Toga Party

Went up to Saratoga yesterday. Didn't cash a single ticket. I did however, get really sloshed, and witnessed a local prominent politician entering the Trailways Bus bathroom with his girlfriend on the way back, twice.

I was going to write a piece about how people should stop killing the Pirates for their trades...but after this weekend I think most people have stopped doing so. I still think it's hilarious that people such as Michael Kay were making outlandish embellishments about what a travesty the moves were. Newsflash, the people of Pittsburgh are not crushed because they lost Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson. Both are marginal middle infielders with slick gloves that are easily replaced. Not trading them would have made no sense. Personally, I would've taken just about anything for them. They acquired a talented outfielder in Lastings Milledge and obviously have some real talent out there. Adam LaRoche is a nice player, but he's not exactly Albert Pujols and he isn't getting any younger. Honestly, I don't know enough about most of the players they acquired to say whether they did well or not, but it is so typical of the prominent sportswriters to build a storyline about a city being crushed by moving a few average major leaguers.

I'm sure everyone saw Rachel Alexandra run away with the Haskell at Monmouth yesterday. If she comes out of that well she should be pointed toward the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late August. Could be an incredible field of horses there if everything goes as planned for a few horses...and it will surely be a zoo. I dare say as great as Rachel is, she got a perfect trip at a perfect distance in conditions which worked well for her. She will certainly be a big favorite at the Travers, but betting against her could be of value. Of course, I didn't cash a single ticket yesterday so what do I know.