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So much excitement I think my head might explode. Let’s get right to it.
Whether you’re a racing fan or not, if you care enough about sports to be reading this you probably have at least a passing interest in the most recognizable horse race of the year. With the news that Morning-Line favourite I Want Revenge is scratched, Friesan Fire will likely be the top choice on the tote board. I’d toss out Mr. Hot Stuff, Advice, Mine That Bird, Join In The Dance, Atomic Rain, Nowhere To Hide and Flying Private, leaving 12 very good 3-year-olds to sort out:
THE LOW PRICED FAVOURITES
Friesan Fire – The favourite in advance wagering on Friday, when I Want Revenge was still on the board. Big race in the slop to blow away Papa Clem in the Louisiana Derby, but otherwise hasn’t faced off with as many top horses as some of the other contenders.
Dunkirk – Followed up a visually stunning Allowance win with a solid second to Quality Road in the Florida Derby. Only three career races, no 2-year-old starts and no works at Churchill are some red flags.
Pioneerof The Nile – King of the California horses comes to Churchill with no experience on dirt, but Gomez had many choices to ride and stayed here which says something.
General Quarters – The feel-good story of the Derby, as 75-year-old Tom McCarthy’s only horse makes it to the Derby with a legit shot. Switches to Julien Leparoux off a good win in the Bluegrass Stakes, climbed from a 20-1 ML to 5-1 in advance wagering friday.
Chocolate Candy - Closed for a strong second in the Santa Anita Derby behind POTN, switches to Mike Smith who will wait to unleash one big move late.
Hold Me Back - Comes in off strong races at Turfway and Keenland (closing well behind General Quarters), but showed little in only race on dirt. Unsure after a middling work at Churchill.
THE PLAYABLE LONGSHOTS
Papa Clem – Came off the loss to Friesan Fire to win the Arkansas Derby in a stretch-drive slugfest with Old Fashioned. Has good tactical speed and could be in a good spot if the early pace isn’t too hot.
Desert Party – The top half of the Dubai pair lost his last warmup to Regal Ransom, though many explain that away with an inside-speed biased track on Dubai World Cup day. A popular outsider pick to win.
Regal Ransom - Expected to set the pace with Join In The Dance, was thought of as the rabbit for Desert Party until the win in the UAE Derby. I doubt he can wire this field, but crazier things have happened.
Musket Man - Strong late move to win in Tampa followed by a strong win at Hawthorne, can’t be discounted.
West Side Bernie - Had an easier time than I Want Revenge at the Wood, but still couldn’t catch him. The figure was big though, and showed a surprisingly good finish.
Summer Bird – Closed well to finish third in the Arkansas Derby. Only three career races, only one big race, but shows a good late kick and if the pace gets too hot could be a factor with the extra furlong to work with.
So how does it play out? The early track at Churchill is sloppy, so we’ll see how that changes and affects the field come 6pm. Of the favourites I like Friesan Fire, Dunkirk and General Quarters the best, while Papa Clem and Summer Bird are my favourites of the second group. If I had to pick one without thinking of odds I’d take Freisan Fire, but I personally wouldn’t play any of the favourites at less than 5-1 to win and I think he’ll be much lower than that. General Quarters likely won’t be worth the investment either if the advance wagering is any indication, and it remains to be seen what happens to Dunkirk’s odds without IWR in the field.
My likely wagers – a token win bet on Papa Clem, as well as Dunkirk and General Quarters if I like the odds. Maybe one of the other longshots if they drift really high. I’ll probably play a trifecta with Friesan Fire and General Quarters on top of a mix of the others I mentioned.
Predicted running order – Friesan Fire, General Quarters, Papa Clem, Summer Bird, Dunkirk. Likelihood of being wrong on all of them – 99%.
After that it’s the ultimate bounty of sporting goodness, with the Celts-Bulls Game 7 (I like the Celts by 5), Canucks-Hawks Game 2 (Canucks 4-2) and Manny Pacquiao beating up “There’s only one” Ricky Hatton. I can’t say anything else, only that this day will be a beauty – hope you all enjoy it!
