Twice a Stranger : The Mass Expulsions That Forged Modern Greece and Turkey

On July 24, 1923, the Peace Treaty of Lausanne was signed in Switzerland by Greece, Turkey and other countries that fought in WW1, setting out the boundaries of modern Greece and Turkey. One result of this was the large compulsory exchange, based on religion, of populations between the two countries.  As Bruce Clark, international security editor of the Economist, says in his book " Twice a Stranger: The Mass Expulsions That Forged Modern Greece and Turkey," it was "a massive, yet little-known landmark of modern history that made nearly two million citizens of Turkey or Greece move across the Aegean.” Using a variety of sources — interviews with some of the last surviving eyewitnesses, documents and accounts from the time, research by local historians in Greece and Turkey — Clark tells both the diplomatic and human stories of the exchange. Clark points out in his book that the exchange achieved its goals by creating clear boundaries and thus making it possible for the two countries to live side by side, while illustrating at the same time the human cost of the population exchange.     Secretariat General of Information: Books - Modern Greek History

I just got this article forwarded to me, from the Richmond Times-DIspatch in Virginia.   Skimming it, I could not help but notice the similarities in the legacies  of Big Red and Elvis Presley.

Secretariat was born in the Thoroughbred backwaters of Virginia.
Elvis was born in the Mississippi podunk town of Tupelo.

Secretariat was the king of racing.
Elvis is the King of ROck n'Roll

Elvis lived at Graceland mansion in Memphis.
Secretariat lived at a mansion-sized stallion barn at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY.

Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, with his peak performance in the Belmont.
In 1973, Elvis reached his peak with the Aloha From Hawaii special, broadcast via satellite to over 1 billion people. 

Elvis died unexpectedly at 42.
Secretariat died unexpectedly at 19.

Elvis is buried in the Meditation Garden behind his mansion.
Secretariat is buried in the Claiborne Cemetery behind the farm office building.

Secretariat is the benchmark by which all other 3year olds are measured.
Elvis is the artist all other rock stars aspire to be.

Elvis set album sales records that have never been broken.
Secretariat set speed records in all 3 Triple Crown races, 2 of which have never been broken.

Elvis was famous for his good looks and colorful fashion sense.
Secretariat had perfect conformation and was famous for his brilliant red chestnut coat, three white socks and handsome blaze face.

30 years after his death, Elvis fans still make pilgrimages to his home, buy millions of dollars in merchandise, and listen to his music on the 24/7 Sirius radio station.
35 years after his Triple Crown sweep, Secretariat fans still flock to autograph sessions, buy photos and $73 bobbleheads, and watch his Belmont every year during the Belmont STakes telecast.

Elvis had one daughter, Lisa Marie.
Secretariat's lasting legacy is through his daughters, Weekend Surprise, Terlingua and Lady's Secret.

I could go on, but now's the time for you readers to add to the list!

Bé, ara estic a l'atur, companys, i tinc en perspectiva dues possibles feines: redactar els nous estatuts de la Intersindical-CSC de la meva estimada Beló, o bé fer d'okupa a la caseta del gos, allà on s'està edificant la casa gran del catalanisme. Si us dic la veritat, la que més em motiva és la primera, atès la facilitat que suposa. Amb una colla de "frikis" com els que hi ha a la Intersindical-CSC actual, només amb l'incorporació del celèbre article 26, ja farien el fet. Després només els caldria nomenar un nou Secretariat, i aquí si que els puc fer una proposta de candidatura brutal: la Vacky de Secretària Confederal, el Punky de Secretari d'Organització, el Nanuky de Secretari de Premsa i la Morsy de Secretari d'Acció Sindical. Es notaria alguna diferència amb els actuals?

Chief's Crown (1982-1997) was a grandson of both Secretariat and Northern Dancer. Like Northern Dancer, he was on the small side as was Shahrastani. He stood at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Kentucky. August 1, 1989.

Caro (1967-1989) was the sire of 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors. He stood at stud at Spendthrift Farm. August 1, 1989.

Secretariat with his groom, July 31, 1989. I received a lock of his mane, which I still have. "Red," as he was known, stood his entire career at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, and is buried there.

17 june 2008

World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD),

Today, 17 June, is World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), and this year's theme is Combating Land Degradation for Sustainable Agriculture. On this important occasion, the Global Mechanism (GM) has decided to celebrate by delivering a special message to its constituencies, drawing attention to the potential of the UNCCD as the main policy forum that matches food security, climate resilience and rural development through sustainable land management (SLM). Land management is all about management of natural resources such as soil, water and vegetation. The High Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Biodiversity, held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, 3-5 June 2008, was a recent highlight in the debate on investments in agriculture, community forestry, water management and rural development. The current strategy and policy debates around climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and food security, point to the conclusion that none of these global challenges and threats to human well-being should be tackled in isolation. Instead, they should be seen as part of national development programming at country level - supported by effective international policy making processes and new financial mechanisms. The UNCCD finds itself at the interface of highly dynamic policy processes, where innovative and forward-looking interactions offer enormous potential for the Convention. The GM supports developing countries in closing the considerable knowledge gap on financial opportunities of the emerging ,climate change finance regime. The UNCCD through policy and strategy development at international level, and the GM through its direct support to countries and sub-regional institutions, will play an instrumental role by assisting country Parties in integrating innovative financing opportunities, such as vertical climate funds, into development programming frameworks at the country level.      On World Day to Combat Desertification, the GM stands ready, in close cooperation with the UNCCD Secretariat, to induce and strengthen strategic discussions on finance for UNCCD implementation with all its partners, in particular with the International Fund for Agricultural Development - IFAD - its host and the world's second largest investment fund for SLM.                  Message from Mr. Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) On the Occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June 2008 » Read the full article    Combating Land Degradation for Sustainable Agriculture,  SIGN THE DECLARATION. Christina Dian Parmionova Water and Energy Relief International christinedian @weri-events.org Tel. +33 627 95 50 33

 

Needless to say, a victory in the Arc would rocket Curlin to a stratospheric level of lifetime earnings, far beyond the $603,015 that he currently trails Cigar by on the all-time standings. In a larger sense though, much more is at stake if indeed Curlin goes in the Arc.  The horse that I've loved beyond all others from the moment I first laid eyes on him would be looking to cement his status as one of the greatest race horses to have ever lived.  A win in the Arc would make such a claim very difficult to refute as it would mean the colt had defeated the best the world could muster on both dirt and turf. 

