Maybe the dingo took your baby-Elaine from Seinfeld. I don't know why I posted that.

Xanadu, I just looked for about 5 minutes on that forum but didn't find your question, until I came back here. I have to ponder that for a while because although I'm aware of these differences between here and Aus/Europe, I've never thought about what was a better way, I just figured the whole while in Rome thing. I have some ideas already but I want to really come up with a strong objective opinion. As for Kentucky, the Spring and Fall meet at Keeneland in Lexington are very strong with the best horses around running. (VERY STRONG INSIDE SPEED BIAS ON THE DIRT THERE. If you come across an outside closer who did well there, give him a good look on a closers or honest track. The turf there is generally kind to closers but I think it is pretty fair.) CHURCHILL DOWNS is in Louisville about 80 miles north west of Lexington near the Indiana border on the banks of the Ohio river. 80 miles physically, but a world of difference in the towns and the tracks. Churchill is an old track that has been recently renovated as it is the home of the World'd Most famous race (sorry rest of world,but this is not just a boast from an obnoxious Yank). The DERBY, not Darby.) But the purse for the Kentucky Derby is a joke. It's only $1 million US and just got raised from 750k a couple of years ago(not much by todays standards). But win it and you are set for life as long as your horse doesn't need Viagra. Louisville is becoming a typical US city with crime and decay and those are the areas that surround Churchill. Lexington is a horsey city with lots of cash and opulent horse farms on all the outskirts of the city. The whole city is circled by the interstate and roads extend out like spokes on a tire, only out instead of in. Each spoke contains the World's(that word again) most famous Horse farms. Calumet stands next to the track which is also on a spoke. Adena Springs, Claiborne, Stonerside, Pin Oak, Overbrook, Airdrie, Coolmore, The THorougbred Corp. all there. HUGE FARMS with white clapboard fences and green fields containing the best stallions around.

Ellis Park is a mediocre track along with Turfway Park near Cincinnati. Churchill runs a fall meet from Nov through Dec and a spring meet from the first week in May until July. They have great racing the first two weeks until the Derby is run on the 1st Saturday in may, when it becomes a decent track with good purses and second level horses from some of the top notch trainers. Order of bettability (Keeneland(lots of favorites though), Churchill, Ellis, Turfway(mostly runs at night here), and the now defunct BLUEGRASS DOWNS in good old Paducah near Illinois.) I'm also partial to Kenneland because I proposed to my wife there. They also have kick ass tailgate parties before the races begin. Like a football game.I've never seen anything like it.

The Breeder;s Cup is at Monmouth Park in NJ next year, if anyone dedides to come over for it, let me know. I live about 2 hours from Monmouth and 2 1/2 hours from Belmont and NYC. I live about 5-6 hours from Saratoga, but well worth the drive.