California Chrome's Pretty Story

May 23, 2014

Dear Readers,

            I’ve been working diligently on my latest short story, one of many that I plan to include in a collection that’ll be published later this fall. I took a few minutes out to Google the latest news on California Chrome. Unfortunately the first article on offer was the rant pinned by Gregg Doyal on cbssport.com who proclaimed he was trying to be fair, even though he said he was firmly entrenched on the side of those who would like to see the sport eliminated. With that caveat, does anyone reading the article really expect unbiased?

            I carefully read every word and found the usual, “death and destruction, cruelty and slaughter, discarded commodities,” peppered with hackneyed cliché’s like, “the sound of one hand clapping.”

            Okay, so he filled his column, and earned his paycheck. I don’t want to get embroiled in the decade’s old debate about sports, of any kind, and medications or performance enhancing drugs. But what I will do is offer up this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QvAgbIMzD3o

            Produced by the Blood-Horse, this video says far more than I can to clean the rust off the old saw espoused in Gregg Doyal’s rant. I urge you to watch this video and I defy you to finish the piece without feeling at least one smile curve your lips.

I love Horse Racing,

Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

California Chrome Retains his Nasal Strip for Belmont

May 19, 2014

Dear Readers,

Hot off the presses, California Chrome can wear his nose Band-aid.

Yippee-yi-yo-kayay.

Put a check in the box marked “reasonable, fair and right.”

Now that this ridiculous bump in the road is behind California Chrome, and all his fanatical fans. We need to keep our fingers crossed for the remainder of the three week wait until Belmont Stakes Day.

The card Belmont Park has compiled is so strong; it is hard to call it an undercard for the feature race. What a festival, I wish I could be there. The grandstand should be heaving, and the excitement thunderous.

One pretty chestnut, with lots of jewelry will walk onto the track carrying the kind of weight that comes from the hearts of all the people around the world, who love a good story.

My vision for the race includes the rest of the field chasing a wide-eyed, bucktoothed turquoise jackass down the lane in the Belmont Stakes.

Now, where are those Berkenstocks?

Take care,

Shelley Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

California Chrome, Nasal Strips & New York Racing Commission

May 18, 2014

Dear Readers,

            Alrighty then. Everybody feel as good as I do today? I declare far and wide I am a Chromey. I’m going out and buy some white tube socks, brown Birkenstocks (since I’m not willing to glue horseshoes to my feet), a turquoise blouse and purple peddle-pushers. Decked out in my regalia I shall attend the first Belmont Party I’m invited to and sing the Chromey anthem. Is there one? Well I hope someone is penning one as I write this. All hail dumbasses everywhere, we have our heroes.

            But wait, the Grinch is about to steal our victory away. Nasal strips verboten? Seriously? Are you kidding me? Really? It’s a piece of adhesive paper that goes on the outside of the horse, not up his nose or any other orifices. Tell me ain’t so.

            Dumbass Chromey’s everywhere unite, write your elected officials, and petition the New York Racing commission and Tweet, Tweet, Tweet. If our pleas fall on deaf ears and California Chrome skips the Belmont because of a ruling against nasal strips, a ruling made by the New York Racing Stewards. Raise your voices and shout out, “Hell No We Won’t Go,” and boycott the Belmont.

            It would be kind of cool if the other horsemen got together and didn’t enter their horses in the Belmont Stakes, and showed some solidarity over a ridiculous ruling. But alas, knowing what I know about horseracing, I doubt that will happen. But then again it might.

            Until the ruling is in, let’s keep our fingers crossed. To have a Triple Crown snatched from our grasp, and by the lone racing commission to ban the use of a piece of paper as equipment, is unthinkable.

Take care,

Shelley Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure.

www.shelleyriley.com

 

California Chrome, Throat Blister & the Preakness Stakes

May 17, 2014

Dear Readers,

            Over morning coffee, while keeping up on the latest news coming out of Baltimore, I felt I would add an addendum to my Preakness comments.

