ESPN BC Coverage

[dutzman]

so who watched the BC on ESPN? As usual, the coverage was pretty poor. They don't talk about the horses enough for one. Hard to follow the races with the crazy camera angles on top of the purple saddle towels....although HD did help out a lot. No payouts after the one horse they hyped all day, they just ended the coverage....had to search for what the double paid. Jeanine Edwards asking some obvious questions. Hank Goldberg brings nothing to the table. I can deal with Randy Moss and Bailey but Joe Tessitore needs to go. If they had more time between races, maybe more interviews with the winnin and losing jocks would be nice. Did I miss anything? What does everyone think? Maybe I am just ranting....I need to put that nose out in the Juvenile Filly Turf behind me, haha.

[Mineshaft]

The camera coverage sucked during the running of the race. I DO NOT want to see a picture from up top. It looks like ants running. Also do not show a head on shot down the backside. Show all the horses like your suppose to show them running down the backside. The camera coverage was terrible..

[DJofSD]

I will mildly disagree about the camera coverage. I thought the overhead shot was acceptable. At least they didn't change the camera's every three seconds like they've done in the past.

One thing I felt was notable by its absence was the backdrop soundtrack of the thundering hooves. Thank you ESPN for dropping that inane distraction.

I also thought the inclusion of Jessica P from the midwest corridor was a good move. Hope she continues to sit at Hank's elbow on Saturday. At they should put a Jessica's Kitty next to Hank's Bank.

[LottaKash]

so who watched the BC on ESPN? As usual, the coverage was pretty poor. , haha.

Dutzman, I am with you in this......The whole thing reminded me of a high-school event of some sort, very amateurish at best.....That is too bad, as they certainly had enough talent to make it a worthwhile affair.....Not much in the way of disseminating valuable information or insights that would perhaps aid in coming to some further or better conclusions about some of the complex race matchups.......

Better than nothing, I suppose.......Wished for more tho....:sleeping:

best,

[Hajck Hillstrom]

OK, let's look at the other side of the coin....

The post parade coverage was useful. The camera angle from the inner rail of the horses as they stepped on the track was a better feed than the normal top of the grandstand angle we are usually subjected to.

[point given]

A half hour before ESPN aired the video feed was shut off for online viewing on Youbet. Soccer on ESPN 3-3:30pm, 3 minutes to the FM Sprint the BC comes on TV, no post parade etc. Great ! Then the usual crap coverage of not showing the horses but "telling stories". When ESPN signs off the video is also shutoff of the video feed which had been turned on Youbet for a few minutes. ALAS, no video of the last 2 races on the card, while I try to find another feed . I would not bet to cover my live p3 bets as I could not see and dontcha know Becrux with Smith on wins at $30 and he was my value saver bet. This crap is unbelievable. I am really PO'd that the BC and ABC/ESPN take over complete coverage, not allowing the bettor viewing all day online or when the network feed is over. Just too much, as they take complete control of the product and leave the customer out in the cold. Just unbelievable. :bang:

[Track Phantom]

A couple of things are absurd and whoever made these decisions should have their thumbs broken:

1) 45 minutes between races

2) Same color saddle cloths

[Marshall Bennett]

I thought the camera angles were okay , they only showed the overhead for a few moments as well as the head on . About half way into the last turn they went to the usual pan to complete the race . I beleive the different angles provide different aspects of the race , as long as they don't milk it , its fine with me . I'm not crazy about the commentary espn provides , I've never been a Bailey fan . The fat guy that loses money , I'm not crazy about him either but thats just my opinion . Maybe because we're so used to TVG ( which constantly gets hammered here ) all else seems elementary . TVG & HRTV being horse racing networks , and espn being a network that seldom ever covers horse racing , the end result shouldn't be of any surprise . I do enjoy espn's camera work none the less .

[sandpit]

Speaking of colored saddletowels, did anybody see Keeneland run a race today with all pink ones? Maybe it had something to do with supporting ladies day at Santa Anita, but it looked ridiculous. At least they had the good sense to revert back to the regular colored towels afterwards.

I tried to watch the ESPN coverage, but I can't take any of their announcers other than Randy Moss. Bailey sounds like a prima donna to me. I found myself switching back to watching TVG who was taking the track feed, and then going back to ESPN to watch the race live. All that camera angle switching makes it impossible to feel the flow of the race.

