RICK NEEDHAM'S BETTER BETTOR
LOUISIANA BONUS
#2 RACHAEL ALEXANDRA
#3 ZARDANA
#5 CLEAR SAILING
#4 UNFORGOTTEN
Well folks .. it is hard to not put The Horse of the Year, #2 RACHAEL ALEXANDRA on top of anyones contenders' lists, as she is both the overall speed and pace profile leader in this field, drops in class (-15), and has won 8 of 9 in her remarkable career to date racing at, or about, today's distance of 8½ furlongs on the dirt, including 5 straight "POWER RUN WINS," with her last two "Circle Trips" facing "The Boys!" I personally will not be making a win bet on her, as the prohibitive 1-5 odds will make me an "interested observer," yet not a bettor. The only possible "nick" in her armor, is her 188 day layoff, however, the drop in class should negate her "ring rust." I will however, make a W-P-S wager on the 5-1 shot, #3 ZARDANA, a Brazilian-bred entry ... she qualifies as a TrackMaster PLUS "PowerPony," and has been a "POWER RUN PERFORMER" in each of her last five starts, winning in both her 2nd and 4th races back, which is indicative of a "Bounce Pattern," and the BoUnCe will be UP/POSITIVE today if this pattern continues ... I also note that she is "fresh" ... having raced 27 days ago ... no "ring rust" here!
#1 OBLIGINGLY
#3 AFRICAN DIAMOND
#5 TRANQUIL MANNER
#2B RICORIATOA
#1 OBLIGINGLY is the overall speed leader in this allowance field, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in each of his last four outings, including a 12-length, "POWER RUN WIN" in his 4th race back. Jockey Ramon Dominguez and Trainer Todd Pletcher send him to the post today ... they've hit the board with 58% of their entries saddled as a team to date. #3 AFRICAN DIAMOND has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in four of his last five starts, winning three times in this recent streak of racing consistency.
RACING NEWS: Jockey Francisco Duran notched his 1,000th career victory March 12 at Golden Gate Fields when he guided Karmalize to a front-running score in the sixth race. In a photo finish, Karmalize just held off The Hunt Is On and Saravas Wild Again in the one-mile race for 3-year-old maidens. The photo showed Karmalize hitting the wire a nose in front of The Hunt Is On, who took second by a neck over Saravas Wild Again. "I'm excited and I'm proud of myself," said the 32-year-old Duran, who worked hard on Karmalize from the far turn to the wire. "It's a tough business and I'm thankful I've been able to win so many races. Hopefully, I can win another thousand." Karmalize, trained by Andrew Wilson, returned $16.20 to win, breaking his maiden in his 10th career start.
NOTE: - IF YOU ARE GETTING A YouTube ERROR MESSAGE - BE PATIENT - THE VIDEO IS "PROCESSING!"
BRAZILIAN "BRAHMA BEER LONGSHOTS" MARCH 14, 2010
NOTE: The entries listed below have been "found" utilizing TrackMaster's fantastic new product Ultra Angles ... I have utilized this product to scan EVERY TRACK in North America for entries today meeting the following 3 criteria:
a. Odds are GREATER THAN 4-1
b. The entry must be the TOP POWER RATED entry in the field
c. The entry must also have the BEST SPEED in this field for today's distance and surface!
NOTE: Listed Post Times are given in the local time zone of the track.
Aqueduct - Race #7 - 3:55PM - #9 ADMIRALITY 12/1
Beulah Park - Race #1 - 1:15PM - #6 STRIKE GREENBACKS 9/2
NOTES ON CLASS: The TrackMaster PLUS software uses a sophisticated mathematical formula to calculate the "class" of a particular race. It is important to note that this calculation is NOT based on purse structure, but on the competitive level of the entries in today's field. Therefore, it is possible (and not uncommon), that an entry may be racing for a higher purse today than in his or her last race, but in a "TrackMaster Sense" is dropping in class, because the overall abilities of the entries in today's race are not as competitive as the entries in his or her last race. The TrackMaster class scale is numeric, and basically ranges from 50 to 100, and is particularly helpful in judging entries that are "shipping" in from another track. In my analysis of a race, I often note that an entry is "dropping in class," or "stepping up in class." Following this statement, you will see a (number in parenthesis). The value of that particular number indicates the degree of the class change. EXAMPLE: "#4 SIN CITY takes a fairly significant class drop (-8) this evening." This indicates that this entry is dropping by 8 TrackMaster Class Levels from his or her last race. It does not necessarily mean that this entry is racing for a lower purse, only racing against a less competitive field.
NOTES: I frequently use the term, "POWER RUN" in this column. It is my terminology for a previous race run at a speed, which if duplicated today, should compete for the winner's circle at the class level in which the entry is competing today. Space requirements do not allow for a thorough discussion of this calculation, however, if you would like a short essay on how the "POWER RUN" is calculated, kindly send me some EMAIL at rneedham1@yahoo.com and I'll send you a copy of my "POWER RUN" file.
For Baltimore to succeed they will "have to run!" The Ravens have to run straight at the Colts, right up the gut. Indianapolis has too much speed, so the Ravens won't be able to beat them off the perimeter. But the Ravens' big tackles should be able to run straight at the Colts' lightweight defensive line, especially Pro Bowl ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. If the Ravens can run early, that will force the Colts to put a safety up near the box and out of cover 2. That's when the passing game will succeed. They will also have to "Blitz Manning." The blitzes have to come up the middle, not from off the perimeter. Manning and New England quarterback Tom Brady aren't bothered by outside pressure because they can adjust, and side step those blitzes without any difficulty. But both players have trouble with blitzes up the middle because you can get into a quarterback's face very quickly. The Ravens even used some of their outside linebackers up the middle against the Patriots, and it worked. You can expect the same thing against the Colts. And I guess my big question is "Can They Score early?" The Ravens know they can play with the Colts, and should have beaten them earlier this year. In the past, the Colts haven't played well following a bye in the playoffs. They Ravens need to score early, and plant that seed of doubt again. Also, the Ravens are playing with a lot of confidence after they beat the Patriots last week. If they can come out and score a touchdown early, their confidence will only grow.
