PUG LIFE…in the it’s-all-downhill-from-here category; Vitali Klitschko will fight Albert Sosnowski (who??) in May in defence of whatever belt it is he holds. Sosnowski ventured to America a few years back and was whupped by the mediocre Zuri Lawrence (23-14), losing every round en route to a unanimous decision loss. The fight follows the collapse of the proposed Klitschko - Nikolai Valuev battle. This dreary, pointless affair could only be staged in one country, Germany, as the USA and elsewhere has lost interest in the Klitschkos and their horrid performances…Amir Khan ventures stateside to meet Paulie Malignaggi on May 15^th at Madison Square Garden in New York. This is a very interesting fight and one that could test the prowess of Khan. Malignaggi tends to lose only to the best (Cotto, Hatton) and is more than capable of surprising those whose expectations don’t match their talent level (Juan Diaz, Lovemore N’Dou?)…it appears that Ricky Hatton may have seen the light and opted to discontinue his career. It would be the wise move for the embattled Mancunian. Hatton was a wonderful professional who was savaged by two elite fighters. He has nothing left to prove and should take his health, his money and his supporters and head into the next chapter of his life…I could have just, y’know, called my Pinoy friends and chatted, but it’s so much easier to take a shot at Pacquiao (H R Pacnstuf) and his enormous head and then just sit back and wait for their calls. Mission accomplished. I had a few interesting conversations with PacMan Central today and one thread emerged from the conversations; the Filipino community believes Pacquiao does not need Floyd Mayweather. The respect and love for their national hero is such that they don’t need an encounter with a man they universally disregard as uncouth and insulting to bring closure to Manny’s career. They openly speculate that, if successful in his run for a Senate seat, Pacquiao will retire in the near future. To a man, and woman, they are at peace with that possibility. I maintained, and will until proven wrong, that Pacquiao - Mayweather will happen in the fall of 2010. My mates assured me Pacquiao has already accomplished so much that the refusal to engage the low brow antics of Mayweather will not damage his standing in the Philippines. The plot thickens but with Mayweather looming as the last fighter of his generation that he seemingly needs to fight, if the accusations and recrimination have proved too distasteful for Manny, he may simply opt to fade away…if Mosley were to upset Mayweather, could Team PacMan offer him enough money to break his rematch clause with “Money” and instead fight Pacquiao? Can you say oui?…

PONIES…Bob Baffert has announced Lookin At Lucky will make his seasonal debut at Oaklawn this Saturday in the Rebel Stakes. It is a most welcome announcement. Lucky will be making his first start outside of California and, critically, his first start on dirt. The two year old champ is currently one of the favourites for the Kentucky Derby and handicappers will relish the opportunity to appraise him while competing on a traditional surface. Red hot Dublin will be waiting for the champ in the Rebel for a mouth-watering showdown…Zenyatta will also make her debut on what is shaping up as a memorable Saturday afternoon of racing (and it’s been awhile, so bring it on). The California Cow will carry 127 lbs in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap. Unlike her arch enemy, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta has been recording extremely fast works and appears all set for a nice effort…Japan’s legendary mare Vodka will be going on a date with Irelands legendary Sea The Stars. Offspring will result…one of the biggest upsets of 2008 occurred when Big Truck romped home over unbeaten champ War Pass and others in the 2008 Tampa Bay Derby. The loveable son of Hook and Ladder was euthanized yesterday after taking a bad step on that same Tampa track which produced his greatest glory. Condolences to all…

MEDIA…it would be the end of an era if, as I’m hearing, the Toronto Argonauts are proving unsuccessful in their attempts to find a station to take their radio broadcast rights in 2010. Growing up in the Big Smoke meant nights on the cottage porch listening to Mel Profit and the Boatmen. The CFL turned itself into a joke, particularly by alienating an entire generation with their idiotic “blackout” policy and now, perhaps, the last sordid chicken has come home to roost…Stephen A Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer (linked on ESPN site) has a staggering piece up on the implosion of Allen Iverson. Absolute must read. The “Answer” has, according to the piece, serious gambling and drinking issues, problems significant enough that he has been barred from casinos in Detroit and Atlantic City. Despite earning over 200 million dollars as an NBA player it is strongly hinted that, following the divorce proceedings initiated by his wife (accompanied by requests for child support, alimony and the hiring of a high powered law firm) Iverson will be left penniless. He continues to surround himself with a retinue, but the days of the high income are gone. It is an extraordinary cautionary tale, one that should be mandatory reading for all professional athletes (yeah, they could throw in a mention of Evander Holyfield, also). It is also a tale with an unsure ending. Smith suggests Iverson could literally drink himself to death…the penalty for intentionally wrecking a competitor? In NASCAR, a three race probationary period seems about right. Carl Edwards smashed Brad Keselowski on Sunday but walks away largely unscathed. Yeah, we love it! NASCAR’s back, baby, and justice comes rolling from behind…