Originally run in 1920 to commemorate the Allied victory in World War 1, The Arc would be a daunting challenge for Curlin.  Not only would he be trying the grass against some of the best turf horses in the world, but he'd have to run clockwise around the racecourse - mirror opposite to what he's used to here in the U.S.  He'll also have to contend with a 1 1/2 mile distance - a distance he hasn't tried since being nosed by the filly Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont Stakes.  Luckily for Curlin, his bloodlines would appear to be right for a run in the Arc.  Since 1994 no horse without a direct bloodline connection to Nearco and his grandson Northern Dancer has prevailed in the Arc.  Northern Dancer just happens to be Curlin's great-great-grandfather on his dam's side (Sherrif's Deputy). Also noteworthy is the fact that Curlin and turf specialist English Channel share the same father (Smart Strike).

Before we get carried away with visions of grandeur this Autumn in France, let's look at what the road ahead for the talented 4 year-old son of Smart Strike might look like.  For starters, trainer Steve Asmussen has indicated that Curlin will next race on the weekend of July 12th/July 13th. Exactly where still remains a bit of a question.  The most likely scenario in my mind would be an entry into the G3 Arlington Handicap for his first try on the grass.  Another option remains the G2 Man O' War Stakes at Belmont Park that same weekend.   If they decide to go in the Man O' War, Curlin will be following in the footsteps of perhaps racing's biggest legend: the great Secretariat.

Most people remember Secretariat for his scintillating Triple Crown run, capped off by his amazing 31 length victory in the Belmont.  What some fans forget is that "Big Red" also proved he was world-class on the turf.  In fact, Secretariat's first turf victory came when he set the track record during the Man O' War Stakes at Belmont Park.  What better shoes for a chestnut colt like Curlin to follow in his quest for greatness than those of Secretariat? 

It goes without saying that the challenges will be plenty, but honestly if there's one colt I've seen in my life who can overcome everything thrown at him, it's Curlin.  Consider for a moment everything this colt has had to face in order to arrive where he is today, able to ponder the prospects of taking on the best of the world on turf after proving himself the world's best on dirt:

• He was unraced as a 2-year-old due to sore shins, and then brought back very slowly by original trainer Helen Pitts.
• After getting beat by 7 lengths in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, he returned to catch Derby winner Street Sense at the wire by a nose in the 2007 Preakness
• After losing by a neck to the filly Rags to Riches in the Belmont, and then returning from his Triple Crown campaign with a flat (by Curlin's standards) effort in the Haskell - Curlin returned to defeat the top older-male in the nation at the time, Lawyer Ron, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.  This was no small task. Lawyer Ron was red-hot at the time coming off two career best performances.
• In a stacked field on Breeder's Cup day in the slop at Monmouth, Curlin powered away to win convincingly over all of his rvials, including Street Sense, Hard Spun, Lawyer Ron, and Any Given Saturday.
• Curlin then took significant time off before shipping to Dubai and winning for fun in the Jaguar Trophy and the $6 million Dubai World Cup. 
• Finally, Curlin returned home from the Middle-East and overcame an assignment of 128 pounds to win easily in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill on Saturday. 

It's hard to believe when looking at that body of work that this colt was unraced just 16 months ago.  Clearly he's a one-of-a-kind colt that has answered the bell thus far. Without question he is the best dirt horse in the universe at the moment. Can you imagine what might happen if he were to beat the best of the world on grass as well?

It's been a long, long time since the sport of thoroughbred horse racing had a star like this.  The world will be watching with eager anticipation to see how Curlin takes to the grass in several weeks, either in Chicago or in New York.  Wherever it may be, the hopes of racing fans worldwide will rest upon Curlin's massive shoulders.  If all goes well, I plan on making the journey to see his first attempt on the grass, as he'll no doubt need the encouragement from his fans.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of horse racing, or a casual observer with a passing interest, realize that you are looking at a horse who when all is said and done, may well find himself atop the list of all-time greats.

“ Ia te rog frumos sa iesi dumneata pe unde ai intrat si sa te uiti mai bine la ce scrie pe usa!”, mi se spuse pe un ton care nu suna deloc a “rugat frumos”.

 Asa am facut cunostinta cu secretara. Fiind anul I, i-am facut pe plac, am iesit , am privit usa capitonata pe care scria cu litere mari , aurii SECRETARIAT, am redeschis usa si am apucat doar sa bag capul, cand am auzit-o tunand:

 “Mai baiete, tuesti turc? Nu sti sa citesti ce scrie pe usa?”

 “Domnita, pe usa scrie numai SECRETARIAT.”

 “Ei si daca am uitat sa afisez, n-ai intneles din ce ti-am zis ca azi nu e program de lucru cu studentii? Crezi ca trebuie sa stau sa-ti suport tie pretentiile?”

Am trantit usa si am plecat, hotarat sa o las pe ea sa alerge dupa mine tot anu` sa platesc taxa de inmatriculare.

            Recunosti situatia, nu? Bine-ai venit in clubul studentilor stresati de secretare sau bibliotecare, ca toate seamana parca-s rude.

Eu tot am incercat sa le gasesc scuze: ba ca le streseaza decanu`, ba ca i`a plans copilu`toata noaptea, barbatu`a ajuns acasa’n zori... se prea poaste ca astfel de nenorociri sa li se intample, dar ce treaba avem noi cu asta? Avem si noi ciorapii nostri, seminarele si semninaristele noastre si alte zeci de plangeri, dar nu facem atata galagie… in fine, oricum ar fi, convins fiind ca nu se vor schimba de buna voie, iti propun o strategie de indulcire a secretarelor si bibliotecarelor, gemene saritoare:

→ Du`te dupa program, dar asigura`te ca ai mereu la indemana un orar facut de tine, sa-I demonstrezi ca tu te-ai conformat cerintelor inscrise pe usa.

→ Bate respectuos cu pumnii in usa pana ti se deschide.

