Not Necessarily News

Recently, there are a number of important current events that are not getting well-deserved recognition. Therefore, I will momentarily divert my energies from reviewing the recent races at Belmont, Keeneland, Oak Tree at Santa Anita, and the action at the Quarter Pole – Louisiana’s last bush track, to provide pertinent information that you may have [intentionally] overlooked.

Make Plans Now to Attend Great Horse Racing Action at Nad Al Sheba. Emirates airline recently announced that it is adding nonstop flights from Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport to Dubai. Fares range from $1,400 to $11,000 roundtrip. According to the Star-Telegram,

Here's a look at what to expect on the [Boeing] 777:

First class: Eight suites [made of honey-walnut wood with gold trim], each with one or two seats, private storage closets, power sliding doors for privacy, gray English leather seats that fully recline and offer massages, 23-inch HDTV, touch-screen remote that controls everything in the suite through Wi-Fi signal, personal minibar, constant supply of snacks, vanity mirror, writing pad and pen.

Business class: Champagne and fruit juice before departure, six-course meal, 17-inch HDTV in the headrest.

Economy: A telephone at each seat that can be used to call other passengers for free or call out for $5 per minute, five-course meal, 10.6-inch HDTV with choice of 1,000 programs, a reclining seat back and a seat cushion that moves forward for greater comfort, power ports in each row for charging up portable electronic devices.

AGSC Receive ePetition from Irritated Horse Racing Fans. Last month, good friend, Patrick, and his [former?] rival, I-have-a-better-point-system-than-you-Patrick-but-in-reality-we-really-think-a-lot-alike Kennedy, composed a letter to the American Graded Stakes Committee suggesting that they have the power to "do something" other than sit around, sipping martinis and eating brie. They implore,

AGSC should rework the graded stakes to foster competition

This letter is supported by numerous individuals, including Fort Worth’s premier turfwriter and good friend to Post Parade, Gary West. The Professor reiterates a number of points that he has made in the past, and once again peppers his writings with Latin, such as petitio principii, a priori, ad nauseum, salva veritate, gloria in excelsis deo, omnes lagani pistrineae gelate male spiunt, etc., demonstrating that not only does he convey his opinions and observations with resounding intellect, but that he also was a popular student with the nuns at St. Eligius’ Catholic School because he was well-versed in Latin and he provided reliable picks.

(And speaking of Latin, that reminds me of a funny story that has absolutely nothing to do with horse racing: A number of years ago, my husband and I took a cruise, and our dining companions were retired Latin professors from Emory University. My husband, in an attempt to make intelligent small talk, remarked, "Latin - how interesting. So, I suppose that you read literature in its original language, like The Iliad."

They both looked at him and replied in unison, "That’s Greek.")

And finally,

Drilling for Gas Will Not Disrupt Horse Racing at Lone Star Park. Last Tuesday, Dale Resources paid a one-time $1.14 million signing bonus to the Grand Prairie Sports Facilities Development Corp. that owns Lone Star Park for the rights to drill for natural gas in 317 acres, most of which is under the racetrack. They will also be receiving 25 percent of the royalties for gas production, 2 first class tickets to Dubai, and a copy of The Iliad. No word yet as to whether Lone Star Park plans to rename the Texas Mile to the Dale Resources Mile.