No pussyfooting around tonight...here are my good vibe / horse-lovin' / touchy-feely picks for
Saratoga Race Course
Saturday, 4 August 2012
August 2012 Archives
OK, so apparently going with the gut ain't half bad. I picked at least one horse in nine of the 10 races today. Honestly, I don't keep track of how well real handicappers are doing, so I have no idea how that non-statistic goes up against the big boys (and girls)...but, given my penchant for betting across-the-board for each of the horses I like, I'm thinkin' it ain't half-bad...
Back in the proverbial saddle, I've decided to surrender to the Truth: that I am not a handicapper. I'm the Anti-capper, as it were. I think that speed figures are voodoo. And we all know that I don't believe that past performances necessarily are the indicator of future success--any more than the SATs can accurately predict a student's potential in college.
I am very strongly opinionated, and I'm not going to change. And being opinionated isn't a good trait for a REAL handicapper: some objectivity should be applied. But I'm stickin' with my guns: for example, I love the trainers whom I love. Won't ever suggest an R. Dutrow horse. Secretariat may have resurrected from his grave and race under R.'s colors, and I still wouldn't go there. I'm too old to change my opinions without good reason.
And don't talk science to me, when dealing with a species of animal that is as sentient, feeling and knowing as The Horse...emotions and spirit always--always--trump biology and statistics...
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M.E. Altieri
THE ALPHA MARE, commonly known as M.E. Altieri, is a writer/editor/activist who lives and breathes the art and sport of horse racing—both Arabian and Thoroughbred.
At the tender age of six months, her Grandmother plopped her on the back of a pony. (See photo.) Three years later, Mare first rode a horse—an American Quarter Horse—on her cousin's farm in Stephentown, New York. That same year her Mother and Grandma took her to Green Mountain Park, a now- (sadly) defunct Thoroughbred track in Pownal, Vermont. Next stop, Saratoga Race Course. The seed was planted, and a passion, born.
While she does have other interests (Medieval languages and theology, cats, tigers, etc.) none hold a candle to her passion for horses. She finds that horses are far-more intelligent, compassionate and kind than 99% of the people she meets. Mare's career is fascinating, if nothing else: in 2011, she served as Editor of a beautiful history book, The Purebred Arabian Horses of Iraq: Myths and Realities by Dr. Mohammad bin 'Abdul-'Aziz Al Nujaifi. She's contributed to several international horse racing publications, including Al Badia, Arabian Finish Line, Desert Mirage and Galopp Magasinet.
She's the Founder, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of f!lly Magazine-- the magazine by, for and about women in horse racing. f!lly will debut in 2013. Both Thoroughbred and Arabian racing--and women, f!llies and mare from all around the world--will be featured in the full-color, beautiful, historic publication. Magazines are the first of the media M.E. wishes to tackle: she's also writing a screenplay, and seeks the perfect venue and producer for her horse racing radio show. She's got the voice; God knows, she has opinions--she feels led to put them together and broadcast to the 51% of the racing fan base that's too-often been overlooked. (Hint: 51%...could it be, women?)
An Alumna of Mount Holyoke College, Mare hopes to use these media, including her blog here at Saratoga.com, to encourage women and girls to find their vocations in horse racing and to help make the world a more loving and nurturing place for all equines. When asked to identify her Mentor, the woman who encouraged her to follow her bliss, Mare names the great Penny Chenery. Through these various media projects, Mare hopes to do for other females what Ms. Chenery did for her--open doors, encourage and bless.
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