Sunday Briefs

Yesterday, the curtain came down on racing at Suffolk Downs.  Yes, there is talk about horsemen leasing the track to run a meet next year but race meets run by horsemen have a dismal record; the economics is just not there.

One thing I don't understand is the MGCB being caught flat-footed when Suffolk Downs announced they were closing when Wynn Resorts was given the casino license.  Do these people live in a vaccuum?  Everyone knows most racetracks without slots are just holding on hoping for a gaming license.  Once they find out a license isn't coming, the doors close with one exception.  Penn National Gaming is keeping Rosecroft going, probably because they are making a profit, albeit small (they do get some slot revenue).  I have no doubt once the ink turns red, unless PNG has some ulterior motive, the doors will close once again.


I love racing at the Red Mile.  Where else can you see the nation's best horses race.  As much as you see racing's royalty, it has to be the most boring racing for pure handicappers.  Fields of seven horses doesn't cut it.  Despite the bombs which have hit the board this year, the vast majority of races are won by odds on favorites.

With today be closing day at The Red Mile, here are my top picks in the major races:

• 4th - The Allerage Farm Open - I've been a big Sebastian K fan and provided the track is fast he should win.  If you want to try for a longshot, I do think Wishing Stone may be worth a look.
• 5th - The Kentucky Filly Futurity - Shake It Cerry should extend her winning streak to four here.  Heaven's Door gets a driver change which may wake up the filly if she stays flat.
• 8th - The Allerage Farm Open (F&M) 1st Div - Here is my (morning line) longshot, Charmed Life.  With a decent trip she can win it all.
• 9th - The Allerage Farm (F&M) 2nd Div - Yagonnakissmeornot looks to be the winner here.  Have to look at Shebestingin off her qualifier but it seems her speed is saved for the morning.
• 10th - The Kentucky Futurity - A dash for the cash and it looks like Team Takter is poised for the top two positions with Father Patrick easily winning at, oh, 2-5 if lucky.
• 11h - The Alllerage Farm Open -  The FFA pacers close out the 2014 Grand Circuit meet at The Red Mile with Modern Legend repeating his Canadian Pacing Derby victory in a minor upset.  

One thing I would love to see is the Grand Circuit adopt a European flare, having championship races for the top point earners during the Grand Circuit season.  Regardless of which Grand Circuit event is contested (be it the Meadowlands Pace or the Tompkins-Geer, the winner would be given 50 points, 25 points to second, 12 points to third, 8 points to fourth, and 5 points to fifth.   The horses with the top ten points in each division which enter the final would race for a $100,000 final.  Either the final could be contested at The Red Mile or alternate tracks each year.   Another advantage of the points system is some horses would head to the 'minor' stakes in an effort to earn points to make it a final.  It also would give those horses not ready for prime time at the start of the year an opportunity to take on  the big guns in races which likely would be their end of season finales.

Enjoy the day.