And I Quote

Every now and then, someone here at work says something so eminently quotable - it has to go on my whiteboard.  Sometimes its even me.  So, in the absence of anything truly compelling to write (or maybe I'm just lazy - you decide) - here are a few notable quotes.  Names have NOT been changed as no one here is innocent.

We start off with a few from Adriane:
"If you were 63, would you be awake at 9:30 in the morning?"
Well Adriane, I don't know?  Is 63 the new 43?  And if so - I guess I would be at my job writing quotes on the whiteboard at 9:30 in the morning.

"No way he's riding his hog in this weather!"
Um....I will assume she meant motorcycle, but given we actually had to PASS A LAW in this state against certain 'activities' with animals - I wouldn't be all that sure.

"Mmmmmmm.....sweet little biscuit"
I don't even care to speculate.

Colin checks in with a couple:
"David Brooks is going down"
How on earth he would know what David Brooks is doing at any given moment is a mystery to me.

"I don't want Tony Danza passed around like some floozy"
Um...not knowing Tony's personal proclivities, I'm at a loss as to what Mr. Danza himself would want.

Oscar also had a couple of doozies:
"Ahhh..the pleasure pack.  Brings back fond memories."
almost immediately followed up with "I wonder how big it is?"
Well Oscar - again, all speculation aside......

But the all time winnner has to be Mr. Jim Barnes.  Ah how we love ya Jimmy!
"Oh yeah, you haven't see the big man move."
Apparently not.

"Time to butter up!"
And you wonder what we do all day at work.

"Grind 'em down 'til they can't feed their children."
I don't know what it means, but I like the concept.

"I'm gonna pop like a hemmorhoid if I can't tell someone."
This just doesn't even bear thinking about.

"We have an anal tab."
Yes, yes we do - and by 'we' I mean sexualwellbeing.com

"Too bad we don't have a marshmallow shooter that shoots butt plugs."
And that my friends, would be the product that finally married 2 of our best selling products.

And finally, my own quote:
"I could easily get 300 butt plugs."
My mother would be so proud.

World Cup 2010 goes to.....Spain

After following the World Cup from inception to finale this year, I wondered what it was that had me rooting for the Dutch.  I mean normally, you couldn't pry me away from Brazil or Argentina. 

But watching yesterday's match, the answer finally dawned on me.  I totally identified with the Dutch team.  Here was Spain; the arrogant, overwhelming favorite, with a classically beautiful soccer-playing style.  And here were the Dutch; scrappy, tenacious, not always pretty - but definitely physical.   And they made Spain sit up and look - hard.  They took them through regulation, and into the second period of OT.  In fact, Spain had to be one man up on the Dutch before they could score, and in the end it was 1-0 for the annointed ones. 

So by God yes..I identify with the Dutch.  My opponents may be more gifted or 'chosen'  - but they will never be more tenacious or determined than I.  Never, ever, turn your back on me (or the Dutch!) because we will take your horses, your ball, your friends, your game and your fans....and you'll be left wondering what the he** just happened.  And in the end, if you do manage to beat us, we will leave you broken and exhausted from the effort.

Back from the Big A

And for you race-trackers - no I don't mean Aqueduct.  I was in New York over the weekend/beginning of the week and am just back in Seattle today. 

It was a busy - but great week, and I have plenty of random thoughts on my brief, but packed stay.

1) I do believe I was served by Lafayette (True Blood) on Sunday night.  Little restaurant in Greenwich called Caffe del Mare - great food, great people watching, and as noted above - fun service.

2) Grey Goose = yes.  Slipping a tequila shot in on un-suspecting me  = cruel and unusual punishment :-)  You know who you are...and one day...just you wait! LOL LOL LOL!

3) Central Park Zoo was great.  It is a smaller zoo - so they don't do as much - but what they do, they do  very well.  LOVED the polar bear! 

4) Jacob and I didn't exactly SEE Vince Neal - however, we had dinner Tuesday night, and a back area was curtained off and lit up.  Our waiter told us Vince Neal was filming a new video there.  So apparently, when drugstore and Savings are in the same vicinity - magic happens.

5) And yes, my mother would be so proud.  My buddy Mark, in accepting the award I presented, let the world know that I was one of the cool things that happened to him in the last year.  Specifically, meeting me and that I sell sex toys online. Awesome!

