Taken from thebigm.com:

MIDATLANTIC CO-OP, NYRA UNABLE TO REACH SIMULCAST AGREEMENT

Scottsdale, AZ [April 28, 2008] — MidAtlantic Cooperative LLC, the simulcast purchasing enterprise that represents 16 regional racetracks, has been unable to reach a new simulcast agreement with New York Racing Association Inc. [NYRA]. 

The MidAtlantic Cooperative includes 16 member tracks and their off-track wagering entities, including: Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park, Freehold Raceway, Atlantic City Race Course, Philadelphia Park, Penn National Race Course, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Charles Town Races, Delaware Park, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway, Ocean Downs, Rosecroft Raceway, Colonial Downs, Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park.
 
Contact: Martin Lieberman
(480) 614-1307; (631) 766-1948<!–martinlieberman@cox.net

Cool huh? For me, that also means I cannot wager on NYRA races through my NJ Online Wagering account. Nor can I go to Freehold, Atlantic City, Philly Park, Delaware Park or the Philly Turf Clubs which are all within an hour of me. The ray of hope is that Harrah’s Chester Downs isn’t on the list and that is only 30 minutes away. I usually play the Belmont meet with regularity and was looking forward to opening day.

This happened a number of years ago ( three years ago ) during a Belmont meet. Went on for about a month. The one thing I did notice is that Laurel and Pimlico are no longer members of the Co-Op. When this happened in ‘04, they were included.

One thing that is the same? The fans and players lose.

Somethings to get caught up on.

First off, in what looked to be great news about a topic discussed here in the past, Jayne Vaders was suspended indefinitely by the PA Racing Commission. However, as it seems is the norm, the news turned sour just as quickly when her lawyer won another stay this week.  

Sick sport huh? Here is someone who has been caught cheating numerous times yet it has taken two years and now longer for the issue to be handled. Once it is handled, I’m sure it will end up being a slap on the wrist, ala the Rucker and Ledford incidents at the Meadowlands.

There is a thread over at Pace Advantage discussing this topic and a poster claims to have lost over $18000 by claiming a horse off of Vaders.  I have a friend I went to high school with that also took a bath after claiming one off of her. Claimed the horse at the Pha for $12500 and the horse wasn’t competitive until they dropper her to the $5k level.

And then the news the Calder was raising their take out percentage broke. We can’t gain any news fans, times are tough for most economically, but we are going to raise the price of wagering on our product for this meet. I don’t have much to say about it other than they are on the no bet list along with Hawthorne ( more on that below ). Pull the Pocket said what needed to be said about the Calder Take Out over at his place.

On a more positive note ( sarcasm), Michael Gill looks to be seriously getting back into the game. You know Mike Gill right? He was the owner of a horse who broke down at Gulfstream a few years ago and before the horse could be tested/evaluated by any officials his trainer and vet on record cut the horses leg off? Yeah that guy. Anyways, over at Thats Amore Stables place, the topic gets discussed in a more positive light, including comments from two of Gill’s former trainer, Mark Shuman and Phil Schoenthal.

Here’s another one for the reasons this game sucks list. If anyone hasn’t seen this DQ, I bet you can’t watch it and not lose your lunch. This has got to be the worst I’ve ever seen and anyone who reads knows my thoughts on the subject. Here is the video:

 
Gruesome huh?

Apparently there was another head shaker at Pimlico on 4/24 at Pimlico, the 6th race. I haven’t viewed that yet.

Good news though. The Oaks and Derby are this weekend. Should be interesting if nothing else.

So I followed up my visit to Delaware Park for their season opener with a Sunday afternoon at Chester Downs for the opener there. Apparently it was John Campbell and Tim Tetrick day as they combined to win 8 of the 13 races. What a great card it was too, plenty of upper level conditioned races as well as the Open and the Betsy Ross series for Free For All filly and mare pacers. The Betsy Ross was headed by the likes of Southwind Tempo, Stylish Solution, My LIttle Dragon, Symphony In Motion, Street Dancer and Darlins Delight.

The open was won by Sharky Osborne and Tim Tetrick in a front running 1.50.2.

The first leg of the Betsy Ross matched up Street Dancer and My Little Dragon, at least that was the match up on paper. On the track, John Campbell and Life of Luxury made a huge 3 wide move to take command on the far turn and draw off in 1.51.0. My newest angle that I started last night after watching Bono Best win the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield is Ross Croghan in any high level race. He didn’t disappoint hear at 9-1. My Little Dragon was a non-threatening 3rd after winning the Classic at Dover. Street Dancer was also disappointing.

Pacific Playboy and John Campbell turned in the mile of the day going 1.49.4 in the Winners over 27000 last 6.