PONIES…check out the replay of the Barbados Cup on You Tube. The boisterous and raucous crowd is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Jennifer Morrison reports the crowd was milling about on the track until minutes before post. It must have been quite the experience for Sterwins and Bribon, the North American invaders, but they showed tremendous poise in running to a one-two finish…just before the finish line Patrick Husbands, rider of Sterwins, stands up in his saddle and taunts the rider of Bribon. It is an utterly tactless and boorish gesture, and Husbands should be ashamed of himself…in the Kentucky Derby Pool I ended up boxing Eskendereya, Dublin and Radiohead in the exactors…

TURN LEFT…no recap of the weekend could be complete without a mention of the dramatics at Atlanta. Congratulations to Kurt Busch for an emphatic win, but nobody is talking about him today. Carl Edwards set out to avenge an incident at Talladega last year by crushing Brad Keselowski’s chances of a top ten finish. It was riveting, implausible and freaking hilarious, all wrapped in one big pile of duct tape! Edwards, though he was trailing by over 150 laps, judged this the opportune time to wreak havoc on his rival’s chance for a breakthrough performance. The childish taunt of “you did it to me” seems to have been the guideline for a vicious bump that sent Keselowski tumbling skyward and out of the race (it was eerily similar, in fact, to the move Keselowski had used on Edwards last year). Edwards was immediately ordered off the track and I’m sure a sanction of some sort will follow. The emotion and the action, however, were sincere, and this kind of rough ‘n tumble justice is precisely what NASCAR fans adore…

MARCH 13^th…I’m craving this weekend, it’s looking spectacular for any fan of those two classic American sports, boxing and horse racing. On Saturday afternoon we will be blessed with the return of Rachel Alexandra to the track. It is a tense and anxious moment as many, myself included, are a bit concerned by the nature of her recent works. We haven’t seen that explosive 58 and change move but can at least take comfort in trainer Steve Asmussen’s assertion that the 2009 Horse of the Year has been kept under wraps. She’ll look to gallop five rivals into the ground…the trail to Kentucky will also be spiced up with the Tampa Bay Derby, the Rebel and the San Felipe all on the docket. Heaven, pure heaven…we’ll stagger over to the Rail after the ponies to watch the Manny Pacquiao - Joshua Clottey fight. Manny is looking like H R Pufnstuf these days with an enormous head threatening to eclipse his profile. Seriously, it’s going to be impossible for Clottey to miss that huge forehead and those bulging cheekbones (joking, people, just being a good ole jokester). Filipinos are known for the explosive growth of their hat size as they age. Right? It’s going to be a great fight with the durable and capable Clottey in with a shot. He’ll need to use his size to wear Pacquiao down, a tall order, but Pacquiao’s neck may give out with that Mayor McCheese-like noggin swaying in the warm Dallas winds…(joking, just joking)…

PONIES…Canadian ex-pat Eugene Melnyk watched his Sterwins win a corker in the Barbados Cup (technically the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, but, c’mon) from Garrison Savannah in Bridgetown yesterday. The 97k American race attracted extra attention this year due to the appearance of the eventual winner and Grade 1 champ Bribon. The two invaders settled the matter in a desperate finish, with Sterwins surging from last to first to edge Bribon by half a length. Congratulations to Jennifer Morrison for getting this old coots blood flowing with her dramatic missives from the island…www.ntra.com has done a very nice job with the “refresh” of their video page. Finally, some volume control on the clips! The archive is stocked with great Stakes races, including Misremembereds dramatic win over Neko Bay in yesterdays Big ‘Cap from Santa Anita. Also check out Blind Luck dawdling in the Santa Anita Oaks and getting caught out by Crisp…I don’t tire of watching that mad beast, Presious Passion, scoring a beautiful win in the Mac Diarmida Stakes last weekend. It’s the usual compelling stuff with the gelding roaring to an eight length lead before being caught by the pack with a quarter to go. Then, boom, Passion finds his hidden reserve and sprints through the lane to record yet another stakes win. I’m dying to see this guy freak the competitors out in Dubai on March 27^th…in the second Kentucky Derby futures pool the “all others” option remains the favourite, currently at 3-1. Eskendereya is at 6-1, Dublin at 8-1 and Lookin At Lucky 9-1. All others are double digits. The only value I perceive is on Radiohead, a colt who won at Ascot last year and notched a very professional win when debuting on dirt at Gulfstream Feb 27^th. He still could be any sort…this group still needs to kick it up a notch. If a Beyer of 108-112 is needed to win the Derby, usually, then the winner could still pop out of the weeds. Most of the runners listed in the current pool will never run fast enough to hit the Derby par…Dublin still looks to be capable of improvement. His effort in the Southwest is actually engendering a bit too much hype. Hey, he’s not Secretariat and we need to see him at nine furlongs to gauge his appropriateness for Kentucky. His odds are a major underlay… 