Kentucky Derby 136 - Friday update

Well here we are Friday morning, and after mulling over some more facts/stats and lies - I have a few shuffles.

At this point I am prepared to move Stately Victor up and Super Saver down a bit. SV had an awesome last gallop over the track, his pedigree scream off track…and looking at footage…visually he just looks great. I still like Super Saver; if you like stats, 2-word named horses have won 70 Derbys, and coming out of the 4 hole has produced 10 winners. Also from the Stat Factory – Dean’s Kitten has 2-word name, and comes out of the 8 spot which has also produced 10 winners.

So - in my top flight I have
Awesome Act
Lookin' At Lucky
Stately Victor

2nd flight for use in Exotics
Super Saver
Paddy O'Prado
Mission Impazible
Ice Box
Dean's Kitten

If you want the longshot bomb - how about Conveyance?  They are going to send this horse from the gate.  He may shake loose to an easy lead in the slop, and like War Emblem, never look back.

Kentucky Derby 136

With Eskendereya out - it looks like the Pletcher curse lives on. Poor Todd Pletcher (0-24 in the Derby), what looked like a hot hand at the Wynn in Vegas now looks like slots at the Peppermill in Reno. Not only is the (one-time) favorite out, so is Rule, and Interactif. The filly Devil May Care is in, as are Discreetly Mine, Mission Impazible, and Super Saver. With 70% chance of rain forecast for Saturday, Super Saver looks like he may be TP’s best chance.

That said however, this thing is wide open now – and all you can hope is that past performances actually have some meaning this Saturday. As I mentioned above, forecast calls for 70% chance of rain (2-3”) Saturday. Slop typically benefits those who can run on or near the lead, and sometimes, the grass horses. At any rate – here we go (horse’s post positions lead their paragraph).

16) If you liked Eskendereya – you should like Awesome Act. 3rd in the Wood to a romping winner, AA ripped his shoe off leaving the gate, and got a not-great ride thereafter. He’s well bred top and bottom to get a distance. The 2nd place finisher that day was 13) Jackson Bend – and he’s getting some attention as a sort of ‘wise-guy’ horse. He’s a nice FL horse, having won 3 of the FL Stallion Stakes series. But I have distance questions about him and his pedigree, and think he’s probably a bit overmatched here.

11) Honestly I don’t know why Devil May Care is in here. She won a G2 way back in March, and prior to that ran 5th in a G3. The barn is high on her Bonnie Miss win, and her 100 BSF. Either Pletcher thinks the colts are horrendous this year, or he knows something about this filly no one else on the planet does.

1) I want to like Lookin’ At Lucky – I really do. But I have concerns:
• He will likely be the favorite – so there’s no money to be made there
• He draws the 1 hole on what is going to be a sloppy (at best) track – in a 20 horse field. He is going to need an absolute dream trip – and they DO happen – to win this thing
• 3rd in his last, and winner winner winner prior to that. But even w/the wins – he has a trouble line going back to 3 of his last 4 races.
• Gomez retains the mount; what makes any of us think that this combination will avoid trouble – particularly in a 20 horse field?
That said – he’s working like a monster at Churchill – so hopefully the best 2 yo of his generation will come through.

20) If you like Lookin’ At Lucky – you probably need to take a hard look at the horse that finished in front of him in the Santa Anita Derby. Sidney’s Candy shares speed with his stablemate Line of David, but will probably let that one run on and hope to sit back off him. I love his sire – Candy Ride(ARG) – and if it rains as predicted – I think Sidney’s Candy may be a good value bet. He moves from the Pro-Ride surface to dirt (actually slop/mud) but I don’t think that’s a deterrent.

The horse that ran 2nd that day – Setsuko – unfortunately did not draw in to the Derby field (lack of graded earnings). Unfortunately, Sidney’s Candy drew the 20 hole. Recent history had Big Brown winning from that spot. However, 3 speed horses are to SC’s immediate inside – imagine they will gun it from the gate, SC should get away well – and unless the rider strangles him – he will still end up about 8 wide into the first turn. It’s possible he may survive that cavalry charge in good position and be able to lead the second flight.

