KC Castillo's Boston Celtics friend's fan blogs

Oh the Blazers.  Where and when do I begin?  I think we have to go back a few years to 2006, the year before Greg Oden was drafted.  Everyone in Portland was obsessed with their new star, Brandon Roy.  He had just broken out as a rookie and if you asked anyone from Portland about Brandon Roy it was all positive.  They even made shirts that imitated the Portland slogan “Rip City” that said “ Roy’s City”.  He couldn’t do wrong.  Local consensus seemed to be that Portland was “one piece away” from a championship dynasty.

Then on a different stage March Madness began.  People watched in awe as Greg Oden battled through the Tournament with a club on his good hand, stroking left handed free throws (sadly, this may have been a major contributing factor in Portland’s choice as it was very impressive yet relatively unimportant).  I’d be lying to say that I was not one of those who were very impressed.  I myself even began to wonder what would happen if this big guy was the missing piece of the puzzle.

Continue reading "Oh Portland. Where did it all go wrong?"

Tomorrow, I'll handicap again, for the Oaks and Derby. I'm not sure I'll give Derby picks, because the Derby is a personal thing for most people. It's where the MacDonalds worker picks ARCHARCHARCH. It's where the dog lover picks MASTER OF HOUNDS. It's where the fireman and clothing store worker pick PANTS ON FIRE.

First of all, the magical dosage system. It works. Is it coincidence? Probably not. And it's speculation why it works, nothing more. Almost all of this year's runners have dosages either under 4, or very close. And a look at their pedigree makes one think they're all the same balanced runner. Most of them have Nearctic, most of them have a lot of stamina in the background, with an inkling of six furlong speedsters like Mr. Prospector, just enough for balance.

In fact, those who have some of the best pedigree didn't make the cut, or didn't perform well enough at 1 1/8 mile. There's little doubt that those who raced in Arkansas would not have held off J W Blue at 1 1/4 mile, and J W isn't even close to being considered Derby class.

Continue reading "Churchill and rain"

Now that Churchill is open, I can feel assured of handicapping for speed and forward moves a little more.

When Churchill began their trend to the rock hard surface to make speed, it was like concrete to these large horses who pound on the surface. Churchill did it because Mr Prospector, a six furlong sprinter is their favorite Kentucky bred, and was a large goose egg in breeding Derby winners. Mr Prospector foals have early speed and strong bones, so the rock hard surface was meant for future Prospector scions to have a better chance in the mile and a quarter Derby, regardless of how many other horses were crippled on Churchill's surface.

But for handicapping, this meant that after 1986, speed ruled Churchill. Class meant nothing at all, and was a detriment, due to factors like carrying extra weight and having a harder campaign, since now every single race was an ordeal twice as much as before. Lightly raced runners fared better. If you bet class at Churchill after 1986, you lost nine times out of ten, for a payoff average of 4-1, which meant you'd be better off, and actually winning, if you bet everything but the class.

Continue reading "Opening day at Churchill"

A tough series begins with the Miami Heat on Sunday at 3.  The Celtics not only beat the Knicks but we swept them and the Celtics looked great doing it.  The starters played great and the bench did it's job.  Especially Rondo who took it up to the next level, and was so good to see.  But are the Heat even in the same catagorie as the Knicks?  We did have extra rest and maybe shaq will be able to help, that would be sweet.  But what I do know is this is gonna be a tough series so even though they have home court, let's show them who the boss is from the start.  Lets Go Celts!!!!! HH

Continue reading "Hope the extra rest gives Celtics edge!!"

The feature race is the eighth race, the Grade 3 Bewitch at 1 1/2 mile on turf. It may go to dirt if the rain continues.

There is a solid favorite, Keertana, third in the Breeder Cup Mare Turf last year, so she is clearly the one to beat.

And if you try to beat here, you nearly have to go with a dark horse, one she hasn't faced, an up and comer.