PUG LIFE…the night in boxing belonged to Devon Alexander, lightning fast while pounding on Juan Urango, and the irrepressible super flyweight Vic Darchinyan, a decision winner over game Rodrigo Guerrero…Alexander’s best previous wins had been over a shopworn DeMarcus Corley and Junior Witter. It’s a nice win, but nothing more. He always figured to use his prodigious speed to hammer the plucky but limited Urango. The boss of the junior welterweight’s remains, no doubt, Timothy Bradley, though a fight with Alexander is inching closer to “pick ‘em” status…Darchinyan is Armenian but now based out of Australia. In his last six fights he has terrific wins over Cristian Mijares and Jorge Arce, as well as a surprising loss to Joseph Agbeko. The two belt champ is always worth a watch, even if you’re stuck doing so on YouTube or Justin TV…after losing a decision in Montreal yesterday, to Sebastien Demers, ancient William Joppy took the microphone and made a retirement speech to the throng. It was the same speech he had given in Montreal in 2008, when he was used as a punching bag by Lucian Bute…speaking of ancient warriors, Johnny “Tap City” Tapia, the webmasters favourite fighter, put down his crack pipe long enough to TKO Jorge Reyes, a dude who’d lost 15 of his last 16 fights. In Vegas Stevie Forbes was upset by Harrison Cuello, a close to .500 scrapper… 

FOOTIE…Wayne Rooney has 27 goals for Manchester United this year, 23 earned in the Premiership. He is a vital cog on the national team. He is also hurt. In a controversial move, England boss Fabio Capello played Rooney on Wednesday despite a swollen knee (England 3-1 over Egypt). Rooney is now expected to miss the second leg of Man U’s Championship League battle with A C Milan. Rooney was rushed back to play in the last World Cup, with disastrous results, and you’d think he would be handled with utmost caution approaching a World Cup where England currently ranks the third choice (behind Brazil and Spain)…Manchester United is back on top of the Premiership following yesterdays win over Wolves. Rooney did not play for the Red Devils…watching a game last year the announcer opined, “The goalie has covered more ground than Dmitar Berbatov”…

PUG LIFE…Evander Holyfield has announced he will leave boxing only after he wins the undisputed heavyweight championship. The 47 year old will fight Frans Botha on April 10^thin Las Vegas. Holyfield is guaranteed 150,000 dollars, a far cry from the multi-million dollar purses of the past. He dismissed the possibility of fighting Mike Tyson again because he said he is only interested in the belts. We’ll see, in due course, if Commander Vander declines a multi-million dollar purse should Iron Mike come calling. Holyfield has always been a Grade A hypocrite…Mike Tyson’s appearance on Oprah in 2009 was her highest rated show of the year. The American public is still fascinated the pugilist and his comeback would generate millions. No, he can’t fight much anymore, and he quit in his last fight, but a Tyson comeback would be all about selling the sizzle, not the rotting hamburger meat…I’ll tell you how you can gauge Don King’s appraisal of the situation. If he announces he’ll give Tyson a couple of tune-ups, then he believes Tyson might still be able to fight a bit. But if he goes for the one shot comeback, against Holyfield, then it will demonstrate he knows it is a con, and the opportunity to fleece the public exists only once…in the latter stages of Tyson’s career the famous Australian fighter Jeff Fenech was brought in to train him. Tyson reveres Fenech, and the thought was that he would not disappoint his idol. Wrong. Even Fenech could not get Tyson to do more than some mitt work. No running, no serious effort to condition his body. The only way things are different would be if Tyson now realizes he will be impoverished the rest of his life if he doesn’t not commit to a training regimen and score a nice couple of wins… 

