Archive for February 2012

Hawthorne Showvivor Day 4

Day 3 Recap:  Bizzee Missee did cross the wire fourth, but there was a disqualification of America’s Blossom for excessive bumping.  Bizzee Missee moves up to third and we sy ay “whew” and move on.  Out of about 1500 original enrants, roughly two-thirds of the field is out of the contest. Our first Wednesday card... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 28, 2012 at 7:01 pm
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ChicagoNow Blathering Roundup, and the Importance of Fan Education

Last Thursday I attended the ChicagoNow Blathering in the city’s Andersonville neighborhood.  I didn’t sample the food (the turn around appeared way too long), or the beer (since I drink infrequently), but noticed that the service seemed to be a bit haphazard.  On the other hand, the place was standing room only. Nonetheless, I had... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 26, 2012 at 9:49 pm
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Hawthorne Showvivor Day 3

Day 2 Recap: We had to sweat it out today, as our selection CHAMPION KID (The Author apologizes for not bolding the selection yesterday) decided to get unruly and take a bit of a stroll to Midway.  He still ran second behind P D Q Kiddo, who went off at generous 2-1 odds.  Our 2-1... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 25, 2012 at 10:09 pm
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Hawthorne Showvivor Day 2

For more details on Hawthorne Showvivor, please see the post “On the Eve of Hawthorne Showvivor”. Our Day 1 pick, ART OF SURVIVAL, scratched out before the start of the day.  As per the contest rules when there’s a scratch we get the post-time favorite of the race we selected.  So we got MISSJEANLOUISE instead. ... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 25, 2012 at 10:11 am
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Derby Dozen 2

Once again, it’s time for another round of Derby Dozen.  With ten weeks to the event, and a number of February preps in the books, The Author has returned with a new list. The Author is pleased to be a member of the “Derby Dozen” panel for WirePlayers.  Each member of the panel chooses twelve... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 24, 2012 at 5:56 pm
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Hawthorne Showvivor Day 1

For more details on Hawthorne Showvivor, please see the post “On the Eve of Hawthorne Showvivor”. It don’t come easy. That’s the theme to the first day of Hawthorne Showvivor.  It’s a tricky card, to say the least.  You don’t have recency to go on, and Hawthorne’s weekday cards are often populated with lower-level runners... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 24, 2012 at 2:00 am
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On the eve of Hawthorne Showvivor

Before getting to our article’s title, some announcements. If you’re waiting for a “Derby Dozen” list, don’t worry.  A list will be made shortly.  (It will not reflect the results of this week’s prep races, the G2 Risen Star from Fair Grounds in New Orleans nor the G2 Fountain of Youth from Gulfstream in South... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 22, 2012 at 7:39 pm
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Looking for a Leader in the San Vicente Stakes

The following piece below was first published at Thorofan’s Handicapper’s Corner. I understand it’s not a Chicago-based race, but we’ll get back into Hawthorne after the holiday weekend. Out in Southern California, there’s been a new hype horse almost every day to represent the best hope of the West Coast in the Kentucky Derby. Rousing... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 18, 2012 at 1:43 pm
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Hawthorne Has High Hopes for Spring Meet

Live thoroughbred racing returns to the Chicagoland area with the opening of Hawthorne Race Course for its Spring 2012 meet. Opening day is Friday, February 17th, the first of forty-one days of action, with first post set at 1:40 PM CT every day. Hawthorne will race on Fridays. Saturdays, and Sundays from its opening day... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 9, 2012 at 9:54 pm
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Derby Dozen 1

More than any other horse race, the Kentucky Derby inspires conversation.  For the casual fan, the Derby provides a chance to see pomp, pageantry, and hats with their own zip code.  For the hardened handicapper, it is both challenge and quest to conquer the race’s pitfalls. The Author is pleased to be a member of... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
February 2, 2012 at 10:35 pm
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