However ... from Indy's perspective ... they will "make the Ravens one-dimensional." And that one dimension is throwing the football. Baltimore ran over New England en route to Saturday night's rematch with the Colts, rushing 52 times for 234 yards. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee combined for 221 yards on 42 carries. Coordinator Larry Coyer's defensive front seven must limit the damage by swarming to the ball. The return of LB Clint Session and S Melvin Bullitt are huge plusses. When the Colts posted a 17-15 win at Baltimore in November, they led a surge that limited the Ravens to 98 yards on 31 rushes. QB Joe Flacco is dealing with a hip injury and immobile. Make him, not Rice or McGahee, beat you. They will also "protect and produce!" The Colts are virtually unbeatable when QB Peyton Manning runs an error-free offense. They've won 25 straight regular-season games when not turning the ball over. That streak includes four wins over the opportunistic Ravens. The offense, though, suffered three turnovers in the latest regular-season meeting, including two Manning interceptions. That allowed the Ravens to hang around and necessitated a late-game stop by the defense to secure the win. LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed and the rest of the defense will force the issue. Manning must remain patient and capitalize when the opportunity for a big play presents itself. The Colts will also need to "win without Vinatieri." Adam Vinatieri, arguably the best clutch kicker in NFL history, still isn't 100 percent after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in October. The Colts will rely on Matt Stover, the Ravens' career scoring and field goal leader. If the Ravens' defense stiffens or the Colts' offense falters, it will be imperative for Stover to finish drives with field goals. In the 17-15 win in November, he delivered the winning margin in the fourth quarter with a 25-yard field goal. Ravens PK Billy Cundiff accounted for all of his team's scoring with five field goals, but missed a 30-yarder. The importance of knocking down field goals was most evident when the Colts beat the Ravens in Baltimore in a 2006 divisional-round game en route to the Super Bowl. Vinatieri delivered all of their scoring in a 15-6 win with five field goals.
Bottom Line Department: The building will be rocking and the pressure will be on for Manning and the No. 1-seeded Colts. And there will be no excuses. Caldwell's decision to ease up in the final two regular-season games produced the desired results: his team is rested and healthy. Even if it takes the Colts a series or two to regain their rhythm on both sides of the ball after the bye, they'll find it and do more than enough, especially offensively, to dismiss the Ravens. Barring another 200-yard rushing performance by Rice and McGahee, the Colts move on. I'll TAKE THE COLTS by 10.0!
From New York's sideline ... they will need to "Win the turnover battle!" In games in which they have more takeaways than their opponents, the Jets are 8-0, including wins in their last two regular-season games. And they are 0-5 in games in which they have more giveaways. The Jets need to run the ball effectively, as they did Sunday against the Bengals, so they can keep the game from being decided by QB Mark Sanchez. The Jets want him to manage the game, not win or lose it. And hopefully, they can "Win the Chess Match!" Yes, Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer started and played into the third quarter last Sunday night, but the Bengals showed very little on offense, keeping it as vanilla as possible. While the Jets certainly didn't show everything in their defensive arsenal, they showed more than Cincinnati's offense, simply because the Jets needed the game. They must be prepared for many more wrinkles from Palmer & Co. this time. And I guess ... they will need to "Make big plays on offense!" Brad Smith has keyed the Jets' past two victories, but the Bengals surely will be more aware of him this time around whenever he is in the game. If Cincinnati forces him to pitch out when he runs the option, it will be up to trailing back Shonn Greene to make something happen. Or perhaps Sanchez will need to turn it loose once or twice and look for Braylon Edwards downfield.
And from "Cincy's viewpoint" ... they need to
"Contain the run!" The Jets have a formidable set of running backs in Thomas Jones (1,402 yards), Shonn Greene (540) and Brad Smith (207). Jones is speedy, quick and elusive; Greene is a hammer; Smith is a valuable weapon out of the Wildcat formation. If the Bengals can't contain them and can't third-and-long situations, they'll be at the mercy of the clock-eating Jets.
And I am wondering if they can "Take the ball away!" In order to prevail, the Bengals must win the turnover battle. They're 37-6-1 under head coach Marvin Lewis when they generate a plus turnover differential. On the flip side, they're 7-35 under Lewis when they have a minus turnover differential. The Bengals, who have been limited to three second-half TDs in the past nine games, must create opportunities and take advantage of them.
And without question, the will need to "Turn the tables!" Running back Cedric Benson and the offensive line hold the keys to victory. The line is built to run the ball, and Benson has the speed, power, quickness and agility to move the chains and cross the goal line. The Bengals' goal is to keep the game close, then win it in the fourth quarter in true "Cardiac Cats" style like they've done so many times this year. Cincinnati has scored only 49 points in the third quarter this season, a sign that they struggle with halftime adjustments. The offense is also famous for false starts, and alignment and assignment errors. If they don't clean up the mistakes, they can't win.
BOTTOM LINE DEPARTMENT: The Bengals made their intentions clear in the final game of the regular season. They preferred to take their chances in a playoff rematch against Sanchez rather than face Texans gunslinger Matt Schaub. The Bengals, who get two injured starters -- defensive tackle Domata Peko and free safety Chris Crocker -- back for the playoffs, believe they can contain New York's vaunted running attack and cause Sanchez to make mistakes by throwing the ball sooner than he wants. Like the Jets on Sunday night, the Bengals will have a stadium full of passionate fans behind them. But that won't bother the confident Jets, who have exactly what you need come playoff time --- a great defense, a great rushing attack and momentum. I'll TAKE THE JETS in an upset!
COWBOYS (-3½) OVER EAGLES THE OVER (43.0) RAVENS AT PATRIOTS - (CHECK WEATHER) THE OVER (47.0) PACKERS AT CARDINALS
GMAC BOWLJANUARY 6TH - 7:00 PM EST - ESPNCENTRAL MICHIGAN (-3½) X TROY
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Points, Points, Points. The two teams
combine to average 66 a game. 2) Yards, yards,
yards. Troy is third in the nation averaging 479
yards per game while CMU averaged 417 yards per
outing. 3) Quarterbacks, quarterbacks, quarterbacks.