ICE…Marian Gaborik is expected to play for the New York Rangers tonight. Gaborik battled groin problems throughout the Olympics but pronounced himself fit to start against Washington after practice yesterday…the Carolina Panthers, home to the lauded Can Ward, believe they have another find in goalie Justin Peters. The rookie is unbeaten in three starts while playing for a lousy team…Canadian Olympians, including millionaire hockey players, were awarded 20,000 dollars for winning a gold medal. Roberto Luongo has given his reward to charity…the St Louis Blues have racked up five straight wins. Goalie Chris Mason has played all five games and surrendered a measly nine goals. The Blues are inching closer to a spot in the post season, a development that will justify their decision to hang on to their veterans at the trading deadline…trouble in Big D? After being pulled on Thursday, Stars goalie Marty Turco went to the locker room and refused to take a spot on the bench. This is a marriage that is unraveling quickly. Turco will bolt the team upon the season’s end… 

PONIES…the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap goes today from Santa Anita with an 8.02 pm EST post time. The favourite is the five year old mare St Trinians with Loup Breton installed as the second choice. It’s the Big ‘Cap, take the mare on top (she demolished Life Is Sweet in her last and is unbeaten stateside) and look for a price on the bottom…Blind Luck will contest the Santa Anita Oaks earlier on the card. She’ll be odds-on and looks like a slam dunk… 

MEDIA…a poll of sports fans in England, Germany and Italy found, not surprisingly, soccer was their favourite sport. The runner-up? Formula 1 racing was second in all three countries…Ian Halperin, on his site ianundercover, is claiming Marie Osmond’s son committed suicide because of a longstanding conflict between his church and his homosexuality. It’s heartbreaking stuff. The Mormon church places sexual deviancy just a step below murder and offers “rehab” classes for anyone prowling outside of the heterosexual boundaries…why does anyone, pastor, priest or otherwise, who obsesses over someone elses sexuality almost always have a closet full of their own issues? Hasn’t a clear pattern emerged? The U S Senator who engages in the most passionate “fag” bashing invariably spends his weekends crouched in public toilets. We are conditioned to have a passionate concern about our own sexuality. What you do in your bedroom or, umm, on your kitchen table, is your concern. Yes, I see your rope burns and singed eyebrows, but I don’t care. Bang away, babies! The Mormons would be well advised to remember the greatest commandment of Jesus Christ; love your neighbour with all your heart. Even if he does smell of vaseline and candle wax…

ICE…nice line, courtesy of the Calgary Sun, concerning Vessa Toskala, the new Flames goalie (3.66 GAA, .870 save percentage); “If you are thinking of picking him up in your fantasy pool, we would advise you to pick a new sport”…not successful marketing; free agent to be Marty Turco whiffed on four of his first eleven shots before being pulled last night. Dallas lost 6-1 to the St Louis Blues. Turco will not be re-signed by the Stars…Marc-Andre Fleury was also pulled last night, after surrendering his fourth goal on twelve shots. Pittsburgh still managed to prevail 5-4 over the New York Rangers by virtue of a 55 shot assault on Henrik Lundqvist…St Louis Blue sniper Paul Kariya is an unrestricted fee agent at the end of the year…nice rant by John Buccigross on the ESPN site after readers complained that Sidney Crosby is overrated. Buccigross notes Crosby, at the ripe old age of 22, has a scoring title, an MVP, a Stanley Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. Calling Crosby, in my view the best hockey player in the world, overrated is, he writes, “as implausibly mind boggling as calling Lady Ga Ga underrated”…here’s William Houston on Brian Burkes biggest trade, “the Kessel trade…was a reckless, irresponsible decision that has set back the Leafs development for years”…a little faith, Billy boy, a little faith…though, yes, these must be the darkest days since the 1980’s for all Bud supporters…