Curiously, 2 days after AI announced that he would “rather retire than come off the bench”, President of basketball operations for the Pistons Joe Dumars announced AI was being shut down for the rest of the season with “back pains”. My 80 year old Great Aunt in England, who wouldn’t know what a basketball was if she broke her hip on one, knows that is basketball speak for “this guys a dick and we’re sick of his whining”. Ever since the Pistons traded Chauncey for AI it has been a disaster in Detroit. For the first time in YEARS, the Pistons are actually fighting for a playoff seed rather than fighting for home court advantage and I won’t mince words, its all AI’s fault, well and Joe Dumars for making the trade. It all started with Iverson taking Rip Hamiltons spot in the starting line up which obviously didn’t sit well with anyone else who had been part of those Pistons playoff runs. Then Iverson got hurt and Rip came back from an injury and guess what? The Pistons started to win again, MIRACULOUS!
I have been hearing for years how Iverson is a bad seed and all about himself but I just thought it was because he was on crappy Philly teams and had no one there to really help him and he was sick of carrying a team on his shoulders. Then he went to the stacked Nuggets a few years ago and I thought “this is where AI will thrive with some weight off his shoulders” and it didn’t happen there then either. Then he got traded to Detroit which had me shaking my head for weeks and my friend Darkman said it best “That trade was the biggest steal for the Nuggets and the worst for the Pistons, you’ll see”. Lo and behold, he was right. The Nuggets got the sturdy team oriented unselfish PG they have needed to get over that hump in the Western conference and the Pistons got…6th to 8th seed in the East?
Detroit was always a team that got by with their unreal belief in themselves and their team unity. Obviously either the loss of Chauncey really hurt their pysche in Motown or AI is really that bad a teammate or both. I still to this day don’t know why Joe pulled the trigger on that trade because even if it was to save cap for next year, why did he do it so early? That may be something we never know but this is something I do know for sure, he regrets it. The Pistons have looked flat since the trade and I haven’t seen them mount one of their 4th quarter “lets try now” comebacks in a long while, well actually, since Mr. Clutch left town and it must suck for Piston fans.
With AI out for the season we will now get to see if he was the problem or if the Pistons magic has just ran out with their aging stars finally peaking. One thing we know for sure Iverson won’t have to worry about practice anymore!
Peace!
I’mmmm baaacccckkkkkk…So if it hasn’t become evident to you lately,I have been off in a far away land but I have returned twice as smart and almost impossibly, 3 times better looking. Yes, this may all have to do with the fact I have been on the “sauce” more often, thus making my trips past the mirror a tad bit skewed but know this for sure, until long weekends in the summer I am going to be on everyday and I am bringing friends. So for all of you that have been coming back only to be let down day after day for the last week, I am SORRY, except to Coletrain that ball buster.
During my trip through beerland, I had some pretty good ideas most of which disappeared along with my Euphoria, yet some (probably the realistic ones) stuck with me and now I intend to act on them. While watching countless games of college basketball over the last few weeks with a few friends of mine I realized one of them had an enormous amount of sports knowledge and he himself used to keep a blog on the internets in times past. Yes, at first my instinct was to destroy this mans life but I soon came to the realization I needed to unite forces with him. Not only because when I tried to overpower him he bested me but because the sport that needs the largest coverage is about to start and it is also his forte, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. STJ will be your guru for all things baseball all summer long whether it be what games to watch, who’s hot and who’s not, trade rumours and especially Fantasy Baseball help. This man has endless knowledge of not only blue chip Major leaguers you need on your fantasy roster but guys who might not be as well known. Have a trade proposed to you or a player you want to pick up off waivers in your Fantasy League and you don’t know whether its worth it? Just ask the Greek Sheik and he will let you know! So check back soon for STJ AKA “the Greek Sheik” AKA “The Sex” first post: Fantasy Baseball Sleepers.