Trevor seemed to do a much better job today than he did at Monmouth last year. I thought he did a really good job on the F&M turf, which had a really exciting finish.

[point given]

sandpit " I tried to watch the ESPN coverage, but I can't take any of their announcers other than Randy Moss. Bailey sounds like a prima donna to me. I found myself switching back to watching TVG who was taking the track feed, and then going back to ESPN to watch the race live. All that camera angle switching makes it impossible to feel the flow of the race. "


I wish i had tvg, not for their onair guys though, just for the live video feed . I mute the audio as they are total blowhards to me. I would do just as you are doing track feed then race on TV if i could. I didn't know the computer feed would be cut off though, Duh. Maybe i'll just watch tomorrow. yeah right :liar:

[ghostyapper]

Not only is espn's coverage nothing compared to nbc, but their coverage is nothing compared to espn's coverage 4-5 years ago. It has really deteriorated. I don't like bailey at all and that main announcer is so damn annoying. Back in the summer in 1 of their telecasts he just kept harping on how great garrett gomez was because he was on fire in the stakes races for the weekend.

Their camera coverage of the races didnt' change angles as much as they usually do but again stop showing all the cute angles on the live race. The above view was completely useless, couldn't even see the jockey motions on it.

[DanG]

Amazing HD images in our game today…Horseracing is made for that technology and had some people over who don’t really follow racing and even they commented on how impressive it looked. Maybe because my beloved Monmouth was like watching the Poseidon adventure that it looked so good.

There is no better feeling in racing when you leave out a favorite like Laragh (juv-turf) only to find out Hank Goldberg has singled her. They completely missed that fact on the telecast when they should have reported her 225lbs over. :eek:

Great idea by DJ on Jessica’s Kitty vs. Hanks Pig!

Every time Jeanine Edwards is on screen she is professional, knowledgeable and gorgeous…LOVE HER! :ThmbUp:

MORE KENNY MAYNE!!! :ThmbUp:

LESS JOE TESSITORE !!! :confused:

Excellent / safe day of racing over all. Stay sharp tomorrow…there will be a shocker or two imo…even including the Classic.

[Shenanigans]

They need to dump Hank Goldberg. He sounds like he is talking with a mouth full of marbles. Wait until tomorrow when he'll have a few drinks in him, then he really sounds bad.:p
The Aaron Gryder part is extremely corny and almost cheesy. I am not looking forward to listening to him tomorrow, of course, if that is the trade in for that European loon, Mutton Chops, then maybe I can survive him.:rolleyes:

[Shenanigans]

One other thing - Rick Dutrow probably said the most stupid thing yet today. Did anyone see his comment about women trainers??? What an ass. This man really doesn't have a working brain. He just opens his trap and let what ever words form fall out of his mouth.

[OTM Al]

Another year, more complaining aboout ESPN's coverage. I saw the last race and I thought the coverage was just fine. It's not directed at hard core horseplayers. Its directed at casual fans. That's why they have human interest stories instead of a couple of swarmy looking guys in bad suits arguing about who is an underlay. Go to the OTB if you want standard angles and coverage.

[LottaKash]

Another year, more complaining aboout ESPN's coverage. I saw the last race and I thought the coverage was just fine. It's not directed at hard core horseplayers. Its directed at casual fans. That's why they have human interest stories instead of a couple of swarmy looking guys in bad suits arguing about who is an underlay. Go to the OTB if you want standard angles and coverage.

Phooey........:rolleyes:....I think the only one's that are really interested in this, is us Swarmy Guys with bad-suits.........:jump:

best,

[DeanT]

I thought they did a decent job today. I kind of like camera angles different, one day a year.

The thing that bums me out is that they have the technology to place a running bubble over the horses. They could show a name above the horse when she is moving for example. I dont know how many times I lost my horses today with the long range shots and non colored saddle pads. I think they should try that one day for the people at home. Even Madden 1996 has bubbles over the players.