PONIES…Jennifer Morrison is in Barbados for their Gold Cup tomorrow at the Garrison Savannah Racetrack. The race is contested for under 100,000 dollars, so it usually wouldn’t garner much attention stateside. But this year, due to ownership connections to the island, the Grade 1 Winner Bribon and multiple stakes winner Sterwins are entered. How bizarre. The locals must be thrilled that there money will likely be scooped up by the invaders. Bribon, especially, is a serious runner - he won the Grade 1 Met Mile last year but may be challenged by the nine furlong distance and the grassy surface…Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Vale of  York was dismal while making his three year old debut in Dubai yesterday. He could only manage a fifth place finish and had reportedly drifted in British betting markets as the race approached. He’s an unlikely Kentucky Derby contender based on the historically ineffectual approach of preparing an animal anywhere other than North America for the Run for the Roses…Dan Illman grumbles Rachel Alexandra’s work the other day was somewhat less than sparkling. I agree. I’m a tad worried that her brain trust is pursuing an aggressive schedule to prepare her for the five million dollar race with Zenyatta. It’s too rushed and may not be serving her best interests…

PUG LIFE…it’s startling to hear that Tommy Hearns, who earned over 40 million dollars in the ring, is on the verge of losing his Michigan home. Extremely frugal throughout his career, Hearns had a reputation for tossing nickels around like manhole covers. The Hitman owes just under a million in taxes and delinquent mortgage payments. When I was in Windsor, years back, every fine tailor had a story about the Motor City Cobra’s economical ways. He’d pose for a picture, sign an autograph, anything as long as he was given a sweet deal on his purchase. I’m hoping Tommy has money squirreled away somewhere and is in this mess because he just doesn’t want to part with the cash. Unfortunately, these financial woes might account for the sporadic comeback attempts he’s made over the years…I wish all athletes would investigate the world of finance. No one given even a million dollars should ever go broke. But education is the key. There are safe investments but also, with derivatives like options and warrants, outrageously dangerous (and fun) ways of managing one’s money that should be appealing to athletes. Buying twenty cars and a Siberian tiger are idiotic and costly ways to pare down your fortune. The worst way to proceed, by far, is the propagation of the species with a bevy of different women (see - Holyfield, Evander)…James Toney has signed a deal with the UFC. He’s being mentioned as a possible opponent for Kimbo Slice, a fighter who apparently likes to fight standing up. I’m not sure if Dana White appreciates how shrewd the inking of “Lights Out” truly is. Toney’s constituency contains purists, the types of folks who are appalled by the UFC. But they are also tremendously loyal and will almost certainly venture to partake of any engagement involving their hero. And, yes, I am a Toney fan, and, yes, I will watch that rubbish if Toney is involved…

FOXY KNOXY…though it hasn’t received much attention in North America, the trial judge in the Amanda Knox murder trial has released his “reasoning”, and I use that word advisedly, for her conviction on a first degree murder charge. It’s a muddle of conjecture. Replete with salacious fantasy, it reeks of the feverish imagining of the stuffy librarian. I’m asking, nay, demanding, what should be essential before depriving any human being of their liberty; a shred of evidence linking Amanda Knox to the crime. It’s that simple, and it’s a test that was not met by the prosecution. Hopefully the sheer primness of the document will shame the Italian judiciary into granting Knox another trial…

                                                               - The Cure

PUG LIFE…the website Ringside Report is claiming extensive planning has begun on Mike Tyson’s return to the ring. The venture will be guided by Don King and envisions, before the end of this year, a third Tyson - Holyfield fight. Iron Mike lost three of his last four bouts and last fought in June of 2005. The 43 year olds last efforts in the ring were disgraceful and, further, it is well known in boxing circles that he has refused to properly condition himself for years. The former undisputed champion has been washed up for a long time now and his last really impressive performance is about 19 years in the rear-view mirror. Life as a citizen slammed certain economic realities to the forefront and it may be impossible for Tyson to turn down an offer of millions.  This will be another freakshow, one particularly damaging if he again refuses to get into shape. Will it happen? Are you kidding? With the division in shambles and not a single credible American heavyweight, Tyson will initially appear to fill a void. The feeling won’t last long. By the end of his tenure as a prizefighter Tyson had little more than a journeyman’s skills. He threw one punch at a time and was easy to hit. He would be capable of handling only the most limited foes, and will likely look to capitalize on rivalries or on the selling abilities of his opponent. James Toney? Roy Jones or Bernard Hopkins? George Foreman (kidding, I think)? Nikolai Valuev? A couple of wins and would people buy a David Hayes fight? This is going to be a short, bumpy ride…