→ Daca vezi ca e prea mare aglomeratie in birou, cheama-ti si prietenii care vroiau sa te astepte la usa, si povesteste-le despre seara aia… cand ti s-a facut rau si ai inapoiat bucatarului cina in stare semidigerata.

→ Daca trebuie sa platesti taxa, du-te in fiecare zi si intreab-o care e data limita.

→ Comunica-ti problema folosind detalii multe( de ex: daca vrei bursa sociala spune-i de ce ai nevoie de ea: parintii sunt pensionari, mai ai frati, surori acasa, porcii guita-n cotet, cainele latra pe lang, pisica miauna sub pat… )

→ Foloeste-i colile si pixul cand completezi sau faci o cerere. Nu-i multumi niciodata.

→ Daca tuseste, spune-i ca asa facea si strabunica ta inainte sa moara, dar e tratabil.

→ Cand pleci, nu uita sa trantesti usa ( daca scrie pe undeva : “Lasati usa deschisa”) sau sa o lasi deschisa(daca scrie “Inchideti usa”).

It's been 30 years since a horse won racing's Triple Crown -- the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. But it wasn't always so. In the 1970s, there were three Triple Crown Winners!

In 1978, Affirmed stuck a nose in front of Alydar as he came under the wire. The duel between the two horses is a magnificent piece of racing.

In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown in 1977 on a heavy, muddy track running at the front of the field most of the way and pulling ahead decisively at the end of the race.

And in 1973, the great Secretariat blew the field away, finishing 31 lengths in front of his nearest competitor.

I think many people felt complacent about the Triple Crown after watching these horses. This was a time when the Triple Crown seemed attainable and horse racing was, perhaps, at its peak. 30 years later, we have people saying that this combination of races is too much to ask of a three-year old horse; perhaps they should look back in history and figure out what it was that enabled it to be won in the past. Has thoroughbred breeding emphasized early speed and short distances to the detriment of the sport? Or have we just seen a string of bad luck due to the whims of Lady Luck?

He ain't no Secretariat. Winning time in this Belmont? I can't even find it after searching all over the place for 10 minutes.

Now THIS is a great horse.

2:24. Still untouched. At the time, 2+ seconds beyond the previous record. As anyone in racing of any kind knows, that's a big jump in a competition under 2 1/2 minutes.

Update: Still can't find the winning time, but Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner's time in the Belmont? 2:26 4/5. Almost three seconds later than Secretariat crossed the wire. That's a lot of ground at 35-40 mph. No horse since 1970 has cracked 2:26, in fact.

And Secretariat was running by himself. For fun. Because that's what racehorses do. And I never get tired of watching it.

Update 2: Da'Tara's winning time was 2:29.65. On a track rated, "fast."

I'm not expecting to see another horse like Big Red in my time.

Update 3: William Nack wrote the greatest obituary I've ever read about anyone or anything, called "Pure Heart," and it appeared in Sports Illustrated and it made me cry like a baby. For a horse. In a sport I care little about to this day. It nearly makes me cry that I can't find the essay itself to link, but Pure Heart alone is worth the $12 you'll spend to read about the greatest horse ever.

I attempted to link to  but it is not working... go to Youtube and type in "Belmont" "1973" and "Secretariat."

What I love about it purely as a sports video is that it will take a long long time for any horse to best that distance between first and second place. It's not like the twenty or thirty years it takes humans to make the old records look slow and tiresome. There's only so much tech improvement you can do to tracks, and breeding a staying runner like that again may take as long as a century, or never happen at all.

"Planned Obsolesence" is much harder to jam into horseracing.

Trio After a Triple Crown

What a spectacle it was!

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I've watched the Triple Crown races as long as I can remember. For anyone who doesn't know, a horse named Big Brown is poised to be the first horse in 30 years to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. It's a big deal, although to be fair, he's the 3rd horse in about 8 years to have won the first two; a lot of times, things go wrong for them in the Belmont.

But this is about something else.

Remember Secretariat?

He was possibly the greatest racehorse of all time. He won the Triple Crown in 1973 and set records in all three races, including one in the Belmont that will probably stand as long as any of us will live. But what most people don't know is that among the field of horses he beat over and over was a racehorse named Sham.

Any other year, Sham probably would have won the Triple Crown himself. He had beaten Secretariat once before the Kentucky Derby (although Secretariat had an abscessed lip and was running a fever at the time). He was a great contender. He led the field briefly in the Derby before Secretariat, who had been dead last, came up and outran them all. After the race, it was discovered that Sham had knocked out two teeth coming out of the gate, so he wasn't at his best when he lost, either.

In the Preakness, Sham was out in front again, and Secretariat came from last place like a rocket. He passed the entire field of seven horses in fourteen seconds. I've watched it on YouTube and it's such an incredible performance it almost looks staged.

By the time they got to the Belmont, these two horses had fought it out for the lead twice already. Both had outstanding records; both had expert jockeys; both had that competitiveness that's so humanizing in racehorses.

I can only imagine what they must have been thinking, going into the gate at the Belmont, seeing each other again, each knowing the other was the real competition.

Sham: I'm not going to lose to him again after coming so close.

Secretariat: How many times am I going to have to beat this guy?

They both went right for the lead in the last race, neck and neck for what seems a long time on a grainy video clip. Then Secretariat pulls away, slowly at first, then lengthening and lengthening his lead. It's one of the most jaw-dropping athletic feats I've ever seen: he leaves Sham and the entire field behind by thirty-one lengths. It's almost a sixteenth of a mile.

Sham, physically and probably psychically devastated, finished last.

Any other year, he almost surely would have won it all. But he just happened to be running at the same time as an incredible competitor. It was terrible luck for him: both horses were winners, had competitor's hearts, had run with injuries, had fought it out for the lead almost all the way.

If it hadn't been Secretariat's year, it would have been Sham's. He was good enough -- he just met up with a champion.

I am a Barack Obama supporter (I was a John Edwards supporter, to be honest), but at times I have felt absolutely wretched for Hillary Clinton. I bet she feels like Sham. Any other year, any other (less badly run) campaign, and I would have been honored to vote for her. Hell, if she'd won the nomination, I would have.

