THEY SHOOT HORSES

February 24, 2007 - Gulfstream Park Review

My first visit to Gulfstream since they rebuilt the track. Overall, things are better today than yesterday. Turf course, facility, cleanliness, betting machines, all much improved. Their simulcasting facility is second to none. It's a great place with a crowd of 7-9,000 but is challenged by 12,000. Can't imagine how they handle 30,000 on Florida Derby day. Nearby Hollywood Greyhound Park has been transformed to Mardi Gras Casino. Stepped in on a weekday night to find most of their 700 slot machines occupied. They were simulcasting EVERYTHING, had 17 tracks of all kinds going on at one time. Plenty of seats, decent concessions. Also a poker room.

December 30, 2006

Tough Beat Story of 2006
As told to me by a subscriber just this week. We'll call him Dan. Dan dopes out the Pick 4 at Aqueduct the other day. Being busy in the early afternoon, he misses the late scratches. This is important. With 8 minutes to post, he submits his play through an automated betting service but his ticket is not accepted because it contains a scratched horse. Dan goes online, gets the scratches and is about to re-submit the ticket when he notices one of his selections in the first leg is currently 30-1. For no good reason, Dan drops the longshot from his ticket and submits the remaining numbers. I say "no good reason" because Dan is a good handicapper of priced horses and loves to light up the tote. You know the rest. The longshot wins, as do the remainder of Dan's plays and the $1 ticket payoff is $12,500. If only there were no scratches or if only Dan doesn't look at the odds...

Laurel, Race 8 - Laurel on New Year's day is a special place for me. It's where my wife and I had our 3rd date. I like #6 Heart Throbbin' for King Leatherbury in this 5.5 furlong stake for 3 YO's. In a race filled with speed, he sits the perfect trip as the only proven finisher. We'll play him $50 to win at odds of 2-1 or more and double that if Pino is our jockey.  

December 16, 2006

The 14-year-old pacer Air Albert has won 23 races this year, more than any other North American horse, harness or thoroughbred. He will reach harness racing’s mandatory retirement age Jan. 1.

Full NYT article

December 15, 2006

FOG OBSCURES THE FIELD AT AQUEDUCT Half Ours emerged from a thick fog bank at Aqueduct with a neck victory yesterday in the $47,000 allowance feature. Visibility from the grandstand was close to zero when the horses loaded into the starting gate. “They’re off — and that’s as much as I can tell you,” the track announcer Tom Durkin told the Big A crowd. (AP)

December 9, 2006

Former Howe School playground whiffle-ball all-star John Matarazzo named Director of Racing at Saratoga Harness

November 30, 2006

Vernon Review
Six of the usual suspects collected at the "new" Vernon Downs" gaming facility last Saturday in what has become almost an annual event. Four winners from the group (3 healthy) made for a lot of fun. Brother Mike was the first to arrive (12:15) and I was the last to leave (8:30). Ample machines and plenty of simulcasting. Bring your own info as they offer the crappy simo programs. Not a lot of live sellers. Concessions get only a medium grade. Flat screens at every table and strategic locations. Most horseplayers would find the place better than where they wager now. The slots are in separate building so one is not subject to the slot junkies. Lots of upside as the facility has only been open for 8 weeks. Some simple improvements on the concession side would greatly help.

Other news

Discreet Cat is the best sprinter, three year old, and handicap horse I saw run this year. Most racing analysts would agree. However, he won't win a single Eclipse award. Pretty bizarre...While BC winner Street Sense and Remson victor Nobiz like Shobiz look like legitimate Derby threats, at this moment I'm backing Minefield, a Pletcher trained juvy with two wins over the CD surface

DOES PRIDE MATTER

February 7 , 2007 - From the New York Daily News

As we have told you before, Belichick has been named The Other Man in the Shenocca divorce with the jilted hubby complaining that Belichick and the blond, fortysomething mother of two have “engaged in an adulterous relationship.” The two met in the 1980s when Sharon was a receptionist for the New York Giants and he was the team’s defensive coordinator. Belichick and his wife, Debbie, separated for three years, filed for divorce last year.
Shenocca claims his wife of 10 years “has had a relationship with Bill Belichick for several years” and would not end it, despite her husband’s pleas. He says the coach plied his bride with cash and gifts and that he and Sharon are on the phone constantly - clocking more than 1,800 calls in one year. Shenocca wants the team to explain why Fed-Exed boxes of cash - from Belichick to Sharon - bore the team’s return address. And he also wants to know if the Pats paid for Sharon Shenocca’s room at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston when she and her sister were guests of Belichick.
In August, a Morristown family court judge ordered the gridiron guru to make himself available for questioning by attorneys for Shenocca, who wants to know if Belichick is financing his estranged wife’s “extravagant lifestyle.” The judge ordered Belichick to produce any financial records, credit card receipts or bank transactions that reflect payments to Sharon.
 
Sharon Shenocca denies that she and Belichick are more than friends but admitted in a recent deposition that he has given her thousands of dollars worth of cash and gifts over the years. He also reportedly bought a $2.5 million townhouse in Brooklyn where Sharon wants to relocate with the kids. Her hubby is opposing the move. 

February 7 , 2007 - Super Bowl Notes

The kickoff return for a TD had a weird Ohio State/Florida feel to it...Did Chicago ever make any adjustments on defense?...Due to the weakness of the NFC, the Bears are more likely to return next year than Indy...Nevada gaming regulations don't allow wagers on the coin flip, so most books word the prop as "Who will receive the opening kickoff?" and the Bears were the winning wager at most books. Wynn Las Vegas threw its bettors a curve as the prop was worded "Who will run the first play from scrimmage?" Those who took the Bears suffered a bad beat...I didn't think Indy could cover three in a row in the playoffs. They did one better...

January 17 , 2007 - We've seen it before

The Brady-Manning rematch will spark endless replays of their one-sided rivalry and comments like this one from Providence Journal columnist Jim Donaldson: "The Patriots are heading to Indianapolis on Sunday. We've seen Pats-Colts playoff games before, and we know how they turn out."

More Manning-Brady debate on Football Outsiders.

Last week and this week - January 12, 2007

With Dallas' failure last weekend, teams with first year starters at QB are now 0-6 the past two years in playoffs.

Saturday
Indy at Baltimore -4.0 - We'll stay with our progressive bet-against Indy strategy. Baltimore defense will give Manning fits(1-4 SU on the road playoff history) and Indy is a different team outside the dome. Ravens -4.0 for $440.

Philly +5.0 at New Orleans - Paul Buckley visited the store and made a good case for Philly. Stanley believes they're the only team capable of winning in Chicago. Two smart guys are enough for me. Philly +5.0 for $110.

Sunday
Seattle at Chicago -9.5 - Watch your weather. I don't like Seattle at all and am not afraid of the spot. Chicago has a lot of upside because so little is expected of Grossman. Weather permitting, I may land on the OVER (36.5) also. Right now, too many questions. PASS

New England +5.0 at San Diego - I haven't found anyone in support of SD and yet the spread has remained at 5. That means we could all be missing something. Brady/Belichick playoff records are legend. SD QB Rivers is a first-year starter, a trend that is 0-6 last 2 years in the playoffs. Best part of wagering on NE is SD Coach Schottenheimer. I can see SD with a 10 point lead late in the 4th quarter and Marty goes to the prevent. Brady marches in for the back door cover with a shot at a tie if they can get the onside kick. And I need that scenario only if NE doesn't win outright. Get some money line action if you can, Pats the most likely dog to win straight up this weekend. NE +5.0 for $220.


