Monday, May 19, 2008

Bits and Pieces

by: Frank Carpano

Bits and Pieces

· I can’t offer much insight into why the Celtics have failed to win a road game in the postseason. They seem like 2 different teams; the Garden team and the “other” team that wears their shirts on the road. But I guess if I had to pinpoint one thing that’s different about their performance, it’s their intensity. That said, their futility on the road helped produce a game 7 against the Cavs that was the most entertaining, sit on the edge of your seat game in the last 20 years of Celtic basketball.

· Matt Walsh holds so little credibility, even if he said he filmed the Rams walkthrough prior to the Super Bowl in 2002, I would have had reservations about believing him. Unless he produced something in writing or recorded evidence that someone in the Patriots organization in a position of power ordered him to do it. Otherwise, who is to say that Walsh just acted on his own.

· I love Manny Ramirez. He just seems like a big kid out there. I know he frustrates a lot of hardcore Red Sox fans with his casual attitude, but how can you not love some of his antics. If for no other reason, you watch just to see what crazy thing he is going to do next. The high five he gave a fan after making a catch in Baltimore was hilarious. But the most amazing thing was that he still had time to get the ball back into the infield to complete a double play!

· I recently emceed a dinner for the Verrazano organization. They honored Pawsox President Mike Tamburro. If you’ve never attended a Pawsox game at McCoy, you’ve deprived yourself of experiencing one of the true gems in professional baseball. The baseball aside (which is great) , the Pawsox (under Tamburro) raise the bar in the area of customer service and value for your dollar. And Tamburro’s work in the community is also legendary. They may play in the so-called “Minor” league, but the way they do business is “Major” league.

 

· I have to admit I am a Johnny come lately to horse racing. My recent visit to the Kentucky Derby has made me a fan. I was amazed to see Big Brown’s performance at the Preakness. It seems like in the most important part of the race, that that horse has another gear. The way he pulled ahead after the final turn was unbelievably impressive. In fact, the jockey said after the race that he was holding him back until then. The video backs him up on that. Your not going to make any real money, but to bet against Big Brown in the Belmont Stakes is like throwing your money away

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Post Derby Bits and Pieces

By: Frank Carpano

Final thoughts from the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby:

 

· Seersucker suits were the uniform for the day for many of the men who attended the derby. And, in many different colors. Light blue was the most popular, but I also spotted some pink ones. And there was one light green seersucker jumpsuit!

· In order to watch the race from start to finish at Churchill Downs, you need to have a perch on Millionaire’s Row. Otherwise it’s a little like a golf tournament, you can only see parts of it live.

· People watching is the biggest sport of derby weekend. And there is no shortage of unique individuals.

· I bet you didn’t know that you can walk up to the ticket window on Derby day and purchase a ticket.
General admission is $40 and gets you onto the track grounds. However, you will not see the races. Most of the general admission people end up at the infield. A Woodstock like celebration. There you will not see many people dressed up and wearing fancy hats. What you will see is a scene reminiscent of Spring Break. There were thousand of college age and 20 somethings who spent the afternoon partying, most oblivious to the horse racing around them.

· We went to 3 different nice restaurants during our stay in the Louisville area. 2 of the 3 created limited menus for Derby weekend. And at least 2 of the 3 jacked up their prices for the tourists.

· Until I saw them perform in person, I never had a true appreciation for the beauty, power and grace of these animals.

· The best part for me was experiencing the traditions of the Derby. From dressing up to the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home”.

· Parking around Churchill Downs started at $5 and topped out at $20.  Good luck finding that at Gillette Stadium

· Without question the worst part of the weekend was what happened to Eight Belles.We didn’t find out until about 15 minutes after the race what had happened to her. The first sign there was trouble was when we saw the horse ambulance go racing by on the track. The speed it was traveling suggested it was headed to something serious. While none of our small wagers paid off, we all marveled at what a good race the Philly ran. A few minutes later we heard that she broke 2 ankles and had to be putdown on the track. Our mood quickly changed. Derby veterans couldn’t remember a more tragic moment at this event.

 

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Tragedy at the Derby

byL Frank Carpano

As the only Phillie in the field of 20, Eight Belles was the Sentimental favorite among the over 150-thousand fans at Chuchhill downs.

In the grandstand where we sat, many had picked the number 5 horse and were thrilled at the race the horse ran.

From our seats, we couldn’t see the horses after they crossed the finish line. The first indication that something was wrong was when the horse ambulance went racing by in front of us… about 15 minutes later word spread through the crowd…that Eight Belles had collapsed and had to be euthanized.

It had been a wonderful day with a very festive atmosphere that quickly turned somber. Many Derby veterans said that they had never seen anything that tragic in the 134 year history of the race.

Bringing a tragic end to an otherwise thrilling day

(more to come later)

Friday, May 02, 2008

Kentucky Oaks

by: Frank Carpano

I hope my first experience with Churchill Downs is not an omen for things to come.
After arriving at the track and spending an hour roaming around, it rained and rained and rained.

Let me back up and fill you in on some of the details of our arrival. We found a parking space about 3 short blocks from Churchill Downs. The area around the track is primarily a residential area. And it seemed like everyone was selling parking spaces in the front yard. When we got off the highway, the prices started at 5 dollars per car. As we got closer the prices went up, all the way to 20 dollars. It is incredibly inexpensive for an event of this magnitude.

On Kentucky Oaks day you get a general admission ticket for $25. We were free to walk the property including the infield. I had heard a lot about the infield being a lot like Woodstock. It was a very accurate description. My only disappointment was that you couldn’t see the races.

The prices of food and drinks and souvenirs were very affordable.  Hot dogs were $4, water $4. The famous Mint Juleps sold for $9.  Most souvenir t-shirts and hats are selling for $20.

Headed to the Kentucky Derby

By: Frank Carpano

Keep an eye on this space the next few days. I am in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. I am here with some friends for this once in a lifetime experience.
We flew in to Nashville and drove to Lousville last night. The area is in full “Derby” mode. There is a full blown festival going on. I has been going on for the past few weeks and is really warming up now.

It’s Friday and we’re headed to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks. It’s the prelude to the Derby and I’m told that from a spectator point of view, it’s a wild crowd!

I’ll keep you posted