The Secretariat Club, Wednesday, 10/8/25

[Trigger]

Nothing for wagered planned for today yet, the first 2 days of the week were duds, so I'm going to check out what's going on from the day through the evening offerings and very likely will report back where I landed and those wagered selections.

Good luck today! 

[JOHN FRANK]

Time for JOHN FRANK ARMY to chip in on a bet.
KEENLAND 8th. Ok it a friends horse. And after a layoff,ran a very respectible 3rd losin second by a NOSE. This usaually results in a negative bounce 2nd out and then rebound 3rd out. But it me BUDDIES pony. Got to throw sumthin on it.
THe horse is the 9,ENGLISH CHUNNEL. LIghtly raced as others that are in. Paid $85,000 at keenland yearling sales 2 years ago. Fits me sale price as oppossed to $28,000 breddin. Hes got the pedigree out of ENGLISH CHANNEL by KITTENS JOY. And this a mile and 1/16 on a firm grass. The only pony in race that has won on grass over KEENLAND turf. Puttin the young jock,BEN CURTIS back on who rode him to that victory. He a up and comin jock that rides great at his age. Of course he facin some monster other jocks in this race. The advantage here is: HORSE for the course. Short strech run. Others in race look like they want a longer strech. And he not a fronter himself,but paces well and seems in his races to avoid trouble. HIS trainer is WAYNE CATALANO. HE has lost horses over the years and his winnings have gone downhill. But GREG sticks with him. CAT even said he feels like he part of the BESINGER family. And GREG over years only used 2 trainers. The first was the lengendary,RICHARD HAZELTOn and when he past,went to CAT.
SO therefore went and put $20.00 to show on CHUNNEL. I would suggest TRIG if you look at race,maybe do a 4 exacta box. Some other nice horses but they been strugglin. One is WESLEY WARD'S pony.

Here a tale. Many years ago when WESLEY a jock and he in last race at ARLINGTON. I leaves the track to stand on backside track along fense. They warmin up the ponies. WESLEY and outrider come about 10 feet from me. I yells to WESLEY: I put $50.00 to show on you. What you think. He goes and says you should have put to WIN. He wins by 7 at 13-1. It okay,I got $7.20 on me show bet.

Last tin. ENGLISH CHUNNEL is goin off at 15-1. The horse he lost too for second by a nose last race is going off at 5-1. Who has the better odds here.

GOOD LUCK and ignor me biased comments.

[Trigger]

Time for JOHN FRANK ARMY to chip in on a bet.
KEENLAND 8th. Ok it a friends horse. And after a layoff,ran a very respectible 3rd losin second by a NOSE. This usaually results in a negative bounce 2nd out and then rebound 3rd out. But it me BUDDIES pony. Got to throw sumthin on it.
THe horse is the 9,ENGLISH CHUNNEL. LIghtly raced as others that are in. Paid $85,000 at keenland yearling sales 2 years ago. Fits me sale price as oppossed to $28,000 breddin. Hes got the pedigree out of ENGLISH CHANNEL by KITTENS JOY. And this a mile and 1/16 on a firm grass. The only pony in race that has won on grass over KEENLAND turf. Puttin the young jock,BEN CURTIS back on who rode him to that victory. He a up and comin jock that rides great at his age. Of course he facin some monster other jocks in this race. The advantage here is: HORSE for the course. Short strech run. Others in race look like they want a longer strech. And he not a fronter himself,but paces well and seems in his races to avoid trouble. HIS trainer is WAYNE CATALANO. HE has lost horses over the years and his winnings have gone downhill. But GREG sticks with him. CAT even said he feels like he part of the BESINGER family. And GREG over years only used 2 trainers. The first was the lengendary,RICHARD HAZELTOn and when he past,went to CAT.
SO therefore went and put $20.00 to show on CHUNNEL. I would suggest TRIG if you look at race,maybe do a 4 exacta box. Some other nice horses but they been strugglin. One is WESLEY WARD'S pony.

Here a tale. Many years ago when WESLEY a jock and he in last race at ARLINGTON. I leaves the track to stand on backside track along fense. They warmin up the ponies. WESLEY and outrider come about 10 feet from me. I yells to WESLEY: I put $50.00 to show on you. What you think. He goes and says you should have put to WIN. He wins by 7 at 13-1. It okay,I got $7.20 on me show bet.

Last tin. ENGLISH CHUNNEL is goin off at 15-1. The horse he lost too for second by a nose last race is going off at 5-1. Who has the better odds here.

GOOD LUCK and ignor me biased comments.

Thanks for the heads up John, good story too.

I'll make this, race 8 my only race of the day.

At this time the turf course is GOOD, the #2 is scratched and the field is down to ten.