17) Dublin –hasn’t won a race since last September. He reminds me of another horse trained by DWL – Editor’s Note. A plodder – they come from the clouds and pick off horses 1 by 1 until they are the only ones left. Usually works best in the Belmont Stakes. Here – in the mud/slop – I don’t think so. He is by Afleet Alex – who many folks may remember being upset by Giacomo  in the 2005 Derby.

2) Ice Box – the FL Derby winner is intriguing. Trained by Nick Zito, he was 5th in Eskendereya’s Fountain of Youth in FL. He had a great work at Churchill on Friday – may be worth making part of your exotics. Draws the 2 hole – had a beautiful work on 4.23 over the slop at Churchill. He’s a closer, so should be able to break well, settle into a good spot in the middle of the second flight or top of the third. He (like more than a few) will need a great trip through traffic to get to the wire on top.

4) Super Saver ran 2nd in the AK Derby to Line of David. Very well bred (so don’t understand the stupid name); his sire also sired the 2001 Derby winner Monarchos. This horse has a win over the track (at 2) should run well in the slop/mud, and despite his pitiable name – gets Calvin Borel (winner of last year’s Derby) in the tack. Definitely live.

14) Mission Impazible –Another from the Pletcher-on-the-schneid stable. Probably would win the horsey ‘model’ competition – and given Saturday’s likely conditions you should not rule him out. He could be a live longshot, picking horses off in the stretch.

7) American Lion – won the IL Derby in his last out. Speed horse who drew the 7 hole, he figures to jump out to the lead – or share it with a couple others. I don’t think he will be on any winning tickets at the end however.

6) Stately Victor jumped into contention in the Bluegrass at Keeneland, ending Odyseus’ and Aikenite’s hopes of getting into the Derby. His owner is also running for office – and has said winning the Derby and the Senate a dream exacta. He is bred to relish the off going, but I would surprised if he won the race. Best at bottom of exotics.

15) Discreetly Mine – Another Pletcher horse. Pressed the pace in the LA Derby – folded to finish 4th. With the speed and cover horses in this race – I don’t see him being around at the end.

12) Conveyance – 2nd to Endorsement in the Sunland Derby - another Baffert horse. Could be in here to set the pace for LaL to run at – but he’ll have company up front.

5) Line of David – winner of the AK Derby. Speed horse (one of many in here) and the trainer/owners took Jon Court off (bad Derby karma for sure).

3) Noble’s Promise – 5th in the AK Derby to Line of David. He had a disastrous start in that race, and breathing problems coming out of it. He has since scoped clean, but I have questions about his ability to get a mile and a quarter. On the plus side, if you like Lookin’ At Lucky, Noble’s Promise has run right up there with him in past efforts. Draws the 3 post, could lay right off early leaders, and get a clean trip home.

8) Call me crazy, (and lots of folks do) but I like Dean’s Kitten as a live longshot. He looked good winning the Lane’s End at Keeneland on polytrack, and has run well on the grass. I don’t think the mud will be a factor for him – trip definitely will. He’s bred to run all day – I can see him picking off the no-hopers and ending up with a piece of the pie.

10) Paddy O’Prado – another horse who I think has a chance to upset Lookin’ At Lucky’s hopes. Bred to run all day, over just about any surface, has trained up a storm, and is absolutely worth including on your tickets.

We then have 3 absolute (seeming) no-hopers who drew in late:
9) Make Music for Me
18) Backtalk
19) Homeboykris

So…what does all this mean? Muddy/sloppy track Saturday.
A cavalry charge to the first turn lead by Conveyance, Line of David, Discreetly Mine and American Lion.
Sidney’s Candy gets hung out wide, but then tucks in behind along with Noble’s Promise, Jackson Bend, Lookin’ At Lucky, Super Saver and Awesome Act.
Right behind that group are Paddy O’Prado, Ice Box, Dean’s Kitten, Mission Impazible, and Stately Victor.
Bringing up the rear is Dublin.
There are 4 horses who are wild cards and I’m not sure where they will be: Devil May Care, Backtalk, Make Music for Me and Homeboykris.

By the ½ mile pole, the speed horses are still in front but feeling the 2nd flighters breathing down their necks. Sidney’s Candy makes a move, but has used up a lot from his horrendous trip around the first turn and just trying to hold position. Of that second flight, Lookin’ At Lucky, Super Saver and Awesome Act are moving strongest.