Last week and this week - January 4, 2007

What a Jerk
Police seized 550 rounds of ammunition from the home of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson during a raid last month. The ammunition was discovered in Johnson's kitchen, basement, garage and bedroom. Police also found six guns, marijuana and unlabeled pills believed to be the prescription painkiller hydrocodone. Authorities said they found a semiautomatic rifle with 19 live rounds in the master bedroom, four unloaded weapons -- two rifles and two handguns -- and a loaded .45-caliber handgun under a leather chair in the basement. And here's the jerk part of the story: Johnson lived with his girlfriend and two young children. Let him rot in jail.

I was horrible last two weeks of NFL, -440.

Brief Summary from Stanley about the NFL playoffs
Giants - coaching deficit
Bears - qb deficit
Cowboys - mental illness
Seahawks - how did they get in to the playoffs?
Saints - the phoenix that rises from the ashes?
Eagles - I think so

Chiefs - see seahawks above
Chargers - darn they have Schottenheimer
Colts - darn they have no defense
Jets - Pats will expose them
Ravens - could be
Pats - Belichick always has a solution

NFL parity...and what is the difference maker now more...

Saturday
Kansas City +7.0 at Indy - I don't believe Indy can cover 3 straight in the playoffs so I'm starting progressive"bet-against". KC +7.0 for $220.

Sunday
How nuts would the NY media be if both NY teams won? NE figures to be ready for the Jets this time and own many statistical edges, but the points (-9.5) are just too many. Giants blew up at home in the playoffs last year (shutout) and Manning has regressed. Tiki won't run against Philly (-7.0) like he did last week vs Washington.

Last week and this week - December 30, 2006

Less than 8% of those that have the NFL Network have watched the games shown only there. This compares to the 14% penetration ESPN gets with MNF...

Sunday
Lots of chaos as many teams have little to play for. Giants victory Saturday will ruin plenty of playoff hopes. Two games jump off the paper. Oakland +13.0 at the Jets is one where the points are just too much. Jets are statistically just normal and Oakland plays very good defense. Don't be surprised if neither team scores a TD. Patriots at Tennessee -3.0 - Pats have all but said they're going in the tank. Tennessee will take the freebie and so will we. Both teams for $220.


Last week and this week - December 22, 2006

Last Week
KC had so many chances to cover and failed (-220), Cutler puts it all together (-220), Indy asserts itself at home and takes Cincy out of their game plan (+200), BYU meets a team that didn't want to be there (+400). Week 2-2, season 46-37.

Sunday
New Orleans +3.0 at NY Giants - Saints may have peaked 2 weeks ago against Dallas but meet a Giants team intent on destroying itself. NO has the edge at skill positions and may only need to score first and watch NY implode. Can you see Bill Cowher as the Giants coach next season? I can. Saints +3.0 for $330.

San Diego at Seattle +4.5 - Extra rest for Seahawks, system play against the Chargers who have won 8 consecutive SU and 3 ATS. We like playing against teams that have covered 3 in a row and then travel to meet a winning team. Cincy met that criteria last week and got thrashed Monday night. Home dogs are 44-29 ATS this year. Seattle +4.5 for $330.

Bengals arrest betting line - December 16, 2006

Bengals corner cashes in big with DUI arrest
What were the odds another Bengals player was going to get arrested before the Super Bowl was over? Although seven were cuffed over the past calendar year, oddsmakers didn‚t like the chances of an eighth getting booked before the Lombardi Trophy was hoisted in Miami. Several online books set the price of another Cincy arrest at +300, while ŒNo‚ was a big -500 favorite. But Deltha O'Neal proved all the nay sayers wrong when he rolled up to a police checkpoint on State Highway 125 with booze on his breath early Saturday morning. The cops charged him with driving under the influence, and made some lucky bettors a pile of cash.

Courtesy Covers.com

NFL arrest total story

Last Week
1-1 as we ride the Young wave but get nailed by the Bills. 44-35, $4,088.

Sunday
Denver at Arizona +2.5 - Cutler vs Leinhart and at this stage we'll take Leinhart and the points at home. Shanahan knew he couldn't get it done with Jake and has bagged the season. But he gets seasoning for his rookie QB and a better draft pick for next year's attempt. Cutler may be as good as advertised but until he wins, we've got to go against anytime he's favored. Cardinals +2.5 for $220

Kansas City +8.5 at San Diego - Lots of points for the victor (KC by 3) of their previous meeting. And Larry Johnson has rushed for more yards than LT but you wouldn't know it from the hype. Must win for KC and coach Edwards is 4-1 vs SD while Schottenheimer is 6-6 vs Chiefs. KC will also have the ghost of Lamar Hunt on their side. KC +8.5 for $220.

Monday
Cincinnati at Indianapolis -3.0- Cincy takes their act on the road to the Colts who face a character test. This is as much a play into the public momentum as anything else as 2 of Cincy's last 3 wins were against Oakland and Cleveland. Colts 6-0 at home. Indy -3.0 for $220

Peyton and Eli - December 15, 2006

“You lose your two defensive ends and linebackers and defensive backs, things are tough,” Eli said. “That’s how you start playing well, on defense. You have a pass rush. You get to the quarterback. He throws the ball up. Your cornerbacks and linebackers are able to get an interception. That’s what gets you motivated. That’s what wins and loses games.”

Peyton undoubtedly knows that, without Eli having to tell him. Peyton, the improvisational genius whose body language at the line of scrimmage occasionally borders on manic, will become increasingly agitated if the Colts don’t start tackling soon.

It will be left to the always-tranquil Eli to remind big brother to drink his d-caff and tell him he still has the best arm in the neighborhood.

Make it the nation, but even that isn’t going to overcome 375 yards on the ground.

(Courtesy Harvey Araton - NYT - 12/15/06)

Eighth Bengal arrested - December 10, 2006 - the list

Deltha O'Neal - DUI - 12/08/2006
Reggie McNeal - resisting arrest, drug possession - 11/2006
AJ Nicholson - burglary
Frostee Rucker - spoual abuse, vandalism
Matthias Askew - resisting arrest
Chris Henry - DUI
Eric Steinbach - Boating under influence
Odell Thurman - DUI while serving 4 game substance abuse suspension

Is ocho enough?


December 9, 2006

At this time last year, the Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers were 7-5 and barely in any playoff discussion...Only 2 Heisman winning QB's went on to win Superbowls. Names below....With the Jets remaining schedule featuring teams a collective 17-31, Baby Belichick a cinch for Coach of the Year....Roger Staubach and Jim Plunkett

Sunday - December 10, 2006
Tennessee +1.0 at Houston - We'll continue to ride the Vince Young wave. Houston hasn't won 2 in a row in over 3 years. Look for a big game from Young returning to his hometown. And look at the sour pusses on Houston as they realize THIS is the guy they should have drafted. Titans +1.0 for $220

Buffalo at Jets -3.5 - Trying to see through my anti-Bills bias but they are decimated with injuries. Meet a team with something to play for. Got the idea last week that Buffalo quit for the season in the 4th Q vs SD. Jets-killer McGahee likely not to play. Expect Pennington to pick Buffalo apart with short passing game. Jets -3.5 for $220.