            The pressure is on for the all members of California Chrome's team. Unlike my team, coming into the Kentucky Derby with Casual Lies, where other than us, nobody thought we had a chance and they weren’t particularly opposed to voicing it. California Chrome came into the Kentucky Derby with a four race win streak, where he didn’t just finish first; he made the rest of field look like cheap claimers jumping up in class to allowance company. The pundits, pulling out all their prejudices against California runners, couldn’t ignore California Chrome, but nonetheless they didn’t want to believe.

            That made the media shark pool a lot easier to handle for Art Sherman. With a shrug of the shoulders and a ready smile, Art could wrap himself in the astounding race record of his charge, and take the high road. Cool and confident…wait and see.

            Now we have a cough. I’ve heard it referred to as Throat-Gate, the reports of a blister on the horse’s throat which was the cause for the cough heard around the world. Horses cough; I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been left to brush wads of partially chewed hay off my blouse after one of my charges has coughed.

            Having said that, I would have been beside myself if Casual Lies had coughed four times as he stepped off the track. This is not good on any level. Every trainer worries about their horse getting an upper respiratory, particularly during a campaign. With the scoping and the blood work, Art and his team know what they are dealing with. They will do what is right for the horse, he is to precious not to.

            But now, let’s just ratchet up the pressure on Art and his crew. If the horse doesn’t win, they will be excoriated, whether or not the blister had anything to do with it. Their hearts will be jumping out of their chests when the field turns for home, and so will mine.

Carry on reading if you haven’t seen my thoughts on today’s field and would like to.

May 15, 2014

Dear Readers,

            The draw for post position is complete and the ten horse field is set for the 139^th running of the Preakness Stakes. When there is a prohibitive favorite in a race, I pride myself on looking for the possible amidst the improbable. Today as I peruse each horse, I realize unlikely is the word I keep repeating.

            I can’t pick a horse to win this race, save one—California Chrome. But it is a horse race and in the face of certainty, lies roughly ten-thousand pounds of horse flesh, each with a mind of his own. There-in lies the uncertainty and that uncertainty is the fodder pundits live for.

            I won’t repeat accolades that have already been extolled ad nauseam from too many keyboards, printed columns and media broadcasts. How many ways can you say California Chrome is fantastic? Since I already have, I will not spend time on a laudatory elucidation extolling all the reasons he is such a nice horse.  

            So who can run second and third or even win?

1.       Dynamic Impact – Ran full out and gamely in the Illinois Derby. Dynamic Impact comes into this race with tactical speed and a willingness to lay off the front runner.  Unlikely. 

2.      General A Rod – He was never in position to make an impact in the boxing match that was this year’s running of the Kentucky Derby. I think this horse will be a lot closer to the front end in this race and he should have no trouble with the tight turns. Nevertheless, Unlikely.

3.      California Chrome – Needs to break well and hopefully he’s sound. I’m a fan. 

4.      Ring Weekend – Looked pretty green in his last race, over correcting at the head of the stretch. The race before, in which he won, he was also sensitive to guidance by the jockey. Should improve. Unlikely. 

5.      Bayern – Didn’t have enough points to get into the Derby, and this may turn out to have been a blessing for him. He’s got speed, lots of it. I don’t see Baffert sending his horse out for a suicidal duel on the front end and he did take the blinkers off. We’ll see if this horse can be rated; because I think that will be the plan. Very interesting.

6.      Ria Antonia – There is no doubt this is a nice filly, but for me this is not the type of filly that can out run colts of this quality. Unlikely.

7.      Kid Cruz – I don’t think I would survive if I owned this horse. Dead last by twenty-five and then he wins? Wow Silky Sullivan reincarnate? You know if there’s a real speed duel on the front end of this race…..hmmm. But… and that is a big but, in the other races Kid Cruz won, the frontend fractions were ridiculously slow. Interesting.

8.     Social Inclusion – This is probably the biggest question mark for me in this race. Clearly an impressive colt, and with only two races under his girth, he takes on the likes of the Grade I Wood Memorial field. In the far outside at the start, his rider asked him straight away to get some position going into the first turn. The colt gets hung out and now that he’s up in the bit, he refused to come back. Head and head he raced around there and opened up down the lane, only to tire in the final eighth of a mile. Huge third place finish against a stellar field, and in a race where he didn’t have the best of racing luck. Very Interesting. 

