Saturday’s $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs is the signature prep for the 2021 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve at the Oldsmar, Fla., track and brings together a competitive field of 3-year-olds vying for a total of 85 qualifying
Month: March 2021
2021 Santa Anita Handicap Cheat Sheet
The eyes of the racing world will shift westward this Saturday as Santa Anita Park will host the Grade 1, $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap. This 1 ¼-mile contest was first held in 1935, when its $100,000 purse (equivalent to $1.9 million today) made it the world’s richest race.
Erica makes Shaq pay for smack talk!
Suffice to say the “Diesel” Shaquille O’Neal has the weight of the state of Florida on his shoulders as he prepares for game three in Miami tonight. After the worst performance of his career five points on Sunday, 22 in 2 games, 2 for 17 foul shooting and oh yes outrebounded 13-6 by Mavericks Eric Dampier.
Dampier came to the Mavericks three years ago and signed a hefty $70 million contract at which time O’Neal suggested that “Erica” would be a star but he would have to play in the WNBA to do it. Needless to say O’Neal has enjoyed taking shots at the underachieving Dampier the past few seasons, but now it looks like turnaround is fair play!
You only have to look at the rebound total the past two games for Shaq to realize he has been missing in action, as his 13 in two games is 3 short of what Dirk Nowitzkie had in game 2 alone. Big players are supposed to perform in big games and O’Neal has been a bust and it is about time that he showed up ready to play.
That being said regardless of how Shaq and Dwyane Wade do Tuesday night, my gut feeling is that Antoine Walker must go off in a big way if Miami is to narrow the deficit in the series. Walker received a pair of All-Star berths in seven years in Boston, but has seen his role reduced in stints with Dallas, Atlanta and Miami over the last three years!
However, Walker has been a consistent scorer thus far in the Finals. He is averaging 18.5 points while shooting 43 percent (15-of-34) from the field, including 7-of-16 from the arc. He has added 10 rebounds and six assists but also has eight turnovers, including six in Game One.
The Heat are 7-0 in this years playoffs when they score over 100 points and even if Wade and O’Neal combine for 60, they will need major numbers from Walker who is capable of scoring 30+.
If however they lose the board battle, this series is over!
Bob Acton
Arizona Downs Announces Partnership With Colonial Downs Operator
Arizona Downs announced a new partnership with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) for the 2021 summer racing meet. P2E has an extensive track record of supporting horse racing in Virginia and Louisiana, and will consult with Arizona Downs regarding the management of the live racing and simulcast operations during the racing season.
“Arizona horse racing has faced numerous challenges in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic placed additional strain on the industry,” said Tom Auther, managing member of JACOR, the owner of Arizona Downs. “We are pleased to partner with P2E who has the knowledge and expertise to help revitalize Arizona horse racing.”
P2E is the owner and operator of the Colonial Downs Group, consisting of the Colonial Downs Racetrack and five Rosie's Gaming Emporiums throughout Virginia powered by historic horse racing technology.
Arizona Downs and the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have reached agreement on a live racing contract and the terms of the 2021 race meet. The 2021 racing program offers the most attractive race meet in Arizona Downs history. The meet consists of 32 race days at a daily average of $70,000 per day beginning June 1 through Sept. 15. Live racing occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the first race post scheduled for 2:30PM (MST)/ 4:30PM (EST).
“P2E developed a proven formula in Virginia that resurrected the horse racing in the state after a six-year hiatus,” said Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA. “Our association did our due-diligence and received high praise from our colleagues in Virginia about P2E. We are looking forward to the summer meet.”
P2E is a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry with multiple gaming and entertainment destinations across the county and more developments planned in the near future. The company focuses on introducing a modern approach to horse racing and implementing these successful concepts across the country.
“The cornerstone of our success is based on service, quality, community and the people who make it work,” said Aaron Gomes, COO of P2E. “We apply this to all we do, and we are pleased to share with Arizona Downs and Arizona horsemen guidance that has made our Virginia operations successful.”
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