Peace!
In some frightfully tragic news, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth may be charged in the death of a pedestrian for an accident that took place early Saturday morning. Police say Stallworth was headed to Miami beach in his Bentley when he struck a pedestrian on a busy causeway linking Miami and Miami beach. The pedestrian identified as 59 year old Mario Reyes was taken to a nearby trauma centre where he was pronounced dead. Police issued a sobriety test at the scene as well as took blood and said that Donte was being very cooperative with the investigation. Toxicology reports are estimated to be back in about a week, more on the story when it unfolds.
Are there any hockey fans out there? If so, make sure you add me on Twitter or check the site every 5 minutes or more tomorrow. Because starting at 8amright up to the deadline GoatDiesel will have all the latest trades and rumours for you, during the biggest day on the hockey calendar. (just a heads up, the updates on rumours and trades will be on the RIGHT side of the main page tomorrow, under the Twitter heading)
Anybody have any guesses right now on deals that will go down tomorrow? I bet $3 and my left nut that the Leafs are one of the biggest sellers tomorrow…….
Peace!
Not to say I told you so but Stephon Marbury has agreed to join the Boston Celtics for the minimum in hopes to get his chance at that ever elusive ring. I guess we will see if Reefer and VIP were correct when they said that Marbs will ruin the team chemistry once his PT is cut or he gets a few DNP’s in the playoffs. Me? What do I think you ask? Having a few hours to think on it, I think this is a win win. Everyone knows depth is the key to a long playoff run and Marbury will give wildman Rondo some key time to rest (have you seen him play? He’s like a mini D-Wade) and he will also bring a good solid veteran voice for those who times when it will be needed. Now as mentioned before there are some skeptics that think he will pull a T.O and tear the team down from the inside out, not this guy. I think Starbury will pull a Randy Moss and shut up, know his roll and help the team in the playoffs. I guess only time will tell….
Peace!
Whats the saying? ”The rich keep getting richer”? Maybe not in the real world these days with the massive recession but when it comes to the NBA world, that isn’t the case. Fresh off their championship last year, the Celtics are one of the best teams in the league and seem to be every other persons pick to repeat as champions again. I guess being 46-12 on the year isn’t enough for the champs to feel comfortable. So what did they do? They secured themselves some pretty good bench players, one officially and one will be probably be announced pretty soon. The first player is of course Mikki Moore who was waived by the rebuilding Sacramento King in a salary dumps, the other you ask? None other than Stephon Marbury! He sat down with the Knicks brass today and it looks like they have FINALLY come up with a plan that will let him walk away for good and do what he pleases. Seeing as Steph has cooled on his love affair with Europe, he will probably look to sign with a major contender and win that elusive ring. It looks like we have a perfect fit? We all know the Celtics LOVE taking on aging players to fill out their bench right before their playoff run, last year it was PJ Brown and ET Sam Cassell, this year Steph and Moore.
To me, Mikki Moore makes sense because he fits in with the teams intensity and I just think Kevin Garnett is gonna have a lot of fun messing with him like he does with Glen “Big Baby” Davis. If Steph signs though, I am not sure how its going to work out. I guess it all depends on which Starbury shows up? Sure him and KG go way back to their high top fade days back in Minny but I seem to remember that didn’t end well either? It may only be for a few weeks while they make a run at the title but it only takes one player to make or break a team. The Celts DO need a serviceable back up PG but they don’t need a guy who wants to be bigger than the team.
Where else could Steph go? Well I know Miami wants a PG and MAYBE the Spurs and Magic but I doubt they would want to mess with what they have going so far. A lot of lottery teams would probably take a crack at him but does he want to go that route AGAIN? I feel bad for Steph, I do. He used to be my favourite PG when I was a young buck playing the position myself, he was flashy, arrogant and quick as hell and it’s sad to seem him now. Head tatted up, sitting in street clothes and getting disrespected by his OWN teammates. Whatever happens I hope it works out well for Steph because to be honest, I think he’s pretty close to losing it mentally.