Last Week
1-4, season 43-34. Our bankroll takes a $920 hit and is reduced to $4,108.

November 30, 2006

Thursday
Baltimore +3.0 at Cincinnati - Funny spread where Ravens have quietly put together 5 game win streak, playing as well as any team right now. Since their bye week (and the dismissal of offensive coordinator) they have scored at least 24 ppg (averaging 28) and won all 5 games. In an earlier victory over Cincy, Balt opened up a 17-0 lead, hung on for a 26-20 win. Cincy did some published trash talking and you can be sure it's taped to the Ravens bulletin board. Bengals a bit of a disappointment at 6-5. They are 1-3 in games decided by 7 points or less. They're tough to chase down so Ravens have to take control right away. 4 of Bengals blowout wins over Pitt, Clev and NO. A gem of consistency (Balt) vs a question mark (Cincy) and I get points? No brainer. Baltimore +3.0 for $330.

Sunday
Indy at Tennessee +7.5 - Ride the Young wave with home dog getting a TD+. Titans only lost by one LY at Indy. Colts defense hasn't seen anything like Young this year and is allowing 24 ppg on the road. No one talking about the Wunderlic test this week. Tennessee +7.5 for $440.

Monday
Carolina -3.0 at Philly - Bet this one early if you can because there will be no takers for Philly at +3. They have quit written all over them and meet a Carolina team that needs the victory. Could be ugly on national TV in front of possibly the worst group fans in any sport. Carolina will pound the ball on the ground. Philly has no answer on offense and will start a wounded Garcia at QB. Carolina -3.0 $330.

757 JUICED

Cubs with healthy pitching? - December 16, 2006

The Cubs can sign all the stars they want but their season finish is always determined by the health of Wood and Pryor, and they're never healthy.

Did the Giants blink on Barry? - December 10, 2006

Despite facing no tangible competitive bids, the San Francisco Giants ponied up $16 million to keep aging slugger Barry Bonds, 22 home runs shy of the career record, on board for a 15th season.

San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami calls the move "pathetic." "They blinked," Mr. Kawakami writes. "They choked. They surrendered and submitted to Barry Bonds. They had no direction to go, except his way and on his terms. How feeble. How perfectly small of the Giants."

Two columnists in other cities admit to being intrigued by the fleeting possibility that Bonds was headed their way in 2008. St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell imagined a murderers' row for the defending champion Cardinals, with Bonds batting cleanup. And the Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck rues the loss of a season full of comedic potential.
(courtesy of the WSJ - Daily Fix - December 8, 2006)

LAST AMATEURS

NCAA Football - January 12, 2007

Urban Meyer is Coach of the Decade. He goes undefeated at Utah State and wins the BCS with Florida. In between those accomplishments he opts to not pursue the ND job, which could have been a career-killer...BCS is considering moving their championship game to MLK Day.

I Was Wrong
About Ohio State. About them being as fast as Florida. About Tressel having them ready. About how much talent was on this team. About this team possibly being one of the best-ever. About the Big Ten in general. It's all so obvious now. And it was right in front of my eyes to begin with. OSU played Cincy, N. Illinois, and an over-rated Texas team out of conference. I was seduced by the Michigan game. Michigan played Vandy, C. Michigan, and an average ND team out of conference before getting clocked by USC. All the info was there, one just had to look at it. The disaster in the desert was no upset. OSU and the rest of the Big 10 were exposed. If there was a playoff this weekend I would have Florida, LSU, Boise State and USC.



NCAA Football - January 4, 2007

Might Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow head to Arizona as head coach and be reunited with Leinhart?... A college bowl game in Toronto? In January? What a treat for those teams...Eddie says take the points with Ohio U. Sunday when they meet Conference USA representative Southern Miss (GMAC Bowl)...How painful and long was the 2nd half of ND-LSU?..

Last Week
Iowa cost me my first bet of the college football season and my best bet of the bowls as Texas was listless for the first 25 minutes. Win, but no cover, -440. West VA tough at home, handle Huskies, +200. USC and Boise State games both go over the total in last two minutes, +400.

Monday
Florida vs Ohio State -7.0 - All OSU Coach Tressel does is win big games. Look it up. Florida offense not capable of coming from behind and prone to big mistakes under pressure. This could be over by halftime. A four game round robin of KC, Philly, NE and OSU for $100 ($400 total). If we hit the first 3 games, no play. If not, then Ohio State -7.0 for $440.

NCAA Football - December 30, 2006

Watching 80 year old Florida State coach Bobby Bowden walk the sidelines with the headset on - It's gotta be one of those Playskool things. He just thinks he's talking to the guys upstairs...

Last Week
Tulsa-Utah a good example of why one shouldn't make 2 plays on the same game as I lose both -440. Saints needed only to show up against the Giants. +300. Generous spot to Seattle at home enough to offset the winning Chargers, +300. UCLA goes stupid for about 30 seconds but it's enough to cost them the game, -330. 2-3 for the week, 48-40 for the season. Our 3G starting bankroll loses $170 and now stands (with a -$100 correction from the previous week) at $3,978.

Saturday
Iowa vs. Texas -9.0 - If Texas is properly motivated, they lay over an Iowa team that has disappointed all year (1-10 ATS). There are QB issues for Texas but reports are that McCoy is 100%. You can run all the numbers and strength of schedule etc. but I can't get by how bad Iowa looked so many times this year. Iowa web sites don't indicate a lot of interest. Game opened at 11.5 so be the contrarian in our Bowl Best Bet of the Year. Texas -9.0 for $440.

Connecticut at West Virginia Even - Undefeated Huskies visit one-loss Mountaineers. Believe it or not, CT's first game away from home this season. Meet a WV team that's giving up less than 50 ppg. Young CT team (they start 3 sophs, 2 frosh) hasn't played a defense this good on the road. Reality check for CT. Play the game UNDER if you can get a total (129). West Virginia EVEN for $220.

NCAA Football - December 22, 2006

Tuesday
Middle Tennessee vs Central Michigan -9.0 - If you're wagering on this one, you might have a problem . If you know anything about these teams, you need to get out more. PASS

Wednesday
Florida State vs UCLA -4.5 - How does FSU get into a bowl? 6-6 out of the ACC, record of the teams they defeated 33-39, with W. Michigan being the best of that group. UCLA wins last 3, including BCS-buster over USC. FSU with QB issues (as always). Seems too easy but I'll take a bite anyway. UCLA -4.5 for $330.

NCAA Football - December 16, 2006

Brady Quinn gets 13 first place votes for the Heisman? What games were those guys watching?...First, Miami can't get a guy from Rutgers, now Alabama can't get a guy from West Virginia? It's like Bizarro NCAA.