Let's take a look at the #9, your friend's horse.  The race is in just under 3 hours so I'll make it my sole race of the day.  Throw 50 bux on it.  Good luck John, and to your friend and his baby too, English Chunnel!  I'll be back with my wagers shortly.   

[Trigger]

Keeneland race 8.  Very competitive race.  Some horses do standout.  For me it's the 1 & 6 & 7.  So I boxed them in a $2ex, $2tri and with everyone in the super for a dime but with them on top 3 for .20.  Threw 6 bux to win on the 1 and 2 bux on JFA's friend's horse for sentimental value, total in $53...

Track    Race    Base ($)    Pool    Runners    Handle ($)
  Keeneland                47.00
   Race 8    0.10    SPR    1+6+7 / 1+6+7 / 1+6+7 / 1+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11    NaN.00
   Race 8    0.10    SPR    1+6+7 / 1+6+7 / 1+6+7 / 1+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11    4.20
   Race 8    0.10    SPR    1+6+7 / 1+6+7 / 1+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 / 1+6+7    4.20
   Race 8    0.10    SPR    1+6+7 / 1+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 / 1+6+7 / 1+6+7    4.20
   Race 8    0.10    SPR    1+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 / 1+6+7 / 1+6+7 / 1+6+7    4.20
   Race 8    2.00    TRI    BX+1+6+7    12.00
   Race 8    2.00    EX    BX+1+6+7    12.00
   Race 8    2.00    WIN    9    2.00


Grand Total 1 Tickets$6
Keeneland1 Tickets$6

    Race  8 04:44 PM1 Tickets$6
        R
        $6 WIN 1 $6.00 Cancel

[JOHN FRANK]

YA know what was cool. Prior to race,GREG was interviewed by SCOTT HAZELTON,son of RICHARD HAZELTON. They family also. Surprized GREG was there as he not feelin well latetly. But his SON,OLLIE was with him. I kinda knew then that CHUUNEL had a great chance. They switched after race to SANTA,and did not get to see the WINNERS CIRCLE. Had to be loaded with family and friends.

[Trigger]

YA know what was cool. Prior to race,GREG was interviewed by SCOTT HAZELTON,son of RICHARD HAZELTON. They family also. Surprized GREG was there as he not feelin well latetly. But his SON,OLLIE was with him. I kinda knew then that CHUUNEL had a great chance. They switched after race to SANTA,and did not get to see the WINNERS CIRCLE. Had to be loaded with family and friends.

 
Great job John, and I'm elated for your friend and his family, he needed this uplifting moment and it happened!

Next time we'll try to capitalize better! 

Thanks buddy! 

[Calhoun]

YA know what was cool. Prior to race,GREG was interviewed by SCOTT HAZELTON,son of RICHARD HAZELTON. They family also. Surprized GREG was there as he not feelin well latetly. But his SON,OLLIE was with him. I kinda knew then that CHUUNEL had a great chance. They switched after race to SANTA,and did not get to see the WINNERS CIRCLE. Had to be loaded with family and friends.

$26 open lengths winner given to all by John Frank.

John, I hope you fucking crushed.  The replay on TwinSpires has the winners circle covered.

I wish the jealous ***** would, for once, stop their hatred, show some respect and offer a kind word to John Frank, a veteran and HorsePlop Hall of Famer for a great price winner.

It's always great to see Wayne Catalano win a good race. You won't meet a nicer man and he was a hell of a jockey on the FG/Mich/Ky circuit for about 10 years before weight caught up to him.

I remember being a teenager working at Hazel walking hots for a trainer stabled next to the Shinrone/Jack Van Berg barn. I was having trouble with a horse and they were all laughing at me. Wayne started telling me what to do. Real thick accent. I told him "I don't understand what you're saying." Van Berg yelled something like, "Hell, none of us do!"

Wayne won 300+ races and made ~$150k at age 18 that year.  I retired from my racetrack career that same year.

Well done JFA.

[JOHN FRANK]

You right CAL. This gonna reply gonna take sum time.
(1) CAT. He became a very good trainer. Quit as a jock,like you said because of weight proplem. Then his DIVORCE. Sumthin appened there. Might have been the settlement. On top of world and then it collapses.
(2) Back to GREG. Ran into him and OLLIE 2 weeks ago. OLLIE just stood by listenin to myself and GREG talkin HORSES. Member: I knew GREG before OLLIE born. And GREGS father wo I new that built MEADOWDALE in C'VILLE for VETERANS that wanted to move to suburbs. SR. was great. could not find a more generous individual. And he was a horse owner for #'S of years. JESUS: Every year he would take kids on BUSESS to CUB and WHITE SOX games. And when each kid got off bus he would hand them a $5.00 bill. We was in grandstand and seats paid for and $5.00 bucs was like $50.00 today. The guy whould host a free 2 day festival every year in C'ville park. RIDES,FOOD, drinks were all free. AMAZIN. TOO BE CONTINUED.....

