Category > The Call To The Post
In late December of 2009, I entered a new face into my Equibase virtual stable with the following note: “2 year-old filly had a rocket up her ass in the Hollywood Starlet.” That may sound a little crude, but watch a replay of that race, and I dare you to disagree with me. The race was my introduction to a filly who would go on to become one of my very favorites, Blind Luck. I have yet to see another …
If you were too preoccupied with a bounty of turkey and pumpkin pie to pay attention to the races this past weekend, you missed out on some nice performances. And unlike the recent string of bad news plaguing the racing world, the outcomes of these stakes can be seen as signs of good things to come for the new year.
Someone is going to earn enough cash this Saturday to make it into the Kentucky Derby. Yes, it’s that time of the year again for that crazy profitable race, the Grade III $1 million Delta Jackpot Stakes. Ten lucky 2-year-olds have lined up to take a stab at the early riches in the hopes of sealing their bid for the Road to the Roses. 2011 marks only the 9th running of the Delta Jackpot; in its brief history, no winner …
The lights have been turned off at Churchill. The purple banners have been taken down. The hardest-knocking of war horses have been shuttled off to retirement, never to see another race track again, and a handful of young horses remain to run on to greater things in the new year. Another Breeders’ Cup has come to an end after a celebration of champions and a windfall of upsets.
And now it all comes down to this. With the Horse of the Year title on the line, all that’s left is a single race. Just one final test before one of these horses takes the crown in what is sure to be the race of the year. The Breeders’ Cup Classic has become a sort of championship of the last horse standing, with so many defections to develop over the past few months. What’s left of the best horses …
A record number of 193 horses have been entered to contest for $26 million in purse money in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will consist of fifteen different races held next Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs. Pre-entries were announced this past Wednesday, and several contenders have already turned in their final works in preparation of what is sure to be the biggest race of their lives. While the Classic is the marquee race on Saturday, each and every …
The past few weeks have left the sport knocked flat on the ground. First, there was the tragic news that our brightest 3-year-old turf star, Banned, had to be euthanized after a sustaining an injury while training. Then, the nation’s most dominant turf star, Cape Blanco, was retired after picking up an injury following his victory in the Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. After that came word that Acclamation, one of the most noteworthy contenders for Horse of the …
Just as last week was a veritable blitz of big-name stars in top-tier races, this Friday and Saturday will offer up another stellar set of stakes action in prepatation for the Breeders' Cup World Championships. While many of the horses running this weekend have been knocking around the track for years, several 2-year-old races will highlight the sport's future. In four grade I races at two different tracks, the stars of tomorrow will come out to show us what's in …
One look at any stakes race this Saturday would make you think all the big horses are being prepared for some ultimate showdown in November or something… Wait, is it October already? How did that happen? Well then, it’s probably time to straighten up and pay attention, because this weekend marks the last start for several stars before they take the ultimate plunge in the Breeders’ Cup.
So many horses have fallen by the wayside this year, it’s a relief when one actually does make it back to the races. Uncle Mo showed us he still had that competitive spirit when he turned in a runner-up performance in the Grade I King’s Bishop; but there was another colt who made a big return at the end of the Saratoga meet, though his race was much more under the radar. Unbelievably, To Honor and Serve won his first …
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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As a liberal conservative, and a person who favors taxes & services ... and also a sense of proportion; I savor the comic potential that still exists in this comments section. I’m pretty sure we can goad more anti-government rhetoric from confirmed progressives and government employees. If…
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.