We’re at the 3/8 pole or so now, and the third flight is beginning their sustained run. I’m looking for Paddy O’ Prado, Ice Box and Dean’s Kitten at this point. Mission Impazible is trying to get room to run.

Dublin is passing tired horses who are falling back.

Into the stretch, the original 4 speed horses are done. If Lookin’ At Lucky got any kind of trip, he’s taken the lead, followed by Awesome Act. Paddy O’ Prado and Mission Impazible is coming on late, with Super Saver trying to hang on for a piece. Dublin continues to pick up the ones who have thrown in the towel and finishes 5th to save the jock mount.

So who wins?
Lookin’ At Lucky certainly looks best on paper. I would use him in my exotics, and hope he gets a great trip.

And yet….and yet…..I’ve like Awesome Act for a long time. I think Eskendereya would have had Lookin’ At Lucky’s measure in this race, and Awesome Act just got whomped by him. But give AA a good start and 4 shoes, and I think he comes w/in 4 lengths of Eskendereya. Was Eskendereya 4 lengths better than LaL? I believe so....and with that convoluted logic, I believe AA beats LaL.
So. As of Thursday afternoon, I like (in order):

Awesome Act
Lookin’ At Lucky
Super Saver
Paddy O’ Prado

If you need live longshots to toss in the mix for your exotics:
Mission Impozible
Ice Box
Dean’s Kitten

What I truly hope is that every horse and rider has a safe trip and comes back to the barn and jock’s room in good health. Enjoy the Derby everyone – it really is the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.

What I Love

My horse even when he's being a total dumbass.


Spring bringing the opening of Emerald and Derby Fever!

Sandra at Monroe Therapeutic Massage in Kirkland for putting me back together again and keeping me going.

Those shortbread cookies w/pink icing.

Indy and Ari - the Mighty Leonbergers

More Derby Prep

More Derby Prep!

Dean's Kitten looked good winning the Lane's End (3/27), but fractions were slow, and he had a beautiful trip. Awfully well bred horse, and if he continues to train well, could be part of the top group. In his only other start on dirt, he did finish 5th to the current fave - Eskendereya back in October at Belmont. The 2nd place finisher - Northern Giant, looked like he had no excuse and just hung the last 1/16 or so.

Odysseus' Tampa Bay Derby looked good - until the runner up (Schoolyard Dreams) came back and got his head jerked by Eskendereya in the Wood Apr-4. He (Odysseus) is awfully well bred, and may take a step forward off that race, we'll see in the Apr-10 Blue Grass at Keeneland.

I think Caracortado (4th in the Santa Anita Derby) is the 'wise-guy' horse; there's one every year. Folks desperate for a value play latch onto a horse that seems likely to improve, and talk themselves into the scenario in which the horse can win. Caracortado would have to improve leaps and bounds to be in the same realm as Eskendereya, or even Odysseus.

So who have I not commented on amongst the real contenders? Lookin' At Lucky - last year's 2yo Champion. Use him if you must - but horses that consistently get into trouble - will consistently find trouble - and its up to him and Garrett Gomez to prove me wrong.

4/3/2010 Derby Preps

I've been on the Eskendereya bandwagon for a while now. What's not to like? His Florida race, best breeding in the Derby bunch (by Giant's Causeway out of a Seattle Slew mare!), and now - his 9+ length victory in the Wood. If I was looking for a drawback, I would say short, questionable field in NY - and 1 of the only other real contenders had an abysmal day. Eskendereya will rightfully be the favorite on Derby Day.

If you are looking for a horse who might be more of a price, how about Awesome Act? Nice Gotham, and then in the Wood, he broke bad, lost a shoe, was strangled by Leparoux until about the 1/8 pole - where he then had the unenviable (impossible) task of trying to chase down the romping Eskendereya. He wound up 3rd, and I would expect him to improve off that race.

Lookin' At Lucky is the reigning 2yo champ, but has had 1 problem after another in his races this year. The latest was the Santa Anita Derby - where Sidney's Candy ran off and left everyone. Abysmal trip aside for LaL - will it really get better in the 20 horse cavalry charge that is the KY Derby? As for the winner - speed speed speed - and I don't think that's gonna do it this year in KY. (unless of course it rains - then I say go with the speed horse!)

American Lion - Il Derby. hmmm......stamina and class question(s). Nice horse, War Emblem pulled this off, but probably (at best) part of the exotics.