9.      Pablo Del Monte – Another nice horse, but he needs to learn how to win. Unlikely. 

10.  Ride On Curlin – This horse is almost always in some kind of trouble. But in the end, with only a few exceptions, he makes his presence known. He’s got technical speed and I would argue he runs well when they use it. Still I can’t get behind this horse. Unlikely. 

That brings us to the big reveal…. 

1^st California Chrome – Because, even as good as he is, we don’t know how good he’s going to get, and also because I’m a fan. I know he has a few issues, starting gate as number one of those, but I want to see him win. I want the thrill when he surges to the front and I'm reminded what it feels like to see a prohibitive favorite fulfill their promise.  

2^nd Social Inclusion – I like that he's fresh coming into this race. I think this colt is definitely one to watch in the fall and in the races leading up to the Breeder’s Cup. 

3^rd Bayern – Locked and loaded. Baffert is canny and wily, he’s got a plan. 

4^th Kid Cruz – I’m afraid to bet a two dollar combination ticket on this horse, my heart might give out.

I can’t wait for Saturday. What a thrill. 

Take Care,

Shelley Riley author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Review by Daily Racing Form's Mary Simon

May 14, 2014

Dear Readers,

            The Preakness is upon us, but not quite. I'll be taking a look at the entries once the official draw is over and the post positions of all the participants are assigned.

            Meanwhile, I was thrilled to find Mary Simon, of the Daily Racing Form, had read my book and written a review which was posted earlier today.

Here is the link, http://www.drf.com/news/book-review-triple-crown-reads-capture-spirit-season

 

            To have an Eclipse Award winning writer do this, is not only flattering but satisfying. I am both grateful and thankful to her for taking the time to read a self-published book.

            Writing, particularly a memoir, is an isolating process. While delving back into memories, depending on the circumstances, the chronicler can find themselves caught up on a bumpy and emotional adventure. Recollections can bring with them a broad spectrum of emotions. Tears of joy, or wonder and even regret flow more easily with each page that is written.  

            As the tears pass and the wonder builds, there is a cathartic metamorphosis that takes the writer to the place where they realize and appreciate, how blessed they were to have lived through the experience.  

            For one-hundred days after my sister’s bone marrow transplant, I was her primary care giver as she struggled to live. It was both heartbreaking and stressful. Only years after her death did I realize how blessed I’d been to have those days with her.

            One-hundred days, just her and me together as we fought a common enemy. I had one-hundred days with her, and where we dreamed of a future in which she had a disease-free future. Instead of a call in the night, or a knock on the door, I had one-hundred days to say goodbye.

            In writing about Casual Lies, I give the readers a peek behind the NBC cameras and a chance to read words never spoken. Once again, as the pages filled with words, I found myself at that same point of metamorphosis. Disappointment, heartbreak, and the stressful faded into the background while the wonder and joy came to the forefront. Stanley never watched a telecast, nor did he read a news story, people weren’t there to hurt him, they were there to entertain. I’ll never forget those bright inquisitive eyes.

            I will post my thoughts tomorrow on the Preakness Stakes. But boy howdy, it sure does look good for the pretty chestnut.

Take care,

Shelley Riley author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Choice and Experimental Drugs

May 5, 2014

Dear Readers,

When my sister was dying of Cleaved Cell Lymphocytic Leukemia, every night I told her I loved her, because there was no certainty that she would be alive the next morning when I awoke.

Each day she lived was not only a milestone, but another day closer to the eventual cure that we all knew was coming. But the eventual cure did not come fast enough for Carol, and despite a bone marrow transplant, the disease had taken too much and left too little for my sister to survive.

Ten years have come and gone since my sister lost her hard fought battle with cancer. Not one day goes by, that I don’t take the time to pause, to recall and to embrace the memories of the joy that my sister brought into my life.

