Top Five Reasons to Go Black Friday Shopping

     5. It’s a good excuse to buy a bunch of things you don’t need (but its sooo cheap)!

     4. You can save money so you can gamble more at the races.

     3. You can finally put the tent you bought at last year’s black Friday event to use
          by camping out in front of your favorite stores.

     2. Instead of paying Pay-Per-View to see a fight, go to your local Wal-Mart and
          pretty much in every isle there is a punch-up going on (don’t even try to go toe
          to toe with Dennis O’Neill over the last wife-beater tank top).

     1. Sales end at noon so you can still make Hollywood Park’s first post at 12:30pm.

Top Five Reasons to Love Thanksgiving

     5. There are back to back football games all day long.

     4. Hollywood Park’s first post is at 11am.

     3. You can eat as much as your horse and not feel guilty about it.

     2. The Detroit Lions play at 10am today but first post is still at 11am… how lucky
         are we?

     1. Steve Rothblum isn’t at your house.

So Close to Hitting the Jackpot at Delta Downs

     The O’Neill clan’s adventure paid off dividends with a big third place finish by Matto Mondo in the Delta Mile and a huge second place finish by Basmati in the one million dollar, Delta Jackpot. Owned by Paul Reddam, this two year old son of Borrego proved he does not need to be close to the pace to run an outstanding race. With a good break from the gate, it wasn’t a 16^th of a mile before a speed duel began and Nakatani took Basmati back to a nice and relaxed sixth place. At the half mile pole he started his run to hit the front at the 3/16^ths pole and go on only to be caught inside the 1/8^th pole. He then continued on gamely to run to the wire and finish second, picking up a nice check for $200K. Congratulations to all the connections; roll on the first Saturday in May.

Veterans Day

This holiday, formerly known as Armistice Day, has been an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans since 1938. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11 every year. The day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Each year The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans' organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces. Take a minute today to thank someone who has served for our country and keep them as well as the memory of those we have lost to war in our thoughts.

Top Five Reasons to be Excited for Opening Day at Hollywood Park

     5. We get to enjoy the enthusiasm of George O (the director of Hollywood Park’s
         marketing)

     4. Steel Pulse is only 24 hours away.

     3. No lines for the betting windows or concession stands (my brother Dennis might be
         in line at the ATM)

     2. It’s 55 Plus Discount Day (can you say cougars?)

     1. Hollywood Park is where the movie “And They’re Off” was filmed.

Top Five Reasons to Get Fired Up for Closing Day at Santa Anita

     5. At the end of the meet, tomorrow, we start tied for the training meet at Hollywood.

     4. On closing day there is a big giveaway where the track gives away everything they

         haven’t gotten rid of throughout the meet.

     3. There are mandatory payouts this afternoon for all exotic wagers (including the

          Pick 6).

     2. Last chance to hear the race caller, John Lies (replacement for Breeders’ Cup
         caller, Trevor Denman).

     1. Team O’Neill will be at the races; what could be more fun than that?

The Breeders’ Cup

Since the inaugural running at Hollywood Park 27 years ago, the Breeders' Cup has established itself as the season-ending championship of thoroughbred racing. Through the years, the Breeders’ Cup has grown from a 7-race, $10 million day, to a 15- race, $26 million extravaganza, held over two days, and encompassing almost every division of the sport. The purses for the Championship races are funded by worldwide nomination from the industry’s thoroughbred breeders. This year horses were able to earn automatic starting positions into Championships races through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, a series of 68 stakes races held worldwide.

Top Five California Based Horses with a Chance to Win a Breeders Cup Race

     5. Game On Dude in the Classic (Go Chantal! Make us proud girl!)

     4. Weemissfrankie or Self Preservation in the Juvenile Fillies (Team Reddam and

         Team Cosato are going head to head in this ultra competitive race. Can you say

         dead heat?)

     3. Euroears in the Breeders Cup Sprint (This Baffert trainee has more than wowed us

         here at Santa Anita in the mornings; but he wants no part of Square Eddie or 
         Streakin’ Mohican)

     2. Creative Cause in the Juvenile (watched him two-minute lick on Monday at

         Hollywood Park, he looks formidable!)

     1. Turbulent Descent in Filly and Mare Sprint (should be one of the shorter prices on

         the day and for good reason.)