Notes

- The news coming from the Gulf of Mexico is ominous, to say the least. Certain death is the forecast from the National Weather Service for those in one or two story homes on Galveston Island who do not heed the warning to evacuate. So let's hope everyone gets the hell out of there.

NYRA will hold a teleconference today to discuss their emergence from bankruptcy. However, a spokesperson for Governor Paterson said that the decision on the VLT operator "may be weeks away." Given all of the times we've been told that a decision is around the corner, that may mean that Hillary Clinton will be president by the time they make a decision.

Big pick six carryover at Belmont today, and just a couple of quickies. In the 5th, Couth moves back to the grass for trainer David Jacobson. He was widest of all two back at these conditions, and uncorked a nice late rally for third behind a couple of decent horses at that level in Hangingbyathread and Mr Sam I Am. Forget the sprint at Saratoga, here he stretches out a bit and gets the Mig. Will have to overcome the ten post. But he performed well in open claimers here during the spring and looks like good value at his 8-1 morning line.

In the 7th, American Cruiser (7-2) goes off the claim for trainer Anthony Dutrow. Besides the fact that this barn scores at a 32% rate off the claim, Dutrow, through Sept 10, is 5-2-4 with his last 11 starters overall, oh man.