TRACKSIDE  "Where the truth makes the story"
with Mike Kravchak
5/14/07
Exciting Week Three

    For those of you that enjoy reading the weekly
    Trackside report, then you are in for a treat this
    week. But for those of you that don't like the TRUTH
    and don't like my side, then you might want to
    CLICK OFF NOW!!

    My name is  Michael Kravchak. A resident and
    horsemen here in Kentucky. I am an owner, a trainer
    and YES, a driver. I am an advocate and member of
    the USTA and the KHHA. I have been given the
    opportunity to write for the most informative website
    in Kentucky, KyHarnessRacing.com not because I am
    the most popular, and not for siding with the
    majority on issues. Rather, I say what is on my mind
    to Everyone, that most horsemen say under their
    breathe or behind the backs of the ones that actually
    NEED to HEAR IT!!! I am NOT someone who sits on
    the sidelines and pretends to know what is going on.
    I'm a sports writer for harness racing. When I see a
    Horrible Drive or a horse that needs recognition, I will
    say it. THATS ME, and that's how it's going to be.

    I start with the GREAT JOB that Billy Perkins has
    done as OUR race secretary for this and previous
    years here at the Downs. It is a stressful job, and I
    think, for his benefit and ours, It needs to be a
    CLOSED DOOR BOX. By this I mean, either phone
    your entries in or drop them in the box, THEN LEAVE..
    NO ONE should be lingering around the race
    secretary while he is accepting entries..NO
    EXCEPTIONS!!!

    Unless some of you horsemen have started
    selling AVON, and are looking for sales,
    then don't be in there looking for ways to
    DODGE horses in certain races..

    We need some kind of representation for "us", the KY
    horsemen. I will not point a finger at ANYONE, this
    time, but how do these Track Reps get into their
    position? And, what is their job here? Do they get
    elected or appointed? Or, maybe no one wants to be
    part of that club. Like it or not, we are a family, a
    racing family, (with you guys being like the
    FUNKY UNCLE that no one hears from unless he
    needs something) . We ALL need to look for the best
    possible future for KY racing. How about April Neafus.
    Not only is she an extremely hard worker, a charter,
    program director, wife of Leading Trainer "Gary
    Neafus" and a mother of 1-2 and 3, and  I know she
    WON'T take any bullcrap from anyone. Especially, the
    higher-ups..You've got my vote GIRL!!!

    And now for the recap of week 3 at the Downs.....
    The track crew did a great job in preparing the track
    for this weekend's races.. My only complaint? The
    teletimer. NOW, what will it take to fix this thing? Is it
    money? Time? or just a simple outlet to plug the
    friggin thing in? The teletimer is imperative to racing.
    Notice the fast quarters and the Crawling Last
    Quarters. The answer, NO CLOCK...Let's get it fixed
    guys......It has been a year now..and counting....

    The racing was great this weekend starting with
    "Gentleman" Dale Bartley confidently winning with 2
    back to back trotters. What looked like a race replay,
    Dale took Miss Valley Victor and  Victory Hill both to
    swooping victories. Did I see Dale tuck his whip at the
    top of the stretch and smile, or was that just my
    imagination. 2 great wins for the teary-eyed owner
    Donna Murphy. Dale Bartley is a gentleman on and off
    the track, and I was glad to see him in the winner's
    circle..

    After Brush the Sand somehow "DODGED" the
    OPEN yet again for what looked like an easy win, or
    did it? Someone should have told Simply a Star that,
    as she FLEW past the filly to a 1:57.4 victory...
    HEY Gary, you don't have to be careful as you
    remove THAT bridle, she's had it done before.

    The OPEN pace was a "Battle of the Brothers" not
    Bridles, this week. Putting bragging rights on the line
    with FALITA and BANANIH. Falita was last weeks
    winner and Bananih, coming in from the Invite at
    Hoosier Park, was the favorite. 1 minute 55 seconds
    and 8 lengths later, we can all say it again....say it
    with me now, FA***LI***TA.. Falita destroyed her
    company from gate to wire, giving Gary Neafus a
    driving/training GRAND SLAM for the day...

    The Wildcat series for trotting fillies saw MT Bowles'
    Jon's Girl Draw off again in the 2 horse field to a
    2:07.2 victory and stable mate Super Sims destroyed
    his competion (or lack there of) to a 2:06.1 win.

    The pacing division saw 2 Non-McCracken County
    colts ship down to take the money. Nick Giberson
    sent down  Coastal Highway and Quick Settlement to
    a 1-2 finish. As we saw, bet down favorite Real
    Excited get HUNG, Terry Cullipher and Coastal
    Highway took advantage and swooped past his
    entrymate to a 1:57.2 triumph...The filly's side saw
    GO Ginny GO destroy her 7 foes by 6 1/2 in 1:58
    FLAT. She will be tough to beat in the final...

    So, are you following my horses to watch section. If
    you have, you would have cashed on Lea Legend
    $4.60, Ole Slingshot $10.20, Miss Valley Victor
    $18.20 and Falita $7.40....Gifts folks, from Kravchak
    to you...

    The Handle has been up over the last 3 weekends
    here at the Downs, thanks to the news form
    KyHarnessRacing.com, the great giveaways,
    Bluegrass Downs and its' employees and the
    Horsemen...We have exciting racing here all the time,
    whether it's for $5000, $900 or for cheetos and a
    Miller Lite...I thank the horsemen for bearing with the
    low purse situation and making the very best of it...

Now for my Hot/Not/Watch/and Retire list

Horses to watch....Villosity, Lea Legend(AGAIN) Fire Siren
and Lyrics Delite

Not Hot list....Autumn Foalige, Jiminee Jack(as if we
needed a reminder), and Playing Ruff (with or without the
re-rigging!!!!!)

Hot list is ANYTHING from the Gary Neafus stable....

    I was reading the comment pages and saw a very
    confident Randy Crisler talk about how he was the
    top driver in UDRS for 100 starts or less last year...
    Someone needs to give this guy a win please, or
    hand him an application to Expressway Car wash.
    He's gonna need some kind of gas money to get back
    to Mississippi...Although he does have plenty of HOT
    AIR...

From Trackside, I am  MIchael Kravchak and this is MY SIDE.