Beat the Host, Xpressbet’s popular and profitable weekly handicapping competition, begins Saturday (Jan. 7), when blogger and handicapper Jeremy Plonk squares off against account holders itching to knock his block off. If you are an Xpressbet account holder not playing to play Beat the Host on at least one Saturday in January and February, what’s […]
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I just voted for the second time in 2016. Once in November—for the office of President of the United States and for assorted governmental positions and referendums. This time, I helped to determine winners of Eclipse Awards, to be presented Jan. 21 at Gulfstream Park. In November I considered myself reasonably informed about candidates, platforms […]
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2016 is nearly out of gas. Needle’s on ‘E.’ Between now and January 1 we’ll run on fumes. No worries. We’ll make it. We always do. Move on. Turn the page. Gas up. Proceed. Toward what? #Whoknows Guess that’s an advantage the past has over the future. Hindshight. 20/20 vision. We know where we’ve been, […]
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This time of the season, in Thoroughbred racing, things generally are a bit slow on the racing front. Sure, Laurel, Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Fair Grounds, Los Alamitos and many more tracks are in action, but the product doesn’t compare to the quality that will be available to horseplayers in another six weeks or so. However, this […]
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This fall, for the third consecutive year, on 15 occasions, just before the impatient sun disappeared into the Pacific, Thoroughbred racing was offered where the Turf Meets the Surf. FYI, that’s Del Mar–the same summer hotspot where iconic gatherings conclude with sufficient daylight for attendees to ‘hang ten’ before dinner. Think of it as your […]
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Thanksgiving is here. That’s the holiday when family members gather to watch parades, wager on football and to devour a celebratory feast. What? At your house you don’t watch parades? Traditional Thanksgiving feasts include turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans and the most appropriately named dish ever: stuffing! On this occasion, it’s […]
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Debate surrounding 2016 Horse of the Year honors likely will extend beyond Jan. 21, when California Chrome’s connections triumphantly occupy center stage at Gulfstream Park’s Sport of Kings to accept the coveted golden Eclipse statue synonymous with that distinction. How do I know California Chrome will win the Horse of the Year vote? Because […]
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It’s over. Results are in. Finally. The matter settled by a dirt-flying race that culminated in a photo finish accompanied by tears, cheers, exaltation and despair. Afterwards, candidates and respective camps celebrate, wring hands, lick wounds and, most importantly, plan for future campaigns. Breeders’ Cup 2016 is in the books! Gotcha! You assumed I was […]
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In California, standing on the apron at Santa Anita Park anxiously awaiting the 2016 Breeders’ Cup, it suddenly occurs to me that several of this year’s races are so interesting that I’d gladly pay to see them. I won’t, of course, that is pay to see them, because I’ve got a valid press credential. However, […]
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For the last few weeks, this space has been dedicated to handicapping discussions regarding the fast approaching Breeders’ Cup. Well, that train has just about reached the station. And, if you haven’t already attempted to unravel any of the 13 mysteries masquerading as Breeders’ Cup events, what are you waiting for? While we don’t […]
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“It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races.” – Mark Twain Twain probably could have added ‘presidential elections’ to his list of things affected by a difference of opinion. Heaven knows we’re in the homestretch of a doozy right now! But, […]
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Halloween and Breeders’ Cup approach like twin tropical storms. They’ll be here before we know it and respective aficionados demand intensive preparation. For the former, a bed sheet with eyehole openings just won’t do. And, clearly, the latter demands more than a list of entries and a hatpin. While Halloween is meant to scare the […]
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As an abbreviation the letters ‘BC’ are duplicitous. In its most familiar role ‘BC’ usually refers to the epoch ‘Before Christ’–estimated as the time of Jesus’ birth. That religious timestamp must chap hides of those that question or dispute the existence and/or significance of the famous carpenter’s son. Of course, we’re not here to debate […]
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One day each year, Parx Casino & Racetrack in Bensalem, PA offers huge jackpots to connections of four-legged participants that greatly exceed those attainable by even the most fortunate two-legged gamblers. This year, that special day is Saturday, when five stakes races worth $2.8 million highlight a card that includes the 40th running of the […]
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The selections contained within are geared to rolling exotic players. The basic strategy is to isolate those horses that should be included in rolling daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and pick-6. It is recommended that Jeff’s selections be used to augment the reader’s own personal handicapping, though excellent results can be achieved by applying the exact rolling […]
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