First Post: Sunday, February 26, 2012

Oskar Sundae in La-La Land, which means the highways and byways will be Apocalyptically deserted from roughly 1 to 9 p.m. today. A fine time to drive! Happy motoring!

On the subject of Tinseltown, above is the trailer from the 1964 Alfred Hitchock motion picture Marnie. Some of the film’s scenes were shot on location at the old Atlantic City Race Course. You can see the grandstand overhang around the 2:50 mark of this clip.

The irony here is that this late, lamented oval was founded by John B. Kelly Sr., father of Grace Kelly, of whom you may have heard. If not, she was an Academy Award-winning actress and was signed on to play the title character here but the citizens of the Principality of Monaco were not too pleased about their Queen being back on the silver screen. So instead of having this crowning glory of playing this role at her very own father’s racetrack, Her Royal Highness had to pass, and so we see another of Sir Alfred’s fatally gorgeous blondes, Tippi Hendren, in the female lead. A most acceptable substitute!

As well, note the great Hitch’s dry wit and sly humour in describing his movie. You think Jase Ritemun or Steve Spleenburger would be able not to take themselves so seriously for five minutes so they could make such a funnie trailer? Class never dies!

Free ones: Rundown…

Aqueduct 4, 6, 7
Gulf 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
Santa Anita 5, 6, 9

And the award for free track of the day goes to…Gulfstream Park, Frank Stronach, Director!

Pay-side: Today…

Turfway 8, 9, 10
Tampa 5, 7, 8, 9
Fair Grounds 4, 6, 7, 9
Hawthorne 1, 6, 8
Oaklawn 2, 8, 9
Sam Houston 2, 7, 8

By virtue of its three Bonkers Box nominations, the Award goes to Tampa, Oldsmar, Fla. Congratulations! See ya at the Vanity Fair Par-tay! Bring your statuette!

WMF Report:

Speed
Sam Houston 5½f
Tampa 6f
Turfway 6f
Turf Paradise 6f, 6½f

Rally
Tampa 1 1/16m (T)

Nocturnal Submission: Going to Sunland for Race 11 (6:45 p.m. EST / 3:45 p.m. PST), and #8 Feisty Flirt will try to win it for the beautiful and talented Michelle Williams. …

Thank you. Best wishes. Join us again tomorrow for whatever we can manage for your weekly edition of the “Monday Boxing”, which could be as solid as Mannie Pacquiao or as fragile as Glass Joe. Only the numbers can tell! Until such time, it’s goodbye. Take care now.