Thursday, December 21st
BYU -3.5 vs Oregon at Las Vegas - Oregon makes plenty of turnovers away from home, lost last 3 games (giving up 350 ypg through the air), are undecided on their starting QB, and meet a BYU team that has won 9 in a row. Statistical edges to BYU who also figure to have the bigger crowd in attendance. For the Meaningless Stat of the Week: BYU is 8-0 ATS in last 8 night games. BYU -3.5 for $330.

NCAA Football - December 9, 2006

Hey Miami University Donna Shalala, how bad is your football program that the guy from Rutgers turned down the job?

NCAA Football - November 30, 2006

Never give up on the OVER. Purdue at Hawaii Saturday night, total of 75, sits at 17 at the half. No problem as Purdue puts up 35 in the 2nd half only to lose in the last minute 42-35...The bloom is off the rose known as Dave Wannstedt in Pittsburgh. After going 5-6 in his first season with the Panthers, big things were expected this year. A major bowl was a possibility when Pitt opened up 6-1 this year. But an 0-5 finish has left Pitt wondering whether DW was the correct choice. Of course he wasn't. 82-86 lifetime in the NFL and now 11-12 in college...It's obvious the BCS has made all bowl games other than the championship irrelevant. But this year, it's starting to make most of the big games at the end of the season seem small. It seems the media (and most of the public) are focusing only on games with BCS implications such as Ohio State-Michigan and USC-Notre Dame. Meanwhile great rivalry games such as Auburn-Alabama (22-15), Washington-Washington State (35-32), Texas A&M-Texas (12-7), LSU-Arkansas (31-26), Oregon-Oregon State (28-30), Florida-Florida State (21-14) and at least 5 others played within a TD get little attention...How about UNC-Duke playing to a 45-44 finish (FB, not BB), UNC winning by blocking the extra point on Duke's final TD at the 3 minute mark.

NCAA Basketball - February 13, 2007

For the latest proof that college championships are never won on signing day, consider Florida's five-game winning streak against its college-hoops rival Kentucky. "At midnight madness 2004, Kentucky unveiled a recruiting class ranked No. 1 in America: Randolph Morris, Joe Crawford, Ramel Bradley and Rajon Rondo," Pat Forde writes. "... At Florida, meanwhile, nobody was slobbering over [Billy] Donovan's recruiting class -- for once. The guy who was making quite a career out of stockpiling hamburger All-Americans went light on hype with Taurean Green, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah. As it has famously turned out, that class has been long on chemistry, basketball IQ and winning attitude. Somewhere along the way, Kentucky's ballyhooed class slipped behind Florida's undervalued class. And it cannot catch up."

Courtesy - The Daily Fix, WSJ, 2/13/07

NCAA Basketball - February 7, 2007

Florida is a real threat to repeat. Certain to be a #1 seed. Lots of experience. #1 in FG %, shooting 44% for 3's (#2). They defend the 3 as well as anyone, holding opponents under 30%. Their defense takes away what you do best and asks you to beat them some other way. Good luck...I'm undecided about UCLA and am leaning to "pretender" status. They're only 5-2 on the road with only one quality road win since Jan 1st. Of their 8 remaining games, 6 could be losses. Doubt they hold the #2 rank long, not sure they're even in the two in the tough Pac 10...Ohio State is a definite pretender. Out of the very weak Big 10 (no teams from the Big 10 reached the sweet 16 LY) it's hard for them to have any quality road wins. The only team of quality they played away was Wisconsin and OSU took it on the chin. I don't hold the shellacking Florida laid on them as that took place in December. Their biggest chink is their inability to put away teams. Four games back they defeat MSU in Columbus by one, after being up 20 at the half...North Carolina is a complete package. They are great on the boards and are #2 in the country in scoring. They go 10 deep. Quality road wins at Clemson and Arizona, and maybe Duke tonight. A likely #1 seed provided they win either the ACC regular season or the ACC tourney. Could be the other half of a chalky quinella with Florida in the NCAA final...Duke is below average and not worthy of a top 25 rating...Wisconsin plays a style of ball that makes them a threat against anyone. However, that same style opens them up to being upset by just about any tourney team. Wisconsin/Florida would be an interesting game...Indiana is fake...The Big 12 is well-balanced. Texas has a ton of talent but has been nothing but disappointing. They may yet get it together and be the best team in the conference. Texas A&M has a quality win at Kansas but lost at Texas Tech. I need to see more. Kansas doesn't have any quality road wins. Reality has returned to Texas Tech (4 game loss streak). Oklahoma State is 0-3 in conference on the road. I suspect they'll disappoint in March... More next time.

NCAA Basketball - January 17, 2007

In college hoops, big underdog Missouri demonstrated the "magic of a rivalry game," Joe Posnanski writes in the Kansas City Star, by hanging with Kansas on the road before losing 80-77. "Kansas has McDonald's All-Americans," Mr. Posnanski writes. "Missouri has McDonald's customers."

NCAA Basketball - January 12, 2007

College hoop teams ranked 1, 5, 7 & 8 all lose on Saturday. Welcome to conference play.

Villanova at Syracuse - How about Drexel in a 13 day stretch winning at Syracuse, at Villanova, and at Temple? Orange were handed last 2 victories by Marquette and Rutgers which may inflate the number here. Believe this is a 50-50 prop so if Syracuse is favored by 3 or more, we'll take the points for $110.

NCAA Basketball - December 22, 2006

Is Coach Boeheim limiting the playing time of frosh star Paul Harris so he'll have no option but to return to Syracuse next season?

NCAA Basketball - December 9, 2006

Future Rochester Razorshark Gerry McNamara quits European league after playing one minute in 5 games...A tip of the cap to subscribers Paul B and Mark A, both of whom called Wichita State's outright win at Syracuse last Saturday. Demetrius Nichols 0-11 INSIDE the 3 point line in that Orange loss

NCAA Basketball - November 30, 2006

Syracuse Hoops Preview
Fun stat: Only 3 teams in NYS have ever beaten Syracuse under Boeheim - St Johns has a 19-33 record, St Bonaventure is 3-16, and Fordham is 1-3 during JB's tenure. The remainder of NYS teams are 0-116.
 
With Gerry McNamara gone, expect to see more balance in the offense and more participation by all on the court. Devendorf is ready to step up and be the scorer. With the addition of Harris, this offense should be about 5 points better than last year and that is a big difference. Harris has been as good as advertised so far. He's 6' 5", 220, has played 4 positions already, plays great defense (expect to see more man-to-man than in past seasons), and uses his Barkley-type body to draw fouls going to the hoop. His foul shooting has improved from game one to game seven (now at 66%), and the team is the better at shooting FT's than in the past. He'll be the guy they go to for "must" baskets late in the game. The team is deep, expect Boeheim to play a rotation of eight. Watkins will provide shot-blocking presence but will also be the most likely to foul out once the more physical BE season begins. This group will improve as they learn to play together. I expect the Orange defense to keep them in games.
 
Syracuse could very well enter their Big East season opener (home to pre-season conference fave Pitt) with a 14-0 record and a top 5 ranking. Their only stumble along the way might be Oklahoma State at MSG next week.

