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I placed a bet in the Preakness on a horse that had "bounced" in the Derby. New term, new concept to a 19 year old me. Ironically the horse was my Derby pick. Jerry had given out the whole explanation on a TV show that I just happened to catch. I convinced my Dad that this horse was live and we should go bet. We wind up at the Red Mile in Lexington as there were few options for getting
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coachbowlin
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The 7 furlong 184 feet race at Keeneland is known as the "Beard Course". It's the longest 1 turn race the track can host. The track is an oddly shaped 1 1/16th mile oval with 2 finish lines. Every dirt race finishes at the same line except those that are 1 1/16 mile. In my 38 years of watching races there I can tell you with certainty that speed horses have a distinct advantage in
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coachbowlin
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There is an old saying in KY...if you don't like the weather, "hang around because it's about to change"! Last year Lexington had snow, previous year we had a massive storm (moved Trick or treating to another night). If you're looking for dry/fast surface, recent years have been anything but. With that in mind, due to our location in the middle of the country gulf air and
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coachbowlin
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1987 BC Classic at Hollywood Park Ferdinand vs Alysheba with Durkin calling in his prime. It doesn't get any better in this old man's opinion! Those of us living in central KY are anxiously awaiting this years Breeders Cup. Maybe we'll have our own unforgettable Classic. My gut feeling is that the racing will be great but the house isn't big enough for the event. Imagine your
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coachbowlin
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You gave me Hansel in '91 and I've been loyal ever since! My first introduction to the "bounce". Thanks!
Coach
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coachbowlin
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Curlin had a very nice career after finishing 3rd, 1st, 2nd in all three Triple Crown races. Keeping in mind how many horses that run in all 3 TC races and are essentially used up, his career becomes even more of a remarkable achievement. Granted he was VERY green in the Derby.
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coachbowlin
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Bloodhorse.com reporting Durkin is retiring. He was my personal favorite track announcer. I think it's probably because his voice brings back great memories of the Breeders Cup. Lots of great races called by Durkin. My two favorites are '88 Distaff and '96 Mile. No doubt he's lost his edge of late but still one of the best ever!
Coach
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coachbowlin
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Monarchos had an objection claimed on him. Only thing I remember even close to a DQ.
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coachbowlin
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A good friend of mine in the breeding industry took me to the Churchill back stretch on the Sunday before the Derby in 2006. We walked barn to barn, seeing who we could see. Right in front of my eyes I see THE most gorgeous horse I had ever seen in person. With my untrained eye even I could see that this one was special. The rest of the morning all I hear from the wise guys at Churchill is that
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coachbowlin
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Wi-Fi is hit and miss. So many people, so many cell phones. Its been better in recent years but still nothing to feel too confident about. Phone calls as a back up is a solid plan. The betting lines after race 6 look like they're giving away free money at the windows. Literally tens of thousands of $2 bettors in line with no clue what they're doing. The betting lines between the Wood
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coachbowlin
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Toppled,
Enjoy your first Derby! I sat there in '87 and didn't see Alysheba stumble until the 11pm news later that night. It's a zoo in that area to say the least. The buzz in the crowd (literally), My Old Kentucky Home and hearing that gate open make it worth your money though. There's no denying that the first two mint juleps are awful but the next four are delicious! Make
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coachbowlin
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Unbridled's Song was euthanized today due to a large, invasive mass growing in his sinus cavities and around his optic nerves. He will be sorely missed by Taylor Made. A good friend of mine works there and most of the people dealing with him thought this was his last go around on the breeding circuit.
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coachbowlin
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Keeneland is my home track. Best advice I have for anyone that is there on any Saturday when the weather is nice...head to the 3rd floor. Drunks do not ascend very well! The betting, food, beer and bathroom lines up there are very manageable compared to the zoo that is ground level. The college drunks have taken over that place in the spring on Saturdays when the weather is nice. If memory serves
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coachbowlin
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I believe many of the good seats you guys are referring to are being held and/or have been bought up by the Turf Club members at Churchill Downs. A friend of mine that is in the Club called me on the Monday after the Derby and asked me if I was interested in a seat in his box on the 3rd level at the 1/8th pole. The Turf Club already was offering the tickets and the time to buy was very limited. M
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coachbowlin
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I hear a lot being made in the spring about how a horse going into the TC needs to have gotten back to his 2yo top. I'm unfamiliar with some of the new faces we're seeing in the bigger 3yo races now. How important, if at all, is it important for a 3yo at this time of the year to have a solid 2yo foundation? I'm also wondering how fast this group of 3 year olds was as 2 year olds. L
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coachbowlin
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Captain Bodgit is by Saint Ballado, not Unbridled.
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coachbowlin
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Gallant Fox, War Admiral, Count Fleet, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed all won this race wire to wire according to the DRF greatest horses of the 1900's. Big Brown obviously didn't have it and wasn't going to win but I'm a firm believer that they were trying the wrong tactic with him. They should have attempted a Fla. Derby repeat, clear the field and play ca
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coachbowlin
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I saw Tomcito up close in the Keeneland paddock prior to the Lexington Stakes. He's as tall a horse as you'll ever see, something like 17.2 hands. I thought to myself that day that his long stride might make the longer distances a bit easier but now I don't see him as much more than a slow plodder. He could hit the bottom of the super/tri but I think several would have to pack it
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coachbowlin
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In 1991 I was a college kid living 25 miles from Keeneland. My dad had been dragging me to the track since I was in kindergarten. I knew the basics of handicapping and had the love for the game but not a clue as to what I was really doing. I stumbled onto a show called Post Time. Some guy I had never heard of explained to me the "bounce" theory and gave me a good reason as to why my sur
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coachbowlin
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Marcus,
Your memory serves you correct. I believe the drunk college kid tried to hit Artax in a sprint...if my memory serves me correct. PETA took a major blow in their antics today as it was reported that Eight Belles showed no prior injury to the race and was clean of steroids. Maybe finally everyone will see it for what it really was...just an accident. I totally agree with miff too...worst P
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coachbowlin
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"With the lousy older horses we have, we might see a replay of the Breeders Cup Classic back when Tiznow won it the 1st time, as I believe the 3 year olds finished in the top 4 spots or so. (and FuPeg the favored 3 year old wasn't even in one those spots)"
For the record it was
Tiznow
Giant's Causeway
Captain Steve
Albert the Great
Lemon Drop Kid
Fu Peg
Cat Thief
Vi
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coachbowlin
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I was expecting someone to call me on Pebbles or Miss Alleged but not that one. Excuse me for not knowing any background on Pride but I know she's not won two BC races with a runner up in between. OBoards most impressive stat may be that she got beat less than 2 lengths in the Arc as a 3 year old against the best grass horses in the world. That same year she also won the Irish Oaks, the Epso
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coachbowlin
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I agree that Ouija Board was as close to immortal as we'll ever see again. She was owned by Lord Derby who puts the competition of racing over the money made in the shed. No, I'm the first to admit that she wouldn't beat Big Red or the Bid going 1 1/4 on the dirt but I doubt you can name ANY filly or mare that could have beaten her covering a bit of ground on the turf. In that corn
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coachbowlin
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If you consider the fact that thousands of horses are born each year, many don't make it to the track, many don't ever win, even fewer win a graded stakes race, even fewer than that win a G1 race....then consider that this horse won the 2 biggest dirt races in the world with a solid win in between...I consider him GREAT! Maybe he wasn't greater than Silver Charm or Ghostzapper or C
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coachbowlin
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