racingmeridian.com

Huh. The Sporting News has proclaimed the NBA playoffs essentially over, announcing the Lakers will meet the Cavaliers in the final. Now, that is a final to be savoured, especially with all the implications of the young LeBron assuming the mantle of the games greatest star from Kobe, but if all else is futile, hell, just start it now. Maybe a best of 28! First team to 15 wins…a true fight for the ages, a magnificent gift from the Pugilistic Bitch Goddess is in the making. Sit down. Here goes, the rumbles around Vegas have negotiations in the final stages for a Floyd Mayweather - Juan Manuel Marquez mega-showdown this July. The only sticking point is the weight with, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN, Floyd reticent to come in under 145. This can be worked out and Marquez, an all time great, can finally land the super fight and stardom he has deserved all along. Cynics like myself will get a chance to see Pretty Boy in against a tough, determined Mexican who, unlike Jose Luis Castillo, will have the cred to receive the judge’s nod if deserved (Castillo beat the snot of the Pretty Boy only to be deprived of his just desserts by the judges). All sports fans must pray this one gets done…sine 1933, only two NHL playoff games have ever been decided by a team awarded a two man power play advantage in overtime. In 2003 Tampa Bay defeated Washington with that edge, and last night Pittsburgh defeated the Philadelphia Flyers while Mike Knuble and Claude Giroux were in the box. Now, for all you cynical types who would read something into that situation, like the NHL tacitly encouraging the progression of Sid the Kid and his minions, please note the first team awarded a power play in OT was actually Philadelphia…thanks Canes, we really needed that one. I’ve loaded my pools with Carolina players, bolstered by Penguins and Red Wings and a couple of scrumptious slivers of Bruins and Blackhawk’s. Nary a Flyer, Shark, Devil, Duck or Canuck to be found…do you think Mats Seldom is playing so well just to piss off all the dudes like me hating on him? Could we be the inspiration for Seldom? I’m tumbling over Niagara Falls if he proclaims he’s leading the Nucks to the final just to shut the naysayers up……Jimmy Johnson returns to Phoenix (tonight FOX, 8.30pm) and this is a track he owns. By the time he gets to Phoenix, you’ll be cashing - take Jimmy at 3-1 with a saver on the increasingly interesting Tony Stewart at 15-1…all punters eyes are on Keenland today for the last meaningful Kentucky Derby prep, the Lexington Stakes. Square Eddie, a Canadian bred Queen’s Plate eligible, is rushed back into action after suffering an injury. The heavily favoured colt is one to stand against. If he overcomes the obstacles and wins the race, smile at the fellows at the cashier collecting their $3.60. Let’s look to overlays Masala, even in the Gotham behind the current Derby favourite, to edge Jeranimo, even in the San Felipe with Advice in our exotics. The chance to bet against a heavily hyped public favourite must be taken when the form of the favourite is so problematic…at Woodbine; FIRST ACED THE MOVES is strictly barrier to wire with the first start and drop, try Barrichello to spice up the exotics.   SECOND DOUBLE COLICO caught an insanely tough field opening day and plunges.   FOURTH Some high profile Plate prospects get underway and that may allow for some value on RING OF GREATNESS, set to rampage at five and a half furlongs.    FIFTH BEARS PROSPECTOR is sitting on a big one. He tipped his hand with an even effort March 7^th at Gulfstream and should return home a much improved runner.   SEVENTH Outsider BLONDE HUMOR bombed in her seasonal debut but may deserve a second chance. Da Silva sticks and the filly was buried on the dead rail April 4^th.   EIGHTH SMART SURPRISE takes an astonishing edge over her opponents in today’s feature, the Whimsical Stakes. Her opponents may be big names, but they are not fit and the flashy daughter of Smart Strike can have her way.   NINTH SAMANTHAS SONG will relish a fairer chance than the ferocious headwinds opening day offered. The filly can outrun Remedy, a factor in her second start in Toronto.   TENTH SATIN SLIPPERS will attempt to nurse her lead for seven furlongs, a strong possibility with the incomparable Pat Husbands in the irons, Jeteye and Prickly Situation can go much better in their second starts.