Best case - Everything broke right on their schedule this year. They play Pitt and G'Town only once each and both games are at home. They catch CT twice but it's a new Husky team (lost their top 7) and expect to see some payback by Boeheim to his buddy Calhoun. While almost every game is a potential loss in the BE, the strength of the conference this year is in its depth. Which means a balanced, deep and experienced team like Syracuse can be the heavy in the conference, as CT has been in past years. Syracuse could be the betting fave in 13/16 BE tilts. Their biggest challenge may be at Marquette. If they avoid the mid-January funk that seems to plague this team, they could enter the BE Tourney as conference champ, top seed, a national ranking in the top 3, and a record of 27-3.  This gets them a #1 or 2 NCAA seed and if they can dodge the teams mentioned below (and Vermont) it could be a sweet NCAA tourney.
 
Worst case - Teams that will give the Orange trouble will have a dominant big man and good guard play. Think Florida, North Carolina, and from the Big East, Georgetown. Entering the BE schedule at 13-1, they lose to Pitt, Marquette, G'Town, and 3 others during their funk. They finish 5th in the BE missing a bye in the BE tourney and bow out in their 2nd game when they draw G'Town. They end up with an 8 seed in the big dance and go out in game 2 against NC. Harris leaves for the NBA, Boeheim has medical issues, and the NCAA announces an investigation into recruiting practices.

STREET CLEANING

January 17, 2007 - McDonalds's promotes dangerous entrees; GM and Ford on the edge?

Given the debate over the healthfulness of fast food, was it wise for McDonald’s to run newspaper ads last week that resemble “most wanted” posters, which describe Chicken McNuggets as “dangerous and delicious”?

Why are the Chevrolet division of General Motors and the Ford division of Ford Motor running campaigns that each show a new product, the Chevrolet Aveo and the Ford Edge, perched precariously on the sides and edges of buildings and railings in New York?

January 12, 2007

In a move that sends shivers through the Democratic Party, civil rights activist Al Sharpton said he is thinking about running for President. The party would be smart to make a deal now.

Add plagiarist Joe Biden to the race for President.

The kids who defamed a park in Honeoye Falls (Spray paint, swastikas) were caught and surprisingly, all but one were girls. Credit to the local media for publishing their names. May the parents get socked with restitution and the kids with about 1,000 hours each of community service.

Rochester-based Wegmans Supermarkets named one of the three best companies to work for, the third consecutive year it has been ranked in the top three. Just don't tell that to the 240 meat processors who will lose their jobs as Wegmans outsources their task. Danny gets the blame as I don't believe this would have happened under the old man's watch. Notice how the local media barely covered this smudge on the Wegman Empire.

.4 Monroe County based liquor stores pay 5 figure fines for accepting illegal freebies from distributors. They are Century, Marketview, Lisa's Liquor Barn and Whitehouse Liquors.



January 4, 2007

It took Rochester Assemblyman Joe Morrelle 13 minutes to distribute a FAX to the media after Spitzer's inauguration speech, saying the administration had, in its first hours, provided more reason for hope than we've had in a decade. Can you tell he's campaigning for the Comptroller's appointment? Don't let the fact that you're not remotely qualified get in the way...

December 30, 2006

Bought a McD's quarter pounder for the first time in a while and either my hands have gotten larger or the sandwich has shrunk...

NYS Attorney General prepares to go after the former Head of Finance for the Rochester school district. Guy was bleeding the district while making 160G/year. Who watches the guy who's supposed to be watching the money?

Had 2 tasty meals at Romeo's (Greece, formerly of Irondequoit) but the service at the most recent visit was poor and kids were running between the tables. When I mentioned such to the manager, he treated me as if I had the problem. Now he's out a customer...

December 9, 2006

Blood Money
Since 2003, the American Red Cross (Rochester area) has been fined over $5 million bux by the FDA. They have been fined so often they now include "Fines" as a budget item. What's the point of fining a non-profit? Especially one with vast resources and fund raising ability? Wouldn't the Red Cross be more likely to comply to laws if their officers were threatened with jail time? As to the Red Cross's statement the fines will be paid out of their operating budget and not from donations, who are they kidding! All of their money comes from some type of donation. If it isn't cash, it is from the revenue generated when they sell donated blood. In fact, 53% of Red Cross revenues are from blood sales.

WHO NEEDS TO GO AWAY

February 24, 2007

Phil Jackson - No one cares what you say anymore so quit acting like you're the Messiah. Buy an island, take your bike and your girl and just go away.

February 7, 2007

Joe Morrelle - Local NYS Assemblyman is in the news way too often for a guy who's major legislative win was the creation of the film production tax credit. He desperately wants to be the NYS Comptroller and has reportedly sold his soul to Satan to be on the short list.

January 30, 2007

Reality TV - All except for the original reality television, live sports.

Bill Parcels - Yes I know he took 4 different teams to the playoffs but he hasn't won a playoff game in 5 years. He's got two rings, but is a Norwood FG away from one in 19 seasons as a head coach. Over-rated, now hopefully retired for the final time, just go away. Did you know Parcels was the first choice of Electronic Arts (EA Games) for a video football game in 1988? He declined what would eventually become Madden Football, reportedly worth $6-7M / year to Madden in licensing fees.

January 12, 2007

Just Go Away
Persons and subjects making the JGA list are never to be discussed again. This week's request is the City of Rochester. The City provides enough fodder for its own newsletter. I haven't lived in the City for ten years and venture in only occasionally. The only economic role played by the City and Rochester city schools is the $1.1 billion disbursed by the two entities.

Recently it was discovered the City overpaid $183,000 in health insurance premiums. How so one may ask? By paying for fourteen people who were deceased, that's right, DEAD. One had died back in 1994. From Vince Carfagna the City's finance director: "We thought we had a tight process. As a result of this (audit), we intend on further tightening the process. But there always will be some element of risk, albeit small." Note the acceptance of responsibility. If the name rings a bell it might be because Carfagna was finance director back in 1991 when police chief Gordon Urlacher looted the City for reportedly 300G. Urlacher kept a safe in his office that was never audited. As to that "tight process" Carfagna refers to, it involves an employee cross checking the obits to an insurance list...

More brilliance abounds as the City continues its pursuit of developing Midtown Plaza. If the private sector won't finance anything there, why is the City stepping in? Could it be the wonderful track record of High Falls and the Ferry ($60M flushed away)? And why is every vision of the future something to do with the past? The City is negotiating to put into Midtown a "Little Italy". This would be approximately 150 shops/kiosks/restaurants all pertaining to Italian culture. And like everything else new, we'll visit once, never to return. I've been to the many Italian festivals held here each year and they get stale after about 20 minutes. Why do we need a permanent one subsidized by the City? About 200 retail shops have come and gone through Midtown in the past 20 years. That should tell you something. If this idea was a stock you wouldn't touch it.

