Sanford Stud Farm open house a success!

A good time was had by all this past Saturday at the historic Sanford Stud Farm property just outside the city limits of Amsterdam. On display was the remaining buildings and the efforts of the "Friends of the Sanford Stud Farm" to raise funds to repair the roof of the historic broodmare barn. Tours of the barns were made, vendors on hand, food provided by the Hagaman Fire Dept. & car show were just some of the highlights of the event. The group raised money vital to get the repairs started and other events will be held there in the near future.

Another job well done by the Hilltoppers!

A salute goes out to the Fort Plain Hilltopper baseball team for their incredible run the last two years in class “C” high school baseball play. Their record of 53-6 over that span has been phenomenal and will become legendary. The work that Coach Craig Phillips and his staff has done in guiding this group of young men to the top of thier sport goes to show what team work is all about. It’s an effort that goes almost year round for Coach Phillips, getting his boys to play at a level that brings the team championships. His teams always give a 110% effort and the results show with nearly 600 career wins for “coach”. It’s been a pleasure to watch this group of very talented young men play the sport of baseball and an honor to grow up in Fort Plain and have these kids represent my hometown. Although, I now reside in Fonda, I’ll always be a “Hilltopper” and salute the high school boys baseball team with a job well done for the second straight year in a row

BIG Brown = Big BUST!

To say that I was really disappointed in the outcome of last Saturday’s "historic" Belmont Stakes would be an understatement. All too often we are left reeling after the “Test of the Champions” especially with a Triple Crown attempt on the line. But, this year I took the road less traveled and strongly went against this year’s challenge to that fame; Big Brown. Burned too many times in the past twenty some odd years, I wasn’t going to fall into that trap again and root for a three year old runner in accomplishing something that hasn’t been done in thirty years. So, when the race was finished late Saturday afternoon and the result was made, I felt more cheated than ever before.
It was pretty clear to everyone that reads my column that I have never been a big fan of Big Brown. It’s nothing against the horse nor his connections or even his flamboyant trainer; Rick Dutrow. Although I have nothing against his jockey; Kent Desormeaux either, I thought from the beginning that Big Brown was a good horse. Maybe even a very good horse, but not a superstar or “great” one. He was talked about in “whispers” at Saratoga last summer before his debut on closing day at the track. Let off at 14-1, he cruised to victory on the grass and then disappeared until Gulfstream in March. There he ran two very “big” races and put himself into the Kentucky Derby picture. With a history of foot problems and racing from post #20 in the Kentucky Derby, He was a definite play against for me at a short price in the toughest race of the year. The headline read; “Don’t put your money on Big Brown” and if you followed that advice, you didn’t cash a ticket on the “first Saturday in May” in the Kentucky Derby. It was a great effort by the colt and I tipped my hat too him and he would get the same chance just two weeks later to do it again in the Preakness Stakes. This time I loved him; the race set up perfectly for him and won under cruise control for a second straight time. Now, thoughts of “Triple Crown” arose and how any other three year old colt could beat him? Not so fast my friends.
After hating him in the Kentucky Derby and loving him in the Preakness, I was at a crossroads in the Belmont Stakes. But, the rich history of the 11 winners of the Triple Crown and the huge layout of the Belmont Park track surface stood in his way. Also; the addition of a very good horse with the breeding to get the job done going a mile and a half, the Japanese trained runner named Casino Drive. It set up perfectly for me, a horse that could upset Big Brown and keep him for that elusive goal of immortality. But, the “racing gods” threw a monkey wrench into my plans when I learned on Friday afternoon that Casino Drive had gotten a “stone bruise” and was highly doubtful for the big race. Now I was left in a quandary the day of the race when Casino Drive scratched. Who can possibly beat Big Brown with the only horse (on paper) that even comes close to him, out of the race? I guess I had no alternate but to root for him to win the Triple Crown.
As I watched the race from “E-Street” in Fort Plain with a group of friends, I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach from what transpired. As the gate opened and Kent Desormeaux maneuvered Big Brown out of the gate, I knew there was trouble ahead. Don’t know what Kent’s problem was, but it became really apparent that Big Brown didn’t have it today. But, never in my wildest dreams did I think this colt would be eased. Big Brown had lost the Belmont Stakes, no Triple Crown and worst of all; no race whatsoever! I didn’t know what happened with the horse at first, but then felt cheated that he never even had the chance to run. Disgusted as I was with Big Brown’s effort, I felt a little satisfied that a good friend had boxed the 4-6-9 triple and cashed! I thought the excuses from the Big Brown “camp” would soon start after the race, but the finger pointing waited for a few days later. There was nothing wrong with the horse after being checked by the veterinarian, Desormeaux was lost for words with the outcome and his trainer Rick Dutrow went into hiding. A big let down for anyone who hooked himself or her on to the Big Brown bandwagon. I was left scratching my head, how could the so-called “great” horse get beat versus this so-called “inferior” competition? Well, it’s done and over with now, another horse goes by the wayside with his quest for the Triple Crown and the fans are let down again! I’ll never get caught up in the “hype” again and if anyone dare breathes Triple Crown after the Preakness again, I’ll “book” the wager. I’ve had enough of Big Brown, his comnnections and all the hype that goes into the Triple Crown. Maybe I’m getting too jaded?

