Savoring a Steeplechase at Saratoga Racecourse
Thanks to a generous referral from Maryland based thoroughbred horse trainers Larry and Connie Smith, I had the privilege of getting an up close look at the 2022 Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard Steeplechase at Saratoga Racecourse back on Aug. 17th. First squeezing my rental into a small parking space alongside Saratoga’s Stakes Barn, I then sought out an eight year old mare out of Alphabet Soup (1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic Champion) who was rumored to be stabled inside of stall #5. Subsequent to stumbling upon the snow white equine I was in search of, I then shook hands with trainer Kate Dalton and her husband (and jockey) Bernie.
EQL Games, Michigan Lottery Sign Content Distribution Agreement
Lottery innovator EQL Games has signed an agreement with the Michigan Lottery to provide digital content through its iLottery platform. This agreement will initially feature games developed by third-party game developer Present Creative and opens the door for EQL Games to offer additional future content.It is the first lottery industry agreement for the recently announced partnership between EQL Games and Present Creative.
EQL Games will initially integrate its remote game server technology to the Michigan Lottery, allowing the Lottery to offer Present Creative’s Instant products to Michigan consumers. Notably, this integration allows EQL Games and its content partners to develop and implement new and innovative game content for the longest running and most fruitful digital lottery in North America.
Triple Crown Triumphs: A Lookback at Longshots
Any horseplayer who says they haven’t fantasized about cashing a win ticket on a 99-1 shot is well, akin to Pinocchio. Because hey let’s face it, even the most ignorant railbird among us can make a few bucks by betting on an enormous favorite. Yet truth be told, triumphs which are fused to futile odds typically aren’t all that memorable. Such scores simply don’t make for entertaining anecdotes on those occasions when we “chew the fat” with our fellow turf aficionados.
Now while hitting a long shot incites an adrenaline rush that can last long after the fact, nothing compares to “blowing up” a tote board that is attached to either the: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes. For certain, these three races which make up Thoroughbred Horse Racing’s Triple Crown Series represent the loftiest pinnacles in our sport, and while picking a winner in any of the previously mentioned routes is surely sweet, “bringing home a bomb” on the Sport of Kings’ grandest stage will literally make you a legend. Hence, here are half a dozen horses that all of us wish we had bet on!
Churchill Downs Unveils All-New Homestretch Club
Churchill Downs unveiled the all-new Homestretch Club just in time for the 148th Running of the Kentucky Derby. The club is located on the first and second floors of the final stretch under the famed Twin Spires and offers racing fans the chance to be right on the rail for the most exciting two minutes in sports.
“This is equivalent to sitting courtside at an NBA game,” Commented Churchill spokesperson, Darren Rogers. “We are excited to offer this new upgrade yet still paying homage to the history of Churchill Downs.”
Celebrity Cruises Launches All-New Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo recently honored the thousands of engineers, architects, designers, contractors, shipyard employees and Celebrity Cruises teams as the brand took delivery of Celebrity Beyond, the third and most luxurious ship in the fleet’s new-luxury Edge Series®, and a true game changer for the travel industry.
The moment was particularly special as it marked the industry’s first physical delivery ceremony since the pandemic.
Designed to give guests endless opportunities to disconnect from the world — while simultaneously reconnecting with the world that surrounds them — Celebrity Beyond goes further than imagined possible for a cruise ship, creating a new world of wonder and approachable luxury.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats to Perform at Churchill Downs on “Thurby”, May 5
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs announced a new Derby Week attraction that will open infield General Admission access for Thurby and feature a music performance by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Thurby presented by Old Forester is a celebration of music and Kentucky bourbon and has become one of the most exciting ways to experience live racing during Derby Week at Churchill Downs.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are one of the most recognizable new forces in contemporary rock ‘n’ roll whose mix of soul and rock quickly cemented them as a rare generational band who balanced ecstatic live shows and engrossing and rich records. The octet’s third album, The Future, is an instant classic of 11 songs that builds upon their original sound and recognizable zeal to present new and compelling depth and introspection.
L’Auberge Baton Rouge Hotel To Open Second Outdoor Smoking Gaming Area February 4
BATON ROUGE, La., – L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge (“L’Auberge”) is excited to announce the opening of Riverbend Terrace II on Friday, February 4 at 12pm. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony will be be held on the terrace with guests joining the L’Auberge team members to celebrate. Riverbend Terrace II is L’Auberge’s second smoking terrace, with the first opening in 2019. This project, costing $6 million to build, is the first in Baton Rouge and Penn National Gaming’s
history to include an outside area where guests are offered the opportunity to play table games and smoke. This high-end space will span 4,500 square feet and will feature over 90 slot machines and roulette, blackjack, and baccarat table games. The space will also include an entertainment bar, 11 TV screens, an air infiltration systems, 4 industrial size ceiling fans and gas fired radiant heaters to keep guests comfortable year-round.
Jack Harlow Headlines Forecastle Festival’s Return to Waterfront Park May 27-29
The Forecastle Festival, Louisville’s longest running music festival returns for its 20th anniversary event Memorial Day weekend, May 27 – 29, 2022 with an all-star lineup boasting GRAMMY-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator, psychedelic rock powerhouse Tame Impala and GRAMMY-nominated hometown hero Jack Harlow.
More than 50 artists across hip-hop, alternative, electronic and more will grace the Forecastle stages over the course of the three-day event including Rüfüs Du Soul, Phoebe Bridgers, Porter Robinson, Clairo, 6Lack and Black Pumas.
Tickets are available immediately via SMS presale with a general on-sale to follow on Thursday, January 6 at Noon EST. Ticketing options include 3-Day and 1-Day tickets for General Admission, GA+ and VIP experiences.
L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge Chefs Win Gold and Bronze in Baton Rouge Epicurean Society’s Fête Rouge Awards
BATON ROUGE, La. – L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge is excited to announce that Chef Eric Sibley, chef de cuisine at 18 STEAK, and Chef Jesus Arguelles, chef de cuisine at Red Lotus Asian Kitchen, won GOLD and BRONZE, respectively, at the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society’s Fête Rouge Awards. Sibley won gold in the Louisiana Flavors category, and Arguelles won bronze in the Meat category. The winning dishes were Sibley’s Local Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Foie Gras Sausage and Arugelle’s Korean BBQ Banh Bao.
Sibley has lead 18 STEAK since 2018. Arguelles has been a part of L’Auberge’s culinary team since July 2017 and has been leading Red Lotus Asian Kitchen since its inception in November 2020.
Basics of Baccarat: Best Bets and Systems
Baccarat is not a game of strategy beyond deciding which bet to make. Whether the banker hand, player hand or both get a third card is played out by rule, with no options for bettors or the dealer. Instead, methods for attacking the game focus on whether to bet banker, player, or, for the adventurous, tie. And they focus on how much to bet.
No hand belongs to any individual bettor. All may wager on the banker hand or the player hand, or make a tie bet. House edges are low on banker (1.06 percent) and player (1.24 percent), but a much-too-high 14.4 percent on ties.