The 2nd leg of the Betsy Ross featured Southwind Tempo, Darlins Delight, Symphony in Motion and Stylish Solution. Southwind Tempo stamped herself as the one to beat next Sunday, dominating in wire to wire fashion in 1.50.2. Symphony In Motion and Darlins Delight battled for 2nd with Symphony In Motion winning that battle. Stylish Solution made a dirty break after leaving for position and taking a seat in the pocket.

Final tally:

Tetrick was 4 for 9.

Campbell was 4 for 6 including both legs of the Betsy Ross.

Not a bad day for me wagering either. However, I was pretty aggravated with a few drives I got. I hate nothing more when wagering on harness racing than getting beat or not being given a chance because the driver I wagered on decided to sit in instead of being first up. I know from time to time it is the right decision, some horses don’t like to be first over or perhaps just aren’t good enough against that certain group, but I know for a fact that you aren’t going to win very often from 4th on the rail on  5/8’s track.

The opening of Delaware and the first big stakes card at Pimlico bring back some thoroughbred racing excitement to my agenda. The racing in Maryland has taken a turn for the better and Delaware, while offering short fields, usually has some decent horses.

Pimlico’s opening Saturday card is highlighted by the Federico Tesio Stakes ( race 9 ) for 3 year olds. Occasionally this race yields a Preakness starter and this year looks to have a few entered who may have some potential. John Servis is on record saying that Indian Jump would earn a Preakness spot with a good effort as is Graham Motion, Icabad Crane’s trainer. ESPN will televise the Tesio during their broadcast of the Lexington Stakes from Keeneland.

Three other stakes are carded, including the Allen’s Prospect ( race 4 ) for 3 year olds and up going 6F. Grand Champion and Ravalo are the most notable runners entered. The Geisha Handicap ( race 6 ) for 3 year old fillys and older mares going 1m 1/16th is highlighted by Maryland/Delaware terror Lexi Star. The other stake on the card is the Jim McKay ( race 8 ) for 3 year olds and up going 1m and 1/16th. Mostly local crew assembled for this one, Eddie C. is the now horse. Etude is a horse I like in here, getting back to doing what he does best I feel, going a route of ground.

I’ll be spending my Saturday at Delaware Park with my Asst. Trainer friend. A rather average card kicks off the Delaware meet. The card is highlighted by the Peach Blossom for 3 year old fillies going 6 furlongs. The usual suspects are back riding, including Dominguez, Pino and Caraballo along with Rose Marie Homiester Jr. who comes off a great Tampa meet. The usual training suspect are also back, including Scott Lake, Tony Dutrow, Steve Klesaris, Mike Pino and Howard Wolfendale. A new shooter amongst the training roster is David Jacobson.

Last night was the opener of the Su Mac Lad series for Free For All trotters at the Big M. A stellar field lined up including world record holders Giant Diablo and Enough Talk. The solid field was rounded out by the likes of Green Day, Father Foley trotting series hero Swan Image and the ultra consistent American Lane.

In the end, it was Enough Talk showing that his world record setting effort at Dover was no fluke, he won by 3/4 of a length and paid $13.00. Swan Image was 2nd followed by San Remo Kosmos.

Here is the video:

What a nice pacing filly she is. Wednesday night she extended her streak to 12 in a row by winning The Blossom final at the Meadowlands. She also has captured the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final and the Tender Loving Care final this year.  She has yet to be defeated and most of her wins are of easy and measured type. She can win cutting the mile, she can brush to the lead or she can grind out it first over. She has won at atleast 3 different venues and for atleast 3 different drivers.

Here is the video of her DSBF Final, in which she took her lifetime mark of 1.51.2 and won by 8.5L.

 Here is the video of her Blossom Final win, in 1.53.0.

Well … we learned that Fox Hill Farm’s Eight Belles is going to be entered in both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. I can almost guarantee that barring an injury, she’ll be in the Derby starting gate.

We also learned that Adriano will be clogging up the Derby, just as predicted by yours truly regardless of what the connections were saying after the Lane’s End. He didn’t run a lick in either of his dirt starts, but Derby here they come. I selected him in the Lane’s End, but he probably should stick to turf and/or synthetic and the people at Churchill should start considering a revamp of the criteria that it takes to be eligible for the Derby.

So what did we learn this week?  I expanded the period to week, from weekend, since Keeneland has good weekday racing and some important harness racing took place Monday to Thursday.

Well …

We Learned that Kip Deville picked up right were he left off after winning last fall’s G1 Breeders Cup Turf Mile by winning Friday’s G1 Makers Mark Mile …

We learned that Einstein is a classy G1 competitor at distances ranging from 1 3/16th to 1 mile.

We learned that Sherine can run well on turf or dirt.

We learned that Hey Byrn is just good enough to beat a dreadful G2 field and most likely earn a spot in the Derby, with a little help of some dropouts.