[The Hawk]

Another year, more complaining aboout ESPN's coverage. I saw the last race and I thought the coverage was just fine. It's not directed at hard core horseplayers. Its directed at casual fans. That's why they have human interest stories instead of a couple of swarmy looking guys in bad suits arguing about who is an underlay. Go to the OTB if you want standard angles and coverage.

That's fine, but with 35 minutes between races is it too much to ask to have some GAMBLING information on the screen, between the stories about the women trainers and the barn goats?

[point given]

One other thing - Rick Dutrow probably said the most stupid thing yet today. Did anyone see his comment about women trainers??? What an ass. This man really doesn't have a working brain. He just opens his trap and let what ever words form fall out of his mouth.

Whassa matta, dontchu like Archie Bunkers long lost bruddah ? :rolleyes: Barefoot and in da kitchin, i says; stiffle it .

[gemcity39]

The Pink saddlecloths were to promote breast cancer awareness,( at Keeneland), it had nothing to do with ladies day at the BC.

As for the camera angles, yes sometimes annoying, but ESPN does odd/unusual angles, shots in many sports they cover, iytjust doesn't seem to translate well to racing, although as mentioned earlier I did like the post parade shots.

Jessica Pacheco is always worth watching, sometimes for the info, sometimes just to watch.

[Zenyatta To Crush]

I was at Arlington Park when the ESPN crew came to Arlington Million day. Before the televised races started, I asked Jerry Bailey if he knew who Hammerin Hank picked for the race and he gave a pretty mean response kind of indicating, "How dare I speak to him." I always kind of thought Bailey would be like that off camera and I gaven't liked him since. The main guy, Joe Tessitore, actually felt bad for how Jerry replied and actually talked to me for a bit. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. Randy Moss just sat there and stayed out of the whole thing.

I don't mind their coverage but can't stand Bailey.

[eastie]

maybe you should have asked him whom he liked,not who Hank liked.

[Tom]

I like the overhead shot - you can really see the race unfold.

No good reason whatsoever NOT to us ePP coded saddle colors - total bonehead move to use one color.

The game is racing - perhaps a bit more emphasis on the actual racing might be a good idea, but then ESPN is not known for good ideas.

That dipstick that leads the announce team - get rid of him. Moss and Kenny -everyone else should be shipped off to TVG where they would fit right in.

The BEST thing about ESPN? No MATT!!!!!!!! :jump::jump::jump:

[DJofSD]

More Kenny! Less Joe! Less Hank. Better yet, let Jessica do Joe's job.

[DanG]

I want fun in the broadcast…If I wanted the root canal version of the proceedings I would read recent Beyer and / or most of the DRF press.

Those of us into it hardcore don’t need the broadcast to explain anything…those of us not need to be reminded this game can be fun as well as rewarding.

• I have the utmost respect for Brad Thomas for example, but for a national broadcast I love the enthusiasm that Harvey Pack and Pete Axthelm brought to the table.
• Kenny Mayne’s teaching kids how to read the form is burned into my memory (and a disc) where Hank’s exacta boxes are long for the recycle bin.
• Give me the Nick Bakay’s and his wife Robin of the world any day and leave the grinding of teeth to the photo finish cameras.

I know I’m in the VAST minority, but I would even use a nut like this in small doses. :eek:
http://static.whatsontv.co.uk/images/07920_95830_EMP4463110.jpg

[brdman12]

I was at the Arlington Million and thought it seemed like a nice crowd, where are all the fans at the Breeders Cup? Judging from what little can be seen on espn, I don't see a lot of people.

[RunForTheRoses]

I was at Arlington Park when the ESPN crew came to Arlington Million day. Before the televised races started, I asked Jerry Bailey if he knew who Hammerin Hank picked for the race and he gave a pretty mean response kind of indicating, "How dare I speak to him." I always kind of thought Bailey would be like that off camera and I gaven't liked him since. The main guy, Joe Tessitore, actually felt bad for how Jerry replied and actually talked to me for a bit. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. Randy Moss just sat there and stayed out of the whole thing.

I don't mind their coverage but can't stand Bailey.

Yeah I saw Jerry at Saratoga one year, he was being escorted through a very small crowd by a Trooper and my friend, who's the nicest guy in the world, was just saying Hello Jerry or some other nicety and Bailey wouldn't even look at us, kinda snarled like who are us peasants to approach him.