When a spree of violent crime struck the city early last summer, Councilman Adam McFadden pushed hard for a curfew for those under 16 years old. Of course, it took two months of negotiations before being instituted but some numbers are in. First 90 days - 89 youths detained at a cost of $168,000. Buoyed by the cost-effectiveness, the Council renews the curfew for another 90 days. Meanwhile, City Hall actually touts the fact that murders decreased to 49 in 2006 from 54 a year earlier. That's a stat to be proud of. Before the ink was dry on that press release, 3 were murdered in 2007. Go team.
December 30, 2006

Randy Johnson is done and why anyone would want a 43 year old with back problems, an ERA of 5.00 and a $16M contract is beyond me...

December 22, 2006

Howard Stern - Tired act that doesn't need refreshing, just retirement.
Brother Wease - Time for the angry, ignorant, white Rochester male to get a new hero.
The Reporters of Sixty Minutes - Keep the format just "youth" it up a little.

December 9, 2006

A new feature focusing on those that I wish would "just go away." Their usefulness to the general populace has ended. I don't wish these people ill will or harm, I just want them to go to Palm Springs or wherever and stay there. Feel free to nominate your own choices. My initial inductees are no-brainers.

Tony Bennett - Great career, but quit making more music and performing. If he were a stock he'd be General Motors.
John Kerry (even with the plastic surgery) - Unless you can re-invent yourself like Carter and Gore, pull a Dole and disappear.
John Madden - His induction is overdue by at least 10 years.


GUEST RANTS

February 24, 2007

I was watching ESPN's Sportscenter this morning. They go to Daytona to analyze the upcoming race.  Interesting panel.  What are Chris Fowler (NCAA Football specialist) and Brad Dougherty (former NBA center) doing analyzing NASCAR? What does a 7 foot NBA center know about NASCAR?  He should stick to NCAA basketball because that's the only thing he was good at during his basketball career...John Amaechi. Shitty NBA career. Probably blew his NBA fortunes at the casino like Barkley and decided the next best way to make money is to come out. Save your pathetic story please. I don't wanna hear that crap...Mark Cuban should be the next commissioner for the NBA. Seems like everytime he has a problem he gets fined a ridiculous amount of money for his comments. Then next thing you know the ideas that Cuban gets fined for are put into play by the NBA...

Dave L.

January 6, 2007- Florida - Ohio State

For pure entertainment, watch Florida freshman backup QB Tim Tebow. He's their amazingly efficient short yardage guy. Basically a fullback who takes snaps and can throw the option. Eleven TD's on a combined 100 attempts passing and rushing.

Mark A.

January 4, 2007- NBA so far

NBA Commentary from Dennis Carroll
Well if you continue to ban the NBA, I'll be your NBA consultant. So, we have sports like Hockey, where guys square off and punch each other in the face, and it is promoted on Sports Center. Locally, we have Boy Scout groups go to Albany River Rats games, where the only excitement is goons fighting. People don't like the NBA because they don't like blacks with tattoos period. If you can't get by that, you are missing the best sport we have. So with that said, here are my observations from the first third of the season... The best player in the NBA is a 6'0" WHITE guy who is the third player in my lifetime who I make plans to watch. (Bird and Jordan are the others) Nash has the best court vision in the history of the league. If Amare S. continues to progress and stay healthy, Phoenix should win. San Antonio is another great team to watch, and move the ball better than any other team in the league... Kobe has actually progressed his game, but Lakers have no one else...Dallas is a solid team lead by a 7'0" WHITE guy who shoots jumpers, but something is still missing...The big problem with the NBA is that the Knicks stink, led by the worst tattooed overrated guy in the history of the league.(S.M.) If Nash played in NY, R.F.T.S. would be talking about the NBA, believe me...Danny made a mistake not getting Iverson for the Celtics, no matter what he had to give up.

December 26, 2006 - Syracuse BB - sober assessment

I had the pleasure of being at the Dome for the Wichita State/Syracuse game. I hate to say it but I think they are worse right now without GMac. Their guard play was horrible. There's not a good point guard among Devendorf, Harris or Wright. And the interior post play was atrocious. Roberts and Watkins have no finesse, no touch. Graduation can only help at this point.

On the bright side, I've haven't seen better control around the basket in recent times than what Harris can do. He can finish in traffic like Sherman Douglas. Quite gifted in that regard. And Mike Jones showed a few flashes of eye brow raising talent. Those two are definitely players for the future if they can get a strong point. I can see SU becoming a version of last year's Villanova team with dominant guard/small forward play with Harris, Jones, Devenedorf, new point and a big guy.

Mark A.

December 16, 2006 - What's in NoNo's hand?

if you haven't checked out joey no no's website i suggest you do so today. what exactly does he have in his hand in the picture in the upper left hand corner? i think it's a french cruller. - TJ

I thought it was the candy bar in the pool from Caddyshack - Eastside Losers

December 9, 2006 - from Paul B.

Joey you'll get a kick out of this...I just made a sizeable bet on St. John Fisher +17.5 at national super-power Mt. Union this Saturday. Looked up some
interesting fundamentals on the game...I think Fisher should be competitive. They're coming off a 31-0 shutout of Rowan, who lost 19-7 to Mt. Union in
last year's semi's. Fisher's "D" is playing at a high level, and they avenged their only loss of the year on the road in the playoffs. Their "O"  is well balanced...the QB has a TD/Int ratio of 21-1!!! Special teams pretty good. Fisher O-Line outweighs MU D-line by avg. of 47 lbs./man. MU owns a not-so-imposing 37-lb. advantage. Gotta press the envelope once in a while, eh?!!!

FINAL SCORE - MT.Union 26 - St. John Fisher 14. Mt Union goes for the 9th D3 national title since 1993 December 16, 2006 in Salem, VA. Game at 4pm EST on ESPN2.

MISCELLANEOUS

February 24, 2007 - This weeks rants

Back from a six day freshening in Florida. Missed our worst storm in 2 years...Vinnie from the East to be in Florida beginning 2/18. Vinnie is on a documented 8-0 ATS run going back to the NFL playoffs. And most of the covers haven't been close...Caught the movie "Smokin' Aces", a real guy flick. Fast moving lot and lots of death. Soon to disappear from the theaters...While driving to work this week I heard two talk radio shows where the content appeared to be reading a list of celebrity birthdays. Isn't there more to the show than that? One is on our "Just Go Away" list, the other was WHTK's John DiTulio. JT's sports show lacks consistency...I get a headache trying to put the Baldwin brothers in order (Alec, Daniel, William, Stephen)...Add Tournedos at the Inn at Broadway to the elite list of Rochester steakhouses...It seems from recent TV ratings that the public prefers watching shows about people getting dance lessons and losing weight. Sad...The best Campbell's can come up with is Ben Roethlis"burger"? I hope it's not a Chiat/Day campaign...Centennial Farms debuts a nice looking 3 YO at GP "Vitruvius" winning at 7F for Jimmy Jerkens...Tommy Morrison to fight again claiming he's now NOT HIV positive. You've got to be pretty desperate to get in the ring with him...While perusing USA Today last week I noticed a HS girls hoop team ranked 17th that finished their season 40-0. What's more absurd - the ranking or the fact that they played 40 games?...For some juvenile fun go to www.willitblend.com <http://www.willitblend.com> ...  