ICE…worst   trade   deadline   day   ever. Nuff said…the Philadelphia Flyers will go with Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton en route to an early round playoff exit…San Jose and Chicago stood pat, making no acquisitions yesterday…do the Chicago Blackhawks honestly believe they can win a Stanley Cup with Cristobal Huet? Apparently so…the Calgary Flames, stuffed full with ex Maple Leafs, were shut out by the Minnesota Wild last night….in what world is Matt Stajan a 3.5 million dollar a year player? Ours? The Flames are going to attract allot of heat for vastly overpaying the mediocre forward…the Tampa Bay Lightning were purchased by Oren Koules and Len Barrie two years ago for 208 million dollars. Yesterday the club was sold for 110 million…a rash of off-ice issues are surfacing around new Leaf Luca Caputi. The kid was actually demoted down to the ECHL for discipline problems and has been suspended by his team on at least two occasions. As I said yesterday, the acquisition of this tool demands further explanation from Brian Burke. Is he the next Mark Bell or the new Jason Blake…Bill Watters on AM 640 stated the current Leaf franchise is the least talented he has ever seen…

GRID IRON…Clifton Brown of the Sporting News advises any team serious about winning a title “should not touch” Terrell Owens…the Cleveland Browns are expected to release QB Derek Anderson any day now. The Browns will attempt to find a starter elsewhere; the release of Anderson is in no way an endorsement of pretty boy Brady Quinn…this is getting crazy; ProFootballTalk is reporting the St Louis Rams will use the first pick in the second round to pry Donovan McNabb away from the Philadelphia Eagles. The 33 year old McNabb must be mortified at the thought of being “Bulgered” (being rendered an only semi-functioning human being, named after ex QB Marc Bulger) as the pivot on the moribund squad. The Rams would be well advised to use the pick to address other long term needs…

MEDIA…what do you get when you put two insufferable pricks in a room together? Watch the Jay Leno show tonight with guest Brett Favre to find out…Professor Jeanine Basinger, of Wesleyan College, offers ten sure fire ways to win an Oscar 1) Play a famous person 2) be mentally/physically  disabled 3) speak with a funny accent 4) be old 5) be gay or transgendered 6) get fat, go ugly 7) be a monster  experience the Civil War or the Holocaust 9) play the piano 10) die. The Prof also suggests women play either a hooker or a nun without makeup. And, of course, never go full retard…

GRID IRON…the Philadelphia Eagles are the subject of contradictory rumours. ESPN is reporting the team will start the 2010 season with Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick on the roster. The St Louis Post Dispatch, on the other hand, claims the St Louis Rams are making “intense” efforts to acquire Donovan McNabb. It’s a muddle and persistent whispers claim the Eagles are very high on Kolb. They would receive maximum value for McNabb, a proposition that would not be available should he lose his job to Kolb, indicating the stories may have some merit. The Rams motivation is puzzling; what would this hopeless squad gain by acquiring an elite QB? The answer could lay in a decision to draft a QB and have him mentored by McNabb - or, the scenario where the Rams swap picks with the Bucs and pick up Josh Johnson. Wait. I’m spending way too much time thinking about the Rams. The Rams don’t spend this much time thinking about the Rams…where have you gone Sage Rosenfels?…

PONIES…Rachel Alexandra completed her first work in company yesterday, travelling six furlongs in 1.13.4 at The Fair Grounds. Trainer Steve Asmussen was a tad disappointed, expecting her to move a bit quicker, but he noted she has been very aggressive at the start of her works and is coming under major restraint from her exercise rider. As she settles down after the long vacation we can expect Rachel to affect a calmer demeanour and resume her wicked ways. One gem from yesterdays work; when set down and asked to pass her stablemate, she drilled her final quarter in 22.4. Rachel is scheduled to make her seasonal debut March 13^th…Equidaily has posted a video of the work, for those who are interested…

RANDOM…did you get a look at the contents of John Daly’s 456 page PGA disciplinary file? The document was made available for public consumption as the result of a lawsuit and its contents are alarming; Daly has been ordered to alcohol re-hab seven times, cited for not giving his best effort on Tour twenty one times and suspended outright five times. The documents were released as a result of Daly’s lawsuit against a Florida columnist. Dumb-ass….who were the one in five Canadians who did not bother to watch any of the Olympic final Sunday? Well I’d put those myopic NACAR fans on the list. They’re the only people giving me grief for missing last weekend’s race from Las Vegas. Yeah, missing another Jimmie Johnson exhibition, what a tragedy. I’m getting extra special attention as, six races in (including the duels and shootout) the leader of the sacred NASCAR Pool would be this guy!…puzzling; Jimmie Johnson has won two of the first three Sprint Cup Series races but ranks only sixth in the standings…