Saw him years earlier at Belmont when I was just a young kid and admired Mack Miller and I guess I was staring a little at him and JB in the winner's circle and he gave me the "What the F are you lookin at" look.

His autobiography was a good read and he was a great talent as a rider.

[dutzman]

One other thing - Rick Dutrow probably said the most stupid thing yet today. Did anyone see his comment about women trainers??? What an ass. This man really doesn't have a working brain. He just opens his trap and let what ever words form fall out of his mouth.


I missed it. What did he say?

[dutzman]

Speaking of colored saddletowels, did anybody see Keeneland run a race today with all pink ones? Maybe it had something to do with supporting ladies day at Santa Anita, but it looked ridiculous. At least they had the good sense to revert back to the regular colored towels afterwards.

Keeneland had a women's day/breast cancer awareness thing going on. Probably the reason for the pink saddle towels.

[ghostyapper]

As usual espn/horse racing in general focused too much on the star. They would mention curlin's name every 5 minutes it seemed. Then when the star doesn't win, the general audience is left not knowing anything about the winners.

[ghostyapper]

Those of us into it hardcore don’t need the broadcast to explain anything…those of us not need to be reminded this game can be fun as well as rewarding.


More in depth coverage of the fields is needed. Just because the hardcore fans "do not need it" does not mean they should focus on only the human stories and whether curlin is an all time great every 5 minutes.

[Tom]

Screw the human stories....that's what Day of Our Lives is for. Racing, focus on racing.

[JustRalph]

Screw the human stories....that's what Day of Our Lives is for. Racing, focus on racing.

I was kind of surprised that they ran the story about the Islamic Terrorists Bombing....... that was kind of "out of place" if you ask me.

Not to mention the guy who has spent the most money in the sport over the last five years is

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

I am sure he appreciated it.

[tribecaagent]

I miss.....

1) Tom Durkin
2) Pete Axthelm/ Harvey Pack
3) D. Wayne Lukas
4) Gene Klein
5) Dick Mandella
6) Kent Desormeaux
7) Allen Garcia
8) Charlie Whittingham
9) Woody Stephens
10) J.D. Bailey (as a rider)
11) Chris McCarron

I'm happy to see...

1) Lanfranco Detori
2) Bob/Jill Baffert
3) Randy Moss/J.D. Bailey (as a commentator)
4) Mike Pegram
5) Richard Migliore
6) no steroids

....just a few thoughts.

[Valuist]

TVG did a very good job talking about the horses and not the silly human interest stories. Carruthers and Kurt Hoover had some good discussion; I thought Hoover worked for HRTV so I was surprised to hear him on TVG. ANd while TVG has its faults, its far better equipped to handle racing coverage than ESPN or ABC (aka the Mickey Mouse operation known as Disney).

[cj]

Was there anything worse than the IEAH guy and the story about Belmont day and threats to his family? There was absolutely no verification at all and they still ran with it.

[Imriledup]

TVG did a very good job talking about the horses and not the silly human interest stories. Carruthers and Kurt Hoover had some good discussion; I thought Hoover worked for HRTV so I was surprised to hear him on TVG. ANd while TVG has its faults, its far better equipped to handle racing coverage than ESPN or ABC (aka the Mickey Mouse operation known as Disney).

Exactly. Current horseplayers don't want 'amateurs' and amateur talk. We want to hear Kurt Hoover and Matt Carothers because those guys are players, they bet their own money and they are capping right along with us. Bailey, Moss and Tessitore aren't really 'bettors' they are journalists who don't really follow the game the way a pro or expert handicapper does.

Hank Goldberg has to go, he's not who we want to hear. Personally, i'd love for ESPN to sniff out one of these guys who bets thousands of dollars per race and get him on there, that's the opinion i want to hear, not a washed up newspaper reporter with a piggy bank.

[Hajck Hillstrom]

Was there anything worse than the IEAH guy and the story about Belmont day and threats to his family? There was absolutely no verification at all and they still ran with it.Couldn't agree more! When they cut to the race, I remember thinking that was the worst segment during the two days.

