TRAVERS DAY LIVE BLOG
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 9:00 AM EDT
in Stakes Day Open Thread
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PrintIt's the biggest day of the 2011 Saratoga meeting, and one of the biggest days on the racing calendar. That's right, it's Travers Day. The Grade 1 Travers Stakes is the 12th race on the card and will go to post at 5:45pm Eastern (TV: NBC). The first graded stakes of the day is the Grade 2 Ballston Spa in race 8.
You can find a summary of the entire day's results, payouts, final times, and fractional splits, at the bottom of this post. Click on the name of the winning horse to go to the chart (via Equibase).
2:55 PM: Stay Thirsty takes the Travers and both stakes races for three-year-olds at Saratoga this summer. Shackleford and Coil were no shows, while Rule On Ice was able to secure 4th.
2:30 PM: A thrilling finish to the King's Bishop as Caleb's Posse is able to wear down Uncle Mo in the final furlong. Uncle Mo was very game in his first race off of an extended layoff, but didn't have enough in the tank to put the field away at the top of the stretch.
1:45 PM: 3-Hilda's Passion grabs a clear lead within the first furlong and then stream rolls the field to win the Grade 1 Ballerina in the tenth race at odds of 5/2. Why couldn't she have done that on Derby day!
1:10 PM: Taking advantage of quick early fractions, 6-Hot Summer wins the G2-Ballston Spa in her first start since running 3rd to Royal Delta and Buster's Ready in the Black-Eyed Susan.
The main track at Saratoga seems pretty fair today, although speed is definitely holding.
12:35 PM: 3-Daveron sits mid-pack through solid fractions and kicks on for home at the top of the stretch to win the Grade 2 Ballston Spa in the eighth at Saratoga. Pace setter 9-Tapitsfly held on for 2nd, while 2-Romacaca finished 3rd.
12:03 PM: Time for the stakes portion of the card beginning with the only turf stake on the day - the Grade 2 Ballston Spa. 1-Miss Keller (IRE) has scratched from the field.
11:50 AM: A pretty wide-open seventh race on the inner turf course is the final event before the start of today's graded stakes. 6-Fizzano (2/1) and 1-Seattle Mission (5/2) are taking the most cash with under 10 minutes to post, but this race could produce another big priced winner. Chad Brown sends out 8-Atitlan (7/1) for his first try against winners; might be worth a play in this spot.
10:55 AM: A very, very impressive debut win by 7-Miss Netta in the fifth race. The juvenile filly is a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense out of a Dynaformer mare (Dyna Peak).
Check out the splits by that juvenile filly - 22.27, 45.81 and 1:10.74. She wasn't asked for anything in the stretch and ran the final 1/8th of a mile faster than Fire On Ice in the 2nd (although both were geared down at the end). Looks like a couple of nice juvenile maiden winners today.
The Early Pick 4 comes back at $395.00 for $1
10:25 AM: Trainer Chad Brown continues his sizzling Saratoga meeting as 4-Good Prospect wins race number four at the Spa. Coming into today, Brown was 57-18-13-3 at the current meeting (32%) with a $2 ROI at a healthy $2.88.
9:48 AM: 12-Daddy Nose Best (4/1) and Julien Leparoux roll home to take the third at Saratoga and the first on the lawn.
The Early Pick 3 pays a fat $4,499.00 for $1 due to the 50/1 winner in the first leg..
9:20 AM: Speed has held well through the first two races on the card. Pretty Boy Freud pressed the early pace and Fire On Ice went gate-to-wire.
9:15 AM: Fire On Ice, a first time starter by Unbridled's Song out of a Storm Cat mare (Lost in the Storm) blows away the field by 10+ lengths in the second at Saratoga. Scorching splits from the winner: 22.29, 22.78, 11.73 and 12.87. The final 1/8th was slow but the race was over and Fire On Ice was under little urging from David Cohen. Very impressive debut win.
8:45 AM: A big, big price in the first at Saratoga as 9-Pretty Boy Freud scores at a fat 50/1.