As children, we fought. As adults, we talked, we laughed and we loved each other. Carol was a waitress and the resort she worked at closed late at night. Each morning I counted the minutes down to nine a.m. at which point I could call her or she’d call me. Over coffee we would catch up, talk about the day ahead, her kids, my horses or a new recipe. For a time we had the bread machine war, where we exchanged the latest and most outrageous bread ingredient we could or would use to make what we hoped would be a remarkable loaf of bread. My favorite? Red bell pepper bread. Yum.

I can still picture her settled into her small Bergere chair, the springs shot and the webbing lax, with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cookbook open in her lap. Oregon’s snow covered Three Sisters Mountains silhouetted in the glass panes of the three-piece doors that opened onto the deck behind her.

The sun would find Carol’s blond curls through the glass and set a golden halo to glow around her head. With her yellow canary singing in the background, she would consider and discard recipes until one struck her fancy, something new, something delicious. Carol’s kitchen always smelled wonderful.

My sister fought hard for life, she never gave up, and she would have tried anything to see her grandchildren grow to adulthood. Right up to the moments after they unplugged the machines, Carol had steadfastly believed she was going to beat the disease.

Carol looked into her husband’s eyes, and he told her how pretty she was as he combed her hair and ran a touch of lipstick across her lips. Slowly her beautiful cornflower blue eyes closed for the last time and Carol left us.

I write this as yet another report comes out of a legislator’s attempt to get a bill passed that would allow terminal patients, who have not responded to other treatments, access to experimental drugs—promising drugs which are undergoing clinical trials and awaiting final FDA approval.   

Why not? As long as there is a confirmed consent form from the patient. They’re terminal, what is more final than that diagnosis?

They say, “It would give false hope.”

I say, “They are terminal, what hope?”

They say, “Using these drugs could shorten their life.”

I say, “And…?”

I know it is a very complicated subject. I get it. But I also say, when there is nothing left to try and hope is exhausted, let the terminally ill, where capable, make their own choices about what is right for them.

Two brothers with the same terminal disease, one in a clinical trial taking a experimental drug and who is now healthy. The other? Still dying. How can you not give him the drug? What must those people in that family be going through? I find it horrifying to contemplate.

My sister wouldn’t have wanted a freshman congressman, from the confines of Capitol Hill, deciding what her treatment of choice would be. Choice, isn’t that part of what made this country great?

HR4475 entitled “Expanded Access to Unapproved Therapies and Diagnostics,” is as everything our government addresses, over complicated and is intended to be added as an amendment to an already over complicated “Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act.”

I don’t have the answers. When I try to read these bills and acts, it makes my head itch. But what I do know, and it isn’t complicated, one brother lives while another dies for want of an unapproved experimental drug. That is not right.

Take care,

Shelley Riley author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

 

California Chrome, Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown

May 4, 2014

Dear Readers,

            The sound you hear is that of knuckles brushing across lapels all over California, as horse racing enthusiasts, pundits and fans congratulate themselves for backing California Chrome—even if they didn’t. 

            What a day, what a race, what a horse and oh yeah what a charming story. Two families, headed by two men, one loquacious, the other taciturn, take a chance and buy a mare for a mere pittance at auction. Armed with good humor they name the partnership “Dumbass Partners” in response to the immediate ridicule they’d garnered when the hammer fell that fateful day.

            I’m sure when they signed the sales slip they weren’t thinking about the Kentucky Derby, but I would be willing to bet they were definitely thinking about breeding a runner.

            California Chrome—a dream comes true, literally. Steve Coburn revealed to his wife before the foal was born that he’d dreamt it was a going to be a chestnut colt and this colt would win the Kentucky Derby.

            Yikes…this story provides the type of fuel that keeps every Thoroughbred horse owner coming back for more. Over and over again, they dip into the well, only to come up with a bucket far from full.  But the spring that fills that well is hope and hope is the lifeblood of the Thoroughbred industry. “Dumbass Partners” came away from the well with a bucket filled to the brim and overflowing.

