Archive for the ‘Horse Racing’ Category:
Kosovo honors former US president with statue
This 11 foot tall statue of former president Bill Clinton was unveiled on November 1, 2009, in Pristina, Kosovo. (photo: AP/Nimani)
On Sunday a statue was unveiled in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, honoring a man many ethnic Albanians consider integral to their fight for independence - former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
“I never expected that anywhere, someone would make such a big statue of me,” Clinton told the crowd of thousands who stood in the cold, waving flags and cheering.
The statue is gold plated, stands 11 feet tall, and depicts Clinton waving and holding a folder with his name and the date March 24, 1999, engraved on it. It was erected on a street named after Clinton, who gave a speech at the unveiling of his new statue. He thanked the Kosovars and called for them to set aside the past and work together with minority groups to build their new country.
As president, Clinton ordered NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999, helping to end a wave of genocide that claimed the lives of 10,000 Albanians and displaced some 800,000 more. Kosovo was officially recognized as a state by 62 countries in the UN last year. 
“He is our savior. He saved us from extermination,” sculptor Izeir Mustafa told an interviewer in 2007. “I was thrilled by the work because I know what he did for us.”
Rachel Alexandra wins Preakness 2009
Calvin Borel and Rachel Alexandra achieve victory - Photo courtesy of LA Times
The 134th running of the Preakness Stakes was won by the odds favorite, Rachel Alexandra. She has become the first filly to win the second leg of The Triple crown since 1924.
The philly jumped to an early lead and then held held her ground at the end of the 1 3/16 mile at Race Course at Pimlico in Baltimore.
Her jockey, Calvin Borel, also rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird was a 50 to 1 underdog in that race. He graciously switched to Rachel Alexandra for Pimlico and guided her to a sixth straight victory. Borel was quoted as saying “Rachel Alexandra is the finest horse in the country.” just before the race.
Rachel Alexandra out ran Mine That Bird, ridden by jockey Mike Smith, by only a length. Musket Man came across the finish line in third place.
Rachel Alexandra paid $5.60, $4.60 & $3.60.
Mine That Bird paid $6.60 & $4.80.
Musket Man returned $5.
High Stakes for Preakness 2009
At the 135th Kentucky Derby, Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird are first across the finish line. Image provided by NY DailyNews
Only a few hours left until the gates open for the 2009 Preakness Stakes race and we will take a final look at the odds on the Preakness contenders at Pimlico. Pimlico racetrack is located just outside of Baltimore, MD, in Laurel. The events are set to begin at 6:15 PM.
Will filly Rachel Alexandra win the 2009 Preakness Stakes with favorite odds or will Mine That Bird cause an upset and move a leg closer to winning the Triple Crown?
Recall that Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby with 50/1 odds. Experts point out several factors as “flukes” that conpored to aid Mine That Bird in this victory. Firstly, the field was muddy meaning no other horses could pull away from Mine That Bird, or each other, for that matter. Also, critics cite that Mine That Bird was “knocked around” coming out of the gate, therefore making the horse less inlclined to stick with the pack.
On the other hand, Rachel Alexandra has her own set of advantages. She will be the only filly to race in the 2009 Preakness Stakes. She will also have Calvin Borel as her jockey, one of the many factors working in favor of this Preakness contender. Calvin Borel had previoulsy rode Mine that Bird to victory in the Kentucky derby.
Big Drama - 10/1 odds
Mine That Bird - 6/1
Musket Man - 8/1
Luv Gov - 50/1
Friesan Fire - 6/1
Terrain - 30/1
Papa Clem - 12/1
General Quarters - 20/1
Pioneer of the Nile - 5/1
Flying Private - 50/1
Take The Points - 30/1
Tone It Down - 50/1
Rachel Alexandra - 8/5 odds