Dan LeFevour is a three-time MAC champion
quarterback and the most accomplished player in
league history. Troy QB Levi Brown is the Sun Belt
Player of the Year. I'll TAKE THE OVER (62.0)
ORANGE BOWLJANUARY 5TH - 8:00 PM EST - FOXIOWA X GEORGIA TECH (-4.0)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Does the option really work against a good
defense with time to prepare for it? This is one of
those We'll Learn Something bowls. 2) Iowa has won
three of its last four bowl games. This year's
Hawkeye D is the real deal. 3) This is big for the
ACC. Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati last year, but
lost the previous six Orange Bowls. A win should
finally start to bring the league a little more
respect. A little. I'll TAKE IOWA to win outright! JANUARY 4TH EST - 8:00 PM EST - FOX BOISE STATE X T.C.U. (-7½))
Three
Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Really, this might be the national
championship game. These two are playing better than
the Longhorns and the Tide. 2) These might be the
two most complete teams in America. TCU leads the
nation in defense and if fourth in offense, and
first in kickoff returns. Boise State is No. 1 in
scoring offense, 13th in total defense, and ninth in
punting. 3) Jerry Hughes and the TCU pass rush vs.
Boise State's offensive line that has allowed the
fewest number of sacks in America. I'll TAKE BOISE STATE to BEAT THE SPREAD!
January 3, 2010
EAGLES AT COWBOYS ( 3.0)Well folks ... does it really get any better than this? Philadelphia on the road in Dallas with the NFC East title at stake. Last year, with Dallas needing a victory in the final game to get into the playoffs, the Eagles embarrassed the Cowboys 44-6. Now, the Cowboys have an opportunity to exact revenge. One could make the case that this game involves two of the NFC's three hottest teams, with Green Bay being the third. Philadelphia, which typically peaks this time of the year, has won six consecutive games since losing to Dallas in November. The Cowboys gave New Orleans its first loss and shut out Washington last week. The Eagles' quick-strike offense gives them the ability to score from anywhere on the field. Andy Reid is a master at creating mismatches and confusion whether with misdirection or bunch formations. He's a daring play-caller -- sometimes he takes too many risks -- and it's Donovan McNabb's ability to take advantage of one or two of the opportunities created by Reid that are often the difference. But the Cowboys are playing terrific team defense. The Giants are the only team to score more than 21 points against Dallas this season, and when Dallas faced Philadelphia earlier this season, the Cowboys held Philadelphia below its season averages in points and yards.From the Philadelphia sideline, they will need to "watch the edges." The Cowboys' blitz has come alive in the past two weeks, with Dallas totaling three sacks in each of its past three games. Outside LBs Spencer and Ware have combined for five sacks in the past four games. Spencer and Ware are fast off the edges and threaten to disrupt McNabb's timing, especially on five-step drops, if they're not picked up. They will alson need to "set the tempo." Thanks to their explosive offense, the Eagles have outscored opponents 99-50 in the first half during their six-game win streak. If they can jump on Dallas early and set the pace in a game that will decide the NFC East champion, it'll quiet the home crowd and put all the pressure on the Cowboys. Pressure usually leads to pressing, which often results in mistakes. And finally, they will need to "put the ball in DeSean Jackson's hands!" In the biggest game of the season, the Eagles need to get the ball to their best playmaker. Jackson has receiving touchdowns in five straight games, one shy of tying a club record. He only had two receptions for 29 yards against Dallas in the first matchup -- his third-fewest receiving yards of the season. The Eagles can't let the Cowboys take Jackson out of the game and expect to win. And for the "Underdog Boys," they will to "attack C Nick Cole!" Jamaal Jackson, who had started 71 consecutive games at center for the Eagles, is out for the season. That means Nick Cole, who had been the left guard, will move to center. This could be disastrous, because he'll make his debut against Jay Ratliff, one of the league's best nose guards. Cole must handle Ratliff's quickness to keep him from being a disruptive force up the middle and send McNabb scrambling into the arms of DeMarcus Ware or Anthony Spencer. Cole will also be responsible for make the protection calls and other adjustments critical to the offense functioning effectively. They will also try to "limit DeSean Jackson's explosive plays." With all due respect to Miles Austin, Jackson is the best big-play threat in the league. He's averaging 18.9 yards per catch and has scored nine touchdowns. He has 17 receptions of 20 yards or more and 10 of more than 40. The Eagles do a good job of creating mismatches with him, and he has so much speed that he just once he has a step on his opponent, he's gone. He caught only two passes for 29 yards in the first meeting between these teams, which is one reason the Eagles scored just 16 points. The Cowboys won't be afraid to double him because they trust CBs Mike Jenkins and Terrence Newman in one-on-one situations. And hopefully, they will be able to "convert third- and fourth-and-one." Earlier this season, the Cowboys' owned short-yardage situations, especially with Marion Barber carrying the ball. They converted 10 of 11. But they've struggled lately in those situations. Two weeks ago, Barber was stopped three times from the one by San Diego. Last week against the Redskins, the Cowboys failed to convert twice on third-and-1 and once on fourth-and-1. The blame has been equally dispersed between Barber, the offensive line and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. BOTTOM LINE DEPARTMENT: The Cowboys are feeling better about themselves than at any other point of the season. Also, the pressure of making the playoffs is off. They're home and playing a team that humiliated them last season. They have every reason to make a statement. For once, the wine-and-cheese crowd at Cowboys Stadium will be hyped from the opening kickoff. This will have a playoff feel to it. i'LL TAKE THE COWBOYS TO BEAT THE SPREAD!
ALAMO BOWLJANUARY 2ND - 9:00 PM EST - ESPNMICHIGAN STATE (-7.0) X TEXAS TECH
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Passing, passing, passing. It's Texas Tech
so it's going to bomb away, while Michigan State led
the Big Ten in passing offense. 2) Greg Jones. He
was the best linebacker in college football but
never got his just due from the Butkus types. 3)
It's the Alamo Bowl and it defies matchup logic. The
last four games have been thrillers and six of the
last eight were decided by seven points or fewer. I'll TAKE TEXAS TECH in an upset!
INDEPENDENCE BOWLDECEMBER 28TH - 5:00 PM EST - ESPN TEXAS A&M X GEORGIA (-7.0)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Neither team can play any defense. The team
with the ball last might win. 2) Both teams are bad,
but they're fun-bad. They're entertaining even when
they lose. 3) The Independence Bowl almost always
delivers. Nine of the last ten have been decided by
a touchdown or less.
I'll TAKE THE OVER (60½)!
ALAMO BOWLJANUARY 2ND - 9:00 PM EST - ESPNMICHIGAN STATE (-7.0) X TEXAS TECH
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Passing, passing, passing. It's Texas Tech
so it's going to bomb away, while Michigan State led
the Big Ten in passing offense. 2) Greg Jones. He
was the best linebacker in college football but
never got his just due from the Butkus types. 3)
It's the Alamo Bowl and it defies matchup logic. The
last four games have been thrillers and six of the
last eight were decided by seven points or fewer. I'll TAKE TEXAS TECH in an upset!
