Thanks for the comments on the re-design and the site, and the remarks on the size of the print are duly noted. I’m working on making it a little bigger. As someone who’s become a full-time wearer of reading glasses in the last year, I’m an ally of big type!

And thanks to Carol Cusano, my friend and web guru who worked–and continues to work–to make sure that the site both looks good and does what I want it to. Quite literally, this would likely have never happened without her.

Please update your RSS feed, as it has apparently changed with the move to the new server.  The address is the same (www.brooklynbackstretch.com), but the feed has apparently changed, and thanks to Jessica Chapel for pointing that out to me. 

Now on to Brian’s quick look at today’s Illinois Derby. Don’t forget to activate your power horses!

Hawthorne: The Grade III, $500,000 Illinois Derby at 1 1/8 miles

YAWANNA TWIST encountered trouble while racing wide in his two-turn debut in the GIII Gotham, but closed resolutely once free in the stretch to finish second behind Awesome Act; rates as the controlling speed in this paceless affair over a course known to get mighty biased on Illinois Derby Day. The blinkers experiment didn’t work for AMERICAN LION in the GII San Felipe, and they come off now in an effort to get a more relaxed run; drew well for his first start on conventional dirt, though he’s more pomp than circumstance so far. DAVE IN DIXIE was extremely disappointing in the San Felipe but is another who could perk up in his first start on dirt; stretch run could be compromised by a tepid early pace.

Selections:

4. Yawanna Twist
1. American Lion
6. Dave In Dixie