2008 Queen's Plate Recap

The result of the 2008 Queen's Plate was very predictable, Not Bourbon, the 3rd choice in the 14-horse field held off 2-1 favorite Ginger Brew by a head. The 3-1 second choice Solitare rally from far back to finish 3rd. I predicted this will be a very bad betting race and I was smart enough to not put any money on it. The $2 trifecta only paid $83.30..which I will for sure lose money.

Although I did not bet on the Queen's Plate but I was still very interested in the race because of the Queen's Plate Fantasy Challenge. I had 3 horses running in the Queen's Plate - Not Bourbon, Deputiformer and Palmers. I got a feeling Deputiformer will run a a big race based on it final workout, he finished 4th and beaten by a neck for third at odds 22-1. Palmers is a difficult horse to figure out, it finished 2nd last out and had been close for the last couple of race. He was charging at the end and finished 5th, another neck behind Deputiformer at odds 23-1. With the 4th and 5th place points I got from Deputiformer and Palmers, I finished 29th of 4473 in the Queen's Plate Challenge and won an exclusive Queen's Plate hat and golf shirt. I know some people would prefer money but I am happy to have the bragging right.

Karma strikes again

I am so glad that Big Brown didn't win the Triple Crown. When you look at how the classless Rick Durtow handle himself in defeat, you know no one feel sorry for him. I don't think Nick Zito went to apologize to Big Brown's connection like he did in 2004 when Birdstone foiled Smart Jones Triple Crown bid. Durtow was arrogant and cocky throughout the last 5 weeks and show no respect for his opponents. When he was ask if he regretted being so boastful in the last weeks, his quote was "I just went by what I was feeling. I'm sure that that didn't get him beat or have him pull up.”. I guess he has never heard of karma.

Another sign of karma was for the winning training Nick Zito. Zito released John Velazquez from Da'Tara to ride Ready's Echo just a week before Belmont. I remembered Zito was quoted as saying "He and LaPenta believe in good karma and they will find a good rider to ride their horse". It turn out he was banged on.

As a racing fan, I would love to see a Triple Crown winner. When it finally happens, I am sure it will be something special. It makes appreciate the other 11 Triple Crown winners and how special they really are.

Only in America: Why did Kent Desormeaux eased Big Brown in the stretch? He said it himself, the horse was not hurt and he just didn't fire for the race. I thought jockey's job is to ride thier horse to the best possible finish in any given race. If it is in Hong Kong, he will get a lengthy suspension..unbelievable.

Will karma strike against Big Brown's connection?

I am rooting against Big Brown to win the Triple Crown Tomorrow. I don't often agree with Andrew Beyer but his article on DRF.com was bang on.

Big Brown's owner Michael Iavarone is a scammer, he represents himself as a high profile investment banker but the true is he is a penny stock trader that was fined and suspended for securities offenses. Now that people are after him, all he had to say is .."that was the past".

Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow is a jerk, he was fined a number of times for horses he trained tested with over legal limit of drugs. Last week at a press conference, he even said that Big Brown winning the Belmont is a forgone conclusion. I just hope when Big Brown lose tomorrow, someone stick it to him...

As for my pick..I really have no betting in the race. Dennis the cork and Macho Again is the 2 most likely winner if Big Brown failed to stay the 1 1/2 miles distance. I also really like Casino Drive and how his connection is handling the horse. But with the news of stone bruise in the horse left hind foot, it is difficult to bet him at low odds.