tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post1313067961408942934..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Odds and EndsAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-81726146597915808922008-08-25T20:31:00.000-04:002008-08-25T20:31:00.000-04:00Joe Tessatore could be Tony Little selling me an e...Joe Tessatore could be Tony Little selling me an exercise program and barking at me "You can DO IT!"...<BR/><BR/>...and he would still be likable compared to Todd Schrupp and the other clowns at TVG. Because he's enthusiastic, something that racing needs as a cheerleader. Todd always seems to believe, no matter how many races at Los Alamitos and Yonkers they throw at us, that TVG is "America's Horse Racing Network", flying in the face of all logic when their coverage is generally a lot of amateur-hour handicapping and analysis.<BR/><BR/>Give me an excited newbie like Tessatore any day. His excitement can get more than a little over the top, but racing could always use excessive enthusiasm over the jaded cynicism that is the sport's <I>raison d'etre</I>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-12098256336260533502008-08-25T19:34:00.000-04:002008-08-25T19:34:00.000-04:00Alan, you're finally coming 'round to realizing th...Alan, you're finally coming 'round to realizing that the BC is not the be-all, end all of racing; it's a scheme cooked up by the KY breeders to boost stud fees- and they have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. It's been a nice ride for 20+ years but "... the times they are 'a changin'", as Dylan said of the '60's.<BR/> <BR/>Markets change, times change, and I think we are entering a new phase where racing must return to it's roots of rewarding on track performance over time rather than one hit wonders in a Super Bowl knock off. We need a "Racehorse Cup" to be determined by a point system over the course of a season, just like NASCAR, and not some Super Bowl, winner-take-all set-up.<BR/> <BR/>And, you are growing skeptical of kitty litter as well it seems. Looks like a two tier system is emerging- dirt or poly, and never the twain shall meet? It's quite a test of the market and as always the customer- the horsemen in this case- will determine the fate of the two very different products. Joe Bruno Sighting at The Spa on Travers Day: Lo and behold who turned up at the Spa on Travers Day but Joe Bruno who was a guest of his old pal, the Guv! Ol' pols never die, they don't even fade away, they just stop "running" for office. /S/Green Mtn PunterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-50893316466899678812008-08-25T17:24:00.000-04:002008-08-25T17:24:00.000-04:00I wonder if the decision whether to interview the ...I wonder if the decision whether to interview the winning jockey on horseback doesn't hinge on the jockey's command of English.<BR/><BR/>BitPlayerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-40189196333031274432008-08-25T15:38:00.000-04:002008-08-25T15:38:00.000-04:00Joe Tesatore makes me long more than ever for Kenn...Joe Tesatore makes me long more than ever for Kenny Mayne. I may be alone on this, but I enjoy Kenny's irreverent approach. He may not be a horse racing "insider," but at least he's entertaining.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com