[JOHN FRANK]

Now GREG took over the horse racin interests. He was sumthin. Trained intially up at DETROIT race track and then at ARLINGTOn. He did very well. Greg had a brother who was interisted in buildin like his DAD. Built other sub divisions and built MEADOWDALE INTERNATIONL RACEWAY. At the time the most sopisticated CAR racetrack in USA. Lenny loved cars.
Back to GREG. So we talkin and I mentions sum of the great horses he had. I mentioned SUMMER NOTE before. But I brings up another. BONITA DEVIL. Greg goes: You member him. I goes: are you kiddin,one of the most famous grass sprinters in ILLINOIS history. Held the track records for sprints at ARLINGTON and HAWTHORNE. OLLIE just listin to our conversation. Know GREG got out of trainin and became a OWNER.
TOOO BE CONTINUED....

[JOHN FRANK]

In our discussion,GREG stops and say's to OLLIE. Ya know I need to change ownership in my horses to your 3 year old daughter. Makes me think,he went yesterday for last time as a owner. And in interview,yesterday,GREG talked about all his years bein in the game. And finnally say's: NOW it me son's turn,OLLIE. And OLLIE owns horses under "THE UP COUNTRY" ownership. They have a horse farm and also indoor facility. And OLLIE as taken over the EMPIRE. OLLIE likes to go to young yearlin sales and purchase. Then takes back to farm and brings them back for sale the next year. Obviously lookin for profit. If they don't sell for what he expects,he keeps and starts runnin them. And I know OLLIE. Sum years back he goes: JOHN want to buy in on one. I goes: are you insane. I can't pay for a year for these ponies to grow up. I know your talkin a 4 way split on expenses. But VET,FEED, and one not knows if they ever make it to trak.Tooo be continued.....

[JOHN FRANK]

I've got WINNERS CIRCLE PICTURES with the FAMILY and me included. One day I'M dressed like a PAINTIN PIG. I hangs at outside apron bar where OWNERS come down from the 4th floor to WINNERS CIRCLE. GREGS horse WINS. Here they come. OLLIE sees me and say's you comin into circle for pictue.I says NO. I not dressed sufficenty. OLLIE don't take NO for answer. He drags me down. I stands next to GREG in this beautiful portraite. He goes after it snapped: YOU just ruined the PHOTO.LOL. Got the PICTURE. OLLIE always called anytime me there and say's,COME pic it up. Tooo be continued. ....

[JOHN FRANK]

NOW OLLIE looks after his DAD. He spends half his time in USA and the other in SPAIN where he owns a home.
NOW he has his own barn. But he not use CAT over the years,like his DAD. He as had bout 3 different trainers. His most recent is RANDY MORSE. They won ALLOWANCE RACE last out at 12-1. OLLIE told me they will run next at KEENLAND, Looked but not this week. MEMBER: OWNERSHIP is "UP COUNTRY".

WAnt to say one last thin. Peoples like to say CARPENTERSVILLE is a SHITHOLE. Came here with MOM and DAD at 8 years old. Been gone maybe 7 years in that time. One could never have grown up in a better community. And the BESINGERS have been great. I got cousins that also know them personnaly. My one is the GODFATHER of OLLIE. He goes: When you talk with him,ask if he PISSED that I never bought him BIRTHDAY or CHRISTMAS presents. I tells him. Don't worry,he still LOVES YOU.

[JOHN FRANK]

Got to say one more thin. CHUNNEL looks good. Conditions have run out. Or so I think. Should have to move up to minor stakes. Grade 3 or more.
But this PONY has potential. Put him in your VIRTUAL.This HORSE IS GOOD.

[Trigger]

Got to say one more thin. CHUNNEL looks good. Conditions have run out. Or so I think. Should have to move up to minor stakes. Grade 3 or more.
But this PONY has potential. Put him in your VIRTUAL.This HORSE IS GOOD.

 

He's in my VS, thanks John.

[JOHN FRANK]

One last tin tin.
This horse racin famile been racin for 100 years.
And when I talk with OLLIE: HE goes we not bet our ponies. Winners circle and Purse money is wat it all about.
And wen one thinks about it,IT makes sense. When one has more money than one can possibly spend,it makes no sense. KNow bettors try to increase their income,when they have no business. They go broke.
So when you see their ponies,don't expect OWNERSHIP to bet and shove the odds down.