Horse Racing Fantasy Community

The Grade 3 Northern Dancer Stakes runs at Churchill Downs at a distance of 1-1/16 mile. As we all know, Churchill Downs is the home of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, located in the race capital of the world - Louisville, KY. The 2008 Northern Dancer was a great stakes event. I'm sure the 2009 Northern Dancer Stakes will be just as exciting. This race attracts top trainers like Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen. Some of the greatest jockeys in the nation have won this race, including Jerry Bailey (now retired), Gary Stevens (commentator and consultant), as well as the jockey, Red Pollard, who rode Seabiscuit to that amazing match race victory depicted in the movie "Seabiscuit" starring Tobey Maguire.

Let me apologize right here to all of our VIPs for being so tardy in delivering this week's VIP race. This weekend was especially difficult for those of us associated with getting this race out to everyone, and things seemed to just stack on top of each other. But, we made it - barely!

Recapturetheglory, the all-out favorite to win the Northern Dancer Stakes got a bad start and just couldn't make up for that during the race. But, Steve Asmussen's Pyro was in it all the way, took advantage of every opportunity presented during the race and won by 1-3/4 lengths. My Pal Charlie crossed in second place and Visionaire, 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Recapturetheglory, came in third. The total field of six also included Tiz Now Tiz Then, Unbridled Vicar and Texas Wildcatter. It's up to you, VIPs, to see if you can change the outcome, help him live up to his name and possibly "recapture the glory" for that before-race favorite, Recapturetheglory! Or, perhaps My Pal Charlie will push through to take the lead and finish in first rather than second. It's all yours to jockey, fictitiously bet or just watch. This is always a pivotal race in the season - see if you can change history!

You really should consider becoming a VIP if you're not one already. Our VIPs enjoy so many benefits - significantly more community points to be earned each day than non-VIPs, that extra 25,000 bonus community points each month to begin with the release of the new version of the game, races like this one or simulations of actual major stake races to be held within a day or two of receiving your race file, 99,500 bonus community points when you become a VIP. There are many more perks to the VIP membership - like access to our exclusive VIP Lounge here in the community where you'll find tips from our jockeys, special promotions and offers specifically for our VIP members and much more. It just makes sense to take advantage of this economically-priced special membership program - just $9.95 per month for unlimited hours of fun, special benefits and excitement.

Well, once again, I apologize for the lateness in our delivery of this week's race to our VIPs. Gosh, guys, 'stuff' just happens sometimes!

Love,
Michelle