We learned that Rutherienne has carried her solid form into ‘08 and she could be very tough if she continues to improve.

Garrett Gomez reitterated my believe that he is the best money, big race rider in the country right now, turf or dirt.

Edgar Prado is a close second.

We learned that Gayego can run on real dirt.

We learned that Pyro couldn’t.

We learned that Monba can run on real dirt or synthetic.

We learned that Cowboy Cal can run on turf or synthetic and will probably give real dirt a try in the biggest race of the year. Who knows that the result will be.

We learned that even at Keeneland, most disqualifications are unjust.

We learned that Matt Carothers couldn’t control his emotions about the above DQ.

To have the best horse DQ’d time and time again paints a very sour portrait for this game and ruins the experience for new players. Horse racing cannot compete with poker, table games and slots as it is … taking money from people after they correctly identified the best horse does no good for anyone.

We already knew that not enough people care about these issues … not the players or the people in charge.

We learned that Derby favorite’s Big Brown’s feet were sound enough for him to work Saturday at Palm Meadows … Five furlongs in 1.00.53.

We didn’t learn what exactly to do with the California, synthetic surface based 3 year olds. Your guess is as good as mine regarding who will hold their form over dirt.

On the harness racing side of things …

We learned that Artistic Fella has carried his Breeders Crown winning form into ‘08. He won the $85k Pacing Classic at Dover on Monday.

We learned that Southwind Tempo isn’t as invincible as I and most folks thought. She was upset by My Little Dragon in the $85k Classic Distaff Pace. They are both headed to a series at Chester Downs.

We learned that Enough Talk is a serious trotter. He upset the $85k Trotting Classic in 1.52.2. That mark set a new world record for older trotters over a 5/8 mile track. The old record was 1.53.1 set by Woody Woodrow. Keep in mind, Dover plays extremely fast and very kind to front runners.

We learned that Vivid Photo, former Hambletonian and Trotting Classic Champion has some work to do to recapture former glory. He was never in contention.

We learned that Buck I St Pat is a nice horse. She won the $85k Trotting Classic Oaks in 1.53.0. Obviously that final time sheds some light on Enough Talk’s performance and the speed of the Dover surface.

We learned that Tug River Princess is still undefeated, 11 for 11 and each win as easy as the one prior.

We learned that Ross Croghan has a strangle hold on the Father Foley trotting series at the Meadowlands with Lawman and Swan Image … they swept both divisions Wednesday night.

We learned that Street Dancer is still the scourge of the Meadowlands filly and mare FFA pacers. She held on for a gutsy win Friday night.

We learned that given the right trip, Mypanmar and Rare Jewel can have a say in the Levy series at Yonkers.

We also learned that Panaramic Art is in need of some luck and a decent trip. For the 2nd time in 3 weeks he was forced first up into rated fractions, a scenario that he hasn’t yet overcome, yet he raced very well.

Tigerama didn’t win this week, he didn’t run either. He is being pointed the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield this Friday night I believe.

While Tigerama was away, Western Shore played. Parlaying a 2nd over trip into a victory in the Woodbine Open in 1.51.0.

As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m not a fan of synthetic surfaces. As I’ve also previously mentioned, not even the exciting, classy racing at Keeneland can overcome my disdain for the synthetics.

Today’s Lexington Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland only strengthened my disdain. Pyro, the even money favorite, and many peoples early Derby choice, just ran an absolute dud to finish 10th. He couldn’t even fight off Medjool for 9th.

And before anyone sends me a comment asking why I am so suprised after I’ve been publically skeptical of Pyro on some sites/blogs, mentioning that he hasn’t run particular fast even while being ultra impressive visually, I’ll say this: I was skeptical of him at even money. I didn’t think he was a lock like most folks. He hadn’t run faster than the fillies on the same cards. I wasn’t skeptical enough to predict him to finish 10th. He is a good horse.  I thought he might run 2nd or 3rd, beaten a length once he faced a solid field. Not 10th.

Rant over … I don’t mind losing money, or watching logical horses lose so long as a reason exist other than the change of surface. Race after race over this stuff horses change form radically with no other explanation. How can anyone take it seriously from a wagering stand point?

Ahhhh another example. Anyone who just watched the 5th at Keeneland has to be questioning their decision to wager on this game. The best horse again, for atleast the 4th time this meet, got DQ’d. This one may have been the worst call yet and if you flip on TVG you can watch Matt Carrothers continuing melting down about it, as he had a win bet on the #10 and had the #10 ( 7-1 ) in his pick 6.

Unlike Matt, I had nothing monetary invested in the race and this horse was not only best, she was clear when she drifted out. Kent D. is going to get an Academy Award for his performance on the 2nd place finisher. You would have thought Lezcano pulled a 9mm on Kent in mid-stretch, when in actuality, he was a length clear.