Honestly at this point, it's going to take a helluva horse having a helluva day to beat Eskendereya. But as we well know, oftens it's not the best horse who wins the Derby; it's the horse who gets the best trip.

5 Things I (think) I Think

"I'm not here to brainstorm, I'm here to clean up your mess!" One day I will actually use this line on someone.

I can't wait for opening night at Emerald Downs! Now that's some action I understand!

I don't know that I will ever understand craps. You roll the dice, something or other comes up. You want this, you don't want that. Push, behind the line...wtf?

Mighty Puck Star - you were a star indeed last night. Well, at least after we re-installed a portion of your brain, which you apparently left in your stall. Well you know what they say - nothing like a brisk gallop to get your head screwed on right.

Discovered some great tunes - not new to anyone but me. Take a listen to india.arie's "I Am Ready for Love", or Cornelius Bros. "Treat Her Like A Lady"

A letter to the MPS

Dear Mighty PuckStar - you are such a guy! Let me count the wayz....(mebbe not...more crazy making)

1) You eff with my head on a daily basis. "Look - I'm sound! Oops....3 legged! No! Sound!"

2) Even when you are semi-out of commission, you expect the same, if not MORE attention! Thank god you can't talk - or you'd probably whine like a man too :-)

3) Its all about you, 24/7 - every day of the year!

Oh well - you are certainly better looking than most (well - with some exceptions - hello Johnny Depp, Kiefer Sutherland, Henry Cavill, Taylor Kitsch, James W. Marsters...) But okay...aside from that you're way more fun...and a MUCH higher R.O.I.

Oh well - you love me no matter how crazy pants you make me....and you never comment on a bad hair day :-)

Love your crazy pants owner

Ahh...Spring...or How the Mighty Tanked his First Show

Spring. Who doesn't look forward to that first horse show of the year? Sure, being the NW it might rain on us ...a little. But seriously; getting out the show clothes, finding an excuse to buy a new show shirt to add to your collection of 20, getting that first prize list, sending in entries...ahhh..heaven!

Unless of course, you are The Mighty Puck Star. Then, for some bizarre reason known only to yourself, you plot, scheme and dig your way to an elephantine right front leg, and cause your owner to wail, pull out her hair and gnash her teeth. All of which is very entertaining to you - 3 legged horse.

What actually happened was this. Our first show was to be a return to glorious (?!) Monroe for the Spring Inaugrual the first week of April. If you recall, we did very well at this show last year, despite the rain. About 4 weeks ago, his Imperial Highness of The Kingdom of Making His Human Crazy-Pants (TKOMHHCP - official title) decided that digging a hole to China - or at least to the property next door would be an entertaining use of his time outside. His hole was knee deep, his right front swelled up enough that I gave a little scream upon first seeing it - and that was all she wrote for April.

He has actually been sound through-out, and I was able to get the swelling down using my old racetrack tricks. He's been back under saddle (flat only) for the last few weeks, but no jumping (yet).

Sigh....so the lone peon (serf, slave, worker) in TKOMHHCP has NOT gotten out her show clothes, NOT purchased a new show shirt, NOT filled out entries, and is NOT getting the first week of April off.

Sadly for my sanity - I still love him like crazy, and am making plans (sshhhh! secret ones!) for May! But I'm not telling His Imperial Highness!

Is it possible that January is busier than December?

Travel, travel, travel - I'm hitting the road this month. First up is Lost Wages aka Las Vegas. This is actually a working trip (stop your snickering right now). I have to stay at the Rio - but will mos' def' be making a trip to Red Square for my favorite Key Lime Pie martini.

Then its off to San Francisco for another Symposium. Since I am one of the sponsors - gotta get together 400 gift bags, plus media, plus,plus,plus! I think all this marketing genius of mine would be well served marketing horse racing!

Before all that however - I get to figure out if this shoulder thing is just severe inflamation or a small tear in the rotator cuff. MRI here I come!

Rant of the Day: thanks to the tall blond (male) s.o.b. who hurried into the elevator and hurriedly pushed his button so that it closed the doors on the 3 of us right behind you. Your mother would be so proud of your manners.

Rave of the Day: the weather doesn't get many raves from me, but today was a beautiful early winter day with temps hovering at 50F.