Bent as a nine-bob note? Or misunderstood as a Guineas?
In a decision establishing rule of law over rule by rich and famous, Bob Baffert was suspended for two years by Churchill Downs after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s positive finding …
Land reform must follow Hurricane Melissa
In 1838, slavery was abolished in the British West Indies. It was the end of an over 300-year policy, practice, and business of enslaving Africans to work on the sugar plantations on …
Two-for-one Guineas
Out of evil cometh good! The pandemic not only forced SVREL to pause the nonsensical running of the 2,000 Guineas on a Sunday, it has (temporarily?) required the running of both …
Bob’s Your Uncle
The world is all agog at the international scandal brewing after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone. A post-race sample was found to contain 21 picograms of the …
Please, Sir, May I Have Some More?
Ryan Darby, President of United Racehorse Trainers’ Association (URTA), seems to have fallen deeply in love with promoting company SVREL. Some of his recent statements have been almost fawning in their …
Wayne DaCosta: An Inspiration
The true story of the life and times of legendary 18-time Champion Trainer Wayne DaCosta, indisputably the greatest of all time, is an inspirational tale. I can tell that story because …
Inconsistent Sports Regulation Contagious Like Covid Clusters
I’ve noticed local horse racing promoter (SVREL) is taking small steps towards online betting, including partnering with online betting services. This is a good thing. Yet it continues to cram hundreds …
This Way To The Alms House
When Chris Armond and I were students at iconic Campion College our teachers were mostly excellent. One standout exception was a Geography teacher who we nicknamed “Ratty” due to the shape …
Chris Armond – Like HBO!
I first met Christopher Joseph Armond over 55 years ago when, in September 1965, we both entered the hallowed halls of Campion College (née “Campion Hall”). We entered with different perspectives. …
Christmas Wishes, New Year’s Wish List
So Queen Elizabeth II described 1992 as an “annus horribilis”. What was her problem? She had some family issues that included three divorces among her children and their arranged-by-Royal-Decree spouses. Oh, …
Dreaming Of Losing Weight?
Since the pandemic has encouraged two new cottage industries, sleeping and eating, it might be time to deal with both from a horseracing perspective. First up: weight – the most over-rated …