7:00 AM PACIFIC: Here are the early changes at Saratoga:
Main Track is FAST
Turf course is GOOD FIRM (The turf course was upgraded to FIRM at some point today)
Stakes Scratches:
Race 8: 1-Miss Keller (IRE)
Race 9: 8-Valliant Passion
Race 10: 1-Hour Glass
Payouts
| # | Winner | $2 Win | $1 Ex | $1 Tri | .10 Super | $1 DD | $1 P3 | $.50 P4 | $2 P6 |
| 1 | 9-Pretty Boy Freud | 102.50 | 434.00 | 1,151.00 | |||||
| 2 | 1-Fire On Ice | 7.50 | 9.60 | 95.25 | 287.50 | ||||
| 3 | 12-Daddy Nose Best | 10.60 | 21.80 | 496.00 | 567.75 | 30.75 | 4,499.00 | ||
| 4 | 4-Good Prospect | 6.90 | 23.90 | 270.50 | 123.40 | 21.10 | 108.50 | ||
| 5 | 7-Miss Netta | 17.00 | 83.50 | 734.00 | 706.70 | 23.80 | 143.75 | 395.00 | |
| 6 | 5-Strategic Missle | 24.00 | 95.25 | 662.50 | 763.50 | 139.25 | 373.50 | ||
| 7 | 6-Fizzano | 6.60 | 39.75 | 109.75 | 129.60 | 47.00 | 570.00 | ||
| 8 | 3-Daveron | 11.00 | 48.00 | 142.50 | 61.55 | 19.40 | 290.00 | 1,622.00 | |
| 9 | 6-Hot Summer | 16.40 | 71.75 | 348.50 | 53.25 | 141.25 | |||
| 10 | 3-Hilda's Passion | 7.10 | 12.60 | 53.75 | 43.25 | 214.75 | |||
| 11 | 2-Caleb's Posse | 13.80 | 19.70 | 262.50 | 103.65 | 29.00 | 235.50 | ||
| 12 | 9-Stay Thirsty | 6.80 | 39.00 | 656.00 | 511.85 | 24.20 | 97.50 | 363.25 | |
| 13 | 8-Cincinnati Kid | 8.70 | 43.00 | 839.50 | 399.10 | 15.60 | 93.00 | 51,316.00 |
Fractions and Internal Splits
| Fractions | Internal Splits | ||||||||||
| # | Dist. | Class | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| 1 | 7.0 | AllowanceN1X | 22.83 | 45.54 | 1:09.40 | 1:22.15 | 22.83 | 22.71 | 23.86 | 12.75 |
|
| 2 | 6.0 | MdSpWt | 22.29 | 45.07 |
56.80 |
1:09.67 |
22.29 |
22.78 | 11.73 | 12.87 | |
| 3 | 8.5T |
MdSpWt | 23.47 |
47.75 |
1:12.39 |
1:42.90 |
23.47 |
24.48 |
24.64 |
30.51 |
|
| 4 | 8.5T | $20k Claim | 23.81 | 48.00 |
1:11.94 |
1:41.78 |
23.81 |
24.19 |
23.94 |
29.84 |
|
| 5 | 6.0 | MdSpWt | 22.27 | 45.81 |
58.07 |
1:10.74 |
22.27 |
23.54 |
12.26 |
12.67 |
|
| 6 | 5.5T | AllowanceN1X | 21.60 | 44.46 |
56.19 |
1:02.20 |
21.60 |
22.86 |
11.73 |
6.01 | |
| 7 | 8.5T | AllowanceN1X | 23.77 | 48.54 |
1:12.67 |
1:42.55 |
23.77 |
24.77 |
24.13 |
29.88 |
|
| 8 | 8.5T | G2-Ballston Spa | 23.52 | 47.19 | 1:10.67 |
1:40.09 |
23.52 |
23.67 |
23.48 |
29.42 |
|
| 9 | 6.0 | G3-Victory Ride | 21.77 | 44.23 |
56.66 |
1:10.18 |
21.77 |
22.46 |
12.43 |
13.52 |
|
| 10 | 7.0 | G1-Ballerina | 22.83 | 45.43 |
1:09.19 |
1:22.06 |
22.83 | 22.60 |
23.76 |
12.87 |
|
| 11 | 7.0 | G1-King's Bishop | 22.23 | 44.92 |
1:09.21 |
1:21.59 |
22.23 |
22.69 |
24.29 | 12.38 |
|
| 12 | 10.0 | G1-Travers | 23.45 | 47.63 |
1:11.91 |
2:03.03 |
23.45 |
24.18 | 24.28 |
51.12 |
|
| 13 | 8.5T | MdSpWt | 23.17 | 48.10 |
1:12.14 |
1:36.08 |
23.17 |
24.93 |
24.04 |
23.94 |
|
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Comments
Rolling Doubles..