She just happened to meet up with a champion.

When Secretariat died, and a veterinarian performed his necropsy, he was stunned to find that the horse literally had the biggest heart he'd ever seen. It wasn't malformed or abnormally enlarged, it was just much bigger than the normal equine heart.

The same vet, it turns out, performed the necropsy when Sham died. And Sham had the second biggest heart he'd ever seen. Second only, of course, to Secretariat's.

Belmont Stakes 140

7-June-2008

Belmont Park—Elmont, NY

Approximately 6:25 PM EDT

Television: ABC

Radio: ESPN Radio

Forecast Weather at Post-Time: Sunny and mid-80’s

That great purveyor of prose Yogi Berra once supposedly said, “It’s Déjà vu all over again.”  That’s the scary thought that has been going through my head about the Belmont Stakes.  Let’s look back at three famous winners of the first two legs of the Triple Crown that failed to win the Belmont as prohibitive favorites—two of them were post 1978, the last year a horse won the Triple Crown.

In 1979, Spectacular Bid was even more of a heavy favorite than Big Brown is in 2008.  He went to post at 1-10 odds and was already considered to be better than any of the three Triple Crown winner in the 1970’s and maybe the best of all time.  Trainer Bud Delp was confident if not downright cocky enjoying his 15 minutes of fame.  For 20 days after the Preakness, Delp could be seen, heard, and read throughout the nation’s sports pages, television newscasts, and radio broadcasts.  The Bid had won a dozen consecutive races and most of them were not close, so there was no possibility of him losing the Belmont.  Until, that is, he stepped on a safety pin (or as some pundits believe trainer Ronnie Franklin rode the worst race in the history of the Belmont).  One way or the other, a long shot named Coastal pulled off the biggest upset since a horse name Upset pinned the lone loss on Man O’ War.  Coastal was the son of the great Majestic Prince.

Majestic Prince was and will always be my favorite horse.  I loved and idolized him the way kids idolize Michael Jordan, A-Rod, or Lebron James; he is the reason the sport of kings is my favorite sport.  Majestic Prince entered the 1969 Kentucky Derby having won all seven of his previous races.  In a year many believe to have been the strongest ever for thoroughbreds with Top Knight, Arts & Letters, and Dike competing against him, and the great Ack Ack waiting in the wings later in the summer, there was no way Majestic Prince or any of these other greats could possibly win the Triple Crown. 

The Prince won the Derby by coming from behind to edge Arts & Letters.  He repeated the feat at Pimlico two weeks later, but in the Preakness, he injured a tendon on his right front leg.  Trainer Johnny Longden, one of the best jockeys ever and rider of Triple Crown winner Count Fleet, was ready to pull Majestic Prince from the Belmont, as the horse weight and training time and was obviously not ready to run.  Because it had been 21 years since Citation had been the last Triple Crown winner, there was intense pressure from all sources for Majestic Prince to run.  That pressure plus Triple Crown Fever led owner Frank McMahon to overrule Longden and enter the Prince in the Belmont.

Majestic Prince trailed far behind for one mile of the Belmont as jockey Bill Hartack didn’t want to force the great, but ailing horse to stalk from just off the lead (the normal strategy for the horse).  In the final two furlongs, Majestic Prince made a move and passed three horses but couldn’t overtake Arts & Letters, losing by five lengths.  It was the Prince’s last race.

Let us fast forward to the year 1981.  A horse named Pleasant Colony was not undefeated entering the Kentucky Derby, but he was one for one under his new trainer, Johnny Campo.  Campo was a likeable loudmouth.  He was the quintessential New Yorker with a large opinion of his opinions.  He was never at a loss for words, and when his horse won the roses at Churchill Downs, Campo’s lips were the only thing that he exercised. 

Campo was a short and quite obese but hard-working trainer with a chip on his shoulders the size of his girth.  He made for great copy.  Members of the press would ask him one question and get enough information for two stories.  When Pleasant Colony won the Preakness, Campo was ready to give reporters enough verbiage to write a book the size of War and Peace.  He had a heated feud with commentator and hall of fame jockey Eddie Arcaro.

Pleasant Colony was a heavy favorite to win the Triple Crown, but a horse named Summing held off his late charge.  Pleasant Colony finished third, and Campo took his medicine but was gracious in defeat.

So here we are in 2008.  Big Brown has impressively won all of his prior races.  Trainer Rick Dutrow has been almost as controversial and loudmouthed as Delp and Campo.  Big Brown has suffered an injury that led to the possibility that he might not run.  However, after the now infamous quarter crack has supposedly healed, he has been deemed well enough to run.  Following a seemingly excellent workout at the track, all is apparently well with the newest “greatest horse of all time.”

Wednesday morning’s Belmont draw found the big favorite assigned to the number one post.  That’s not where Dutrow wanted his phenom to break.  To make matters worse, the chief rival, Casino Drive, drew the fifth post that Dutrow was hoping for.  To make matters even worse, the horse that drew the second post is a maiden who really doesn’t belong in this race.  All the cards are stacked against Big Brown.  At his current 2-5 odds, there is no value whatsoever in putting two bucks on him to win $2.80.

So, let’s take a look at the field and try to find value elsewhere.

The Horses

1-Big Brown: Morning Line Odds- 2-5/Jockey- Kent Desormeaux/Trainer- Rick Dutrow, Jr.

Most of the horse-racing fans throughout the world will be pulling for Big Brown to win the Triple Crown, and I will predict the bettors at Belmont Park and elsewhere will drive his odds down below the current 2-5.  The odds could even go to 1-10 by post time.  Many people will purchase two dollar tickets and hold them with the hopes that a never cashed ticket of a Triple Crown winner might one day be worth several times more than the $2.20 for which it could be cashed around 6:30 PM Saturday night.  As I have explained herein, I am not one for sentiment.  While I agree he is a super horse win or lose this race, I am not risking capital for such a small return.  He might win with ease, and he might do it in a manner similar to Secretariat, but $2.20 is just not enough reward here.  Horses can lose a race due to many factors beyond their jockey’s control.  All it takes is a little stumble, a bumping from another horse, or jockey’s error, and the greatest horses can be upset.  Kent Desormeaux has stated on record that he erred when he rode Real Quiet in the 1998 Belmont and narrowly lost a Triple Crown bid.  He took Real Quiet to the lead too early and vows not to do the same with Big Brown.  There is a possibility he could overcompensate and go for the lead too late.  We’ll have to wait and see, but there are place and show bets that will return far more money than $2.20 if Big Brown wins the race.

