First Post: Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Ara Parseghian, R.I.P. Remember watching his youth-oriented TV show ‘Ara’s Sports World’. Who was this mope named Ara Parseghian? We had to ask an adult, and even Dad, who knew as much about ’murrikan Gridiron Throwball as you and we currently know about knitting, said, oh sure, yeah, he was the Head Football Coach of Notre Dotre. Or something like that.

Then later we had to wonder, Well, what kind of name is Ara Parseghian? This led to curiosity about Armenians in general and Notre Dotre football in general. As well, his name always came up in the entry-level crossword puzzles. Everything is related. Watching that show, ‘Ara’s Sports World’, though, led us to believe Mr. Parseghian was an all-around decent sort, famous and Armenian and appearing in the crosswords. Thank you, Ara Parseghian, for all the memories and linkages to the long-ago, to our own departed. Rest easy.

Free ones: Rundown…

Saratoga Race Course 3, 5, 7, 8, 9
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club 3

Pay-side (Weekday/Weekend): Today…

Delpark 3, 4, 6
Louisiana 6
Woodbine 1, 5

Today’s Stakes Pageantry: Saratoga 9 on the free page.

Probably OK for the obvious #2 Silent Sonet in Woodbine 3.

WMF Report:

Early
Delpark 5½f
Evangeline 6f, 6½f
Indiana 6f
Northlands 6½f
PennNat 6f
Thistle 6f

Rally
Presque 5½f

Nocturnal Submission: Albuquerque 8 (8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT) has a dynamic duo of #5 Blue Eyes Who and #1 Big A’s Darlin ready to rescue Longshot Louie from Parimutuel Danger. …Mountaineer 4 (8:06 / 5:06) finds #5 Gang Boss and #3 Vindiania having bona fide upset designs. …Race 9 there (9:56 / 6:56) features potential upsetters #1 Coriolis and #8 Freezing Rain. …

Thank you. Best wishes. Goodbye. Play like a champion today…