Oh....That

Oh yeah, right. The Kentucky Derby. Anyone else out there suffering from some Derby overload bordering on indifference this year? Seems to me that the "Trail" has gotten longer in duration and far, far more wonk-y given all of the myriad websites, blogs, twits, lists, and purely speculative charts and spreadsheets out there...but, at the same time, far less interesting in terms of substance....that is, horses actually running in actual relevant preps. I Want Revenge and Papa Clem notwithstanding, I don't really know if any race run on a synthetic track can be considered a relevant prep for the Derby. We spend most of our time guessing whether that is or is not the case, whether a horse who's been off for five, six, seven weeks can crank it back up, whether a horse which has only run five, four, three times can possibly be ready. All instead of actual handicapping of a horse race. So I gotta admit I'm having a hard time, but I guess I'll have to try and crank it up. And soon!

But ah, not yet...

- Thanks so much to all of the thoughtful commenters who chimed in on the last post. As you might expect, Delaware North denied the charges alleged in SL Green's suit - and when, really, is the last time you heard of any defendant other than Bernie Madoff go "yeah, they're right, I did it?" Company president William Bissett called it “a desperate attempt by SL Green to try to enhance their standing in the re-bid process" and reaffirmed his intention to participate in the latest bidding round.

“The rebid allows the state and the bidders to address the issues of timing and the changing economic climate." [Biz Journals]

In other words, to adjust their bids downward. SL Green also confirmed that they're in, as did Mohegan Sun, apparently this time without Capital Play.

“Once Delaware North withdrew, we started handicapping what would come out of the Governor’s office,” [COO Jeff Harmann] quipped to The Queens Courier.

“We are reviewing the proposal,” Harmann continued, “We think that, as the premier casino operator in the northeast, a Mohegan Sun operated facility at Aqueduct will generate more jobs and more revenue for Queens.” [Queens Courier]

Governor Paterson's spokesperson Morgan Hook defended the delay in the announcement of the new bidding process.

“We put out the announcement as soon as there was a three-way agreement between the Governor, the Speaker and the Majority Leader.”

Huh? It took six weeks to merely agree to accept new bids?? What exactly did they have to agree on? And how long then will it take them to agree on a new winner? Unbelievable.

- On the day after Earth Day, here's a story (hat tip to the Albany Law School Racing and Wagering page) about Batavia Downs near Buffalo, which will be switching to solar energy next year.

The track and casino will install 144 solar panels later this spring to generate power for evening racing and casino gambling.
.....
The state Energy Research and Development Authority has provided much of the funding for the $200,000 project, which is expected to generate more than $250,000 in energy savings. Solar Liberty of Williamsville will do the installation of panels. [Buffalo News]

President Obama pointed out yesterday that less than 3% of this country's energy consumption is generated from alternative sources, so hear hear to this project - a very small step in the right direction.

- And the Rangers took a 3-1 series lead with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Caps at an insane Madison Square Garden last night. In many if not most cases in best-of-seven series, you'll see the word "commanding" precede '3-1 series lead,' but I'm not going there, not in this case, not at all. The Broadway Blueshirts have won three one-goal games on the strength of spectacular...almost otherwordly...goaltending from The King, courageous penalty killing, the grit of foot soldiers such as Blair Betts, Fred Sjostrom, and Laurie Korpikoski, and the unbridled energy of their young forwards Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky (winner of 15 out of 17 faceoffs last night). During a regular season in which most of the team's high-priced veterans disappointed, these players named above were the heart and the soul of the team all year long. Hopefully, they can lift the team through one more win against the Caps' awesome offensive power and move on to the first Rangers-Bruins playoff series since.....whew, I'm thinking, 1973?? I'll have to go to the yearbook to confirm that!