Stable, Linda Rice, Jose Ortiz) lost much ground on the turn and may
have benefited from a better timed move in the Pilgrim.

Fans Observation: Stallwalkin and Salutos-- more impressive than any number,
the fact that these two maintain their sharpness over an extended period,
well...