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So, Santa, now it's
time to treat yourself! That's why there's horseracing on Boxing Day--one of
the more popular race days of the year, probably because the milestone
(some feel it's a millstone) called Christmas is finally tucked away
for another year and people can get on with their lives. Plus, of course, it marks the
beginning of Santa Anita's premiere winter/spring meet although this year there are uncertainties about its
renovated Cushion Track.
As
if you needed them, you have two excuses to come out early tomorrow:
(1) Free calendar: The first 100 players at the track receive a free lavish Santa Anita 2008 calendar, the
best horseracing calendar anywhere with stunning race pictures for
every month and added notes. Each OTB has a number of calendars as well.
(2) $162,000 pick-6 carryover at Aqueduct: First post
is 11:30 a.m. Always keep in mind those two South
Dakota businessmen who won $2.7 million on a pick-6 ticket
they bought for a measly $8.
Sure, nailing a ticket for pocket change is very remote--but
still hugely more possible than winning a lottery where numbers are
simply picked at random.
 Also,
you can pick up a game card for an exciting new promotion called Tour d' Champs. The more big race days you attend in the winter and
spring (such as the Sunshine Millions, Florida Derby, etc.), the more
chances you'll have of winning a trip for two to the Breeders' Cup on Kentucky Derby Day.
Tour d' Champs cards are available at the Race Book kiosk (see
picture above).
Here
are 16 ways to enjoy yourself tomorrow, including participation in a
gorgeous Dec. 27 summer day in Australia--the last
track on the day:
11:10
a.m. Laurel
11:25
a.m. Calder
11:25
a.m. Tampa Bay
11:30
a.m. Aqueduct
12:10
p.m. Turfway
12:20
p.m. Woodbine Harness
1:35
p.m. Hawthorne
2:00
p.m. Santa Anita
2:45
p.m. Golden Gate
3:15
p.m. Fraser Harness
5:00
p.m. Flamboro
Harness
6:00
p.m. Northfield Harness
6:30
p.m. Delta Downs
6:40
p.m. Yonkers Harness
7:20
p.m. Balmoral Harness
8:00
p.m. Australia
Full
schedules of racing continue right through the holidays, including New
Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Refer to the Downs website for
daily updates on all racing news: www.assiniboiadowns.com.
SANTA NOTES: New bet, new schedule
• New bet but not here: Santa Anita will be offering a new
bet on the last race--a "superfecta plus one" bet--but,
unfortunately, the Downs' tote contractor, United Tote, doesn't currently have the ability to process this wager. Also,
permission from the federal CPMA (Canadian Parimutuel
Association) is needed. This new
wager will feature a carryover when no one wins it. Essentially, a bettor must predict
the top
five finishers in the right order. This bet will take the place of the
last-race superfecta.
• New schedule: Santa Anita will add Monday racing and
eliminate Wednesday racing. So
the southern Cal track now
will race Thursday to Monday inclusively.
BYE-BYE TURKEY, HELLO GREECE: Yes, nobody will be using fowl language at this
Thursday's theme night dinner in the Terrace Dining Room. The buffet will be deliciously Greek. New Year's Eve: Got plans? Tell me this menu doesn't look
like an appetizing place to start.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Gulfstream Park opens its
winter/spring meet Thursday, Jan. 3 at 12:15
p.m. This will be the first time Canadians
can bet directly into pools at this Florida track.
NEXT INSIDER: Blast off!
Year 50 begins! (Next
column: Thursday, Jan. 3)
Continued holiday cheer, folks!
See ya tomorrow doing--what else?--"Boxing"
horses
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