INTERNATIONAL BOWLJANUARY 2ND - 12:00 NOON - ESPNSOUTH FLORIDA (-6½) X NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Jason Pierre-Paul. The USF DE needs to have
a good game to give the NFL scouts one final big
moment to go on. 2) Defense. NIU's led the MAC,
while USF's was one of the best in the Big East and
has the league's best pass defense. 3) NIU is good
enough to make an International Bowl that isn't
miserable. I'll TAKE SOUTH FLORIDA ... easily!
SUGAR BOWLJANUARY 1ST - 8:30 PM EST - FOXFLORIDA (-10.0) X CINCINNATI
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) It's Tim Tebow's last college game. It'll be
the last time to see him before he wears a
Jacksonville Jaguar uniform (while holding a
clipboard). 2) What kind of a team will Cincinnati
be? With Brian Kelly the new Notre Dame head man,
these won't be the same Bearcats, but this is still
an unbeaten team looking to finish No. 2. 3) Mardy
Gilyard, one of the nation's top all-around weapons,
returning punts against Florida's No. 2 overall
punting game. I'll TAKE FLORIDA to both win and cover!
ARMED FORCES BOWLDECEMBER 30TH - 12 NOON - ESPNHOUSTON (4½) X AIR FORCE
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) It's not the BCS Championship and it doesn't
matter in the scheme of the college football
universe, but this, without question, will be the
most entertaining bowl game of the college football
season. Every Houston game is interesting thanks to
the nation's No. 2 scoring offense, the No. 1
overall offense, and the No. 1 passing attack. 2)
Houston games are also fun because the defense
couldn't stop you and ten friends from running the
ball, and ... 3) Air Force is fourth in the nation
in rushing. The Falcons also lead the nation in pass
defense. This will be interesting.
ARMED FORCES BOWLCHICK-FIL-A BOWLROSE BOWLJANUARY 1ST - 4:30 PM EST - ABCOHIO STATE X OREGON (-5.0)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) It's Ohio State in the Rose Bowl for the
first time under Jim Tressel. And it's not against
an SEC team. 2) The Oregon running game. If it's
humming, it's a tremendous attack that puts up big
yards and points on the board in a hurry. 3) There's
no USC. The Big Ten might actually have a shot. I'll TAKE OHIO STATE to beat the spread!
INSIGHT BOWLDECEMBER 31ST - 6:00 PM - NFL NETWORKMINNESOTA (-2.0) VS. IOWA STATE
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) It's like a good non-conference game moved
south. The two fan bases are close enough
geographically to make this matter in the Midwest.
2) Iowa State's backfield of QB Austen Arnaud and RB
Adrian Robinson are as entertaining an offensive
twosome as any in the Big 12 North. 3) Iowa State
will be jacked up. After the way the last few years
have gone, the first season under Paul Rhoads would
be a really, really big deal around Ames if it ended
with a bowl win. Another "tough one" folks ... I guess I'll TAKE THE UNDER (49.0) - DECEMBER 31ST 7:30 PM - ESPN VIRGINIA TECH (-4½) X TENNESSEE
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Tennessee won four of its final five games
and is a team growing under Lane Kiffin, outside
issues and all. This is being considered a major
stepping stone in the program's rebirth. 2) Ryan
Williams. He flew under the radar on a national
scale compared to the Toby Gerharts and the Mark
Ingrams of the world, but the Hokies wouldn't trade
its young RB for anyone. 3) The ACC could use a win.
The conference has lost four straight Chick-fil-As.
Virginia Tech is going for its tenth win of the
season. I'll TAKE VIRGINIA TECH by damn near 2 TD'S!
INSIGHT BOWLDECEMBER 31ST - 6:00 PM - NFL NETWORKMINNESOTA (-2.0) VS. IOWA STATE
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) It's like a good non-conference game moved
south. The two fan bases are close enough
geographically to make this matter in the Midwest.
2) Iowa State's backfield of QB Austen Arnaud and RB
Adrian Robinson are as entertaining an offensive
twosome as any in the Big 12 North. 3) Iowa State
will be jacked up. After the way the last few years
have gone, the first season under Paul Rhoads would
be a really, really big deal around Ames if it ended
with a bowl win. Another "tough one" folks ... I guess I'll TAKE THE UNDER (49.0) DECEMBER 30TH - 12 NOON - ESPN HOUSTON (4½) X AIR FORCE
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) It's not the BCS Championship and it doesn't
matter in the scheme of the college football
universe, but this, without question, will be the
most entertaining bowl game of the college football
season. Every Houston game is interesting thanks to
the nation's No. 2 scoring offense, the No. 1
overall offense, and the No. 1 passing attack. 2)
Houston games are also fun because the defense
couldn't stop you and ten friends from running the
ball, and ... 3) Air Force is fourth in the nation
in rushing. The Falcons also lead the nation in pass
defense. This will be interesting.
INDEPENDENCE BOWLDECEMBER 28TH - 5:00 PM EST - ESPN TEXAS A&M X GEORGIA (-7.0)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Neither team can play any defense. The team
with the ball last might win. 2) Both teams are bad,
but they're fun-bad. They're entertaining even when
they lose. 3) The Independence Bowl almost always
delivers. Nine of the last ten have been decided by
a touchdown or less.
MUSIC CITY BOWLDECEMBER 27TH - 8:30 PM EST - ESPNKENTUCKY X CLEMSON (-8.5)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) C.J. Spiller. Spurned from the Heisman
types, the Tiger RB should come up with one more
brilliant performance. 2) Randall Cobb. The Kentucky
receiver/runner/quarterback isn't Spiller on the
excitement meter, but he's not far off. 3) Kentucky
has won three bowl games in a row including a Music
City Bowl win over Clemson in 2006. Although I'm a Clemson Alum ... I'll TAKE KENTUCKY to beat the spread!
INDEPENDENCE BOWLDECEMBER 28TH - 5:00 PM EST - ESPN TEXAS A&M X GEORGIA (-7.0)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Neither team can play any defense. The team
with the ball last might win. 2) Both teams are bad,
but they're fun-bad. They're entertaining even when
they lose. 3) The Independence Bowl almost always
delivers. Nine of the last ten have been decided by
a touchdown or less. I'll TAKE THE OVER (60½)!
