Preakness Stakes 2009

Preakness Stakes 2009 at online bookmaker Bodog.com have Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird listed at 11 to 2 odds to take the second race of the Triple Crown Series. The three year old gelding had not demonstrated enough in his three races prior to the Run for the Roses to warrant any sort optimism from the odds makers; he certainly shocked them — along with most everyone else_by winning the coveted race. Count Preakness Stakes 2009 horse racing expert Anthony Stabile of VegasInsider.com among those flabbergasted by Mine That Bird’s Derby victory.

“I can honestly say, him crossing the wire first in the Derby was one of the most shocking things I've seen in my 32 plus years on this planet” Stabile said. However, there were those who felt that Bird would be in the race because of jockey Calvin Borel. Preceding the Run for the Roses, Steve Hastings of Point-Spreads.com had this to say: “In the history of Churchill Downs, Calvin Borel is the sixth jockey to win six races on a single race card so if anyone can get it done on a long shot horse it is him. Borel won the Kentucky Derby in 2007 riding Street Sense. [I would] suggest bettors grab the +5000 odds on Mine the Bird for a few bucks as a long shot to make history.”

Unfortunately for Mine That Bird and his trainer, Chip Woolley, Jr., Borel will be riding Rachel Alexandra this afternoon. The Cajun jockey has had the mount on Alexandra’s last five races, all wins. Woolley understood Borel’s decision and was not blindsided by it. “This is a business, and Calvin has to watch out for himself,” Woolley said. “It was his choice and I respect his choice. It was a hard choice for him to make and I appreciate the fact that he and his agent were really upfront with us from Day One, as soon as they knew the prospect was out there (to ride Rachel Alexandra). They came and told us and gave us the opportunity to get the best rider we could.”

Joint Services Open House 2009

The Joint Services Open House 2009 is held at Andrews Air Force Base. I haven't been there in several years. When we arrived at the gate to the flight line, we were denied entrance. But we have the pink pass, our Marine driver argued, we were told yesterday that that would get us to the hanger, we have stuff to drop off. The Air Force security guard told us the pink pass was only good until 7 a.m. that morning. Phone calls were made to find who had a red pass to bring to us. We were directed to go to the operations office since the Marine who had the red pass was at the safety briefing.

Well, gosh darn it. I got a large shirt so it wouldn't gap in this area! So all I wanted to do the rest of the day was stand there with my arms across my chest. While we were waiting in line, the Public Affairs officer came up to us and asked if we wanted to take pictures of what was going on inside. Well, gosh darn it. I got a large shirt so it wouldn't gap in this area! So all I wanted to do the rest of the day was stand there with my arms across my chest.

As you can see, it is surrounded by video screens. These screens project a computer generated display as if they were driving through an Iraqi village when all of a sudden, they are ambushed. The targets in this station looked like people. In another station, the targets were little red Xs. I sat in the back of one of the Humvee in an attempt to get some pictures of the action. You really feel like you are moving when you are sitting in the vehicle. I'm sure this will be very popular. When we left, I felt like I was deaf - - so it is quite loud.

Travel Leisure

Travel Leisure remains resilient in the current economic climate. Consumers are expected to take an average of two trips this summer, stay approximately seven nights away from home and spend more than $900 on their longest summer trip. "Travelers' resilience is good news for the travel industry and the entire American economy," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "According to our forecast, Americans will do their part this summer to stimulate the economy, save and create jobs and strengthen communities from coast-to-coast."

Travel and Leisure has an informative slideshow of key Roman sites that pop up in “Angels & Demons,” along with anecdotes about their histories. As Reid Bramblett writes, “the true miraculous and demonic events that took place at them are often even stranger than those Dan Brown’s imagination could whip up.” Over at WhyGo Italy, Jessica Spiegel outlines a self-guided Dan Brown tour of Rome, for those who don’t want to book with a guided, group option.

Reuters has an action-packed 48-hour “Angels & Demons” itinerary on offer. My favorite thing about this one? It balances the Robert Langdon fandom with plenty of eating and drinking. Finally, if it’s a package deal you’re looking for, Gadling has the details on the Westin’s “Angels & Demons Experience.” Oh, and as for the movie itself? Slate’s Dana Stevens is underwhelmed: “Hanks and [co-star Ayelet] Zurer race around Rome having impenetrable conversations in front of world-historical art treasures.