One of the greatest Horse Races I've ever seen.

[trumad]

For the last month I've been touting a horse named Odysseus. I saw him race last month and right away knew he was a special horse.

After I learned he was entered in the Tampa Bay Derby, I made plans to attend the race----and boy I wasn't disappointed. I got to the track in Tampa by the second race and proceeded to drop 2 Benjamins during the next 8 races...IE: I couldn't win a race to save me.

My intention was to drop a Benny on Odysseus in the big race and that is exactly what I did. Lose and I go home 300 bucks less....Win and I go home even.

In the last furlong it looked like I'd be heading home 300 less. Odysseus slowed a bit and then hit some pretty good traffic.

Then all of a sudden he his Jockey, Rajiv Maragh found a sliver of an opening and pounced. My description can't do it justice---check the link below.

Anyhow---photo finish---a long photo finish. Usually long photo finishes end up in a dead heat... Not this time--- Number 7 popped up on top and 300 bucks popped right back into my pocket. It was simply one of the best Horse Races I've ever witnessed.


Here's the link to the race. Click on March 13th and then hit the 11th race.
http://www.tampabaydowns.com/DailyReplays.aspx

It was funny listening to the replay and hearing the track announcer not once but twice count Odysseus out.

Here's some pre-race pics I took of Odysseus.



Here's a good write up of the race.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/parimutuels/article1079724.ece

[elleng]

1. Congrats to you and your wallet; TOO TIGHT for my heart!

Watching WVU vs. g'town instead!

[madinmaryland]

2. Close game early in the second half. 34-28 WVU

[elleng]

3. Yes, WV was slow; 'better' now!

50-41.

[jakefrep]

4. And Rachel Alexandra LOSES...

To a stablemate of Zenyatta, no less...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/FG/2010/3/13/10?utm_source=twitter

[Awsi Dooger]

6. Rachel also backed out of the Apple Blossum meeting with Zenyatta

What a waste. Fear rules that camp.

Like I posted a month or two ago, it's difficult to warm up to Rachel.

I don't think her connections or her biggest fans realize how insignificant that HOY title is. They find one of those every year. Legend status requires much more, and Rachel is steadily forfeiting her opportunity. If she never faces Zenyatta that aspect will be remembered front and center, that she ducked the other giantess of the era.

I think Rachel can withstand Zenyatta from the front end, given the ages, running styles, and that Zenyatta is accustomed to running down less brilliant foes. She'd have to unleash much sooner than preferred at Rachel, particularly at 9 furlongs or lower. Basically I trust Mike Smith to blow it, but Rachel's camp apparently won't give him the chance.

[Onceuponalife]

5. I'm surprised trumad is into horse racing

because there are no cheerleaders.

[Kingofalldems]

7. The announcer pronounced him out of the race at the top of the stretch

It's rare to see a comeback like that. The horse has heart and will be a factor in the Derby.

[trumad]

8. At the end of the race he said it looked like Schoolyard Dreams...

although I can't fault him for that one.

[two gun sid]

9. Great!!!

Your horse is special. I like his chances because he knows how to win and that is rare. Only the very best horses do the things he does. Man, wouldn't it be something to have a KD or TC winner come out of Tampa Bay? Do you know what his plans are? Are they going to put him in the Blue Grass at Keeneland before the Derby? Wasn't that the route Street Sense took? TB Derby then Blue Grass?

[trumad]

10. It looks as though they might hold him until the KY Derby.

He has enough stakes money to qualify him.

Street Sense won the TB Derby.

[two gun sid]

11. That's what I'm hearing today...

can't say he didn't get much out of that race 'cause he did. Outstanding effort by Sanan's horse. I hope he goes to Churchill and does it.

[LWolf]

12. It was a pretty exciting race, and I like Odysseus, too.

I can't say it's one of the greatest races I've ever seen, though.

Of course, I spent this morning in the land of nostalgia, viewing Secretariat's races.

[trumad]

13. I invested a lot of time and a few bucks on the race

I drove from Orlando to see him race and wasn't disappointed.

It was fun big time.

[era veteran]

14. Your horse in Bluegrass Stakes Saturday, local railbirds like this horse

I hear a lot of buzz on this horse around town, good luck. I work Sat. but will send a bet to the track.http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/07/1213516/odysseus-getting-feel-for-polytrack.html

[trumad]

15. Yep...

I wonder what his odds will be?

[era veteran]

16. Thursday, morning line

Toyota Blue Grass Stakes
When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Keeneland
For: 3-year-olds
Distance: 11⁄8 miles
Grade: I
Purse: $750,000
TV: NBC-18
1
Odysseus
7-2
2
First Dude
8-1
3
Stately Victor
30-1
4
Make Music for Me
6-1
5
Codoy
30-1
6
Pleasant Prince
3-1
7
Paddy O'Prado
10-1
8
Aikenite
4-1
9
Interactif
4-1


Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/08/1214548/pleasant-prince-owner-hopes-extra.html#ixzz0kVTb8sAE

[trumad]

17. Nice

[era veteran]

18. Needs to make some $$$$ Saturday

This fake dirt has changed the track, some horses thrive on it. It's been 19 years since the Bluegrass winner has gone on and won the Derby. Going to be nice weather and a big crowd tomorrow. http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/09/1216127/change-of-surface-a-challenge.html

[trumad]

19. I like this quote....

"He was a fantastic mover. He didn't have the fastest breeze of the sale but the way he did it was as impressive as anything," said Sasha Sanan, assistant racing manager for his family's Padua Stables. "I tend to think the way he is training and his style of action is very conducive to getting over (the Polytrack)."

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/09/1216127/change-of-surface-a-challenge.html#ixzz0kbKFjnpU

[era veteran]

20. Win or lose will be a fun race and day.

Always a good party day in town. Everybody pumped for the race. I wish Keeneland had more racing days.

[trumad]

21. So you'll be there?

[era veteran]

22. I manage a restaurant & get off @ 4:00

It will be a busy day, but, the feature is @ 5:30 so if all things go right I am going out then. The all things going right part may stand in the way. Here is another link about this race.http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/07/1213516/odysseus-getting-feel-for-polytrack.html and a link about the rival http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/08/1214548/pleasant-prince-owner-hopes-extra.html

[trumad]

23. Fucking Albertrani putting him in front like that was horrible strategy...

The horse loves coming off the pace and was totally toast the last furlong.

I don't think he has enough stakes money to make the top 22 for the Derby.

Oh well.....that's Horse racing.

One bright spot.... I got stuck at the beach and couldn't wager...

[era veteran]

24. Stately Victor @ 40-1 co-owned by Senatorial candidate Jack Conway

He is the man I support in the race for Bunning's seat. Glad at least he won 40-1, damn! 17-1 winner in Arkansas Derby. Great day for long shots. I forgot it was my wife's birthday and didn't go out which saved me some loot. Get them next time. http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/10/1218830/john-clay-blue-grass-winner-has.html Almost 34,000 people, a Stakes Day record, too many people for Keeneland.