[Hajck Hillstrom]

I want fun in the broadcast
I know I’m in the VAST minority, but I would even use a nut like this in small doses.
http://static.whatsontv.co.uk/images/07920_95830_EMP4463110.jpgI was saying to myself earlier in the broadcast that what this program needs is an infusion of John McCririck, and there he was. Small doses of soundbites from the man are always entertaining.

[The Hawk]

Couldn't agree more! When they cut to the race, I remember thinking that was the worst segment during the two days.

I didn't see that segment. Was it really worse than the cheerleader segment? thought THAT was horrendous, I wish I saw the IEAH guy.

[SaratogaSteve]

My random thoughts...

Harvey Pack needs to be in, Hank needs to go...
Kenny Mayne needs to go - his inane segments, and general smarmy comments about horseplayers do more damage than good.
More Janine, Caton, and Jessica - knowledgeable, not overstated.
More discussion about the horses and racing, and betting angles
I'd bring back Durkin,Battaglia,Neumeier. The last 2 were entertaining, but could also speak to their betting startegies.
Overall, I liked ESPN's approach to different camera angles, LACK of commericals, and post-race analysis. They should limit Bailey to that segment, where he really shines...

...which brings to my last comment about Jerry. Anybody who has spent a day at Saratoga, and a race or 2 near the jocks room, or the path to the paddock - he's a real pr*ck to anybody who comes w/in 10 feet of him. Even the crusty old-timers - Cruguet, Jacinto V., etc. could formulate a smile amongst the fans...never Jerry. That left an indelible memory on a great rider.

[Marshall Bennett]

The cheerleaders looked good , the story was about as dumb as it gets .

[DJofSD]

If the cheerleader idea was Kenny's, he should go. If it was some one else's idea (some idiot producer), they should get a different producer -- some one that understands horse racing and the bettor.

[cj]

I didn't see that segment. Was it really worse than the cheerleader segment? thought THAT was horrendous, I wish I saw the IEAH guy.

I didn't see the cheerleader segment, so I can't say.

[Tom]

Both were stupid and out of place. Shows what a crap network ESPN is. I always thought horse players were too smart to for ESPN, who target football and hockey mentality.

[Hajck Hillstrom]

I would guess the cheerleader segment was all Mayne. One of the pitfalls of Mayne's sense of humor, it either resonates, or falls horribly flat. The closing line was funny.

[Irish Boy]

Another year, more complaining aboout ESPN's coverage. I saw the last race and I thought the coverage was just fine. It's not directed at hard core horseplayers. Its directed at casual fans. That's why they have human interest stories instead of a couple of swarmy looking guys in bad suits arguing about who is an underlay. Go to the OTB if you want standard angles and coverage.

It's amazing how much people complain about wanting to bring new people to the sport, and then how much those same people complain when major race coverage is geared towards people who aren't intimately familiar with the sport.

Also: why should ESPN's coverage be the same as TVG's or HRTV's coverage? If you're watching either one of those channels you're probably a pretty hardcore horseracing fan. Why shouldn't ESPN go after the people who maybe watch four or five weekends a year?

[JustRalph]

The Two biggest horses in Racing this year BBrown and Curlin. Think about it.

In one Tv segment we get to hear Ivarone talk about being under death threats and while he is telling us about it, I swear I can hear the theme from the Soprano's playing softly in the background.......... or maybe it's the godfather..........whatever.

Then we get to hear JJackson talk about how he thinks of the fans and how much the sport needs the fans etc. Nice. But the whole time I am thinking about the fact that some of Curlin's owners are locked up for stealing over 70 million dollars.........big headlines yesterday that they have been disbarred etc........and it kind of takes the shine off of both camps.

Add to that the way these two horses changed hands from the original trainers, and you realize how much money really plays in this game. Much like the rest of our lives today.

It is easy miss most of that as a casual fan just tuning in to ESPN. I am sure that is by design. But eventually casual fans catch on. I wonder how that influences whether they stay or not.

[JimG]

My comments center around one of the nice looking ladies in the telecast...Jessica Pacheco.

