Hi Jim&Em
Hope you pick the winner!!! I assume gambling is legal in Dubai.
Next Saturday in the Uk at Aintree is a race called The Grand National.
If a horse named Macelvy wins you will hear my shout in Dubai
Bo and I will be in the Butchers watching

Ok Jim
Heres hubby’s tips…
The Aussie horse leave it be… is a chance.. but not to confident
The New Zealand horse Sea Change is a hope… is normally a good horse.. see how it handled the travel….
Curlin is an absolute beast…. and short take some beating at $1.50 he is priced as you would expect….

I love my Racing gone to track since I was a kid……

aussiecynic’s last blog post..from the funny to the Weird!

I’m not a fan guys-how can it not be cruel te those poor horses!

I’m not a fan of horseracing. And backing horses is a mugs game. You never hear of a horse backing people — that’s called horsesense
rashers’s last blog post..Dublin. My Fair City

Well obviously I’m biased since I’m not only a horse racing blogger but the self proclaimed “world’s biggest fan” of Curlin - who is favored to win the World Cup on Saturday. In fact, I’m actually a bit heart-broken that you should someone else’s Curlin video considering I made my own a while back (kidding - as I doubt you knew that) - but do check it out. I think it’s better - plus it was made for the specific reason of attempting to illustrate my passion and love for this sport and Curlin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOB_tmi_MeA

I also made another one about the 2007 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont - the Preakness stuff is obviously the same from the Curlin video - but you also get Street Sense in the Derby and the amazing filly Rags to Riches in the Belmont.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyYFp8uZMJE

Again, I offer those because they illustrate my love of the game.

I detest animal cruelty, as do most fans of horse racing. I’m not naive enough to think it doesn’t happen or to look with blinded eyes upong the drugging and other abusive practicies that have tarnished the game, but do realize that the majority of folks that follow or are involved with horse racing are animal lovers, and more specifically horse lovers. Even the small blogging group that I’m affiliated with (the TBA or “thoroughbred bloggers alliance) has philanthropic activities to raise money for horse rescue programs and such.

With the world cup, we’re talking about thoroughbreds here - and world class ones at that. Curlin lives like a king, and when his racing career over it’s not like he’s headed for a glue factory He’ll be living life out as a stud with countless mares at his disposal. If you’re intrested, you can even tour the breeding barns and meet the horses and folks that care for them. I’d suggest doing so before passing judgement over the entire sport in general.

As far as how I became a horse racing fan - easy. Compared to the continuous let downs of the “heroes” in other sports for cheating, gambling, and making public asses of themselves - the athletes in horse racing are noble and pure. The perfect combination of beauty, power, and speed. They move poetically across the track, and when they show grit, determination, and perserverance, it’s enough to make your heart burst with pride. There’s a reason that the Kentucky Derby is called the “greates two minutes in sports.” It’s adrenaline pumping stuff for sure.

One of my favorite memories in life was last year at Pimlico for the Preakness. We were seated just across from the eighth pole, and I had said to my wife “if Curlin’s going to do it - his run will start right there.” All day long I listened to the “experts” list the reasons he wouldn’t do it. They said he was too green. They said he wasn’t fast enough. They said Street Sense was unbeatable. I never wavered. I knew he’d nail him, and he did. When I tell you tears of joy were streaming down my face, and that I was unable to speak for a good 1/2 hour, I’m not exaggerating. That’s the reason the Preakness is the focal point of the two videos I posted above. Imagine being me, live at the track as that final moment happened. I mean just listen to the call: “Curlin…courageous!!!! And chasing home!!!!” God it gives me chills to this day.

Think about it - when was the last time something took hold of you so powerfully? When was the last time your heart burst with joy to the point of actual tears welling up? When was the last time you cheered your heart for something that you wanted so badly FOR someone else?

That’s what makes this sport so special. That and the wonderful people I’ve met along the way that are connected to it.

“But what of horse racing - the sport of Kings?”

I would say a sport for filthy rich, for the vulgar display of their wealth.

Dubai Guy’s last blog post..Blog Idol

I don’t know what happened to my previous comments, but I’ll give this one more try.

Obviously I’m a horse racing fan and blogger, so I love the sport. In fact, most of the people I know that are either fans or involved as trainers, owners, jockeys, etc, are all the biggest horse lovers you’ll ever meet. I detest animal abuse, but thankfully most of the folks involved in thoroughbred racing are above that.

I find that folks that don’t really know much about horse racing tend to have that “oh my god, they whip the horses!” approach. It’s really quite sad. I’d encourage you to spend time around race horses and talk to folks that work with them. Ever ridden a horse before? It’s basically the same thing as spurs. It just gives the horse a little encouragement. And trust me, they don’t last long unless they want to be race horses.

If you’ve never seen a horse perk up as they enter the track and see the crowd, and hear the roar - thn you haven’t lived. It just makes your heart burst with pride. And they know when they are missing races. Remember the look in Barbaro’s eyes as he left Pimlico in the ambulance? That’s because he wanted to be running. He wanted the crowd to be cheering for him.

I think folks would be surprised if they learned more about the horsemen that care for these animals. They are largely some of the nicest people around and generally speaking are huge animal lovers. A nice example would be to really listen to the communication between a jockey and a horse during a race. Sometimes they have this on TVG. It’s amazing to hear the whistles and clicks - it’s like they jockeys are communicating in “horse speak” - and the horses totally get what is being said. All they want to do is race their hearts out, and such enourmous hearts they are.

In the world cup you’ll see my hero and favorite horse of all time, Curlin. I’m a little hurt that you chose someone else’s Curlin video to highlight though. I’ve got my own on my blog and on youtube (Curlin: 2007 horse of the year) as well as one highlighting the 2007 Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont). If you want to know what horse racing is all about just watch those.

Imagine being at Pimlico, cheering your heart out for a colt you believe in (Curlin) that every expert has said doesn’t have a chance (the DRF writers picked against him, as did ALL 6 handicappers for the thoroughbred times), and then hearing that stretch call:

“Curlin - courageous!!!!! And chasing home!!!!!!!”

I still get chills from it.

And who would forget Curlin vs Rags in the Belmont?

“It’s Curlin to the inside….Rags to Riches to the outside…these two, in a battle of the sexes….They’re coming down to the wire….it’s going to be very close!!!! It’s going to be………….A FILLY IN THE BELMONT!!!!!!!!!!”

I’ve been an NFL, NCAA, and MLB fan my whole life as well. NOTHING compares to the thrill of horse racing. They don’t call it the ‘greatest two minutes in sports” for nothing when the Derby is run the first Saturday in May.

Do yourself a favor and watch the World Cup today - you just might get a glimpse at one of the greatest horses of all time.

Kevin Stafford (kdawg68)’s last blog post..Waiting for Saturday

Can’t see the issue with horse racing really. Although I do watch the grand national through one eye when they make the jumps, I hate to see them fall.

I’m going to Chester races next month for ladies day, a cracking day out, not in the same league as the Dubai cup though, I think the main race has a top prize of 500 quid and its sponsered by Spar.

Horse racing is an exciting sport. Soccer is my favorite though. Curlin should win. Premium Tap will give a good run. Not a great chance though.

Mike’s last blog post..Races for 3/29/08

He did it!!!!!! World Champion.

I love this horse so much. My heart is bursting with pride. There are tears streaming down my face and I’m shaking so bd I can’t even type.

Way to go Curlin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re the best horse in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kevin Stafford (kdawg68)’s last blog post..Waiting for Saturday