We're not unreasonable, say stewards

They only want to eat your brains

Long time readers know this blog has often highlighted the CHRB's incompetence and lack of leadership. On Saturday the CHRB, as represented by the NorCal stewards, offered one more very small example of their inability to think critically.

If you recall, by Saturday Santa Anita had already cancelled racing on Monday the following week but had not officially cancelled Sunday yet. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE knew there was no way they could run on Sunday given the rain.

Many of those trainers with horses entered for Sunday at Santa Anita wished to enter those horses at Golden Gate Fields. The stewards would not allow them to do so because Santa Anita had not yet officially cancelled their racing program. Several horses that would have run at Golden Gate were thus turned away and may sit on the sidelines up to a month waiting for their condition to return, or worse yet, some will be shipped out of state for a spot in which to run.

This song reminds me of the stewards' only one way approach. Here are the Lyrics.

11 year old gelding claimed

While Heath Ledger has passed on, 11yo gelding Motel Staff, only slightly Heath's junior, is alive and kicking. In fact, he's turning a new page in his career after being taken out of a 16k claiming race from owner GCCI and trainer Cliff Delima by Steve Miyadi for CM Racing.

When asked why it was worth risking sixteen grand on a horse that is nearing the end of his career, Miyadi responds curtly. "He's finally learned how to run. He's really coming around now."

The stakes winning old timer has plenty of back class and can still perform at this level, evidenced by his second place finish Sunday. When pressed, Miyadi offers a more believable, albeit nefarious angle behind the claim. "Look, I kidnapped him. He's a member of the [DeLima/GCCI] family." Miyadi does not plan to drop Motel Staff into softer company to pick up a short priced win, as is often the approach with his claims. "They'll pay the ransom, so why should I give them a discount? They'll pay it, and in the mean time, he'll win."

Pic of the day

Horse racing commands a much greater mindshare in Japan. This translates even to top tier arcade games with spectacular intricacies and commensurate development costs every horseplayer stateside with an xBox or Wii can only envy.

Monty Meier, latest victim of the blog

In the continuing series of horsemen looking ridiculous, here is Monty Meier in the Golden Gate Fields racing office. Monty is one of the nicest fellows on the backstretch and has a horseman's resume a mile long, working with many legends of the game. By all accounts he is an exceptional horseman. Many readers will know his brother Randy Meier, a mainstay on the Chicago racing circuit and member of the 4000 win club.

As for Monty's broken glasses, he blamed the rigors of life on the backstretch, but rumors are circulating that Monty is the victim of domestic violence. Anyone who knows his longtime sweetheart Turtle, who also gallops for the Meier barn and is quite a horseman in her own right, would not quickly dismiss such a theory.

Super Likit 2nd

Super Likit finished an impressive 2nd this past Friday in a race so tough that three entrants were claimed. The winner, Kona Town Girlies, was very impressive and is now two for two, as she also won her debut in the maiden $8k ranks. That horse was claimed from the Sherman barn by Sue Gilmour. I would expect the filly to be stepped up, and I would rather not face that one again, even though Super Likit was closing ground on the winner. The filly came out of the race fine, and will be pointed for one more race over the Golden Gate surface she favors before the NorCal circuit shifts back to Bay Meadows in early February. There are no races in the condition book for straight four year olds that she fits, but we would hope to see such a race on the overnights. If not, she will have to take on older in open company. After Fridays impressive run, she just may be able to handle them.