In years past I haven’t done this much although I traditionally would play the Daily Double if I am at the track for the first race. Today, I’m joining a faction here that likes to roll the double bet all down the card. I have at least one constant: Chad Brown every time – the guy is smoking hot at this meet. He has an entry in the first. Long-shotting with the 6 because he is a front runner and we’ll see right away how the track is treating these types.
Race 1:
1+3+6/1+7
SAR 1
I also like the 3 a lot in the first race…as well as the 8, who got beat by a decent open claimer last time out. He might find this group more to his liking.
I love the pedigree on the 8 in the 2nd race, but Zito rarely wins with first timers, so I’ll take a pass at this time. The 1a-Never On Time probably won’t offer a ton in terms of price, but the pedigree and Pletcher indicate that he should be ready to run at first asking.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Opening double
The 3/1 combo is hammered to a paltry $5 for $1.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
SAR 3
I love the 2-Politicallycorrect in the 3rd race. Great win-early pedigree and Wesley Ward does well with firsters and juveniles. I’m a little surprised at the 10/1 morning line….and with the fact that a Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred colt that is a son of Kitten’s Joy doesn’t have “Kitten” in the name.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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I know...how rare is that?
Maybe they ran out of words to put before or after “Kitten”.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
It doesn't appear that it is...
I thought DRF.com or NYRA might do a live stream, but it doesn’t appear that way. Which is too bad.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Making racing more available for the casual fan would probably do wonders for the sport. Pretty cool it’s on NBC for a little bit today though.
Several tracks now offer live streaming on their website
Tampa, Keeneland, Del Mar (I think)…so a few have embraced the idea but not nearly enough.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
What's funny is
they had live streaming for the post draw for the Travers. Must see tv
The wagering sites DRFBets and TwinSpires have video
that you don’t need to be bet to watch. But you do have to sign up for membership.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
That should read "be betting to watch"
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep, He was a tough one to pick out.
Trainer 0-for-25 in 2011. The horse was eased in his last start and hasn’t won a race since 2009.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR 2
The 1/1a taking a good amount of action; Repole must be dumping money on these colts. Could be a big day for him if Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty win.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Very impressive win by 3-Fire On Ice...
went wire-to-wire and blew that field away. Won by 10+ lengths.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
$60k purses for maiden claiming races.
Things sure are different out there
Just a bit, huh?
When you see the purses that the horses at the big tracks race for, you have feel for the local, small track owner and trainers who grind out a living in races for $6k to $10k. Especially given the current economic conditions.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
No kidding.
I’m usually all over a Leparoux turf horse but that one got by me. And it paid nice too.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to ask if you had that Chad Brown winner.
That guy is having himself a great meet.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I had thought Linda Rice trained Good Prospect for a while but it might be another horse with a closely sounding name.
You're absolutely right...
That was the first race for Good Prospect with Chad Brown as his trainer. First off the claim.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
That's what it seemed like for the first two on dirt...
At a minimum, the track doesn’t appear to be punishing speed.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR 5 is a tough one
Lots of first time starters and lots of trainers that don’t win a lot with firsters. 5-Wee Party has a win early pedigree but Mott rarely wins with first timers. Tough race.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR 5
Going to play a 2-5-10/2 double at varying amounts.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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Nice work on that 7
She rolled that field. Impressive.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
and a nice price at 7/1.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR6
now with the 7 in the bag in SAR5; i have the 3 + 9 in SAR6 but I think the 4 has a real chance.
That's nice to have a 7/1 winner rolling into the next double...
I like the 2 a lot in this race, but that means nothing since it’s a turf sprint and I’ll be lucky to pick a horse in the top four in these things.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Good luck...
I’m sitting this one out….turf sprints have taken too much of my money this year!
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I would have never had the 5 in that one. Ugh.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
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by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, fat payout all around on that one.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR 7
Last race before the start of the graded stakes portion of the card.
I usually hate horses that look like money burners, but 1-Seattle Mission seems to fit in well with this group. I’m concerned he might not get enough pace to run at, or that 6-Fizzano will get loose on the lead.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
good arguments all around. much like the last race there is lot of angles to look at here: more chad brown with the 8 for instance.
the 2 is interesting for WPS with the long odds.