2-Guadalcanal: Morning Line Odds- 50-1/Jockey- Javier Castellano/Trainer- Fred Seitz

This horse has already run a race of 1 ½ miles, albeit on turf.  That’s the only good thing to say about him.  He is a maiden, and maidens don’t finish in the money in Triple Crown races.  He is a notorious slow starter coming out of the gate, and he has a history of getting involved with another horse in a bumping contest.  If he bumps Big Brown at the start, it could be the bump heard around the world.  He’s clearly out of his class here, and I wouldn’t consider him.

3-Macho Again: Morning Line Odds- 20-1/Jockey- Garrett Gomez/Trainer- Dallas Stewart

When was the last time the second place horse in the Preakness was 20-1 in the Belmont Morning Line?  Now, take into consideration that this horse gained in the stretch on Big Brown, and even though Big Brown was not asked to run all out, none of the other horses in the race gained 1¾ lengths.  New jockey Garrett Gomez should get a great trip coming out of the third post.  Look for Macho Again to make a game effort and possibly take the lead at some point after six furlongs.  Whether he can hold off a charge from two excellent horses, I don’t know, but he has as strong a chance of finishing third as any of the other contenders.  I’d highly consider putting Macho Again in your show betting and as part of your exacta and trifectas.

4-Denis of Cork: Morning Line Odds- 12-1/Jockey- Robby Albarado/Trainer- David Carroll

Here is a horse whose past performances scream for inclusion in some form of your wagers.  He will be racing on five weeks rest.  His pedigree screams for him to run at longer distances.  He only needs a hot pace to be considered a serious contender to hit the board and possibly pull off a big upset.  I’m not sure we’re going to see the opening quarter in less than 23 and change and the opening half in less than 46 and change.  It may be tough for him to make that one huge run in the final furlong and get a piece of the pot.  Still, you have to give him strong consideration in your wagering.

5-Casino Drive: Morning Line Odds-7-2/Jockey-Edgar Prado/Trainer-Kazuo Fujisawa

If this were a Western movie, this horse would come to the track with jockey Edgar Prado wearing the black hat.  Prado has already played the role of spoiler twice before, when he rode Sarava and Birdstone to upset wins in the Belmont, preventing War Emblem and Smarty Jones from winning the Triple Crown.  He has a stronger horse in this race than he had when he pulled off those upsets.  In the Peter Pan Stakes, Casino Drive ran the type of race that Big Brown likes to run.  He relaxed into a nice stalking position about two lengths off the pace and then made one tremendous move in the final quarter, running away from the field.  The one real weakness this horse has is little experience.  This will be just his third race.  Both of his previous races were at 1 1/8 miles, and there is no hard evidence that this horse can go 12 furlongs.  Still, he earned a 101 Beyer Speed Rating for his Peter Pan win, while Big Brown earned a 100 in the Preakness.  His odds may be as low as 5-2 by post time, but if they move to 4-1 or more, he becomes a value play.  Betting Big Brown and Casino Drive in a cold exacta may return little more than bus fare.  

6-Da’ Tara: Morning Line Odds- 30-1/Jockey-Alan Garcia/Trainer-Nick Zito

I don’t wager on horses with only a maiden win in their history in Triple Crown races.  Da’Tara broke his maiden in January at Gulfstream Park, finished third in a cheap allowance race, and then finished well back in the Florida Derby.  He is better than Guadalcanal, but that’s not saying much.

7-Tale of Ekati: Morning Line Odds-20-1/Jockey-Eibar Coa/Trainer-Barclay Tagg

I suspect this horse will eventually prove to be a capable sprinter.  I don’t believe distance racing is his strong point.  In the Louisiana and Kentucky Derbies, he was close to the lead entering the home stretch and faded.  He won the Wood Memorial when the opening fractions were ridiculously fast.  This won’t happen in the Belmont, and this horse will be forced to make his move at the same time Big Brown and Casino Drive make their move.  He’ll be left behind.

This horse has done absolutely nothing this year after looking strong as a two year old.  His four 2008 races resulted in finishes of eighth, seventh, fifth, and seventh.  I’d toss this one out, unless you plan on playing several long shots in your exotic wagers. 

8-Anak Nakal: Morning Line Odds- 30-1/Jockey- Julien Leparoux/Trainer- Nick Zito

9-Ready’s Echo: Morning Line Odds- 30-1/Jockey- John Velazquez/Trainer- Todd Pletcher

We have yet another horse eligible to race in no victories other than maiden allowance races, so he is supposed to be automatically tossed out.  He won’t win the race and won’t get any win wagers placed by me, but he just may be strong enough to contend for finishing in the money.  Ready’s Echo ran in the Peter Pan against Casino Drive, and while he finished 6¼ lengths back in third, he basically ran even with him in the final two calls after making up several lengths earlier in the race.  This horse has some intriguing factors working in his favor.  He should like the long distance, and he should be considered in your place, show, and exotic wagers.

10-Icabad Crane: Morning Line Odds- 20-1/Jockey-Jeremy Rose/Trainer- H. Graham Motion

He finished third in the Preakness and made up 1 ¼ lengths only after Big Brown wasn’t pushed in the final 220 yards.  Yet another stretch running horse who likes to come from off the pace, he should be forced to go wide when he makes his move.  He cannot afford to be more than three wide and have any chance to pass enough horses to hit the board.  I’ll pass on him.

My $100 Mythical Wager

I am not wagering at all on Big Brown in this race.  I am looking for better value.  I am also going to lay off Casino Drive, because I think Prado will go for the lead earlier than he can afford to do so, and Casino Drive will run out of gas and/or his odds will not be high enough for there to be betting value. 

On the other hand, I am not about to pick another horse to win this race.  I’m looking for long shots to hit the board in the second and third place slots.  At least one long shot is guaranteed to hit the board because there are just two low-priced horses in the race as of late Thursday night when I write this story.