            California Chrome, just like my horse Casual Lies, exceeded the expectations of everybody except the people that mattered most, his owners, his trainer and his jockey. California Chrome’s connections, dreamed, believed and embraced the possibility.

            Their dream continues, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Take care,

Shelley Riley author of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

A Look at the 140th Kentucky Derby Entrants

May 2, 2014

Dear Readers,

            It’s time for me to take a look at the final twenty horses headed for the starting gate on May 3, 2014 in the 140^th renewal of the Kentucky Derby.

            First let’s talk about weather. The forecast for Saturday calls for occasional clouds and a delightful 73 degrees. So unless one or two of the horses prefer an off track, the surface shouldn’t be a problem for any of the participants.

            Post position and the size of the field is always a problem. Loading that many horses seems like it takes forever, no matter how many seasoned gatemen they have on duty. If your horse is the first one in, the wait seems interminable. The gate is always a dangerous place when filled with fractious horses, and the longer they stand there the more likely it is something can go awry. I always held my breath until the horses where away and running in good order.

            When you have two starting gates stuffed into a space designed to accommodate only one, the first couple of stalls are facing the inside rail, not the straightaway.  So with the outside horses pushing for the rail and the inside horses trying not to run into it, things can get real interesting within the first couple of jumps away from the gate. The nice thing is the long straightaway at Churchill Downs and the jockeys are usually pretty careful not to get tangled up, even in the twenty horse cavalry charge right at the start.

            Let’s begin with inside and work our way out.

1.       VICAR’S IN TROUBLE: He’s got speed and stuck in the one hole, staring at the rail, it’s a good thing he does. Rosie will ask him to use this speed and barring an incident, he will be on the lead or close to it in the first furlong. As a Fairgrounds specialist, along with his front running style, this colt is being dismissed with current odds at 20-1. I think this is a mistake, while he wouldn’t be my first choice; he is far more of a contender than the odds would suggest.

2.      HARRY’S HOLIDAY: Maybe I’m missing something, but 10-1 on the morning line seems a bit generous for this colt in this race. I can’t get too excited when I look through his past performances. Nice horse, no doubt, but not likely to be a threat. Now he’s 50-1 hmmm…

3.      UNCLE SIGH: Sighing is exactly what I’m doing as I watch the Wood Memorial replay. What happened? He got left, and then he got bumped and then he got a whole lot of dirt in his face. He was jumping up and down heading into the back stretch, and it looked like he might have picked up the bit a couple of times and then he’d spit it out again. Once he was clear entering the stretch and the dirt wasn’t hitting him, this is when we see the colt, belatedly pick up the bit again and push forward. Those earlier races between Uncle Sigh and Samraat, wow, reminded me of those classic battles between Alydar and Affirmed. How about the Gotham, does a finish get any more exciting than that one? I don’t know what to do with this horse. One thing for sure, they’ll be asking him away from the gate, but it’s likely he’ll be getting a lot of dirt in his face. Even if we throw out the last race, he’s still going to have to improve several lengths to beat this bunch. 30-1 seems harsh though.

4.      DANZA: I’m in love. This horse looked so good in the Arkansas Derby, he was completely relaxed while calmly stalking the speed, and when asked he squeezed through a tight spot on the rail and then just spanked a really tough field. All his previous races were just too short for him and it looked like Todd Pletcher used them simply as prep races for the longer distances. Masterfully played by his trainer, this colt is primed and ready. 8-1 ? Show me the money.

5.      CALIFORNIA CHROME: I know, I’m expected to be head over heels in love with this horse. After all, I am a Californian and back in the day, Art and I even had a client in common. What’s not to like about this horse? He’s stunning, he has character and most importantly he wins. You know there’s a ‘but’ coming. While being thrilled by California Chrome’s huge leads coming up on the sixteenth pole, I’ve also been bothered by the way he pulls himself up. I get it; he’s so far in front, the jockey would look foolish if he kept asking him. But this horse doesn’t just go into cruise; he slows down so fast he looks like he’s throwing the brakes on. The finish wire at Churchill downs is farther down the stretch than the majority of racetracks. Does anyone remember Shoemaker and Gallant Man? Horses are creatures of habit, and trust me they know where the finish wire is. If California Chrome repeats what he did in the Santa Anita Derby, where he even switched his tail, he slowed so quickly, I’m afraid he’ll get caught. I would love to see a superhorse come out of California and I will be thrilled beyond words if he spanks this field like he has he has in the last three races. I’m just saying…and 5-2 sounds about right.