On Friday, she was at the table with Hank and Kenny. Could not get a word in edgewise with those two and seemed very uncomfortable. Hank would not even look at her when she was taking. So on Saturday, Jessica was removed from the table and placed near the paddock to give her insights. In race 2 on Saturday, she gave out 2 longshots. One of them was Desert Code, which paid $75 to win. After that race was over, nobody in the telecast said anything about her mentioning the horse as a longshot play. Furthermore, no mention of her was made after that, nor was she seen on the telecast again until the 8th race on Saturday. In contrast, when Hank would hit one of his exacta boxes of the favorites, it was mentioned numerous times.

Frankly, I think Randy Moss, Jessica, and Jeanine Edwards should carry the telecast and they could get rid of the rest of them. Kenny is funny in very small doses.

Jim

[The Hawk]

It's amazing how much people complain about wanting to bring new people to the sport, and then how much those same people complain when major race coverage is geared towards people who aren't intimately familiar with the sport.

Also: why should ESPN's coverage be the same as TVG's or HRTV's coverage? If you're watching either one of those channels you're probably a pretty hardcore horseracing fan. Why shouldn't ESPN go after the people who maybe watch four or five weekends a year?

That's the point, the cheerleader thing appeals to no one, and brings no one to the game. Not a soul. It just makes everyone at ESPN look like assholes, and makes horseplayers feel like assholes for watching it. It's inane.

You want new people? One of the biggest reasons people don't get involved is because they're intimidated by all the pp's, the types of bets, etc., and they don't know how to bet. This has been done to some degree but it should be the focus, as opposed to skits which are neither funny nor necessary.

[Irish Boy]

Fair enough on the cheerleader point, but do you really think the people complaining on here would be happier if they spent 10 minutes on "what is a p.p. and how do you use them"? There were also some segments which I appreciated which weren't strictly about horseracing, like the story about how Colonel John came to be named. That some of the segments in a five hour production were bad doesn't damnify the entire production.

I think that some people aren't going to be happy until they have Lefty Stan and Mitch the Greek talking energy distribution and speed variant calculations between races. That's not going to happen, and if it did, no one but an insular few would watch.

[PaceAdvantage]

Was there anything worse than the IEAH guy and the story about Belmont day and threats to his family? There was absolutely no verification at all and they still ran with it.Wouldn't police involvement indicate some sort of verification? It did to me.

[Shenanigans]

Wouldn't police involvement indicate some sort of verification? It did to me.

ESPN tried to verify this threat by contacting the police. Nothing was found about it. Don't you think this sort of thing would be in police records?

[ghostyapper]

Fair enough on the cheerleader point, but do you really think the people complaining on here would be happier if they spent 10 minutes on "what is a p.p. and how do you use them"? There were also some segments which I appreciated which weren't strictly about horseracing, like the story about how Colonel John came to be named. That some of the segments in a five hour production were bad doesn't damnify the entire production.

I think that some people aren't going to be happy until they have Lefty Stan and Mitch the Greek talking energy distribution and speed variant calculations between races. That's not going to happen, and if it did, no one but an insular few would watch.

The Colonel John story was very nice and is needed in a 5 hour telecast. My biggest problem with the telecast is the 100% focus on Curlin. Yes he is a star and the sport thrives on stars but they went overboard. They were mentioning him every 5 minutes at the expense of the analysis of the other races or even the field for the classic. Had BB ever made it to the classic my guess is they probably would not have spent a single minute between races discussing anything but those 2.

And when the star they spend all day hyping doesn't win (just like bernardini in 06) they are left empty handed.

[DJofSD]

ESPN tried to verify this threat by contacting the police. Nothing was found about it. Don't you think this sort of thing would be in police records?Where did they look?

As a guess, since it was mentioned during the piece the threat came from Florida, I would think the FBI would have jurisdiction and the local police would only be one agency involved.

[RichieP]

In one Tv segment we get to hear Ivarone talk about being under death threats and while he is telling us about it, I swear I can hear the theme from the Soprano's playing softly in the background.......... or maybe it's the godfather..........whatever.


JR this Iavarrone is about as authentic an Italian as frozen pizza or ravioli served with chicken broth.

In the neighborhood I frequent he would be held accountable for scamming folks especially the seniors.You don't do that shit period. Respect.

Fwiw more than a few of the "actors" on the Sopranos were not acting. This Iavaronne is no pezzonovante.

[JustRalph]

JR this Iavarrone is about as authentic an Italian as frozen pizza or ravioli served with chicken broth.