Disgraced former CNYS Comptroller Alan Hevesi found a way to work in his accomplishments during his allocution. The man has no shame. Neither does the NYS Assembly who placed a less-than-qualified- one of their own to fill out the term (through 2010). NY citizenry have no one to blame but themselves for re-electing the crook that set this entire process in motion...Andrew J returning to Vegas next week for more poker and horses...How many former Celtics can you name that have died early? Maravich, Lewis, Bias and now DJ immediately come to mind...Frank from Canada sighted at Gulfstream, first sighting in 2 years. Frank owns some ponies, races them in N. California. He's still living a charmed life - Vegas, Gulfstream, Vegas, Keeneland, Del Mar & Keeneland take up most of his year. Entourage intact. Hope to reconnect during March Madness at Mandalay Bay...Danny Wegman continues to climb out of his father's shadow by closing the Dewey Avenue Wegmans. His father was so endeared to nearby Aquinas HS he would never shut that store down as it anchors the neighborhood...Good news: Michael Irvin has left ESPN. Never should have been hired. Bad news: Likely replacement is Bill Parcells, a/k/a Mr. Personality...  

February 24, 2007 - This weeks picks

Saturday
Syracuse at Providence -2.5 - Prov sees themselves as a bubble team & this game as a must win. Who knows what the Orange think. We'll go with the positive attitude & home court. Friars -2.5 for $165.

Pitt at Georgetown-6.0 - As much as I like G'town in this game, the points are just too many. The total is only 121. Tough to lay 6 in a low scoring game. Pitt #1 in the USA, on the road, at www.teamrankings.com <http://www.teamrankings.com> . PASS

Marquette at Notre Dame -5.5 - ND 18-0 at home this year. Marq wins this game LY by 8 (at ND), have been inconsistent on road in BE this season (4-3 SU, win at Pitt, lose at Depaul). First challenge for ND at home since Villanova on 1/27 (66-63 Irish victory). Marq has this and a home game next week vs Pitt to finish season. ND lives and dies with three, is soft on defense. We'll go with the Golden Eagles and 5.5 points for $165, and wouldn't be surprised to see the home streak end.

Texas at Oklahoma -1.5 - Texas on 4 game win streak, but well-favored in all 4. OK on 3 game losing streak, but a dog in 2 of those. Texas wins at home in Jan 80-69. Big 12 seems to be a home-team conference. If Oklahoma wants off the bubble, wins today and Monday (Kansas, home) should do the trick. Oklahoma -1.5 for $165.

 
Sunday
Gulfstream Race 7- Small stake for 3YO fillies on the lawn. BC winner Dreaming of Anna figures to be a slight fave. We're not sure she'll be as dominant as she was as a juvenile, many just don't develop. Our shot will be with another BC winner, that's trainer Marty Wolfson who trained the BC Mile winner. He's got a maiden here, #8 Bishop Estates who was very impressive in her one start, closing from 10th in a 12 horse field (with trouble) over this course in a race that featured very little pace. She finished 2nd, beaten less than a length. She's put in 2 nice breezes, retains Castro. $50 win, provided her odds are at least 6-1.

Gulfstream Race 9 - Safari Queen vs Royal Highness, a replay of the November Aqueduct stake that saw SQ get the jump on RH and hang on to win by a 1/2 length. Since then, SQ jogged in an -off-the-turf stake at Calder and RH has been training with her eyes on this prize. RH loses Migliore, secures Prado, gets a 5 lb. shift in weights. I think the jockey change will do the job. $100 win on RH, expect odds of about 6-5.

Santa Anita Race 5 - #8 Storm Mate seems to have matured for trainer Canani. After spending 9 months and 7 starts at the NW1X condition, Canani laid him up for 5 months. He returned (gelded?)on the downhill course defeating 11 and getting through the condition. 38 days later he tried today's condition and distance (2X, one mile turf), got shuffled on the backstretch, was going best at the finish where the first 4 were within a 1/2 length. Gomez stays. $50 win on Storm Mate at odds of 3-1 or more.

Monday
Georgetown at Syracuse - Rivalry game, senior night, in the Dome, visitor coming off of big effort Saturday, all things point to big effort by the Orange. Except that this group is incapable of playing as a team. Watch and you'll see 5 individual efforts. Maybe they get the job done but this is a well-coached GT team that knows a win at Syracuse still looks good on the resume. GT simply the better team and they win this game 70% of the time. We'll lay up to 4 points fir $220.

February 24, 2007 - NBA in Vegas

The putrid NBA All-Star Game was played in Las Vegas, a city that hopes to land an NBA franchise. Based on this account, there's no chance in Hell. In fact, SI.com's Jack McCallum says Hell would be a better location for future exhibition events.

"Hell has that eternal-damnation thing stacked against it, which tempts me to give the overall edge to Vegas," Mr McCallum writes. "However, in terms of eternal damnation, it is also next to impossible to escape from a casino once you are inside. Plus, it's more expensive. All in all, then, I give a slight advantage to Hell. And after commissioner David Stern took in the lung-choking traffic, the too-small arena and the Rome-right-before-the-fall ambience of the Strip, he would probably handicap Vegas' chances of another All-Star Weekend thusly: snowball's chance in Hell."
 
Between 80 and 140 people have been arrested during each of the past three New Year's Eve celebrations in Las Vegas. During the NBA weekend Las Vegas police arrested 362 people.

February 7 , 2007 - This weeks rants

Syracuse native Greg Paulus has really become a Duke whiner. It must be in the DNA and Coach K is some kind of expert at bringing it out. I'm betting he learned it coaching at Army. Anyway, on Sunday while hosting FSU and having a career game, Paulus gets into a shoving match and gets called for a technical. In the type of karma that never seems to happen to a Blue Devil, they LOSE the game by one, thank you Greg. And Paulus misses a near lay-up with 7 seconds remaining. Can you say ,"Priceless!"...Somebody gave me Sunday's D & C (our local paper) and wow, what happened to the comic section? One needs a magnifying glass to read them. You don't read the D & C anymore, you just turn the pages as there is almost nothing to read. At least until you get to the sports section. Newspapers today offer so little of what people want (maybe they always have) but now individuals can get the news they want and don't have to be stuck with what some local editors decide is good for you...I watched Invasor's impressive victory Saturday with Paul and Ed. Paul thought it was as impressive a horse feat since Afleet Alex overcame a stumble in winning the Preakness...I still like Discreet Cat to defeat Invasor in Dubai...

January 30, 2007 - This weeks rants

The Breeder's Cup going to two days is an idea I submitted ten years ago. Along with a "Mini BC" to be held the night after the baseball all-star game...Rex Grossman the only QB to not throw an interception Sunday...Does anyone watch golf if Tiger isn't there? And who were those guys at the Bob Hope? I never heard of 6 of the top ten...How about Michael Strahan having to give $15 M to his wife, over half his net worth. And this is a guy with a prenup. Who's his lawyer, Don King?...About time ESPN saw the light and cut Steven Smith loose...There have been seven 7 point faves in the Super Bowl with the fave winning six times (Buffalo only loser) but those six winners only covered the number once...Stay away from parlays. Nevada sports books report they had a hold of 44% of the parlays bet in November. That's close to the hold of any state lottery...

