As I watched the Preakness yesterday, the one thing that stood out aside from the race was a shot from the blimp. It appeared that hardly anyone was in the infield. And that was the backstory of the race, attendance dropped 35,000 in one year. Many issues abound. Maryland horse racing has been in turmoil for years regarding slots, the track owner is in bankruptcy, horse racing dying, etc.

But the main reason for the attendance drop...lack of beer. Or should I say a lack of bringing your own beer. The infield had been known as a knockdown, drag out beerfest and this year ownership said nope, it's over. They decided to charge $3.50 for a 16-oz. Bud (incredibly reasonable for any sporting event in America, I might add. FYI, Cleveland State charged $5 this past season) and $1 Bud Lights in the morning and no one showed up. I guess they thought security would limit the amount of beer you could drink. Gee, they should go to a Browns game.

As for the race itself, it was historic. The filly, Rachel Alexandra won, beating the Derby winner, Mine That Bird, who was flying at the end. Another strange thing. That exacta, 13-2, paid $39.20, and to get that price for two of the top favorites seemed like stealing to me.

The Belmont remains a puzzle. I think Mine That Bird goes. To hear RA's jockey, Calvin Borel, talk after the race, not sure about her chances. And trainer Steve Asmussen has a Horse of the Year contender and probably sits out. Third place finisher, Musket Man, will not go either. BTW, Borel becomes to first jockey to win two Triple Crowns races in the same year with different mounts.

Meal of Links

Two employees were caught peeing in Old Faithful. That's some geyser.

"It's All Pipes"



Terry Pluto just figured out the Browns can't run the ball nor defend the run. Uh, where's he been?

Iggy does Christmas.

Woman was arrested for not holding an escalator rail. Happened in Montreal.

Churches as small businesses. Pretty high fail rate.

The Indians finally cut the cord with Masa Kobayashi. Hopefully, he goes elsewhere to pitch and not back to Columbus. Do you realize we had a club option on this stiff for 2010? One of the worst signings of the Shapiro Era. Basically bid against themselves for a guy who was not even the closer in his final half-season in Japan. They could have asked his manager, Booby Valentine. He speaks English. As I've said ad nauseum, the fans were sold a bill of goods on this guy. David Dellucci now assumes the hot seat. If Travis Hafner's rehab goes well, he's done.

To replace Masa, the Tribe called up David Huff. Only this past week, I heard Huff was not throwing as hard as the Indians would like, still topping out at 89.

James A. Garfield lost his head. His statue had just been moved to Hiram and he became headless 24 hours later. In the PD, the Hiram President curiously defended students as being the culprits. Huh?

Exercise Yard

Manchester United wins the EPL. Again.

Randy Lerner's Other Team really spit the bit at the midway mark. They have only won 2 league games since February 1.

Next week, it's the final week of the season. Therefore, relegation time. Newcastle is the biggest team in the drop zone.

Visitor

None, it's a cool sunny Sunday.