 It's hard not to be discouraged by so many "false favorites" winning or taking you out of an exotic bet by landing in at such underlaid odds. Some races they do, and some they don't. Like many tracks, there are too many "hot tips" which endears the stable workers with the sportswriters, but sometimes a stable, a horse, or a groom, or a jockey, or an exercise rider, or a muck raker, or a hotwalker is better than people think, and does his or her job. Too many false favorites winning is the result of sheer corruption and people not doing their jobs (other than the sportswriters, who need these hot tips to sanction their jobs).

Continue reading "Keeneland pix for 04/28/2011"

We all know that while Churchill has "the race", Keeneland has "the horses". It's very common knowledge, and has been for decades, that the very best run at Keeneland. They sometimes go down a bit in quality, but they are always the tops in the world.

 So opening day is a delight, I hope.

Here is a look at the Transylvania Stakes.

FRIDAY 04/08/2011 KEENELAND RACE 9 GRADE 3 TRANSYLVANIA STAKES  1 1/16 MILE TURF

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

5 AIR SUPPORT 7-2 Shug nearly always has runners improving.

7 GREAT MILLS 9-2 Probably has another top race, but kind of risky

3 POWHATAN COUNTY 15-1 Comes off a softer track than most, and should be fit 

10 PLUCK 3-1 Has the class

Continue reading "Opening day Keeneland Spring Meet 2011, Transylvania"

I hate to see these races run on Sunday, because people who are in the union don't get to work much on Sundays, until those who have unrealistic seniority finally retire. And if this race would run on Saturday, more people would get to work.

And it just isn't as exciting on Sunday.

But here is a lowdown on the FLORIDA DERBY for 04/02/2011

FLORIDA DERBY Race 10 GULFSTREAM PARK 10/02/2011: GRADE 1 1 1/8 mile:

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

1. SOLDAT 2-1 A great trainer and a class runner, a very solid favorite.

7 DIALED IN 8-1 Zito always tough. Has good moves, and a very good upset chance

5 SHACKLEFORD 8-1 His best puts him right there, and comes off a misfire, so a logical conteder to be healthy now

Continue reading "FLORIDA DERBY has a "solid"at favorite."

Well, here we go again... Another crazy hockey season is quickly coming to a close as teams gear up for the madness and excitement of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

So the question is: Who is your favorite Stanley Cup Contender this year?  The Flyers, Penguins and Caps look like strong favorites in the East, with those teams as well as the Bruins already clinching playoff spots.

Meanwhile, the Canucks, Sharks and the Original Six perennial favorite Red Wings dominate the Western Conference .

Of course there's always the chance that some of the "underdogs" like Chicago, Calgary and Buffalo could make a run for the cup as well, with lots of injuries hurting some of the top teams out there.

Speaking of injuries, the Wing's chances are totally up in the air with Osgood out til the end of the season (and who knows how he'll play after months off) - Howard with a recent "undisclosed" upper body injury, and the new kid Joey MacDonald seemingly ready for major league action.

Continue reading "Who's Your Favorite Cup Contender This Year?"

I'm not sure if the New York Knicks have all the pieces in place right now, but by adding Carmelo Anthony they are certainly one big step closer to being a NBA championship contender. Although considering the mismanagement over the last 10 years it's heard to believe they won't mess this up too.

Watch for the Knicks to make some strong stragetic moves during this off season to sure things up and make them a true Eastern conference powerhouse.

New York NY Direct TV can bring you all the Knicks action you want.

Continue reading "Are the New York Knicks real contenders with Carmelo Anthony on board?"

Two cities that produce NBA Eastern Conference contenders also have the two teams that are favored to win the Super Bowl as the NFL playoffs are set to begin this weekend.

NBA spread betting experts might recognize that Atlanta and Boston produce two East contenders and with the Falcons and Patriots, both cities have the Super Bowl XLV juggernauts as well.

Just as in the NBA’s East, Atlanta’s team is viewed with an eye of pessimism. The Falcons had a great regular season but don’t have a ton of playoff experience. They’re a young squad that is gaining it on the fly.

Meanwhile, Boston’s team - just like in the NBA – is experienced, savvy and has done it before. The Patriots are the odds-on favorites to do it all and considering they’ve won it three times this decade, why bet against them?

Continue reading "Patriots, Falcons Super Bowl Favorites"