MEDIA…big battle brewing in Hollywood after Nicolas Chartier, who financed and produced The Hurt Locker, sent an e-mail to members of The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences suggesting they vote for Kathryn Bigelow’s film instead of a “500 million dollar” movie (Avatar). Ding, ding, ring the bell! A talentless man like James Cameron does not survive in Hollywood without knowing how to rumble. Last Friday, after the Chartier e-mail rocked Babylon, the Los Angeles Times went front page with an article denouncing The Hurt Locker as inaccurate. The piece quoted upset veterans and even suggested the U S Military had withdrawn support for the film after viewing the script. The movie was released in the summer, to critical acclaim, so the timing of this denouncement, four days before voting for the Academy Awards closed, had tongues wagging. Chartier has been banned from the Oscar ceremony (his e-mail soliciting votes broke the rules) and some are speculating the controversy could cost Bigelow her Best Director Oscar (no woman has ever won that award). Americans might not be receptive to being ordered about by a Frenchman, just saying…Quentin Tarantino was most gracious when he cast his support for Best Director to Bigelow. Tarantino had been considered a dark horse for his magnificent work on Inglorious Basterds… and thanks to Kurtis M for his kind comments yesterday. The Meridian began as a racing site years back and has morphed into it’s current role as a harbinger of parties, prosperity and pugnaciousness…

GRID IRON…like a bolt out of the blue, the Washington Redskins have stepped up with a 100 million dollar offer for ex Carolina Panther Julius Peppers. The Skins will have a defence boasting two eight figure lineman with Albert Haynesworth already on board. This is a very interesting development for a squad already one of the League’s best. The culture of sturdy and imposing play on D in Washington will hopefully inspire Peppers to play with the required intensity…the Skins are also expected to pursue Darren Sproles, ex of the San Diego Chargers…unless an agreement is reached by the end of this week, the NFL will be uncapped in 2010, thus the reason for the wealthy Skins going on a spending spree. The bad news for fans is that the next step after an uncapped year is a lockout…seven time Pro Bowler Orlando Pace has been released by the Chicago Bears. Pace’s days as a starter are likely over after some desultory play while starting 11 games for the Bears…

PONIES…unbelievable story out of California has Frank Stronach now stating he will not change the controversial Pro Ride surface at Santa Anita. Stronach currently has no runners at the track because he dislikes Pro Ride. But he said he will not spend any more money until he receives assurances he can open Santa Anita anytime he likes, including having the option of running against Del Mar and Hollywood. Horsemen were understandably stunned by the twist. Trainer Bruce Headly moaned there will be no horses left in California by the time Stronach gets the matter sorted…Presious Passion, fresh off a win at Gulfstream on Sunday, will run in the Dubai Sheema Classic in his next outing. Presious gives European horses fits due to his unorthodox style, flying off to huge leads and then battling hard in the stretch. He was second in the Breeders’ Cup turf, just missing against defending champ Conduit…

PUG LIFE…Evander Holyfield, an old and weary 47, has been granted a license to fight in Nevada. This will lead, the story goes, to a fight on April 17^th with the remnants of Frans Botha. The heavyweight division is so abysmal these days I can see a nostalgic core revisiting the “Real Deal” if only to remember the glory days. It’s a free country, brother, and you’re entitled to do what you please with your money…how stringent are the licensing requirements? Holyfield slurs and has been accused of long term steroid abuse. But he can waltz through the Nevada tests? This does not portend well for those hoping Roy Jones Jr can ever be stopped by a boxing commission. Only fans keeping their wallets closed will stop these geriatric warriors…Holyfield last fought in Nevada in 2003, when he was stopped by James Toney…

RANDOM…Salon writer and madwoman Camille Paglia has gone on hiatus. One of my favourite writers, it was tough enough getting her opinions only once a month. The good news is that the unrepentant lover of classic literature (and Madonna) is taking the time off to write a companion to her brilliant work on poetry, “Break, Blow, Burn”…best thing about Tuesdays? Lynn Crosbie’s column in the Globe and Mail…I was surprised and disappointed to hear rumours of Bryan Colangelo’s impending departure from the Toronto Raptors persist. Colangelo is reportedly keen on the “Brooklyn” Nets (currently in New Jersey) General Manager position. How will Dino fans feel if the GM leaves around the same time Chris Bosh departs? If Bosh ends up in Brooklyn, was there not a clear conflict of interest? There are interesting times right around the corner in Raptor Land…

I was completely taken aback at just how nervous I was. I had been losing sleep the night before every game but by Sunday I was at a boil. No Superbowl, Kentucky Derby or big fight had ever left me so wound up. I like having the best hockey team in the world. I wanted desperately to see a Canadian win. The thought of watching America win the Gold was as enticing a prospect as a date with Rosy O’Donnell.