DECEMBER 26TH - 8:00 PM - ESPN BOSTON COLLEGE X USC (-8½)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) How does USC respond? Does it have the heart
and the toughness to decide to play in the Emerald
Bowl? 2) Luke Keuchly. The Boston College freshman
might not just be the best linebacker in the game,
he might be the best player on the field. 3) Matt
Barkley. The performance in this game will go a long
way to determining what kind of offseason this will
be and what the expectations will be for 2010. Although USC has been a $$$ disaster for me this season ... I'll TAKE THE TROJANS to both win and cover!
MEINEKE BOWLDECEMBER 26TH - 4:30 PM EST - ESPNPITT (-3.0) X NORTH CAROLINA
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) The North Carolina defense. It's swarming,
aggressive, and it could turn out to be the talk of
the bowl games if it shuts down the dangerous Pitt
offense. 2) Pitt's RB Dion Lewis, WR Jonathan
Baldwin, and TE Dorin Dickerson. There might not be
a better trio of skill players in college football.
3) The coaches. North Carolina's Butch Davis and
Pitt's Dave Wannstedt might be failed pro coaches,
but the Jimmy Johnson disciples are doing a solid
job I'll TAKE NORTH CAROLINA in an upset!
MEINEKE BOWLDECEMBER 26TH - 4:30 PM EST - ESPNPITT (-3.0) X NORTH CAROLINA
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) The North Carolina defense. It's swarming,
aggressive, and it could turn out to be the talk of
the bowl games if it shuts down the dangerous Pitt
offense. 2) Pitt's RB Dion Lewis, WR Jonathan
Baldwin, and TE Dorin Dickerson. There might not be
a better trio of skill players in college football.
3) The coaches. North Carolina's Butch Davis and
Pitt's Dave Wannstedt might be failed pro coaches,
but the Jimmy Johnson disciples are doing a solid
job I'll TAKE NORTH CAROLINA in an upset!
POINSETTIA BOWLDECEMBER 23RD - 8:00 PM - EST - ESPNUTAH X CALIFORNIA (-3.0)
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) Mountain West vs. Pac 10 is always
interesting. If the Utes win, that will only add
fuel to the fire that the top three teams in the
M-West are as good as anyone in the Pac 10. 2) Utah is on
an eight-game winning streak in the bowls. Its three
losses were to TCU, Oregon, and BYU (in double
overtime). 3) When
Cal decides to play, it has the playmakers and the
athleticism to come up with the win. I'll TAKE UTAH in an upset!
ST. PETERSBURG BOWLDECEMBER 19TH - 8:00 PM EST - ESPNRUTGERS (-2.0) X CENTRAL FLORIDA
Three Reasons To Watch This Bowl:
1) UCF is good. It might not have been C-USA
title good, but it has the league's best defense and
has a tremendous pass rush. The Knights won five of
their last six games. 2) Rutgers always shows up for
the bowls even again inferior competition. The
Scarlet Knights have won their last three bowl
games. 3) Rutgers is second in the nation tackles
for loss. The defense on both sides will be
aggressive. I'll TAKE RUTGERS to both win and cover!
DECEMBER 13, 2009BRONCOS AT COLTS (-7.0)Well folks ...neither sideline will be lacking playoff motivation. With a win, the Colts clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. With an upset, the 8-4 Broncos keep the pressure on 9-3 San Diego in the race for the AFC West lead. ... Along with securing the top seed for the third time since 1999, the Colts can break New England's all-time league record for consecutive regular-season victories with a 22nd straight and surpass the San Francisco 49ers, who had 113 wins from 1990-99, as the league's winningest team in any decade. ... The game might feature two of the more undersized and somewhat unheralded pass-rush threats. That would be the Colts' Robert Mathis, a 6-2, 245-pounder who ranks second on the team with 9.5 sacks, the Broncos' Elvis Dumervil, a 5-11, 260-pounder who leads the league with 15 sacks. ... On the sideline, the Colts' Jim Caldwell (12-0) and the Broncos' Josh McDaniel (8-4) have combined for the most wins in league history by rookie coaches who have met during the regular season.For Denver to "beat the spread" they will need to "Eliminate Turnovers." Kyle Orton is coming off an unusual game for him, in which he turned the ball over three times, including an ill-advised pass back to the middle of the field in the red zone. If the Broncos want to upset the Colts, Orton must be very careful with the ball, while picking his spots to throw downfield. Indianapolis has racked up 14 interceptions. They obviously will also need to "Protect Orton." When the Colts get the lead, they can let ends Dwight Freeney and Mathis loose. If the Broncos do fall behind, their tackles need to be at their best. Ryan Clady hasn't been as dominant he was last year, and Tyler Polumbus is in line to make his fifth career start because of Ryan Harris' toe injury. If the Broncos need to help the tackles, they won't be able to use spread formations as effectively. And finally, I think that they will need to "Take Some Chances!" The Broncos have done an admirable job not allowing deep passes, but Peyton Manning can wear a defense out underneath. This isn't the week for the Broncos to sit back. Players like cornerback Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman have to be aggressive and make a big play or two that could swing the game in Denver's favor. However, from Baltimore's (OOPS - INDY'S) sideline ... just the opposite strategy ... they will need to "Force Orton's Hand." Orton has proven to be just what coach Josh McDaniel wanted when he acquired him in an offseason trade that sent Jay Cutler to the Bears. He's a good decision-maker and takes care of the football. The Colts' defense is at its best when DEs Freeney and Mathis apply the pressure and the back seven come up with takeaways. If the Manning-led offense can establish an early lead, Orton might have to get away from a No. 9-ranked running game and do more than he's capable of in order to keep up. They will also need to "Re-Establish Wayne." Four-time Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne remains one of the league's premier players at his position, but he's been relatively quiet of late. He has just seven receptions for 67 yards the past two games. Defenses are bracketing Wayne with a cornerback and safety, forcing Manning to look elsewhere. Look for offensive coordinator Tom Moore to counter that by moving Wayne around in the formation. The other receivers are picking up the slack for Wayne, but he needs to be a bigger contributor. And finally, The Colts will need to "Maintain Some Balance." Manning continues to be the driving force behind the offense. He leads the league in yards (3,685) and completion percentage (70 percent) and has 25 touchdowns for a league-record 12th straight season. But the offense has shown balance recently behind RB Joseph Addai. That needs to continue. Addai hasn't put up gaudy numbers - he's averaging 63.8 yards over the past six games - but he's gotten the tough yards and kept the chains moving. As long as Addai rushes for 65-70 yards per game and averages 4 yards per attempt, the offense is difficult to deal with. Bottom Line Department: So much is within reach for the Colts on Sunday. Clinching the No. 1 seed, a league-record 22nd regular-season win, a second 13-0 start in the past five seasons. Denver has a lot to play for, but coach Jim Caldwell has done an outstanding job of keeping his team motivated and focused. That won't change Sunday. Look for the Manning-led offense to make enough plays against the Broncos' No. 3-ranked scoring defense and the Freeney-led defense to put sufficient pressure on Orton. I'll TAKE THE COLTS BY 10!
