10/30/2003

Breeders' Cup fall-out

The good news for racing is that two small-time punters scooped the entire Breeders’ Cup Pick 6 pool of $2.3 million…..with just an $8 ticket! The bad news is that this wasn’t national news!

What is it with Americans that they seem to have all their priorities wrong? Focusing on Scott Peterson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kobe Bryant, yet completely ignoring important stuff. It makes no sense at all…..but then the NTRA marketing people never had any anyway…..so one should not be surprised.

Further good news is the fact that Richard Mandella and the Wertheimer family are unlikely to target next year’s Kentucky Derby with Halfbridled….which is refreshing after the recent histrionics of Messrs. Lukas and Baffert…..the breakdown boys.

Bad news, though, about Michael Paulsen removing his horses from Laura de Seroux. (Does this mean that hubby Emmanuel is fired as manager, too?) Whatever, who needs an owner that can’t handle one reverse after the many triumphs that Azeri gave him. So we say good riddance…..and can be sure that Bill Mott won’t put up with similar nonsense in the future….so look for further Paulsen firings. Indeed, maybe by then D.Wayne and Booby B will be in need of a new client!