Much has been written about Muhammad Ali’s epic battle with George Foreman on Oct. 30, 1974. Dubbed the “Rumble in the Jungle,” the heavyweight boxing title bout in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) helped launch Don King's career as a professional boxing promoter (I guess Brett Michaels was right: every rose does have its thorns).
Long before the opening round bell sounded and Ali made pugilistic history, however, the Kentucky-born fighter known as the “Louisville Lip” and, later, “The Greatest” showed his softer side by composing a poem in honor of the occasion. In one of many related versions, Ali quipped:
Long before the opening round bell sounded and Ali made pugilistic history, however, the Kentucky-born fighter known as the “Louisville Lip” and, later, “The Greatest” showed his softer side by composing a poem in honor of the occasion. In one of many related versions, Ali quipped:
“I’m gonna float like a butterfly and sting like a bee
George can’t hit what his hands can’t see
Now you see me, now you don’t
He thinks he will, but I know he won’t
They tell me George is good, but I’m twice as nice
And I’m gonna stick to his butt like white on rice.”
I thought of this masterwork the other day, as I downed a cupful of raw Cadbury eggs on my way to the meat market, otherwise known as Bally Total Fitness (I couldn’t find an actual meat locker in my area), to train for an upcoming verbal sparring session with Claire Novak.
Who is Claire Novak, some may ask, and why am I debating her? Well, Ms. Novak is an award-winning journalist who once wrote for Bloodhorse Magazine and, now, regularly lifts her pen for ESPN. Recently, she received an e-mail from a guy named Tom De Martini, who chastised her for not betting on the races she covers. Her public response, “Love of the game,” which appeared on the ESPN Website on Saturday, is the driving force behind our little tête-à-tête.
While I’m generally not a fan of angry missives (especially those accompanied by a brick and the sound of breaking glass — damn in-laws, I told them we’d return the casserole dish this weekend), I have to admit I understood and even sympathized with where Mr. De Martini was coming from.
Who is Claire Novak, some may ask, and why am I debating her? Well, Ms. Novak is an award-winning journalist who once wrote for Bloodhorse Magazine and, now, regularly lifts her pen for ESPN. Recently, she received an e-mail from a guy named Tom De Martini, who chastised her for not betting on the races she covers. Her public response, “Love of the game,” which appeared on the ESPN Website on Saturday, is the driving force behind our little tête-à-tête.
While I’m generally not a fan of angry missives (especially those accompanied by a brick and the sound of breaking glass — damn in-laws, I told them we’d return the casserole dish this weekend), I have to admit I understood and even sympathized with where Mr. De Martini was coming from.
So, I invited the esteemed Ms. Novak on my Friday “SimonSays Racing” podcast, which airs live at 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern, to discuss the issue of fans vs. bettors: which does the Sport of Kings need more of? I’ll be representing the bettors, while Ms. Novak will plead the fans’ case. And, just like Ali, I have written a poem on the eve of battle:
“I’m gonna float like a butterfly and sting like Charlie Sheen’s pee
To make Claire understand this bettor’s solemn plea
Takeouts keep on rising, while racing keeps declining
And bettors foot the bill whenever the industry starts whining
I don’t need great races to enjoy a day at the track
I just need race officials that I know have got my back.”
Tale of the Tape:
SimonSays Handicapping Challenge Kicks Off
Speaking of betting, a couple of weeks ago, I challenged both public and private horserace handicappers to do what I do and prove their mettle at the windows by allowing me to record and track at least some of their picks on a weekly basis. My goal behind this challenge was to, hopefully, show “newbies” as well as potential “newbies” that the races can, indeed, be beaten —in a variety of ways.
Sadly, my casting call was met with about the same amount of enthusiasm as a plea for photographic evidence at a Bigfoot Convention (yeah, they actually have those). Nonetheless, one brave soul did step forward and I’m hoping others will follow.
Anthony Kelzenberg is a Facebook friend and former podcast guest that teaches math and science in the great state of Minnesota. Below are Anthony’s first round of free selections for Friday, Jan. 28, 2010:
Gulfstream Park
Race 1 * 6 Furlongs * Dirt
20 units to WIN on 4-The Pia Angel
3 units EXACTA 4-3 and 2 units EXACTA 3-4
6 units DAILY DOUBLE 4-2
Rationale: The #4 is faster out of the gate than the #3 and is in-form.
Gulfstream Park
Race 5 * 5 Furlongs * Turf
10 units to WIN on 3-Unicorn Girl
Rationale: Ben Perkins can crank a horse up and this gal has good works; probable loose leader.
Gulfstream Park
Race 7 * 1-1/8 Miles * Turf
10 units to WIN on 2-Br. Alexander
Rationale: #2 has typical comeback work pattern for trainer Kenny McPeek and may have value in talented field. The tandem of McPeek and jockey Julien Leparoux hit at a 22% clip.
Gulfstream Park
Race 8 * 5 Furlongs * Turf
20 units to WIN on 9-Beer Stein (turf only)
6 units DAILY DOUBLE 9 with 1,6
Rationale: #9 may have been a short horse last time and should be fitter. Plus, the #9 is a class standout and might be the quality speed too.
Total Expenditure: 83 units (a unit is simply one’s base bet).
Speaking of betting, a couple of weeks ago, I challenged both public and private horserace handicappers to do what I do and prove their mettle at the windows by allowing me to record and track at least some of their picks on a weekly basis. My goal behind this challenge was to, hopefully, show “newbies” as well as potential “newbies” that the races can, indeed, be beaten —in a variety of ways.
Sadly, my casting call was met with about the same amount of enthusiasm as a plea for photographic evidence at a Bigfoot Convention (yeah, they actually have those). Nonetheless, one brave soul did step forward and I’m hoping others will follow.
Anthony Kelzenberg is a Facebook friend and former podcast guest that teaches math and science in the great state of Minnesota. Below are Anthony’s first round of free selections for Friday, Jan. 28, 2010:
Gulfstream Park
Race 1 * 6 Furlongs * Dirt
20 units to WIN on 4-The Pia Angel
3 units EXACTA 4-3 and 2 units EXACTA 3-4
6 units DAILY DOUBLE 4-2
Rationale: The #4 is faster out of the gate than the #3 and is in-form.
Gulfstream Park
Race 5 * 5 Furlongs * Turf
10 units to WIN on 3-Unicorn Girl
Rationale: Ben Perkins can crank a horse up and this gal has good works; probable loose leader.
Gulfstream Park
Race 7 * 1-1/8 Miles * Turf
10 units to WIN on 2-Br. Alexander
Rationale: #2 has typical comeback work pattern for trainer Kenny McPeek and may have value in talented field. The tandem of McPeek and jockey Julien Leparoux hit at a 22% clip.
Gulfstream Park
Race 8 * 5 Furlongs * Turf
20 units to WIN on 9-Beer Stein (turf only)
6 units DAILY DOUBLE 9 with 1,6
Rationale: #9 may have been a short horse last time and should be fitter. Plus, the #9 is a class standout and might be the quality speed too.
Total Expenditure: 83 units (a unit is simply one’s base bet).
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ReplyDeleteYour play-by-play breakdown of the race, especially the part about Simon's strategy and the suspenseful moments, had me on the edge of my seat (metaphorically, of course). It's clear you're not just reporting the facts; you're painting a vivid picture of the excitement and intensity that horse racing brings.
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