NOVEMBER 29, 2009COLTS AT TEXANS ( 3.0)The Colts are 10-0 and one of two undefeated teams in the NFL. After beating only one team, Arizona, that had a winning record in their first seven games, the Colts have turned it on on both sides of the ball. Beginning with the Texans and continuing with New England and Baltimore, the Colts have won three consecutive close games against teams above .500. Any time QB Peyton Manning has the ball in his hands, the Colts are worth watching, especially when he's throwing to tight end Dallas Clark and wide receiver Reggie Wayne, two of the league's best players at their positions. Under first-year coordinator Larry Coyer, the Colts' defense has been outstanding, allowing a league-low 157 points. That's especially impressive because, since the Colts' running game is still a weakness, the defense spends a lot of time on the field. They've been able to overcome the loss of key defensive backs, including strong safety Bob Sanders. Ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are almost unstoppable when they don't have to worry about the run. This isn't a bend-but-don't-break defense. The players are quick, active and physical. And they're fun to watch, too. In the last two seasons, the Texans have played the Colts as well as anybody. They lost by four at Reliant Stadium and six at Lucas Oil Stadium last season. Two weeks ago, the Texans lost 20-17 at Indianapolis when Kris Brown missed a 42-yard field goal with no time remaining. The Texans' defense has done well in the red zone against Manning. He has compiled impressive statistics in his last three games against Houston, but the Texans have managed to keep each of them close. They should be able to keep this one close, too, if they can get over the 20-17 Monday night loss at home to Tennessee. From "Indy's" perspective ... they will need to eliminate the mistakes. The Manning-led offense has been a bit careless of late. After having just six turnovers in the first seven games, the offense has turned the ball over seven times in the last three games. Manning has had five passes intercepted in the past three games, and most have been a case of him forcing passes into coverage. That's uncharacteristic of him. The offense can be unstoppable when it doesn't stop itself. I'm also expecting them to attack Houston QB Matt Schaub. No quarterback likes activity in his face or around his feet. Schaub is no different. He's one of the league's best at picking apart a defense when given time. When hurried, his efficiency drops significantly. That was the case in Week 9 game at Indianapolis. On a key fourth-quarter play, middle linebacker Gary Brackett blitzed and hit Schaub, forcing a wobbly pass that was intercepted by outside linebacker Clint Session. If defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are unable to pressure Schaub, Coyer must call on defensive backs and linebackers to blitz from time to time. And finally, they will need to limit Andre Johnson's damage. If Johnson isn't the best receiver in the league, then he's in the top two or three. Johnson (6-2, 228) presents a size mismatch for either of the Colts' rookie cornerbacks, Jerraud Powers (5-9, 192) or Jacob Lacey (5-10, 177). Johnson will get his share of catches and make some plays. It's critical for the defensive backs to keep plays in front of them and limit the damage. On the other hand ... I expect The Texans to blitz Manning "sometimes." Every Colts game starts with defense against Manning. Do you blitz him and have him find the hot receivers? Do you not blitz and allow him to stand in the pocket and wait for his receivers to get open? Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush did a little of both in the first matchup. Any time a defense limits Manning to one touchdown pass and a passer rating of 83.6 -- as the Texans did Nov. 8 -- the team should have a chance of winning. Manning still threw for 318 yards, was sacked twice, hurried four times and threw one interception. It's hard to imagine Bush not trying the same strategy. And maybe ... they will mix in more runs. The Colts don't have to worry about run defense against Houston, one of the NFL's worst running teams. And the coaches can't decide who to give the ball to. Steve Slaton lost five fumbles over the first eight games but hasn't fumbled in the last two. Yet he got only five carries for 21 yards in Monday night's loss to Tennessee. For some reason, Chris Brown got 11 carries and gained 36 yards. Schaub is throwing more than the coaches want. The Texans haven't totally given up on the run, but it appears they know they must throw to win. And I guess that they will need to get "Brown out of his funk!" Because the last three games have been decided by four, six and three points, the kicking game is more crucial than ever. Too bad Brown is in a slump. He had two kicks blocked early in the season. He missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt at Indy with no time left that would have forced overtime. With one second left against Tennessee last week, he misfired from 49 yards for the second time in the game. Brown, the last original Texan, better get well fast or there won't be any original Texans remaining. The Bottom Line: Though undefeated, the Colts are coming off four games decided by four points or fewer, so they're due for a loss. But the Texans are coming off a devastating Monday night loss to Tennessee. Houston has lost three games at home, more than in each of the last two seasons. And there's no way the Texans will shut down Manning. If they do pull off an upset, it should be a close game. That means Brown has to get over the yips, regain his confidence and resume making the kind of clutch field goals he's made over the last seven years. The line is indicative of a close game ... I feel otherwise ... I'll TAKE THE COLTS by more than a TD!