January 30, 2007 - Observations from Vegas

Watched the entire triple OT Texas-Oklahoma State hoop game last week. Easily the best game of the year...Texas Frosh Durant is the real deal, no doubt the best of his class, and a likely top-three pick in this year's NBA draft...Left my wife alone at a $5 BJ table for 20 minutes. When I returned, she was wagering $40/hand and up over $200. It brought tears to my eyes...I was at The Orleans for the first two days of their Million Dollar Horse handicapping Contest. I thought I knew about all the info that was available but I saw a ton of stuff that I have never seen before. Also recognized quite a few contestants from Western NY. Amazed at the ignorance of many of the players. One thought the contest included harness racing. Another insisted that NY gets more Pick 6 action than CA. I also was stunned at how little (if any) most contest players wager in real dollars...I watched at least 35 college hoop games and have come to the conclusion the Pac 10 has the best conference. Their best teams are more athletic than just about any others I've seen. I'm especially impressed with Oregon and USC. They'll be joined in the dance by Arizona, UCLA and possibly Washington...Highlight of the trip: 4 guys who went to elementary school together hanging out in the racebook, betting on the Patriots over the Chargers, having some cocktails, hitting 6 consecutive races, lighting a cigar, wishing you could freeze the moment...Lowlight: Needing Tennessee, a 5 point favorite at Auburn, to complete a money-line parlay. Earlier I got two short-priced favorites across and then a 5 point dog to win outright, now I just needed the Vols to win, points were irrelevant. Nine minutes to go and a 14 point Tenny lead. I'm minutes away from cashing for $700. While I go to get a drink, Tennessee goes into the tank and loses the game by three. Ouch! Yeah, I bet a parlay and got what I deserved...Results from The Orleans Pick the Pro's Football Contest are in. Every game vs. the spread for the entire season, $25 an entry, 256 games. First place was 164 wins (64%) for $100,000. They paid down to 155 wins (60.5%)...   

January 17, 2007 - Remembering Ali

Ali and Frazier each were guaranteed a record $2.5 million for their 1971 bout and the promoters predicted a $20 million gross, Ali jumped up and yelled, “They got us cheap, Joe.”

When Malaysian officials literally put Ali's and Joe Bugner’s gloves in a jail cell for safekeeping before their 1975 bout, Ali rolled his eyes and said, “The gloves ain’t done nothin’ — yet.”

Today is Mohammad Ali's 65th birthday.

January 12, 2007

.If you plan to be in Vegas for the Derby (May 5), get your room now as that is also the night of De La Hoya - Mayweather. It is expected to be the biggest live gate ever for a fight in Vegas.

December 30, 2006

I wish I could have back all the time I spent listening to "Stairway to Heaven" as a teenager...

Since when did weather become the news? That's all I get on my local TV. The weather in Denver, airport delays due to weather, weather forecasts for the next 10 days, does the weather hurt or help those shopping at the mall? My Time-Warner cable (with 500 channel capability) has THREE stations dedicated to...you guessed it, weather...

Money Management

I've been asked to discuss money management. MM is at least 40% of the battle in betting sports. Almost every sports bettor is under capitalized. Most I know are betting 30-50% of their bankroll every weekend. That leaves almost no room for error. As small as it sounds, no play should be more than 5% of the bankroll, that's $100 out of a 2G stash. This will help weather the inevitable dry spell. You open up 6-14, you're out $940, tough, but not broke. Guys playing  a nickel a game are likely bust. Under capitalization leads to bad habits - begging, borrowing and stealing.

Other bad habits are betting too many games, especially during the college hoop season - Until championship week limit plays to about 15 a week. More than 6 per day means one is just gambling and not seeking out the value. Of course, good handicappers shouldn't be making TOO FEW plays either. A winning handicapper can overcome the bad beat. And those rare birds picking a high percentage of winners (60% +) should probably play more games, even if it reduces their winning percentage. 58% of 200 plays is more profitable than 61% of 100 plays.  

Some time in the near future we'll talk about the sucker of all sports bets - the parlay. And of course I'll show you when you can use that same sucker bet to increase your profitably by as much as 50%.

December 22, 2006

Reckless Behavior
If someone wants to do something ill-advised, what is society's obligation to bail them out when things go bad? Who's responsible when one builds a home on a mudslide or on the banks of the Mississippi? How about climbing treacherous mountains in winter? If one can't afford a bond or an insurance policy to cover the rescue costs then don't let them climb or don't go looking for them. Harsh words but how would you like your spouse to be on the rescue mission for some ego-maniac in a driving blizzard on a mountain that claims lives every winter? If you choose to jump out of an airplane without a parachute, don't expect me to catch you.

December 20, 2006

Dave Chapelle's "keeping it real goes wrong" has played out this past week at the Knicks and Nuggets game and with TO. Check out this edition of Chapelle's "keeping it real goes wrong".

December 16, 2006

Congressman William Jefferson, the one the FBI caught with 90G of bribe money in his freezer, easily wins his primary...Who knew K-Fed was the classy one?...Anyone remember Magic Johnson's late night talk show?...Which of the following spent some time on the inside for committing a felony - George Steinbrenner, Don King, Larry King - Answer below...Stanley suggests professional teams would be more concerned about what their players are "using" if they had to forfeit games for players caught using banned substances. My belief is that it would make some teams complicit in the act and they would do anything to avoid the forfeit...Loved the recently deceased Peter Boyle in the Friends of Eddie Coyle. Did you know John Lennon was the best man at his wedding?...All three are felons but only Don and Larry King have spent some years in prison...Gift sets, egg nog, and Xmas themed wines available at Colonial Liquor, open until 9 M-Sat, 6 on Sunday...

George Beahon at his best - December 12, 2006

Below are excerpts from a City Newspaper interview with George Beahon in March 2005. Beahon who covered Rochester sports for over 50 years passed away Monday morning.

* I used to cover all of the World Series. The last one was '82, between the Cardinals and Milwaukee. I stayed at [former Red Wings and Cardinals broadcaster] Jack Buck's house. The writers now [at the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle] haven't gone to the World Series lately. Bob Matthews doesn't go anyplace. He doesn't even go to Bills games.

[* Major League Baseball always had a dinner after every World Series game. It was late and I'm standing next to Red (Smith) at the urinal and he looked up at me and said, "Where would you rather be?" He had it right. There was no place I'd rather be.

* Carmen (Basilio) broke all of my ribs once. He hit me a little hard and I was in trouble for a week. I'm not OK, even now. Well, I'm as OK as I'm ever going to be.

The entire article.

George Beahon's famous on-air signoff, "That's as far as I go".

December 10, 2006

Chasing private money, public-school football teams are stealing a play from the pros and adding VIP seating. Do skyboxes belong in high-school sports?

On game days, football fan Tracy French pulls his SUV into a reserved parking spot and rides an elevator to a stadium suite outfitted with plush seats and a big-screen TV.

His team is the Panthers -- the Cabot High School Panthers of Cabot, Ark.

(courtesy WSJ - 12/08/2006)

December 9, 2006

ESPN had a nice piece on sports phrases one no longer hears. My favorite was "3 to make 2"...