May

26

Our horses both win yet I am sad

by Barry Roos
May 26, 2009 | 2 Comments

It is a weird industry this horse racing. Sometimes even when you should be happy you can’t be. The partnership I manage, G-Biscuit Stables LLC ran 2 horses, one in Boston, and one and one in Chicago. They both won. Both ran their hearts out and were game in victory. Should be a banner day. [...]

May

23

Hypocrisy Strikes Again

by Barry Roos
May 23, 2009 | 3 Comments

Once again the geniuses in the Massachusetts Senate voted down slots at the racetracks. This same body however voted to join the Powerball cartel. In a word hypocrites. Unreal – Here in Massachusetts, slots are bad, but apparently the lottery is ok. Here is a comment by one of our genius legislators about slots: “This has [...]

May

19

Et tu Mike Smith?

by Barry Roos
May 19, 2009 | 3 Comments

In the immortal words of John Wayne, it is “re-god damn-diculous“. First Mine that Bird shocks the world and wins the Derby. So what happened…….Calvin Borel takes off to ride Rachel Alexandra. Ok, great Filly, I can understand it, but I didn’t like it. You win the Derby, you stick with the horse. My opinion. [...]

May

17

If the jocks were reversed would the result have been?

by Barry Roos
May 17, 2009 | 5 Comments

Rachel is brilliant, no doubt. If you don’t love this filly, you don’t love racing. She ran a big race holding off the Derby winner. But here’s a question, if Calvin was on Mine That Bird, does he win, with Rachel a close second? I believe so. Mike Smith never had any intention of trying [...]

May

11

Bush league

by Barry Roos
May 11, 2009 | 4 Comments

So the underbelly of racing is displayed again. Shocking. Never a surprise. Backroom deals between Ahmed Zayat and Mine That Bird’s owner have fortunately  been canceled. Marylou Whitney still seems to have the sense not to get involved and will scratch her Non Winners of 2 lifetime eligible entrant should it exclude the filly. Good for her. I don’t [...]

May

8

Things that shouldn’t happen do

by Barry Roos
May 8, 2009 | 4 Comments

Imagine this, you are a trainer and get the horse of your lifetime in Rachel Alexandra. You do the RIGHT thing and run her in the Kentucky Oaks. She wins off on her own. She is the best 3 year old filly in the country. * BAM * she is sold and taken away from [...]

May

7

Separated at Birth, Calvin Borel and….

by Barry Roos
May 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment

When you watch Calvin Borel, it hits you he looks exactly like someone. Newman? No Redford? No Who then? Those of you old enough, or who like to watch old sitcoms, know what I am talking about when I say, Ernest T Bass of the Andy Griffith show. Calvin is a dead ringer for this [...]

May

3

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

by Barry Roos
May 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

On display at Churchill downs yesterday were Arab Sheikhs, Billionaires, Captains of industry, and wealthy Athletes, all trying to use their considerable coin to achieve the dream of winning the Derby.   Sorry rich and famous, this was not your day. This was the day for a little known trainer to take his truck and trailer, [...]

May

2

Derby 09

by Barry Roos
May 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The First Saturday in May, the best sporting event in the world.  You can make a spectacular event like the Breeders’ Cup. You can throw a boatload of money in the desert of Dubai. But there is nothing that comes close to the Derby. The history, the glamor and sheer pageantry are alone in sports. [...]