racingmeridian.com

ICE..we must start with some tremendously sad news. Former Leaf Coach Pat Burns is in the final stages of his battle with lung cancer and is not expected to live beyond a few more days. Burns is a three time winner of the Jack Adams award for coach of the year and had successful stints with the Montreal Canadiens, Leafs and Boston Bruins before winning the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003. Burns has previously battled colon and liver cancer. I still remember where I was in 1992 when word came down that he had been hired to coach the Buds. I was elated. It was a clear signal the Leaf management was finally serious about rebuilding the moribund franchise. Spare a moment to say a prayer for the man as he prepares for the final journey. God speed, Pat…PONIES..Rachel Alexandra will run Sept 5^th in the Woodward Stakes. It is an audacious step as the filly will face older colts and geldings for the first time while bypassing a chance to face her own age group in the Travers Aug 29^th. Make an effort to watch this filly run. I fear we may not see the likes of her for ages. Brilliantly fast with a vicious turn of foot she is also gorgeous with a regal aura about her…listen, I hate to say this, but hasn’t Jennifer Morrison’s website devolved into a joke? The astute handicapper has so much to offer and her insight into the Toronto racing scene can be powerful but, as of late, her site consists of “cut and paste” jobs. Jen, we all read Equidaily. What we want on your site is your opinion and take on events at Woodbine…PUG LIFE..huge controversy abounds following Juan Diaz’s unanimous decision Saturday night over East Coast media darling Paulie Malignaggi. The bottom line is this; there are many fight fans that will never score in favour of a light hitting dancer like Malignaggi. Going into Texas with the style of a ballerina practically guaranteed a controversy if the fight was at all competitive. It was probably Malignaggi’s best performance and these jaded eyes certainly would have given him the nod. Diaz was strangely passive and is on the downside of what had once appeared to be a promising career. When I see the Baby Bull now I am reminded of Fernando Vargas, another fighter with enormous potential who was unable to fulfill his abundant promise…the Beat Poet knew how to get my blood boiling early on a Monday; he sent me an online poll of the greatest welterweights of all time which had luminaries such as Barney Ross, Mickey Walker and Kid Galivan below Oscar De LaHoya and Felix Trinidad. I’m speechless (for once)…if you ever, ever, want to compile a list of the greatest welterweights of all time and want to have even a modicum of credibility, you need to have Sugar Ray Robinson on top. Clear?…MEDIA..currently on the ESPN website; Bill Simmons take on a Mexico - USA soccer match is absolutely hilarious. I love how Simmons maintains an open minded approach to a sport he admittedly knows little about. He concludes with a number of reasons why soccer may well be on the verge of taking off stateside…I don’t mean to sound like Andy Rooney, but what exactly is the deal with a subscription to Sports Illustrated? I consistently miss one of every four issues and this trend has been present for years. So, I start talking to dudes and it seems everyone has the same experience. Can theft explain the inability of Time Warner to get the mag to peoples homes?…I once paid for a Sporting News subscription and received ZERO magazines. When I called to complain I found they had changed my name to some weird Middle Eastern configuration and altered my address. Oh yeah, I had ordered over the internet, with all the info transcribed accurately. I actually fought with their sales teams for weeks before they agreed to send my magazines. I no longer subscribe…THE RAIL..I was really humbled by the kindness of Maria, Lenny and Andre at my favourite watering hole Saturday night. As the clock hit midnight I was serenaded with a rousing Happy Birthday and presented with a cake. Brilliant! Soon Jaggermeister was followed by Tequila which was followed by Havana Gold which was followed by my proposal to Maria (she said yes!) which was followed by Lenny giving me the keys to the bar which was followed by six Columbian hotties walking into the establishment which was followed by said hotties dirty dancing which was followed by my withdrawl of my wedding proposal to Maria and my proposal to the one in the white shorts which was followed by more booze (and by the way, is there any situation in life which is not significantly enhanced by the appearance of six gorgeous dancing Columbians? Just asking) which was followed by..well, you get the picture. My head still hurts but I’ll be damned if I’m not still smiling…