Replies to post #2235 on HORSE RACING / HANDICAPPING 101

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Sherman said Perry Martin, who co-owns California Chrome with Steve Coburn, first suggested using the nasal strip. He said Martin might go so far as to withdraw the colt from the Belmont if the policy was still in place.

http://www.drf.com/news/california-chrome-tired-healthy-after-preakness

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Will New York allow California Chrome to wear nasal strips?

http://www.drf.com/news/will-new-york-allow-california-chrome-wear-nasal-strips

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Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome arrives at Belmont Park

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/triple-crown-hopeful-california-chrome-arrives-at-belmont-park/

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<<~~ DANZA is out!

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He's a LOOKER!!

http://www.belmontstakes.com/story/2014/05/26/all-systems-go-as-countdown-continues-for-triple-crown-contender-california-chrome/

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NBC plans 16 hours of Belmont coverage

http://www.drf.com/news/nbc-plans-16-hours-belmont-coverage

NBC Sports and its parent network will show 16 hours of Belmont Stakes-related coverage beginning June 4 and through the race June 7, double the amount it had originally been planning, the network said Wednesday.

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Stats vs. CC:

Four prospective starters in the 146th Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Belmont Park fit this intriguing profile: Commanding Curve, second in the May 3 Derby; Wicked Strong (fourth); Samraat (fifth); and Medal Count (eighth).

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Good chance this is the LAST year to crown a TC winner ==== in current format ===== lots of pressure in the industry to spread the timeframe and possibly the length of races also.........

If so, I’d like to thank him because I don’t want to hear another person say, “I hope he wins because I just want to see one Triple Crown winner in my lifetime.”

http://www.drf.com/blogs/triple-crown-winner-inevitable

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LIVE --- CC on track now:

http://live.drf.com/

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Let me know if any questions! ;-)

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TVG announced its on-site Belmont Stakes (gr. I) week coverage that will focus on California Chrome's Triple Crown bid will begin at 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 4, with a live broadcast of the post position draw.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85442/tvgs-belmont-coverage-begins-with-draw#ixzz33f9B0PfG

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California Chrome draws post 2 for Belmont Stakes

http://www.drf.com/news/california-chrome-draws-post-2-belmont-stakes

Belmont Stakes

Purse: $1.5 million; 1 1/2 miles; Grade 1

1. Medal Count, R. Albarado, 20-1
2. California Chrome, V. Espinoza, 3-5
3. Matterhorn, J. Bravo, 30-1
4. Commanding Curve, S. Bridgmohan, 15-1
5. Ride On Curlin, J. Velazquez, 12-1
6. Matuszak, M. Smith, 30-1
7. Samraat, J. Ortiz, 20-1
8. Commissioner, J. Castellano, 20-1
9. Wicked Strong, R. Maragh, 6-1
10. General a Rod, R. Napravnik, 20-1
11. Tonalist, J. Rosario, 8-1

Track odds
All starters to carry 126 pounds

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Wow, what a Fantastic card on Saturday @ Belmont!!

http://www.drf.com/race-entries/BEL/USA/2014-06-07/D

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A movement is afoot to alter the timing and spacing of the three races, perhaps as soon as next year. Similar misguided schemes have emerged and receded over the years, but this one is backed by prominent officials at two of the three host tracks and appears to have a chance of succeeding – despite its complete lack of necessity, its clear unpopularity with the sport’s fans, and the strong objections of the connections of the last horses to accomplish the feat.

http://www.drf.com/news/crist-triple-crown-should-stay-classic

This spring’s first proposal to meddle with racing’s most visible and popular events came from management at Pimlico, the site of the Preakness. Tom Chuckas, president of the host Maryland Jockey Club, said he was frustrated that the supporting races on the Preakness undercard were not attracting horses who had run two weeks earlier at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. He advocated extending the gap between the Derby and Preakness from two to four weeks, with the Belmont then four weeks later.

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A Big Apple bourbon for the Belmont

MARKETWATCH 7:22 AM ET 06/06/14


The bottle:Widow Jane Wapsie Valley Bourbon Whiskey, $115 (375 ml)

The back story: Just a few weeks ago, we marked the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, with a Maryland-made rye in honor of the event's locale. So now that we're shifting to New York's Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg, it only makes sense to go with a bottle of whiskey from the Empire State. Or better yet, a bottle of whiskey from Brooklyn, the hipster-loving borough that's just a few miles from the track. Or even better yet, a bottle of whiskey from Brooklyn that's made with corn grown right in New York. Yes, we're talking bourbon, Big Apple- style.

The concept is not as much a stretch as it may seem. For starters, even though it's often associated with Kentucky (and with the Kentucky Derby), bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S.: The defining characteristic of the spirit is that corn predominates in the grain mix (or "mash bill"). These days, as the craft spirits movement grows and more artisan-style producers emerge, bourbons are coming from everywhere: From Wisconsin to Wyoming and Nevada to New Mexico. (Just check out this list.) Moreover, New York state is becoming something of a hotbed for distillers -- in part because of a push by lawmakers: For example, this year, the State launched a $6 million marketing campaign highlighting local spirits, wines, beers and ciders.

As for Widow Jane, it's one of more than a dozen New York City distilleries that have set up shop in the last few years -- in this case, it's the brainchild of Daniel Preston, an aerospace engineer with a passion for booze. The brand launched its namesake bourbon two years ago, but decided to up the ante by playing around with heirloom varietals of corn (in other words, not your everyday yellow stuff) in a series of new, small-batch bourbons. "Wapsie Valley" is the name of the corn that goes into Wapsie Valley bourbon, and it's a varietal that's less sweet than what you might find in your produce aisle. The distillery adds rye and barley to the grain mix and notes that all the grains are non-GMO as part of its "farm-to-bottle" ethos.

What we think about it: True to the corn varietal, this isn't a bourbon that's going to hit you over the head with its aggressive sweetness -- the corn flavor is more honest and subdued. We also get nice hints of orange and chocolate (perhaps the latter is because the distillery has a related business that produces chocolate bars, bonbons and liqueurs). In all, a solid and enjoyable sipping bourbon and a fine (if pricey) drink with which to toast the Empire State.

How to enjoy it: Don't bother mixing this one -- unless you want a super-expensive cocktail. Instead, enjoy it neat or with a drop of water or a cube or two of ice. And root for your favorite entry in the Belmont -- we like the long shot Samraat -- while you sip away.

Also see:

Anheuser-Busch bets on Budweiser of cider

What would Elvis drink? This vodka

Want to taste $4,000 whiskey?

-Charles Passy; 415-439-6400; [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires


(END) Dow Jones Newswires
06-06-140722ET
Copyright (c) 2014 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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BELMONT PICKS: (cut/add/paste)............

EZ2 - California Chrome

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Live television coverage will be provided from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network and 4:30-7:30 p.m. on NBC, and include the Grade 1, $750,000 TVG Acorn; Grade 1, $750,000 Longines Just a Game; Grade 1, $1 million Ogden Phipps; Grade 1, $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap; and Grade 1, $1 million Knob Creek Manhattan prior to the Belmont, which has a scheduled post time of 6:52 p.m.

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/california-chrome-looks-to-shine-again-in-grade-1-15-million-belmont-stakes/