McCarron

Since I'm being dragged on a holiday weekend with a lot of "in-law" action, I need to get these three quick points out there: 

(1) After the debacle that was Del Mar, you have to think that the geeked up, speed favoring main track at Santa Anita has much to do with restoring the Grand Old Speed Highway of yesteryear. The much maligned Poly surface that “ruined the meet” of many owners and trainers where the surf meets the plastic is no doubt in the consciousness of track officials all over Southern California. If the trend holds up, and speed is once again king, consider this a market correction for the region. No two synthetic surfaces are the same, even of the same manufacturer (The Keeneland Poly plays much differently than the Arlington Poly, etc.); I’m looking for the Arcadia meet on the Cushion to be more favorable to early speed types throughout the season.

(2) Speaking of SoCal……the jockey colony went from legendary to poor and now is in the midst of resurgence to earlier glory. It’s nice to see. The next step is improving the quality of racing. Anecdotally, the 2007 campaign in SoCal was inundated with more claiming races than I ever noticed in prior years. The Pacific (Claimer) Classic should be a Grade III based on the 2007 renewal. Here’s to hoping the 2008 version is a bit stronger. Student Council? Really?

(3) As to the Mike Maloney charge, it is quite perplexing. I’m not sure what precisely Mr. Maloney stands to gain by lying or exaggerating, so I believe him. I don't buy the rationale that he is seeking two minutes of fame. I read a book entitled the, "Six Secrets of Successful Gamblers" that profiles a number of people, including a "huge handle everyday KY based handicapper". If memory serves correctly, only this particular individual and one other gambler, a Nevada based Baseball bettor did not use their actual names in the book. Although the book was hardly a NY Times Bestseller, someone seeking notority would certainly use their name, wanting any press they could get. I'm 99% certain the profiled individual is Mr. Maloney.   

It defies logic that someone with the ability to place wagers after the bell would make this known out of pure decency to better the game for all of us. It’s almost "un-American" in this culture. If he really is telling the truth, as I suspect he is, he gets my nomination for Man of the Year and perhaps a write in vote for the 2008 Presidential election. This is coming from a guy that is arguably the most cynical person on the planet, less perhaps RAVE.