racingmeridian.com

At this time last year the Chicago Blackhawk’s had 3400 season tickets sold. The number today, a mere year later? Over 13,400…on the ice the team is experimenting with Patrick Kane at centre, utilizing Jonathan Toews on the second line. The addition of Jason Campbell on defense and Cristobal Huet in goal are expected to produce immediate benefits, ratcheting up the effectiveness of the powerplay and bringing consistency in goal. It is exciting to see the rebirth of hockey in the Windy City…the biggest live gate in boxing history resulted in May 2007 when Oscar De La Hoya met to waltz and tango with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The second biggest gate of all time will be the Dec 6^th De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao showdown, a night sure to feature both punches thrown with bad intentions and a bloody,violent end…the NBA brass have been remarkable in their handling of the Tim Doherty affair. Here is proof of game rigging, with the hint of even more far reaching mendacity, and the story has absolutely died. Makes one wonder if this is accomplished through the efforts of a well oiled and greased public relations machine or through the incompetence and indifference of the sporting media…the Blue Jays will stand pat at just under 100 million for next year’s payroll. J P Ricciardi, consistently average through his seven year tenure, will be retained. As will Cito Gaston. The organization is willing itself into irrelevancy…A J Burnett reportedly wants a deal in the 15 million dollar range, up over the 12 million stipend he received in 2008. He will easily find suitors at the price, this despite achieving success only in the final year of his contract. The strong armed pitcher is a head case, and a fragile one at that, and it could be very interesting to watch him implode in the Bronx Zoo next year…the Chase moves to Kansas this weekend and Carl Edwards will look to solidify his standing at the top. The bad luck of Kyle Busch might not continue but it doesn’t matter, he’s toast. And so is Dale Earnhardt Jr, the culmination of a disappointingly quiet year for the 88 car…the St Louis Rams are close to open revolt over the appalling decision to bench former all-pro QB Marc Bulger. The latest has star running back Steven Jackson publicly decrying the move. Worse, Jackson hinted that Bulger was offended to the extent that he will refuse to play for current coach Scott Linehan. Nice, Rams managed to take a dire situation and make it even worse. Senior management should step in immediately, start Bulger and fire Linehan…Curlin faces eight in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday. The very sharp three year old Mambo In Seattle adds spice to the event. The colt was best in the treacherously runner Travers at Saratoga while losing the nod to Colonel John. Curlin has had a long arduous campaign and could be vulnerable to the fresh and improving youngster…at Woodbine today Dalavin should be determined in the last…