Academy Awards

[Valuist]

Many offshores are taking wagers on them. I'm not going to be betting much, but what the he11, I'll toss a few bucks trying to beat the chalk. My strategy? Whatever the public will perceive as politically correct.

BEST ACTOR:
Crowe- Actually the only performance by the nominees that I've seen. At over -200, he's not playable. Nothing against him, but I certainly don't bet 1-2 shots at the track. Besides, the conspiracy theorists don't want one (or possibly 2) Aussie Oscar winners at this time.

Denzel- 2nd choice at +350. First thought is its PC to vote for the minority candidate. Not here. The idea of somebody taking a hospital hostage just isn't going to fly with enough people. Only a matter of time before somebody tries this in real life. Pass.

Sean Penn--+550. Here's my choice. I didn't see the movie, and I have no idea if his performance was good. I know he plays a character who's mentally retarded. I believe Dustin Hoffman won for Rain Man so he'll be the sentimental choice.

BEST ACTRESS:
Sissy Spacek- At minus 200, I can't play her.
Halle Berry- Plus +400. She may be the PC choice here, and she's awfully hot. Why not at 4-1?
Nicole Kidman--see the above comment about Australians

MOVIE
A Beautiful Mind- granted the only nominee I've seen and the odds I believe are probably too low unless used in some sort of parlay. I think Ron Howard will win based on the "Ron Dayne effect". Other players may have had better numbers in 1999 than Dayne but he broke the rushing record so they gave him the Heisman. Howard hasn't won an Oscar so they give it to him based on lifetime achievement.

 

[rrc]

Thoughts....

Thoughts....

Sean Penn-very good performance, very mediocre movie
Russell Crowe-saw the other best actor performances, think no one comes close to his performance.Academy likes that kind of movie.
Sissy Spacek-has won all foreign awards thus far,most solid chalk.
Jennifer Connelly like her for best supporting actress, plus she's hot.

Grew up at Arlington Park going to races since I was a junior in hs, is that where you cut your teeth betting the ponies?

 

[Valuist]

Absolutely. I grew up in Mount Prospect, so all my early gambling days were at Arlington. I still remember sneaking in jumping over the fence by the paddock at the since-burned down track.

 

[rrc]

Graduated from Prospect hs in 1975

 

[Valuist]

I graduated PHS in '81

 

[rrc]

Sartin methodology...

Sartin methodology...

Have you ever used any of Sartin's stuff. Close friend of mine been involved with it for the past couple of years and really has done quite well with it. It ties into the pace book written by Brohamer. You'd probably find it pretty interesting.

 

[Valuist]

I've heard about it but never read it. In one of Quirin's books, he has a couple good sections on pace.

Sounds like this is the last year for Sportsman's Park as a thoroughbred track. They're going to merge with Hawthorne and run their meet on Haw's track. I hated that re-built 7f track. I always thought the track was like a stretched out rubber band. Two ridiculously sharp turns and straightaways that were too long.