There are three horses I like in this betting strategy—Macho Again, Denis of Cork and Ready’s Echo.  I like Macho Again and Ready’s Echo a little more than Denis of Cork, so here is how I am playing the Belmont.  I am putting $20 on Macho Again and Ready’s Echo to both place and show (4 wagers) and $20 on Denis of Cork to show.  I decided to avoid the exotics due to the high take on exotics at Belmont Park.  These wagers are still a bit risky, as I will need two of these horses to finish in the money in order to make a profit.  I think I have the three top long shots though, and I like my chances of two of them finishing in the money, if Casino Drive proves not to be up for the distance.   

The PiRate Team Makes Their Mythical $100 Wagers

Because I have to compose this story a day earlier than normal due to travel considerations, I had to ask my band of experts to submit their ideas a day earlier than normal as well.  Not all of them could participate this time, and the three who did could only submit their betting choices without commentary.  Here is how they see the race.

Walker Jones picks Big Brown, Casino Drive, and Ready’s Echo in that order.  His $100 wager includes a $60 exacta straight on Big Brown on top of Casino Drive; a $20 Trifecta with Big Brown on top of Casino Drive and Ready's Echo; and a $20 Trifecta with Big Brown on top of Ready's Echo and Casino Drive.

Wesley Kahnert picks Big Brown, Casino Drive, and Tale of Ekati to finish one-two-three.  His $100 wager includes $10 on Big Brown on top of each of the other nine horses and $2 each on Big Brown on top of Casino Drive and these five horses in a trifecta: Macho Again, Ready’s Echo, Denis of Cork, Icabad Crane, and Anak Nakal.

Boulder Bob picks a huge upset in this race.  He picks Ready’s Echo to win with Big Brown second and Da’Tara third.  His $100 wager includes $20 on Ready’s Echo to win, $30 on Ready’s Echo to place, and $50 on Ready’s Echo to show.

When Secretariat captured the Triple Crown by winning the 1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, he was clearly “moving like a tremendous machine”.

Somewhere, somehow, you’ve heard of Secretariat, but to actually see this magnificent horse triumph is truly captivating. This footage is rather primitive, but a performance this spectacular is timeless.

Check Out the Race

Affirmed, on the inside, edges out Alydar in the 1978 Belmont to win the Triple Crown.

In the past 30 years, no less than 10 horses have come into the Belmont Stakes with a chance to win horse racing's Triple Crown. All 10 have lost.

Will Big Brown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and Belmont favorite, break the jinx?

It's a long litany of losers, from Spectacular Bid (1979) to Pleasant Colony (1981) to Alysheba (1987) to Sunday Silence (1989). From Silver Charm (1997) to Real Quiet in 1998 to Charismatic (1999) to War Emblem (2002). And then Funny Cide in 2003 and Smarty Jones in 2004. On Dasher, on Dancer......

On June 10, 1978, Affirmed nosed out Alydar to win the Belmont and the Triple Crown in what many racing pundits consider the greatest horse race ever. It was the third Triple Crown in five years, following the great Secretariat in 1973 and Seattle Slew in 1977. There hasn't been one since.

"Been around racing 50 years," Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens told William Leggett of Sports Illustrated after the 1978 Belmont, "and I've seen dawn come up over a lot of tracks. People will tell you about the great races between Citation and Noor out in California in the early 1950s, and the race between Ridan and Jaipur in the Travers at Saratoga in 1962. Great races. But Affirmed and Alydar in the Belmont? Probably the best horse race that's ever been run.

"I'll look at it again and again anytime I'm fortunate enough to get the chance. I'll raise a glass to 'em while I'm watchin' the replays and, damn, I'll root—come on Affirmed, come on Alydar. Come on (Steve) Cauthen, come on (Jorge) Velasquez. Whatever it is that these two horses have cannot be bought or manufactured. It's the greatest act horse racing has ever had. I hope it never ends."

Going into the Belmont, Affirmed had beaten Alydar by 1/12 lengths to win the Kentucky Derby, and by a nose to win the Preakness. Seemingly, the two were as evenly matched as two horses could be.

For the last half-mile in the 1 ½-mile Belmont, the two jockeys, 18-year-old Cathuen and Velasquez, went head to head. "We got in the front, by maybe a head, at the 3/16th pole," said Alydar jockey Velasquez. "I thought, maybe today would be different . . . until very late."

With Cauthen whipping Affirmed with his left hand, while Velasquez whipped Alydar with his right, the two were dead even with a 1/16th of a mile to go. Affirmed poked his nose ahead in front five strides from the finish, and kept inching ahead. He won by a neck. It was Affirmed's seventh victory in nine meetings with his arch-rival, seven wins by a total of 10 lengths. Alydar remains the only horse to finish second in all three Triple Crown races. 'It was a real horse race, all right," Cathuen said later.

Affirmed was the 11th Triple Crown winner and, for the first time, there were successive winners (Seattle Slew won in 1977). As the 3-5 favorite, Affirmed paid $3.20 to win. With only five horses in the field, there was no show betting.

I was lucky enough to be at Belmont Park in 1978 with a bunch of friends to see horse racing history. We had a great view of the finish and I will never forget that guttural roar of a New York crowd, building to a crescendo, as Affirmed and Alydar came down the stretch.

We pooled what little money we had back then on Affirmed, but the real thrill was the race, not the payoff....atlhough the winnings helped us get over the Whitestone Bridge. None of us there that day ever thought that 30 years later we'd still be waiting for the next Triple Crown.

So I considered the heart weight officially as 21 pounds. The heart was in perfect shape, not diseased in any way, but just considerably larger than any other horses I autopsied." [2][3][4][5] A normal heart size for a thoroughbred is 8½ pounds. This information on heart size led the way for new research to be conducted on factors leading up to great thoroughbreds and the size of their hearts. The hypothesis known as the "X factor" claims that an enlarged heart size is given by the dam to her foal, even as she acquired it from her sire. Devotees of this theory claim that Secretariat was a successful broodmare sire because his heart size genetics might be passed on to fillies he sired, who in turn would pass it on to their foals. However, it should be noted that this research is still preliminary and that there is still much work left to do before the hypothesis can be confirmed."