In the neighborhood I frequent he would be held accountable for scamming folks especially the seniors.You don't do that shit period. Respect.

Fwiw more than a few of the "actors" on the Sopranos were not acting. This Iavaronne is no pezzonovante.

:ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

[PaceAdvantage]

ESPN tried to verify this threat by contacting the police. Nothing was found about it. Don't you think this sort of thing would be in police records?I hadn't heard this. Did they mention this on the telecast, or is there a story somewhere?

[BlueShoe]

Like many others,did not care for the same color saddleclothes or the weird headon and ovehead camera shots.About the only thing that held my interest between races on ESPN was admiring Jeannine Edwards good looks when she was on camera.Most of my time between races was spent over at TVG with imo,better commentary,and college football.

[cj]

I hadn't heard this. Did they mention this on the telecast, or is there a story somewhere?

They mentioned on the broadcast they tried to contact the investigating officer but he was unavailable. So, all we had was the IEAH guy's side of it, and it sounded awfully fishy to me.

It is a shame if true, but since he has zero credibility, the story should not have been aired in my opinion. I don't see the point of it in any case to be honest.

[Tom]

I guess the poor baby needed some attention. All the talk about Curlin must have made him feel slighted.:rolleyes: Jerk. True or note, it had zero to do with the BC and he is jerk for bringing it up. Not that he wouldn't still be a jerk if he hadn't. :D

[joanied]

One other thing - Rick Dutrow probably said the most stupid thing yet today. Did anyone see his comment about women trainers??? What an ass. This man really doesn't have a working brain. He just opens his trap and let what ever words form fall out of his mouth.

I agree. Wonder how the women he has working for him feel about that stupid statement. Pissed me off...I was one of the very first women working on Belmont's backside...and I sure took offence.

[joanied]

Wouldn't police involvement indicate some sort of verification? It did to me.

Saying the police are involved is easy to do...but because this could not be verified with the police, I'd have to think in some small way it's true...but Ivarone blows it up...he just always sounds like a man trying to sound smarter than he really is...and in this case, was seeking sympathy for something no ones knows for sure is true.

[joanied]

JR this Iavarrone is about as authentic an Italian as frozen pizza or ravioli served with chicken broth.

In the neighborhood I frequent he would be held accountable for scamming folks especially the seniors.You don't do that shit period. Respect.

Fwiw more than a few of the "actors" on the Sopranos were not acting. This Iavaronne is no pezzonovante.

ya got that one right:ThmbUp: ...and I come from THE nieghborhood...Bensonhurst!!!

[SMOO]

A couple of things are absurd and whoever made these decisions should have their thumbs broken:

1) 45 minutes between races

2) Same color saddle cloths

:ThmbUp:

[SMOO]

My comments center around one of the nice looking ladies in the telecast...Jessica Pacheco.

On Friday, she was at the table with Hank and Kenny. Could not get a word in edgewise with those two and seemed very uncomfortable. Hank would not even look at her when she was taking. So on Saturday, Jessica was removed from the table and placed near the paddock to give her insights. In race 2 on Saturday, she gave out 2 longshots. One of them was Desert Code, which paid $75 to win. After that race was over, nobody in the telecast said anything about her mentioning the horse as a longshot play. Furthermore, no mention of her was made after that, nor was she seen on the telecast again until the 8th race on Saturday. In contrast, when Hank would hit one of his exacta boxes of the favorites, it was mentioned numerous times.

Frankly, I think Randy Moss, Jessica, and Jeanine Edwards should carry the telecast and they could get rid of the rest of them. Kenny is funny in very small doses.

Jim
Good post Jim.

[cj's dad]

Wouldn't police involvement indicate some sort of verification? It did to me.

Iavarone mentioned the FBI in Miami were involved - Kenny Mayne related that MI broke the story to him Friday evening- Mayne then stated that he contacted the FBI and they said the case was closed- Mi rsponded that he had not "heard" that. HUH !!!

