KRAC Blog

The Ten Worst Things in Sports. I take exception to several, and note that this list is really talking about sports we watch, not sports we play. That might be a more interesting list.

I had this food porn leftover from LA, and this is as good a place as any to put it. I forget what Jim had at El Cholo, but I went with the crabmeat enchiladas, and was pretty happy with my choice.

This month's Runner's World has a piece on an event I don't believe I have ever heard of, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. For starters, it's 55 miles long, so technically it's an ultra, but it attracts a field in the neighborhood of 1,200 or so. In even years it is run up hill, and in odd years they run the course in the opposite direction, down hill. International runners get blue numbers. Runners starting their tenth Comrades get a yellow number, and thereafter you get a green number that is yours for life. You have to finish in 12 hours, but we all have a qualifying time-- you have to have completed a marathon in under five hours.

Can't say I've ever wanted to do an ultra. The point is lost on me, but the article made it sound intriguing, and it would be interesting to go to South Africa....

New Nick Lowe due out next month. Based on this song, he sounds a little perkier than he's been, which is all for the good

Tim Keown, at ESPN notes, "David Wells will get all the attention for criticizing Clemens for not traveling with the Yankees when he isn't scheduled to pitch on a road trip, but if you're looking for more reasoned criticism, try this from Greg Maddux: 'I can't imagine doing that. I like the game. I like the atmosphere. I appreciate what it has to offer. I want to play the whole year.'"

I think that is a great point. The old timers used to say, "When you're rushing out of the clubhouse, you're rushing out of baseball", and I've always felt that way about my job, too.

Clemens mostly makes Boston fans crazy, but that doesn't mean that other people can't get in on the fun. Actually, Bill Simmons, the High Priest of Hating Clemens has Ten Reasons why he's glad Roger("No I in Team, but there is a Me in Clemens") Clemens has re-upped with the Yanks. I like #3-- "He burned his bridges with yet another city (Houston). Love when that happens." For my money, the fact that the Mets have a winning record against him is something that I remember from time to time, and just feel good about.

My buddy Andy touted me to Barbaro last year, so I badgered him for a pick this year. His reply looked like handicapping for people who enjoy doing their taxes, and is worth reproducing just so that others can marvel in its complexity:

"You are right about a though field. As far as prepped, Nafzger only preps for the big races (Street Sense). That said, Street Sense is still a tough bet at 4-1. Curlin, a favorite, I say no. The money is too short anyway. Scat Daddy, I like for the name only.
I will be going with Zanjero across. However because we have a tough field to pick from, I am going very exotic this year too, and not for everyone's palate. I have three horses I am putting in three Tri-fectas. Tiago, Zanjero, and Stormello. Zanjero at 30-1 is attractive, and he's bred to run in slop. Weather looks wet for race day and Zanjero, at 3rd position will go straight to the back and come off the pace. I like Tiago, nice Santa Anita show and Giacomo brother (half anyway, not sure if that means anything). Stormello is the horse that has speed, even though there isn't much speed in this field. I expect he will take the lead early.
So here's my trifecta wheel tickets:
Trifecta ticket #1 will look like:
#1a) Trifecta Box for $2.00
1st = Tiago
2nd = All
3rd = All
(Cost of this ticket $684)

#1b) Trifecta Box for $2.00
1st = All
2nd = Tiago
3rd = All
(Cost of this ticket $684)

#1c) Trifecta Box for $2.00
1st = All
2nd = All
3rd = Tiago
(Cost of this ticket $684)

This is what trifecta ticket #2 will look like:

#2a) Trifecta Box for $2.00
1st = Zanjero
2nd = All
3rd = All
(Cost of this ticket $684)

#2b) Trifecta Box for $2.00
1st = All
2nd = Zanjero
3rd = All
(Cost of this ticket $684)

#2c) Trifecta Box for $2.00
1st = All
2nd = All
3rd = Zanjero
(Cost of this ticket $684)

This is what trifecta ticket #3 will look like:

#3a) Trifecta Box for $1.00
1st = Stormello
2nd = All
3rd = All
(Cost of this ticket $342)

#3b) Trifecta Box for $1.00
1st = All
2nd = Stormello
3rd = All
(Cost of this ticket $342)

#3c) Trifecta Box for $1.00
1st = All
2nd = All
3rd = Stormello
(Cost of this ticket $342)

Before you think I've gone mad, I'm splitting the five grand between 25 people. ($200 each). Simple bet is Zanjero across. I will also have something on Circular Quay across. I'd watch [out for]any horse with a winning record on a Poly surface, such as keeneland. This is espacially true if you track speed figures.... I mean be careful.

Good luck again. Remember, it's horse race. Anything can happen, my disclaimer."

I hope the mint juleps at Andy's party were exceptional.

Weekend sports round-up: my dad had the Derby horse (I had Dominican); CLA's rugby team is playing so well they are putting in the B side before the half; Rangers tough, Sabres tougher. Also, Roger Clemens is still wicked fat.

Oh boy! My photo from the LA Marathon came today! It is assuredly-- and I should think, self-evidently not out of vanity that I am sharing this, taken in the homestretch, when I was going stoplight to stoplight, hanging on like grim death.

Man, that was fun.