I was a 14 year old, transfixed. By a sport I'd never paid any attention to beforehand, and little since.

But this year I kinda like Big Brown, because five minutes ago I found out he's owned by two Cuban refugees who don't seem to be a part of the club.

My second choice is the filly, because that would be just plain fun.

The most exciting two minutes in sports? Debatable. But it is fun.

Update: Big Brown in a walk. Context? 2 seconds plus, a LONG way between horses, slower than Secretariat's Derby time. Two seconds is a lot of distance between winner and second at 35-40 mph.

Update 2: The filly is injured after finishing second, and that isn't good news in the horse business. I hate it when exploited animals have to go down. Please let it not be so.

Update 3. Dead. I'm very sorry for Eight Belles, and those who loved her. Euthanized "immediately" as a result of two broken ankles. Damn. I hate it.

Update 4: And in the end, all I am is sad. I love me some critters, all of God's critters. Except insects.

It's hard to explain the love this country had for Secretariat. Some YouTube stuff to get a feel. Big Red, the coolest horse ever. Try to imagine in today's age a horse being on the cover of TIME and Newsweek. Not likely to ever happen again.

First-off ... Gato Del Sol (1982),

giving hope to massive underdogs everywhere ...

and, secondly ... 'the Great' Secretariat (1973)

still the best 'pure athlete' these eyes have ever seen.

Da, probabil sti deja ca urmeaza sa plec impreuna cu Silvia la Viena. Daca nu sti, ei bine, tocmai ce-ai aflat. Ma rog, nu intru acusi in discutia despre Viena pentru ca eu unul de abia astept sa plec din Bucuresti impreuna cu vampirul meu iubit pentru cateva zile iar Viena sunt sigur ca va fi un loc perfect pentru o astfel de escapada.

Oricum, dupa cum bine sti, cand iesi din tara trebuie sa ai si o asigurare pe viata ca na, daca mori sa aiba cum sa te aduca inapoi ca si asa, oricare alta ingrijire medicala o platesti prin card. Asa ca de marti am inceput peregrinarea mea langunoasa prin tenebrele birourilor si secreatriatelor institutiilor mai mult sau mai putin, de stat, pentru a-mi procura aceasta dubioasa asigurare.

Silvia mi-a spus ca cel mai OKy ar fi sa merg la Casa de Asigurari de Sanatate a Municipiului Bucuresti si sa procur de pe acolo cardurile europene, pentru mine si pentru ea, ca na, doar le da statul pe gratis. Intram noi pe site-ul aferent (nu dau link.ul ca si asa e degeaba) si gasim informatiile cica necesare pentru primirea acestui card.

Printre putinele acte cerute pe site, era si adeverinta de student, pe care o ia tot omul de la Facultatea de care apartine. Ma duc eu marti dimineata, vesel, fericit, desi ploua putin pe afara, si o rog pe domnisoara secretara sa-mi dea si mie o adeverinta. "Vino maine si ti-o dau, ca asa e procedura." Eh, ce mai conta ca aveam nevoie cat de curand. Zic si eu "Saru'mana" ca doar eram fericit si-mi vad de "drumurile noastre toate/se vor intalni vreodata". Miercuri, fara nici o alta treaba esentiala pe la Facultate (cursurile nu se pun ca si asa nu prea s-au facut saptamana asta) am ajuns pana la urma sa campez pe micul hol al secretariatului.

"Nu am ce sa-i fac, n-a venit secreatrul sef." Daca n-ar fi fost secretara de la noi de la an o doamna foarte draguta si care foloseste un ton foarte pertinent si cald, probabil c-as fi facut-o cu ou si cu otet pentru ca pana la finele programului cu publicul, secretarul sef n-a binevoit sa apara. Pacat ca nu era buldog.ul ala de secretar, tuns scurt si cu burta cat Logan.ul ca atunci as fi putut sa-mi descar si eu micii nervi de student care s-a lasat de fumat si n-a mai pus alcool in gura din vikend.

Eh, trecand peste vesnicele probleme ale institutelor de invatamant cu specific teologic-ortodox, ce au harul de la Dumnezeu, probabil, de a te plimba prin toate starile de angoasa si dispret posibile, fac eu rost astazi de adeverinta si dau sa merg la sediul C.A.S.M.B. de la Vitan, sediu central, unde, pe site scria ca poti depune actele pentru Cardul European. Norocul meu ca pe drum dau nas in nas cu un coleg de facultate care-mi spune "Ba, nu te duce acolo, mergi la Herastrau, ca acolo se fac astea europene..." Il ascult eu pe omul meu, ca doar teologii sunt trecuti prin multe, si ajung, dupa lungi interogatorii adresate diferitilor pietoni din zona, la sediul casei de asigurari.

Dupa o coada relativ scurta, ajung eu in fata domnisoarei, ii dau dosarele, al meu si al Silviei, si raman pentru o secunda in picioare. Aceasta se uita peste al meu iar cand ajunge la celalalt, se uita la mine si ma intreaba "Da' cine e?" eu ii raspund foarte senin "SILVIA!". "Vad si eu asta..." zice tanti pe un ton pitigaiat si enervant, specific femeilor... ma rog, la care eu ii zic "Ma bucur, ar fi rau daca n-ati vedea."

La care ea se uita ciudat la mine si ma roaga sa iau loc. Ma asez pe scaunul confortabil de banal si imi spune simplu ca nu poate sa accepte un dosar pentru o alta persoana decat de la mama/tata sau sot. Eu ii zic ca mai avem pana acolo, o mai rog frumos dar putin rastit, trebuie sa recunosc, de vreo doua ori, sa accepte dosarul si pana la urma il iau si-l pun inapoi in mapa mea.

Cand trece la al meu, se uita peste putinele acte cerute pe site, si se apuca "Va mai trebuie Diploma de Bac si Foaia Matricola." Eu ii zambesc, frumos, calduros, ca unei fete inainte de primul sarut, si-o intreb daca nu cumva mi se da si o bursa de studii. Ea se incrunta, ca si cum ar fi vrut sa fim doar prieteni, si-mi spune ca asa e regulamentul. 5 minute si 200 de injuraturi mai tarziu, iesind tremurand tot si rosu la fata, din biroul respectivei, ajung sa ma indrept spre casa, cu dosarele in mana, fara carduri europene de asigurare.