NOVEMBER 22, 2009SEAHAWKS AT VIKINGS (-10.0)The Vikings still haven't played a complete game this season, yet they're 8-1. That leaves them feeling confident about what they can do down the stretch. This week they'll continue trying to improve against a struggling opponent. They know their victory over Detroit last week was marred by a season-high 13 penalties and two lost fumbles by Adrian Peterson. They hope to clean up the penalties, which have become a problem in recent weeks. It's a mathematical long shot, but it's possible the Vikings can clinch the NFC North by the end of the month. At this point, though, they have bigger goals in mind, such as trying to earn home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. For the 3-6 Seahawks, whose hopes of winning the NFC West are all but dead, the game could be about looking to the future and evaluating younger players. Running back Julius Jones (bruised lung) isn't expected to play. That means backup Justin Forsett and third-stringer Louis Rankin will play a bigger role on Sunday.Seattle will need to keep Adrian Peterson in check. Seattle's run defense has been very good, with two historically large exceptions. Frank Gore rushed for touchdowns of 79 and 80 yards in Week 2. Barry Sanders is the only NFL back to ever log two longer touchdown runs in the same game. Gore also is the only back to rush for more than 100 yards against Seattle this season, a stat that will be tested by Peterson, who's No. 2 in the league in rushing. Arizona's Beanie Wells ran for a pair of second-half touchdowns against Seattle last week, which doesn't bode well for the Seahawks. I also guess that they will need to continue improving on the ground. The Seahawks may have found the perfect back for their zone-rushing attack in Forsett. He was decisive with his cuts and evasive enough to gain 123 yards against a tough Arizona run defense. The Seahawks piled up their highest rushing total since Week 1 against the Rams. Can Seattle continue the trend against Minnesota, which had the league's top rush defense the past two seasons? And can they "clamp down on the intermediate passing game?" Through eight games, Seattle was one of the NFL's best in preventing completions of 20 yards or more. Lately, however, Seahawks linebackers have struggled to make the correct drops in zone coverage, a problem exacerbated by the absence of middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, the quarterback of the defense. Brett Favre isn't going to overlook those easy opportunities, which puts the onus on rookie Aaron Curry and Leroy Hill to do more than just seek and destroy. They must demonstrate they understand the nuances of coverage. From The Vikings perspective, the will try to "hit 'em in the gut!! Cardinals rookie Beanie Wells gashed the Seahawks in the second half last week; the Vikings need to do it early with Adrian Peterson. It's important to get Peterson rolling, so he can put those fumbles out of his head. The Seahawks are 11th in the NFL against the run. I'm also expecting Minnesota to make the Seahawks one-dimensional. With Jones unlikely to play this week, Forsett and Rankin will want to impress the coaches with big games. They'll be going up against a Vikings run defense that has become leaky. And finally, they will need to protect against the blitz. If the Seahawks are going down, they might as well try to make it difficult for Brett Favre and bring a lot of blitz pressure. Arizona's Kurt Warner went untouched by the Seahawks; likewise, Seattle can't give Favre time to throw in the pocket. Favre leads the NFL with a 107.5 passer rating. The Bottom Line Department: It's rare for an elite NFL team to go through a season without stumbling against an inferior opponent. The Vikings beat St. Louis and Detroit (twice) despite not playing their best. They need to make sure they don't slip against Seattle. There's every reason to believe they'll avoid the upset. I'll TAKE THE VIKINGS to win and beat the spread!
NOVEMBER 21, 2009MINNESOTA AT IOWA (-10.0)Well folks ... it set back college football decades. In last year’s battle for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, Minnesota was supposed to be fired up in the final Gopher game to be played in the Metrodome, and it needed a win over its rival to turn around a dying season. Instead, Iowa won 55-0, converted 12-of-18 third down chances, gained 477 yards of total offense to Minnesota’s 134, with seven yards rushing, in a game that was far, far worse than the statistics might indicate. This year’s game could be just as bad if Minnesota plays like it did in a 16-13 win over South Dakota State, a win over an FCS team without scoring an offensive touchdown. The Gophers have won two of their last three games, but they’ve been bizarre, coming up with a tremendous passing effort to beat Michigan State before getting nothing in a loss to Illinois and throwing for 94 yards against the Jackrabbits. While the Gophers are floundering, even with a 6-5 record and a bowl bid to come, Iowa has been terrific despite two straight losses. It might be easy to be a bit down after losing out on the Rose Bowl after an overtime loss to Ohio State, but the Hawkeyes need to be impressive to have a shot at a BCS game. At 10-2, and with a fan base that travel Iowa might be Fiesta Bowl bound with a win, while a loss might open up the door for Penn State or Wisconsin to get into the BCS.Question from The Gophers sideline ...will James Vandenberg have another strong game? The Iowa quarterback was terrific in the loss to Ohio State, but was awful in the loss to Northwestern. With little proven running game to pick up the slack, the Hawkeyes will need Vandenberg to be sharp, or else suffer the same problems they had against Indiana and Northwestern at home. While the Iowa pass defense stats are solid, the secondary can be thrown on by a relatively sharp, veteran passer. Adam Weber is as inconsistent as they come, but he has the potential to get hot and press the Iowa secondary. But then ...the Minnesota offense has gone bye-bye. Forget the out-of-left-field effort against Michigan State, there’s no running game, no go-to target with Eric Decker gone, and not enough production from the line to put the slightest dent in the Iowa defensive front seven. Vandenberg doesn’t have to worry about a pass rush, there isn’t any, while the Iowa defensive front should have no problems getting into the backfield against a porous UM O line. If Iowa has its head on straight, it should come up with the big plays needed to put the game away early on. Keep your eye on department ... if Pat Angerer isn’t the best linebacker in America, he deserves to be considered among the top three. The Iowa senior has been a one-man wrecking crew at times with a whopping 79 solo tackles, including 13 against Northwestern, and has made 119 stops with a sack on the year. But stopping the run isn’t going to be his job this week against a Minnesota offense that’ll mostly rely on the pass; he has been solid in pass coverage, too. This is his final regular season game, and he’ll be sure to go out with a bang. Bottom Line Department ...Iowa will get over the disappointment of last week in a big hurry on the way to a blowout win and a spot in the BCS. I'll TAKE IOWA by 2 TD'S - OR MORE!
