Value Tech Blog

Absent rival no worry for I’ll Have Another
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Absent+rival+worry+Have+Another/6659694/story.html

NEW YORK – I’ll Have Another will not have to chase down Bodemeister to complete a Triple Crown sweep since his main rival in winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness is skipping the final US horse race classic.

But that gives little comfort to I’ll Have Another trainer Doug O’Neill, who knows he will have plenty of opponents trying to deny him a victory in the June 9 Belmont Stakes that would give him the first treble since Affirmed in 1978.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Just in case the Mayans are right, it would be nice to see another Triple Crown winner before, well, you know…

Horse Racing: I’ll Have Another takes aim at history
http://isportsweb.com/2012/05/23/horse-racing-2012-preakness-aftermath-looking-ahead-belmont-stakes/

These next two and a half weeks are a very exciting time in the sport of Horse Racing. With I’ll Have Another winning the first two legs of the 2012 Triple Crown, the build up and anticipation to the 2012 Belmont Stakes on June 9 is, in my opinion, like no other in the sports world.

As I looked back at the Preakness Stakes last weekend, I’ll Have Another’s win, to me, was more impressive than his Santa Anita Derby win and  his Kentucky Derby win.

As I’ve stated a couple of times before, in the Santa Anita Derby I’ll Have Another was at an extreme disadvantage. Albeit, he was in a good striking position (third on the outside) around the first turn and down the backside. But on the turn for home, with I’ll Have Another still racing on the outside, Creative Cause, an elite three year old for sure, found a hole on the rail and ran through it. In the process, not only did Creative Cause save more ground than I’ll Have Another, but he also got the oh-so-important “first run” (momentum) on him as well.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

A drastic step in New York  

New York Seizes Control of Horse Racing Tracks – Page 1
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/york-seizes-control-horse-racing-tracks/t/story?id=16404770

With the Belmont Stakes — and a potential Triple Crown victory for I’ll Have Another – just weeks away, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that the state will seize control of the scandal-plagued organization that operates the Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga racetracks.

Under the terms of a deal completed Tuesday morning, a 17-member “turn-around” board will run the New York Racing Association for the next three years. The board will include elected members of the state legislature, appointees chosen by the governor and representatives of the NYRA and the horseracing industry.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Velazquez will ride Union Rags for Belmont
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/triplecrown2012/story/_/id/7961842/john-velazquez-union-rags-belmont

Trainer Michael Matz confirmed May 22 that Union Rags will be ridden by jockey John Velazquez in the June 9 Belmont Stakes.
In the colt’s previous three starts, he was piloted by Julien Leparoux, who guided him to victory in the Feb. 26 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

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I’ll Have Another ‘A Very Happy Horse’ | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69962/ill-have-another-a-very-happy-horse

An assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill said Triple Crown contender I’ll Have Another was a happy horse the morning of May 21 and could go to the Belmont Park main track later in the week.

“He looks fantastic this morning,” said assistant trainer Jack Sisterson. “He ate everything up last night and is a very happy horse. He walked the shedrow this morning. I have to speak with Doug, but it’s likely he will go to the main track at some point this week.”

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Cauthen Compares Affirmed, I’ll Have Another | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69956/cauthen-compares-affirmed-ill-have-another

Steve Cauthen sees comparisons between Affirmed, the colt he rode to the 1978 Triple Crown as a fresh-faced 18-year-old youngster, and I’ll Have Another, poised to become the first 3-year-old to do it since.

Cauthen, known at the time as “The Kid,” can also relate what to the “new-kid-on-the-block” Mario Gutierrez is going through after guiding I’ll Have Another to close wins over Bodemeister in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

“I guess I’m having a flashback,” Cauthen told The Associated Press May 20 from his breeding farm in Verona, Ky. “He’s a new kid on the block like I was. The kid’s got a great attitude and a great smile. And, like me, he’s been put in a position to ride in these kinds of races and a shot at maybe winning the Triple Crown. And the trainer and owner (Doug O’Neill and Paul Reddam) have confidence in him.”

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

I’ll Have Another wins Preakness Stakes – latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-preakness-20120520,0,3090549.column

BALTIMORE — The amazing story moved up to incredible. I’ll Have Another ran true to his name.

On a Saturday that brought blue skies, perfect temperatures and a record crowd of 121,309 here at venerable Pimlico racetrack, the horse who has never been favored in a race and has been mostly under-appreciated by the public, even the racing public, won the 137th Preakness.

Now, it is I’ll Have Another who will take a shot at history. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed in 1978. There have been only 11, going back to Sir Barton in 1919. The last horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was Big Brown in 2008, and he was mysteriously pulled up in the Belmont.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Not only is there the possibility of a Triple Crown winner, but the numbers from the Preakness are very encouraging!

Preakness Stakes draws record crowd, increased handle
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/05/19/preakness-stakes-draws-record-crowd-increased-handle.aspx

A record crowd of 121,309 turned out to Pimlico Race Course to witness I’ll Have Another’s dramatic victory in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday, or at least partake in the race’s infield festivities. The figure narrowly surpassed the previous record set in 2005, when 121,263 witnessed Afleet Alex win the second jewel of the Triple Crown. This year’s attendance was a 13% increase from last year’s total of 107,398. All-sources handle rose 5.3% in 2012, from $76,376,698 to $80,463,005, both for 13 races

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Bodemeister Still Heavy Preakness Favorite | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69907/bodemeister-still-heavy-preakness-favorite

As of 11 a.m. EDT Saturday, Bodemeister remained the heavy betting favorite for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), sitting at odds of 9-5 while Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner I’ll Have Another is the 3-1 second choice.

Bodemeister, runner-up in the Derby, was 8-5 on the morning-line when odds were set on May 16. I’ll Have Another was 5-2.

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Desormeaux Taken Off Preakness Mount | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69883/desormeaux-taken-off-preakness-mount

After being taken off his mounts at Belmont Park May 18 for running afoul of New York’s rule on alcohol impairment, Kent Desormeaux also lost his mount in the May 19 Preakness (gr. I), Tiger Walk. 

Ramon Dominguez will replace Desormeaux on Sagamore Farm’s Tiger Walk, a 30-1 shot trained by Ignacio Correas.

“It was a team decision,” Correas said. “Ramon is a great rider. We’re happy to have him.”

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology