We are thrilled to support the efforts of the Backstretch Education Fund and the teaching staff at Belmont Park. Congratulations to the backstretch workers who graduated yesterday, we hope you enjoy your books. There is more information about the Education Fund and the new language center ““La Escuelita” here:
11/7/9
Art work by Ana Mirela Tache
All images are owned by Off to Flying Start Press, and are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.
We will be joining host Carolyn Conley on her show Race Day America to discuss the language of horse racing. We met Carolyn when we were at Santa Anita signing our book a few weeks ago. We hope you can join the discussion by tuning to HRTV this Thursday (10/29) at 12:15 pm (EST) and 9:15 am (PST)
We are pleased to let everyone know Off to a Flying Start is now available for sale at Keeneland race track in Lexington, KY and also at Green Valley Tack in Warwick, NY.
The holidays are just around the corner so make sure to pick up a copy for your favorite horse fan or language lover.
Zenyatta and Mike Smith coming back to winners the circle
Dick Fox, author of A Shooting Star, and his daughter Megan
Having fun
We got to see her run at Santa Anita last Saturday. She’s the classic come from off the pace horse. She seemed to win easily though she doesn’t seem to need to dominate the field the way RA does. A couple of things we loved about Zenyatta on Saturday: the way she was hoof tapping before and after the race, and the way her ears were up for at least the last quarter mile.
(Thanks to Fran Jurga at her Hoof Blog for posting this image.) Continue reading Zenyatta is a Special Horse
Today marks the start of the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita. It culminates with the Breeders Cup World Championships the weekend of November 5th and 6th. Leading up to that weekend will be many big races, including the Goodwood stakes being run on October 10th with Mine That Bird the star of the show.
On October 10th, we’ll be at Santa Anita signing our book before the first race at the Champions! Gift Shop so be sure to stop by the gift shop and pick up a copy.
A review in an article entitled Learn the ‘Language’ of Gambling Through Special Books, Dictionaries written by the esteemed Howard Schwartz is here:
The Little Brown Jug is today. The Little Brown Jug is a harness race for 3-year-old pacing Standardbreds at the Fairgrounds in Delaware, OH. It’s the 2nd leg of harness racing’s triple crown. What’s pretty incredible is the race is run in heats all on the same day. So, today whichever horse wins the race will have to have run at least two races *today*. Much different from the Thoroughbreds but no less impressive. I love the name of this race. It sounds so small and simple for something that’s a great accomplishment.
Sunday’s parade of favorites led to one of the lower pick six payouts in recent memory: $210.50 for six correct and $8.80 for five out of six. “Pick the Pros and Ponies” is a handicapping/football contest at Belmont Park that is a popular addition to a Sunday trip to the track during the Fall meet. In a language related connection between football and racing, we’re been noticing the repeated usage of the term “Pick Six” in football commentary. An interception in a football game is often referred to as a “pick” by broadcasters and fans. An interception that is returned for a touchdown (six points) is now being commonly referred to as a “pick six”.
If you are out to Belmont this Fall you can stop by the one of NYRA stores to pick off a copy of “Off to a Flying Start: Horsing Around the Language”.
