David Jacobson story - NY Post

Here is link to Ed Fountaine's story on trainer David Jacobson - son of famous trainer Buddy Jacobson.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07272007/sports/jacobson_back_at_spa_sports_ed_fountaine.htm

Del Mar v Saratoga

Saratoga had an average field of 10 horses per race on today's 10 race card with Del Mar averaged 7.5 on their 8 race card. Perhaps Polytrack will equal these numbers up as the summer goes along. Saratoga is filled with horses ready to run at the beginning of the meet. Four winners had their last race at Churchill Downs including Subtle Aly winning the 89th edition of the Schylerville. DRF reported that trainer Dutrow had never even seen the horse before visiting the paddock prior to the race - one of his two winners on the day. Stanley Hough - as usual on opening day per my memory - won a 2 year old race. The most interesting story is trainer David Jacobson winning the 6th race claimer - he is the son of infamous trainer Buddy Jacobson. I'm sure there will be a story in the New York papers or DRF in the next few days on this angle.

TVG on FOX Sports Net channels

Opening day at Saratoga was featured on Fox Sports New York this afternoon for an hour of programming by TVG. I have DirecTV's set of regional sports channels and TVG's programming is also frequently seen on other Fox regional sports channels across the country - especially in the Pacific Northwest - as well as their regular broadcasts on Fox sports channels in SoCal. You must commend TVG on their distribution prowess. Horse racing does not come close to the hours of programming that exciting sports like poker and ultimate fighting does but at least the Fox - TVG relationship is showing the sport much more frequently than any other time in the history of the sport. With the possible sale of Gemstar's (TVG's parent) assets, it is horse racing's best interests to contain this relationship. All the programming in the world is worth zilch without a distribution channel and I don't believe the internet as a sole platform is a viable option at the present time. Another hour of coverage is on tap on Thursday for the Sanford on Fox Sports New York.

Wagering Globalization Continues

The Las Vegas Dissemination Company announces they have secured to commingle pools with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for upcoming season beginning September 9 (September 8 in North America).

Will they offer both the Tierce (Trifecta) and the Trio (first three in any order)? I doubt it but this is great news for anyone wanting to bet into the gigantic Hong Kong pools.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/86997.html

The Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris is set to be run for 142nd time on a Holiday Saturday evening at Longchamp. It is Bastille Day in France - akin to July 4 in America. The renewal will be run at 12 furlongs and has enjoyed renewed interest in the past two years with the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) being run at a reduced 10 furlongs. Like many top races in the UK, Ireland, and especially France, five of the top stables of Europe - Coolmore, Juddmonte, Darley/Godolphin, the Aga Khan and the Niarchos family - look set to battle in out with their representatives in this race - Eagle Mountain (owned by Derrick Smith - part of the Coolmore confederation), Zambezi Sun, Airmail Special, Ashkazar, and Sagara respectively. There are also two German hopes - both withdrawn from the German Derby due to the turf condition - Axxos and Prinz. Alan Shuback had a nice story in last Sunday's DRF on the great history of the race.

http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NID=86486&subs=0&arc=1