Ajungand eu acasa, ceva mai linistit, datorita "Prin fereastra Bisericii" a Parintelui Coman (omu' asta scrie niste carti de-ti sta matzul in coada, serios ca da) caut pe net. asigurari pentru turisti. Pentru 5 zile, BCR asigurari iti ia 17 lei. Floare la ureche asa ca luni ma duc sa-mi fac asigurarile.

Morala acestei povestioare asezate in scris pentru a-mi mai calma din tremuriciul mainilor, este: "Tu-i C.A.S.M.B.ul cu el si cu mama lui si sa-si bage site-ul in tenebrele prostiei din care l-au scos." Ma rog, de altfel, nici nu ne trebuia Cardul European de Asigurare pentru ca nu stam decat 5 zile dar nu asta conteaza, conteaza informatia eronata asezata pe site, pe baza caruia, omul cu google acasa isi face, si el, niste planuri. In adancul sufletului, desi toata lumea ma critica cum ca as trai intr-o lume fictiva si prea frumoasa, sper ca Romania si respectiv institutiile ei ajung sa se schimbe, in bine, odata cu trecerea timpului...

Poate la anu'. Sau... poate nu.

P.S. Am zis sa le modific putin sigla pentru ca asta se potriveste ceva mai bine, zic eu. Tu nu?

]]> http://livebinders.wordpress.com/?p=45 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:41:58 +0000 Barbara Tallent http://livebinders.wordpress.com/?p=45 I grew up with horses and have always found communication with them extremely easy and satisfying. They are beautiful, majestic animals that are so willing to work with us.

Well, at least most of them are. My sister had a Paso that was more interested in figuring out how to work against anyone who got in his way. Toby was an amazing horse who could open gates with his lips and scare the life out of any rider brave enough to take him on! He refused to tie-up to a hitching post - he would just pull back and break whatever was holding him. One day I thought I would "cure" him of this nasty habit and tied him up with two halters and three lead ropes to a post that wouldn't move. After fighting as if his life depended on it for a while, he finally gave up and stood quietly. I approached him confidently, knowing that I had won this round and untied him. Silly me! I couldn't get that horse within four feet of a fence or anything that I could possibly tie him to after that! I just hate being outsmarted by a horse!

But most horses are not like Toby. Sundance was my first horse. He was a mustang that had been severely abused. Blind in one eye, he had a fear of what he could see with his good eye and was absolutely terrified of what he couldn't see with his blind eye. But as an awkward teenager, he was my dearest friend and confidant. We won many a gymkhana event and enjoyed many long days just hanging out together in the warm California sunshine. I miss him to this day!

Once a horse person - always a horse person. But these days I get my horse fix by collecting fun horse videos. Click on the binder below to sit back and be amazed!

The 130-member Group of 77 (G77), the largest single coalition of developing nations, is challenging Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's decision to realign two key posts, one dealing with Africa and the other with the world's poorest nations, into a single mega entity.

"A number of delegations (have) expressed concerns about the realignment, specifically with regard to the legislative mandate for the realignment, the rationale behind the proposal, and its possible impact on the functioning of both offices," says a letter of protest by the G77 chair, Ambassador John W. Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda.

The two senior posts -- which were separate until now -- are the U.N. Special Adviser on Africa and the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Both posts, holding the rank of under-secretary-general (USG) and described as the third highest in the U.N. hierarchy, were created by the General Assembly over the last decade.

The secretary-general has argued that his decision to merge the two key posts was primarily to "make better use of resources".

But an Asian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IPS that even if the secretary-general was justified in doing it, "He went about doing it the wrong way."

Both posts, he said, were created by the General Assembly -- and only the General Assembly has the legitimate right to take a decision either on merger or abolition.

"It is not the prerogative of the Secretariat or the secretary-general to act on matters of such importance before seeking the approval of the General Assembly," he added.

In a letter to the G77 last January, Ban said that following consultations with the African Group, "the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa will not be abolished and that the resources allocated to the Office in support of its approved mandates will remain intact", in conformity with relevant U.N. resolutions on programme budget for 2008-2009.

Asked for his comments, Ban told reporters last year the planned process of reconfiguration was meant "to strengthen the United Nations focus and attention on African issues" -- not weaken it.

This, he said, is also "part of integrating and consolidating U.N. efficiencies, as well as resources, to better address African issues."

As he has done before, Ban stressed that African issues were "the highest priority on his agenda from day one."

That is why, he said, his first appointment was "a distinguished African woman -- Asha-Rose Migiro (of Tanzania), as the deputy secretary-general."

But the protests in the G77 are being led primarily by the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which complain they were not consulted as to whether they would accept a merger.

They fear the High Representative for LDCs and SIDS may be overburdened covering such a wide range of mandates under a single office -- even though most of the 50 LDCs are in Africa.

But SIDS, who are mostly outside Africa, have said their interests have either been "ignored or undermined" by the merger.

Cheikh Sidi Diara, a former permanent representative of Mali to the United Nations who was appointed high representative last July, now holds both posts. In appointing Diara for a second post, the secretary-general did not renew the contract of the outgoing special adviser on Africa, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila.

To read the article in its entirety, please click here.

Whether it is innate, or it is brought about by a close association with humans, I don't know.  What I DO know is that when I am in close proximity to my people I feel safer and I feel happier.  A warm, fuzzy notion of love grabs me tight: It's the canine version of a heart attack. 

My heart feels so big that sometimes I think it might burst.

Which brings me to the definition of "big-hearted", and an interesting tidbit of fact. 

Secretariat was as great a race horse as they come.  A Triple Crown winner though his jockey said once that he never had to ask that horse for anything.  The horse seemed to run on his own as though being pushed by something greater. 

And now, the fact:  Secretariat's heart weighed twenty-two pounds,  over double the normal Thoroughbred heart of nine pounds.

So, dogs and horses share a common thread: a big heart, for valor, for courage, and for love...no doubt, of man.

 Chow.