[Spendabuck85]

Excerpt from the Paulick Report

“The morning of the (June 7) Belmont Stakes, I had been woken up around 10 a.m.,” he told Mayne. "There was a knock on my door and there were several New York City Police Department detectives. They asked me to come outside because they didn’t want to talk to me in front of my family. They told me there had been a serious death threat lodged against me, basically from Tallahassee, Florida, from an extremist saying that if anything should happen to Big Brown in the race, myself and my family were not safe. Basically I was followed by eight to nine New York detectives all day, everywhere I went. Obviously after the horse was pulled up the rest is obvious.”

With 24 hours lead time before the interview, Mayne said ESPN/ABC “tried to contact the detective you said investigated the case and were unable to reach him.” He then asked Iavarone, “Did they ever follow up with you and say the case was closed? Do you feel comfortable now?”


“Obviously the horse is sound and is retired so I would not believe they would have any reason to harm myself or my family,” Iavarone said. “They have not told me the case is closed.”

Full article at:
http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/iavarone-death-threat/

[PaceAdvantage]

So the threat was based on BB getting hurt in the Belmont? If BB got hurt, they would do harm to Iavarone and family....what a bunch of sick farts.

I don't doubt Iavarone for one second, knowing full well the lengths these PETA-types will go to these days...

Someone on here (I think it was CJs Dad) mentioned the threat was based on if BB did not WIN the Belmont...but I thought I heard right...that the threat was based on BB hurting himself during the race.

[JustRalph]

Pam "Peta" Anderson is the most likely suspect

[Tom]

A couple of things are absurd and whoever made these decisions should have their thumbs broken:

1) 45 minutes between races

2) Same color saddle cloths

Not sure those guys have thumbs! :D

[joanied]

I guess the poor baby needed some attention. All the talk about Curlin must have made him feel slighted.:rolleyes: Jerk. True or note, it had zero to do with the BC and he is jerk for bringing it up. Not that he wouldn't still be a jerk if he hadn't. :D

I agree...it had no bearing on the BC races...and what was he trying to do...get some sympathy?
IMO, Ivarone is a snake in the grass....the only thing I admire about this man is the new equine hospital he had built at Belmont...that was a long time in coming, and if he did, indeed, donate the monies for it, then ya gotta give him credit for that....otherwise, yep...a jerk!!

[PaceAdvantage]

I believe the IEAH folks own and will operate the hospital. It was their idea from the beginning, if I'm not mistaken.

[joanied]

I believe the IEAH folks own and will operate the hospital. It was their idea from the beginning, if I'm not mistaken.

I beleive you are right...easily looked up, but I'm too lazy:D It IS a very good thing, this facility, and reagrdless that it comes from IEAH...everyone needs to be grateful for it.

[OTM Al]

What do you know....

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/47841.htm?id=47841

[joanied]

What do you know....

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/47841.htm?id=47841

Well, I'll be damned... and I, for one, owe Ivarone an apology...maybe he isn't a snake in the grass afterall, and it's his persona that reads that way, yet maybe he's a decent person trying to do some good within the sport...and now I will take back my negative outlook on him and look for the good...
I suppose they told Kent D about this, how could they not...and when BB didn't fire, Kent made his decision to pull him up rather than take a chance on someone, besides BB, getting hurt.
it's always good to know 'the rest of the story'...and I feel rather stupid for jumping to the conclusion that this story might not be true...and maybe his telling about it on the BC telecast was his way of letting folks know that BB wasn't pulled up for no good reason.

[PaceAdvantage]

I don't understand why anyone would think for one second he was making this thing up on national television. It's so easy to check out this kind of claim, why in the world would he lie?

People (not necessarily you Joanie) are so afflicted with "Rick Dutrow and IEAH Syndrome" that they cast doubt on everything, including the colt's talent and inclusion in the HOY discussion.

I'd be pissed too, if I were Iavarone.

[Tom]

True or not wasn't the problem.
It had no place on the BC telecast. They ignored enough of the real racing for all the stupid stuff that is ESPN, and then throw this crap on top of it.
I still say the dope wanted some limelight since his horse failed to rise to the level of his mouth.

[Irish Boy]

I get why people hate Dutrow. I'm not sure I get why people hate Iaverone.

[Imriledup]

I get why people hate Dutrow. I'm not sure I get why people hate Iaverone.

Go to google and type into the search engine "michael iavarone sketchy past". Read the first article that pops up from ny daily news.