First Post: Saturday, August 27, 2016

Pop Culture

Boy George & The Boys had a right party last night at the amphitheatre. Smashing.

They presented all their hits, including our favourite, ‘Time (Clock of the Heart)’. The closing number of the encore was a jamming rendition of the old T. Rex standard ‘Bang a Gong (Get It On)’. Geo. O’Dowd remains a talented and charismatic performer, as do the other three original bandmembers, all still going strong. Fine entertainment.

Free ones: Rundown…

Saratoga Race Course 1, 7, 9, 11, 12
Gulfstream Park Proper 7, 8, 9
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Pending

Pay-side (Weekend/Weekday): Today…

Belterra 1, 3, 8
Delpark 3, 5, 6, 7
Ellis Park 1, 6, 8
Golden Gate 8
Louisiana 2, 7
Monmouth 1, 2, 4, 10, 12
Remington 9
Woodbine 4, 5, 7, 10

Today’s Stakes Pageantry: Saratoga 7, 9, 11, 12 on the free page.

Singling-out #4 Nikki My Darling in Belterra 7.

Wild-open in Canterbury 3, wild-open. #4 Giacallure is no worse than any of the others. But the obvious #1 Line Judge should be OK in Race 7 there.

#5 Shehasit Too has enough to be the one in Chas. Town 8.

Sidestepping the top three — count ’em! — morning-line choices in Thistle 7, going instead with #5 Bold Cait, #6 Redstart. Hoo-boy.

Yesterday’s Activity:

Track (Win Mutuels $20+/Gettable)

Albuquerque (0/0) — Pedestrian accident closes Central near Amherst.

Arlington (2/1) — Race 4 was not contentious, but High-Octane Chancers saw an OK 81 on the LifeLiner Spread Column analysis on I Forgot It’s Name; she went gate-to-wire to win by 4¾ at $23.40. Good work.

Assiniboia (1/1) — The finale was contentious, and Budlitelarry had your field-best 85 on the LifeLiner Spread Column analysis; he went tail-to-wire to win by 3 at $22.90. Good work.

Belterra (1/0) — Reds edged by host Arizona in 11 inns., 4-3; Scott Schebler went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI for Cincy.

Canterbury (1/1) — A contentious finale had Back From Africa with a fine 94 on the LifeLiner Speed Column analysis; he rallied mildly to win by 2¼ at $20.80. Good work.

Columbus (0/0) — Rural Dewitt man drowned while working in irrigation pond.

Chas. Town (2/1) — Race 4 was not contentious, but High-Octane Chancers had a scraping-by 80 on the LifeLiner Spread Column analysis on Latent Fire; he went mane-to-wire to win by a clean half-length at $37.60. Good work.

Del Mar (3/0) — Padres edged by host Miami, 7-6; Luis Sardinas had 4 RBI in the loss.

Ellis Park (1/1) — Not contentious, Race 6, but High-Octane Chancers had a Dual Qualifier to consider in Keepinyourchinup (87, 85); he was forwardly placed before waging a grim stretch-battle in which he prevailed by a clean nose at $34.60. Good work.

Emerald (0/0) — Mariners beat host White Sox, 3-1; Franklin Gutierrez had a solo HR for Seattle.

Evangeline (1/1) — Race 3 was contentious, and Little Bita Gracie had your field-best 85 on the LifeLiner Spread Column analysis; she went gate-to-wire to win by 3¼ at $25.40. Good work.

Ferndale (0/0) — Trinidad Art Nights approaches.

Golden Gate (0/0) — Host Giants blank Atlanta, 7-nil; 2 RBI apiece for Angel Pagan, Brandon Belt and Joe Panik.

Gulf (2/0) — See Del Mar commentary.

Grande Prairie (0/0) — No news updates.

Hazel (1/1) — The Thoroughbred opener was contentious, and Dual Qualifier Open Request (99, 81) took command between calls en route to winning by 2½ at $39-even. Good work.

Hastings (1/0) — Historic Sikh temple in S. Vancouver damaged by fire.

Indiana (0/0) — Many Indpls. streets heavily flooded after storms move through.

Los Alamitos (1/0) — Los Angeles de Los Angeles y Anaheim/O.C. doubled-up by host Detroit, 4-2; Albert Pujols, still in the league, had a solo HR, his 25th on the season, for the losers.

Louisiana (1/0) — Shreveport police officer is arrested.

Marquis (1/1) — The finale was not contentious, but High-Octane Chancers had a sufficient 81 on the LifeLiner Speed Column on Harold H; he rallied a bit to win by a clean half-length at $26.30. Good work.

Monmouth (2/0) — DWI checkpoint in Allenhurst on Saturday.

Northlands (1/0) — Cockroach complaints rise in Edmonton.

PennNat (2/1) — Race 2 was contentious, and Chloe’s White Soxs had a competitive 86 on the LifeLiner Speed Column; she was a stalking-horse throughout before grinding out a win by 2¾ at $25.80. Good work.

Remington (1/0) — Pittsburg Co. sheriff investigating double-homicide.

Ruidoso (0/0) — Man goes on beer run while driving stolen car, Las Cruces police say.

Saratoga (0/0) — State police seek Moreau burglary suspect.

Timonium (1/0) — Orioles trounced by host Nueva Jork Jankees, 14-4; 2 HR and 3 RBI for Balto.’s Manny Machado.

Woodbine (2/0) — Host Blue Jays pound Minnesota, 15-8; a HR and 5 RBI apiece for Russell Martin and Justin Smoak.

WMF Report:

Early
Assiniboia 6f
Columbus 6f
Delpark 6f
Del Mar 5½f, 1m
Evangeline 6f
Finger 6f, 1m
Los Alamitos 4½f
Mountain 6f
Monmouth 6f

Rally
Gulf 7½f (T)

Nocturnal Submission: Sifting through the wreckage…

Thank you. Best wishes. Goodbye. Bye-bye.