2008 Belmont Stakes graded selections

CASINO DRIVE (#5) Prado / Fujisawa 7-2
This is the colt that stands between Big Brown and his quest for the Triple Crown; winner of the Peter Pan Stakes over the Belmont strip, he is out of the dam Better than Honour who has produced the last two Belmont Stakes winners (Jazil & Rags to Riches); two for two lifetime, he looks to have first run on the odds-on favorite.

BIG BROWN (#1) Desormeaux / Dutrow 2-5
This unbeaten, untied upon equine monster is looking to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in history; totally brilliant in both the Kentucky Derby & Preakness Stakes, he has overcome foot issues the last three weeks since then; for wagering purposes only, he is my 2nd choice & I will tip my hat if he can make history today.

READY’S ECHO (#9) Velazquez / Pletcher 30-1
Not often that you see this combination with a morning line odds of 30-1; void of early speed, this “Silky Sullivan” like runner comes far off the pace & will be flying late in the stretch, the “value play” in this race.

TALE OF EKATI (#7) Coa / Tagg 20-1
No factor 4th in the Kentucky Derby, this Barclay Tagg trainee is two for two over the Belmont strip; breeding wise, he doesn’t look like he wants the distance on paper; But figures in the exotics with his “back” class.

DENIS OF CORK (#4) Albarado / Carroll 12-1
Rallied from dead last in the Kentucky to be a no factor 3rd with a up the rail trip; gets jockey switch today from Calvin Borel to Robbie Albarado & the five week break between races; could set a good trip stalking behind the leaders.

ICABAD CRANE (#10) Rose / Motion 20-1
Rallied up the rail in the Preakness Stakes just to get out finished late for second; was a price that day and could get a piece with a similar effort today.

MACHO AGAIN (#3) Gomez / Stewart 20-1
No factor runner-up to Big Brown in the Preakness Stakes; gets jockey switch to Garret Gomez today; was no catching Big Brown that day….won’t be catching him today either.

ANAK NAKAL (#8) Leparoux / Zito 30-1
Wide trip in the Kentucky Derby, but really no factor passing tired horses; I guess he could round out your superfectas at a price….in the 4th spot.

DA’TARA (#6) Garcia / Zito 30-1
Set the pace in the five horse Sir Barton field on the Preakness Stakes undercard; held second that day & could be leading the way on the front end today; easy target for the “Big” one.

GUADALCANAL (#2) Castellano / Seitz 50-1
Very, very late entry to race; other than the great World War II battle for who he’s named after, don’t know much about this maiden runner.