6.      SAMRAAT: Five wins in six starts. Clearly outrun in the last race, but that was on ‘that’ particular day and who knows what tomorrow will bring. This horse will be stalking the pace and he has the perfect post to get a good position. I can’t imagine he won’t be making his presence known. 15-1….are you kidding me?

7.      WE MISS ARTIE: I’ve commented on this horse in the past and his on again — off again race record. If he holds to his past performance record, he’s due for an off again race. Having said that, he did outrun some nice horse’s last time out. 50-1…whatever.

8.     GENERAL A ROD: I’m not convinced this horse wants to go further than a flat mile. He looked fabulous galloping this morning. 15-1 seems about right to me.

9.      VINCEREMOS: I was at Keeneland for the Blue Grass and I would guess that a form reversal like this horse experienced would have something to do with the track being synthetic. If he was injured, he surely wouldn’t be entered in the Kentucky Derby. I think he will like the sandier surface of Churchill and we will see a much better race out of him.  Off the Blue Grass finish, 30-1 seems fair.

10.  WILDCAT RED: Fast and game. I admire this horse. I’m unsure if the extra eighth of a mile is going to serve him well. But one thing is for sure, he will leave nothing on the track, this colt is as game as they come. 15-1 seems a little high.

11.   HOPPERTUNITY: SCRATCHED

12.  DANCE WITH FATE: I bet on this horse when I was in Lexington for the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award and stayed long enough to attend the races at Keeneland. This horse looked good that day and he won like he was much the best. He obviously loves synthetic tracks. 20-1 seems a high price for a horse just off a big win against a very strong field.

13.  CHITU: Pedigree, connections, speed. I like this horse a lot. Lightly raced, but obviously groomed for this race in particular. 20-1….no way.

14.  MEDAL COUNT: Finished well in the Blue Grass, and it looks like the distance is going to be his friend. This will be his third start within a thirty day period, yikes. 20-1 seems a bit high.

15.   TAPITURE: Not sure I can get behind this horse. His past performance record looks a little like the charts on some of the stocks I own. The ones which have a slow but steady downward trajectory. I keep hanging on, hoping they will come back. 8-1 seems generous to me.

16.  INTENSE HOLIDAY: There is a lot of speed in this race, and this horse doesn’t mind getting dirt in his face. With a little luck he’ll stay out of trouble and close strongly. He’s run with some of the best this season and he can’t be overlooked. The added distance can only work in his favor. 8-1 would be a nice price.

17.   COMMANDING CURVE: Would be a surprise, but bigger surprises than the possibility of this horse winning have been part of the charm and allure of the Kentucky Derby. 50-1 seems fair to me.

18.  CANDY BOY: Very exciting colt, but I would have to go with California Chrome over this horse. There is a lot of speed in here and this colt can settle happily in behind them, a big plus in this race. 15-1 seems right on.

19.  RIDE ON CURLIN: This colt could do it. He’s got some speed to get him over quickly from his less than beneficial post position and yet he could settle in and wait to see how the race unfolds. He can’t be dismissed. 15-1 seems fair.

20. WICKED STRONG: He’ll be coming. I have to throw out that run in the Holy Bull; everybody can have an off day. The Wood Memorial was an impressive prep for this race. 6-1 seems like perfect odds for this horse. 

            Since I tend to be a bit of a contrarian, and even though I would love to see California Chrome putting the brakes on a sixteenth of a mile before he crosses the finish line five lengths in front of the field, I’m going with Danza. Terrific field and I can’t wait to put my feet up and watch the pageantry and beauty of the day from the comfort of my air conditioned home. 

Take care,

Shelley Riley author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com