I like that 8 horse...
Always tough to face winners for the first time but it’s not like he’s drawn in against a bunch of monsters. Plus, the odds are nice.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I thought the 8 was going to make a strong move in the lane but he flattened out.
That race is why I hate horses like Seattle Mission – he really had no excuses. Money burner: Always runs decent but don’t like to win.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR 8 - Ballston Spa
7-Aviate is the class of the field but her brief time in America suggests she prefers firmer footing than she’ll find today. As a result, I like Daveron given the decent 5/1 odds currently on the board.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Thanks... hopefully a sign of things to come.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR9
this is an interesting race. 2 and 9 are the early speed and it’s been favorable to them.
anyone else you like?
Yeah, my pick last night was the 6-Hot Summer,
due to the cut back in distance, but I’m not sure coming off the pace will be the best strategy. I’m going to stick with 6 given what should be a good pace set-up. I thought this was one of the tougher races on the card given the presence of so many fillies that want to be near or on the lead.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The 3-A Z Warrior intrigues me a little
She’s another that looks like she’ll be coming off the pace, but Bobby B. is pretty good at turning them back in distance.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
That was some serious pace
21.77 and 44.23.
At this point, the track seems very fair. Speed is doing well, and held well in that race given the fractions, but a horse can close if they are good enough.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
The 1 held pretty well
They came home in 13+, but it’s hard not too when you go 21+ for the opening quarter.
That race really set up well for Hot Summer.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I think so...
I really like Flashpoint in that race and I think Mo will find it tough to deal with Flashpoint’s speed in his first race off the layoff.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Very true.
His first timers in the second race were bet really, really hard.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
SAR 10
It’s going to be tough to hold off Sassy Image in the stretch, but I’m going to stick with 6-Tar Heel Mom in this spot.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
She destroyed my Pick 5 on Derby Day...
so I have a personal grudge against her!
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Decent payouts today at SAR
Median payouts:
$2 Win: 11.00
$1 EX: 48.00
$1 TRI: 348.50
$0.10 Super: 348.68
$1 DD: 38.88
$1 Pick 3: 290.00
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Well, not the start I wanted to see from the 6
Hilda’s Passion get the lead without any pressure and rolls that field.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Going to be a tote board decision for me...
First flash of the tote board goes Uncle Mo at 3/5. Good lord.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
It's doubtful that Uncle Mo stays at 3/5...
but if he does…good lord, those are some bad odds.
Mo is a talented colt, and he could very well win this race, but 3/5 is absurd for a horse coming off an illness and has only had two races this year, one of which was, to quote Gary Stevens, “a paid workout.”
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Great race...
It kind of fell apart a bit at the end, but a blanket finish.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
weather
power was flickering here in the Annapolis, MD area but we survived that first band of the storm.
of course, all the news is about the weather so they have changed the schedule and I won’t see the race on NBC affliates (no TVG here). back to the webcast!
Man, crazy weather out east.
Earthquakes, hurricanes. Bunker in.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Coil sitting as the fav at 2/1
Shack 9/2
Stay Thirsty 5/2
Lot’s of numbers out there if one of the top three don’t win. We’ll see if someone can finally put together back-to-back big performances.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Got to love Dale Romans
always a great interview.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
it's a nice day at delmar
But you already knew that….
"It's a pass so cunning you put a hat on it and call it a weasel" - #englishfootballjournalism
by Hot Cup Joe on Aug 27, 2011 6:28 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
It's also nice in Seattle.
Seems to be nice everywhere but on the East Coast.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Very nice payouts
Good day at the Spa. We’ll see how Pacific Classic day goes tomorrow at Del Mar.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 27, 2011 10:45 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I Should Have Gotten On Here...
yesterday and chatted with you all. I had one of those really frustrating days where I handicapped really well, and still managed to incinerate $130. I should have avoided the exotics and just played win bets!
That’s horse racin’. Are you going to do a thread for Pacific Classic day? Kind of a crappy card compared to the all-stakes pick 4 of Travers Day, but I will join up around the fifth race after we have baseball practice, if it doesn’t rain out.
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
Yeah, I'll have one up later this morning
Got a little behind yesterday.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Aug 28, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
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