I hit the Rail at game time and was delighted to find the Beat Poet in attendance. It’s been a wild eight years since we tore the roof off the since closed Manchester Arms when Canada won gold at Salt Lake. Eight years. Wow. It was just perfect to be together again as the puck was dropped. So much has changed and it would feel almost maudlin to run through a checklist. Suffice to say the best development was the emergence of Baby Beat Poet.

It was a game that surpassed even the wildest expectations. Canada had the initial jump, but the Americans were unrelenting as they continuously fought their way back into the game. For the first time since 1980 the home country won the gold at home. And, my oh my, how we partied…yeah, this is being typed one painful letter at a time - I think my blood is currently 20% Jagger, the rest beer. But it’s a sweet, sweet hangover, one I can live with.

Sidney Crosby has moved effortlessly through the momentous stages; prospect, phenom, Stanley Cup Champion and now, legend. With an overtime winner that ranks, perhaps, only behind Henderson’s dramatics, Canada was propelled to the top of the podium, a result that seemed scarcely plausible only a week ago.

It was a beautiful finish to an Olympics that took Canada by storm. The Beat Poet made the point that only the media has whined and complained. The Canadian populace has been absolutely enthralled. It’s a day for reminiscing and celebrating…and going to bed early. As in right now…

The Summit Series of 1972. We’re pulled from our classrooms to watch Canada battle Russia. Paul Henderson scores three consecutive game winners as I get my first taste of nationalistic pride. I like the taste. We’re the best in the world.

The inaugural Canada Cup in 1976. Daryl Sittler scores the winning goal as Canada vanquishes the Czechs. As an eleven year old, my brain ponders exploding. Canada is the best and the beleaguered Toronto Maple Leaf captain records the critical tally.

The greatest tournament of them of all, the 1987 Canada Cup. Three playoff games were decided by the identical 6-5 score. After Russia wins the first game, Canada is forced into double overtime before winning the second. I watch the third game with 50 fraternity brothers. The game features the most electrifying and superb hockey I’ve ever seen as well as stupendous goaltending from Grant Fuhr. Canada plays a unit of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Dale Hawerchuk. As a 22 year old, my brain nearly explodes. As the game ends the group of drunken renegades stands and breaks spontaneously into “O Canada”. Craziest thing I’ve ever seen.

After 50 years of humiliation, during which time Canada wasn’t permitted to bring our best players, Canada finally wins Olympic Gold in 2002, defeating the Americans in Salt Lake. Jerome Iginla and Joe Sakic embody the very best of our country and their play is a revelation. It’s the first time in my life that I witness our players adorned with gold medals. As a 36 year old, my brain explodes, and I’m never quite the same.

There have been moments of terrible disappointment. The humiliation of the 1979 Challenge Cup when goalie Mike Liut appeared, while losing 6-0,  to commit the greatest Canadian hockey sin; quitting (that same Russian squad would be defeated by American college kids months later in the Miracle On Ice; of course all Canadians cheered on the U S A - we’re classy that way). The WHA embarrassment in 1974. The botched effort of 1998 at Nagano (tempered by the brilliance of Jaromir Jagr and Dominik Hasek. Of course we marveled at their skill and heart - we’re classy that way). And, personally, the lowest moment of them all, when Wayne Gretzky, in just his latest moment of glorious self entitlement, selected a team of FOG’s (Friends of Gretzky) that was doomed by the Gods of Hockey when the brutish and disgusting Todd Bertuzzi was selected over character players like Brendan Shanahan and emerging stars like Sidney Crosby.

Today provides the latest chapter in an epic and wondrous history. Hockey is Canada’s game, our all abiding passion, and its honour rests firmly in the hands of Ryan Getzlaf and Sidney Crosby et al. this afternoon. Friday at the Rail, surrounded by some of my best friends, there seemed nothing corny or forced about our reversion to our most basic cheer. And it feels right on this sleepy, cold Toronto morning;

GO CANADA GO!