Gift Rapped

- 5-1 in the morning line, Rap Tale, who has tended to get a bit overbet of late in my opinion, paid a whopping $25 winning a second level allowance in the slop at Philly Park on Sunday. Not the most agile of fillies around the turn with her long loping stride, this time you could tell she was relishing the going as she closed in on the leader turning for home. She earned a Beyer of 77 for the mile in a tardy 1:40 1/5; the final quarter of 27 3/5 ain't quite Somebeachsomewhere material, but she got the job done to earn $28,800. Rap Tale has won three times, and earned over $95,000 since Kasey K claimed her for $25,000 in May. Trainer Bruce Brown will look for a NW3x allowance at the Pha, where she's won her last two. Mark Hennig and Pletcher also shipped down for the race, and while I imagine that NYRA frowns upon the practice, it's easy to understand given the purses.

NYRA could sure use that slots money to compete, don't you think? It's been another couple of weeks since the leaders meeting in Albany, in which Senator Skelos chided Governor Paterson over his failure to produce the MOU needed to seal the deal, and I do wonder what's going on at this point.

Speaking of Somebeachsomewhere, Pull the Pocket asked if I had any video of the race finish. I do have something, but he may be sorry he asked.



Well, zero winners for Contessa over the four day holiday weekend at the Big A.

Friday saw what has to be the horse racing equivalent of the Gordie Howe hat trick - a winner each for the Dutrow brothers - Rick, Anthony, and little brother Chip "Don't Call Me Sydney" Dutrow.

A Darley Double in the 6th and 7th races on Sunday. First time starter Flashing won the 6th for Tom Albertrani, having a fine meeting at 32-7-6-7. Or, I should say, he had a fine meeting. Since Wednesday is technically the beginning of the winter meet, all the stats are wiped clean in the Form, and ain't that special? This barn is 3-2-0 with its last six. Flashing is by AP Indy, out of a stakes winning Machiavellian mare.

Then McLaughlin took the 7th with the highly impressive three-year old filly Seventh Street (Street Cry), moving up seamlessly to crush winners in her third career start. It is worth noting however that her two wins have both come over wet, sealed tracks at Aqueduct; a little fodder with which to perhaps be oppositional when she undoubtedly steps up to stakes company, the track is fast, and the odds are short.