Then again, Marbury may not sign and this could be all for not but let’s say he DOES sign, how do YOU think it will work out? Let me hear it.
Peace!
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Filed under Basketball, Breaking News, Trash Talk
Tags:Boston Celtics, Glen Davis, Kevin Garnett, Mikkie Moore, Minnesota Timberwolves, PJ Brown, Sacramento Kings, Sam Cassell, Stephon Marbury
As mentioned on GoatDiesel in the past, the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat have FINALLY completed the Jermaine O’Neal for Shawn Marion. That deal right there I just mentioned, seems like a good deal but let me delve further into this for you. Jermaine O’Neal will not make the journey to Miami himself, the Raptors have packed Jamario Moon and his disdain for the rim to Miami in return, we get the Matrix and Marcus Banks. Seems cool right? Ohhh GoatDiesel forgot to tell you, we also gave up A FIRST ROUND PICK!!! YES! The 21-34 Raptors that are bound for the lottery this season and probably NEXT traded a 1st round PICK! What do they get in return you ask? Marcus Banks! Do I hate on Uncle Phil’s game? No, he is actually a REALLY good on the ball defender (which we are sorely lacking) and he is almost as fast as anyone in the league. “So what’s your beef almighty Diesel?”, you ask? His contract is UGLY!!! We just took on 4M+ until 2012! For those of you that aren’t aware 2010 and even ‘11 are years you WANT to be cap friendly, 2012? Not so much. So all I can surmise is either Colangelo has something up his versace laden sleeve or the he REALLY wants to pull a George Costanza and go out in glory. He is about 1 move away from being WORSE than Rob Babcock, yes I SAID IT!!!
I will use this paragraph to apologize for all my CAPITALIZED LETTERS and exclamation marks!!! I am really upset by this trade and almost cried when I read that this trade went down.
Well don’t let me do all the blabbering, what did you all think? Hit me UP!!!
Peace!
I just thought I would let you all know, I haven’t posted ina few days because I am actually trying to upgrade my current status as “lame ass blogger” to “super cool, wicked laptop blogger”. The only problem with that is, I tried to do a few things to my computer myself and may or may not have screwed some things up. Anyway, I am at my IT buddy’s house right now borrowing his Internets to let you know, I will be up and running tomorrow night for another LIVE BLOG for the Raptors/Spurs game.
For all of you that live in Toronto, I KNOW YOUR PAIN, TSN2 should burn for having 25 UNWATCHABLE games (that seem to be the best) but that’s what I am here for 
. Also, I am writing offline too (A-ROD, YOU’RE NEXT!!!) so hopefully I get lots of stuff up this week. Well have a good Tuesday and come back tomorrow night for more live blogging and DON’T FORGET TO COMMENT!!! It really keeps my incredibly sore fingers going!
Peace!
BIG TINGS! (Yes, I intentionally left the H out in an attempt at being hip). Anywho, we here at GoatDiesel.com are always trying to bring you new ways to evolve your sports reading, watching, loving experience. Tonight we are going to expand further on that, by trying some “live blogging”. I tried to argue my blogging is always “live” but my internets guru DAG, tells me “although this may be true in the hip hop sense. “Live blogging” means live, as in while it’s happening”. So I digress.
Tonight we are going to start with the Lakers/Raptors game and see how it works out. Make sure you post your comments on the game as you watch it as well and feel free to let me know how terrible I am doing at this new venture too. It won’t be a play by play but more of a every 2-5 minute update about the nuances of the game. From the feel on the court, to the way certain players are playing and of course some recaps of big plays. Come back at 7pm ET tonight and add GoatDiesel on TWITTER as a friend.
Tonight you MAY have to refresh your page every few minutes, as we are just getting adjusted to this as well.
See you at 7pm.
Peace!
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