2008: The Year of Changes

by Ralph the Cat

2008 was a strange year for me and many others. We didn't have Dale Baird leveling the playing field with tough claimers and solid contenders in most races like we're used to seeing. It seemed like I watched the Super Trainers win races by 10 lengths or more one too many times. We saw Parker have the best meet of his life and finished an amazing 2nd place in total wins in North America. We watched Rex Stokes III put it dull efforts on bottom claimers and bettors questioning rides from guys like him and Whitney more than ever. Just when Mountaineer racing seemed like a year-round same ole same ole type of track, we ran into one of the most unusual years in its history. Throw in Presque Isle Downs meet pulling some horses and trainers away as well and you got some unusual looking overnighters coming from Mountaineer. Did I enjoy it? Yes, but I'm a sick, sick man and can't wait for 2009. Saturday January 17th, 2009, the most underrated opening day in our sport. From 7:00pm to 10:20pm there will be $2 million in handle on an old dirt oval in the back woods of some town called Chester.