Value Tech Blog

Breeders’ Cup 2011 – What a mess! – Horse Racing – MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/07/2490823/breeders-cup-2011-what-a-mess.html

There have been multiple reasons why horse racing has declined as a viable sport over the last five years. The three main causes that come to mind are drug scandals, race-day medication debates, and the breakdown of high profile horses such as Barbaro and Eight Belles. However, this year has brought forward a new wrinkle that not many folks would have ever expected – the lack of sufficient talent among North American thoroughbreds.

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

The 2011 Breeders' Cup is here, and I've just finished my ValueCapping Rant for you.

It was going to put it into an email, but it turned out to be a 28 page, 4,500 word affair, more of a short book than an email. So I made it into a pdf report for you and put it online.

You can get my 2011 Breeders' Cup ValueCapping Rant by clicking here:

Click Here For Michael Pizzolla's 2011 Breeders' Cup ValueCapping Rant

Be patient, as it's a large PDF, so it may take a little while to download to your browser.

I hope you enjoy it. Along with a look at the races on Breeders' Cup day, there's a discussion about the overall approach of ValueCapping that I think you'll find useful. 

Click Here For Michael Pizzolla's 2011 Breeders' Cup ValueCapping Rant

Good luck on Breeders' Cup day and always. Remember to let the bet make you.

All the best,

Michael

P.S. If you are having trouble reading the PDF, don't panic. Most likely, it's that you may just need a PDF Viewer.  The link below is a no charge fast windows PDF viewer that you can install. Just install the program, and then try opening the PDF again. If you're still having issues, drop a line to support@posttimedaily.com, and they'll be able to help. Here's the link for the no cost PDF viewer if you need it:

http://cdn01.foxitsoftware.com/pub/foxit/reader/desktop/win/5.x/5.0/enu/FoxitReader501.0523_enu_Setup.exe

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

Breeders’ Cup 2011: Why Classic Horse Race Should Always Be at Churchill Downs
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/923387-breeders-cup-2011-why-classic-horse-race-should-always-be-at-churchill-downs

For a sport that needs to catch the eye of non-fans or casual fans, having the biggest race since the summer at a mega track such as Churchill Downs really helps. 

The name alone will draw in viewers, which will be hard to do since the big race is right in the thick of college football. 

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

Still a good turnout…

Attendance, handle down slightly on Breeders’ Cup Friday
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/11/04/breeders-cup-reports-friday-attendance-of-40677.aspx

Coming off a year of record attendance and handle, those figures dipped slightly following Friday’s card of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

A crowd of 40,677 turned out for Friday’s card, down slightly from the 41,614 who attended last year’s Breeders’ Cup Friday card.

Greeted by temperatures in the low 50s, grey, cloudy skies, and spotty rain early in the card, warm sun and clear skies took over by the middle of the day’s program.

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

Should be interesting to watch the effect this has on purses and the quality of races and sizes of the race fields. 

 Long Wait, Aqueduct Opens VLT Casino
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65828/afer-long-wait-aqueduct-opens-vlt-casino

Just one day shy of the 10th anniversary on which former New York Gov. George Pataki signed a law approving racetrack casinos, Aqueduct the afternoon of Oct. 28 will seek to brush aside the political and legal delays as activates thousands of video lottery terminals.

Derided by addiction treatment experts as overkill in a state with a growing reliance on gambling, the new VLT casino is seen as a financial life raft for the Thoroughbred industry.

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

This is one I may actually go to a theatre to see…

And They’re Off … Horse Racing As Comedy? Seriously!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-o/and-theyre-off-movie_b_1023725.html

Can And They’re Off … be to horse racing movies what This Is Spinal Tap is to rock films? What Best In Show is to the dog show oeuvre? Given the deft comic timing of the film’s acting, writing, directing and producing connections, my hopes are high.

Unlike last year’s glossy, high budget film Secretariat, And They’re Off… is a mockumentary — a genre that infuses the devices and production aesthetics of a documentary with parody, satire and improvisation.

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

Something to be thankful for!

Fair Grounds Offers More Stakes Days, Wagers
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65762/fair-grounds-offers-more-stakes-days-wagers

The 140th Thoroughbred racing season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots includes more major stakes days, new trainers, and an expanded wagering menu.

The New Orleans track opens Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. The 10-race card is highlighted by the 86th running of the Thanksgiving Handicap. First post is earlier than usual, at 11 a.m. CST.

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

Lawsuit over slots may slow horse racing plans for Ohio
http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/oct/22/lawsuit-over-slots-may-slow-track-plans/

The conservative American Policy Roundtable has filed suit against Gov. John Kasich over an agreement he inked with casinos that will allow lottery-controlled slots at the state’s horse-racing tracks.

The group said Kasich and lawmakers have exceeded their constitutional authority in reaching the agreement and passing legislation related to the racetracks and casino sites.

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

Golden Gate Fields season opens amid uncertainty
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F10%2F20%2FSP261LJM9H.DTL

— Golden Gate Fields opens its fall season today with a new general manager and a decision due next month that could determine its future as a racetrack.

Joe Morris – named interim GM by Stronach Group, which owns the track – brings a long history of involvement in horse racing to the GM position vacated after six years by Robert Hartman, whose background was in sports management.

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

Year round racing at Ellis?

Ellis Park asks for year-round simulcasting, Instant Racing machines
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/oct/12/ev_13ellispark/

If the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approves, and there appear to be no reasons it would not, Ellis Park will reopen for simulcasting on Jan. 1 and stay open year-round as Instant Racing machines are installed early in 2012.

The Henderson track also will have no overlap with Churchill Downs for its live race meet, which would encompass 30 race dates from July 1 through Labor Day. Churchill did not ask for the July 4 holiday when it made its presentation to the racing commission in Lexington.

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