NOVEMBER 14, 2009
CLEMSON (-7.0) AT NORTH CAROLINA STATEWell folks, while I recognize that Georgia Tech is the hottest team in the ACC. as a Tiger alum ...Clemson is just a few degrees cooler. The Tigers have rebounded from back-to-back losses a month ago, winning four in-a-row to take control of the Atlantic Division and breaking into the Top 25. Saturday night's come-from-behind win over Florida State was the best evidence yet that this Tiger team isn't like the last few editions that raised expectations before failing to reach the bar. It took over a month and some frustrating moments, but NC State has finally stopped the hemorrhaging associated with a four-game losing streak. The Wolfpack got past Maryland last weekend to remain alive for bowl eligibility, but with Virginia Tech and North Carolina still to come, it'll need to deliver an upset this weekend.From the Tigers' perspective ... everything appears to be clicking in Death Valley these days. The defense has been fantastic, RB C.J. Spiller is excelling through pain, and QB Kyle Parker has thrown seven touchdown passes in recent games with Florida State and Miami. The Tigers' biggest edge will occur when they have the ball, feasting on a Wolfpack defense that's running out of healthy bodies and has been beaten for at least 30 points in each of the last six games. The playmaking ability of Spiller, backup RB Andre Ellington, and WR Jacoby Ford will be too much for a State D operating on fumes. However ... I must admit that one really never knows what you're going to get from the Clemson program, especially on the road. The Tigers are 1-2 away from home, losing to lowly Maryland a month ago. The Pack's hopes, as usual, rest on the right arm of QB Russell Wilson. Although he's regressed a bit in his sophomore year, he's still a dangerous distributor, who can also tuck it and run. No. 2 in the ACC in total offense, he has three reliable targets in TE George Bryan and receivers Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams. The NC State offense has been held in check just twice all season, averaging more than 33 points a game. Keep your eye on department ... this is going to be Wilson's toughest test of the year. Clemson has a terrific secondary that's picked off 11 passes in the last four games alone and is the reason the school is No. 6 nationally in pass defense. Safeties DeAndre McDaniel and Rashard Hall have combined for 13 interceptions, and corners Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor are two of the best in the league. If Wilson is going to engineer something special, he'll have to be very careful with his reads. The Bottom Line Department ... this is a bad match up for NC State. Yeah, Clemson can make you look silly when you least expect it, but not this weekend. The Tigers ability to blanket receivers and pressure the passer will neutralize State's only chance for the upset. With a handful of short-field opportunities, courtesy of turnovers and special teams, Spiller, Parker, and the offense will punch it in to get the winning streak to five games. I'll TAKE THE TIGERS by 10!
he's never smoked a cigar in his life, and has not read the DRF in more that 18 years, and as a "convert" is an "evangelist" for TrackMaster Software! At the tender age of 18, Rick began his "career" as a handicapper while working as an "apprentice" at AVCO-LYCOMING in Bridgeport, Connecticut in the mid-60's (a summer job - he was a student-athlete at CLEMSON - Baseball) ... "With both of my parents being teachers, education was the primary goal in our home ... I was pretty oblivious to wagering and horse racing" he notes in his TrackMaster "talks." However, in Bridgeport during this era, there was no opportunity to visit an OTW ... so bookmakers were "rampant" in a huge industrial facilty such as AVCO (they built the compression shafts for the SIKORSKY HELICOPTERS)... After just two weeks of watching this "unknown activity" ... he suggested that for $2.00 per person, that "I will drive to New York (only 50 miles) and place the bets legally, and bring back the "winnings!" His first visit to Belmont was the "charm!" He had never been to a Thoroughbred facility ... and as he notes ... "when I went through the gate .. and saw Belmont for the first time ... I was 'hooked! I talked to the 'old guys' ... learned how to 'read the form' ... how to understand the importance of speed -- class -- and pace. And two weeks later, he was no longer running an ID (Internal-Dimension) Grinder ... but driving his VolksWagen Beetle to Belmont, and earning about $100.00 per day as a "runner!" Horse racing has seemingly "followed" his moves ... while at CLEMSON .. he stopped at Belmont-Aqueduct ... PIMLICO-LAUREL-BOWIE-TIMONIUM on his trips back and forth to South Carolina/Connecticut ... later attended graduate school (UMASS) and taught in the Amherst, Massachusetts area ... (30 min. driving distance to HINSDALE, N.H. {HARNESS - now a greyhound facility} .. took a teaching assignment at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janerio in BRAZIL ... lived directly across the street from Joqui Clube Brasileiro (the Thoroughbred Track in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and returned to the US to teach in Pennsylvania ... PENN NATIONAL was 60 miles to the North ... CHARLES TOWN was 60 miles to the South ... and PENN NATIONAL built an OTW across the street (in Chambersburg, PA) for Rick to use! UPDATE ... Rick now lives in Palo Alto, California ... a scant 20 minutes South of BAY MEADOWS! UPDATE #2 ... Rick has moved back to "The Keystone State" to help East Coast TrackMaster customers, and lives a scant 2 miles from Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA .. and also has directed the Science and Math programs at an inner-city school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania!
Rick has a BS degree from CLEMSON in Entomology Rick was also a contributor to the SPORTSMASTER software package (now using an archived software version), and utilizes this analysis tool on a daily basis to handicap professional and college football, basketball and baseball games. His column on RGTonline.com is also known as THE BIG GAME HUNTER. Rick also has produced a local radio show ... "THE SIMULCAST ZONE" on RADIO STATION WCBG in Chambersburg, PA.
COMMENTS ARE OF COURSE WELCOME!!!
RICK NEEDHAM (RICK'S EMAIL HOME)
"BET WITH YOUR HEAD ... NOT OVER IT!"
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Rick Needham (alias TrackMaster Rick) has been known to "poke
some fun" at the patrons that he observes at the racing facilities
and OTW establishments that he visits almost daily, in his column
here at INNERNET.NET... he's also been known to "poke some fun" at
himself during the countless number of TrackMaster-handicapping-
computer lectures that he has done on the East/West Coasts at
facilities-establishments-civic club functions etc ... "Hey ...
what is your 'vision' of the archetypcal handicapper?" he asks in
his "opening." "Hmmm ... middle aged ... balding ... slightly
overweight ... cigar smoking ... Daily Racing Form Reading ...???"
Well ... he's 52 (oops now 59 )... balding ... a little overweight at 198 ... but ... 
, has completed the M.S. portion of a joint MS/Phd program at
UMASS in Pesticide Chemistry, and an advanced degree in Portuguese from
Pontifico Universidade Catholico in Brazil ... he wrote the software
for the SCIENCE AND MATH FORUM on CompuServe (which after 34 years of
continuous on-line use, now has more than 1,175,000 users worldwide ...
and it includes a TrackMaster library section), and writes a horse
racing column DAILY for not only TrackMaster ... but for 2 other
"Web Sites" (Rolling Good Times Online and Virtual Vegas) .. he
travels to many East Coast facilities as the result of a "retirement
-from-teaching" position which involves the importation of Oriental
Rugs from Europe ... he serves as a translator (English-Portuguese-Spanish-French)
for these "negotiations" and has been known to "show up" at Calder - Hialeah - Gulfstream -
Louisiana Downs - Suffolk Downs - Rockingham - Aqueduct - Belmont - Saratoga
- Laurel - Pimlico (and of course ... PENN NATIONAL, PHILADELPHIA
PARK and CHARLES TOWN) on almost a regular basis!