By Tom Jicha

South Florida racing fans will have a local rooting interest in Saturday's Preakness.

Big Drama, who has a legitimate chance to upset Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and super filly Rachel Alexandra, was developed at Calder and is trained by Calder regular David Fawkes.

Big Drama became the sixth horse to sweep all three legs of Calder's Florida Stallion Stakes last year. He then went to Lousiana and captured the rich Delta Downs Jackpot.

A minor leg ailment delayed his 3-year-old debut, making it impossible for him to be properly prepared for the Kentucky Derby. However, in his only start this season, he finished first in the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream, only to be taken down on a very questionable disqualification.

Preakness day doesn't have the cachet of the Kentucky Derby but Calder will make an event of it. Crab cakes will be added to the concession menu and Black-Eyed Susans (the official Preakness adult beverage) will be for sale in souvenir glasses.

Calder will open at 10 a.m. for simulcasting of Pimlico's card, which springs from the gate at the ungodly hour of 10:15. The Preakness will probably go off between 6:15-6:30 p.m.

The first local race is at 12:25.

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By Tom Jicha

Calder has heard the voice of the people. Rolling Pick 3’s have been restored to the betting menu starting with Sunday’s race card.

At the start of the season, Calder reduced the pick 3’s to only two on most days, three on extended weekend cards.

Fans asked that the bet, which gives small players a chance to hit big with a minimal investment, be restored and the track has responded.

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By Tom Jicha and Nick Sortal

Kentucky Derby 2009 will be what it should be: one of the biggest days of the year for racing fans.

Calder and Gulfstream will be taking full-card simulcasting from Churchill Downs. The dog tracks and jai alai frontons (Dania, Mardi Gras and the Isle ), which are prohibited from taking thoroughbred bets until 6 p.m., also will be taking Derby action all day Friday and Saturday because the listed post for the Run for the Roses is 6:04 Saturday. (Palm Beach Kennel says it's at 6:25 p.m.)

This is unlike last year when Kentucky Derby day was one of the most chaotic in South Florida racing history. During the week leading up to America’s most famous race, the word was local fans were going to be shut out of betting on the Derby and its stakes-rich under card because of a dispute between horsemen and Calder.

A compromise was struck on Derby eve. Calder would not be allowed to accept wagering on the full Derby card but Gulfstream, which was open for simulcasting, would. Fans flocked to the Hallandale track, which, because of the late notice, wasn’t fully prepared to handle the crowds. Many bettors were shut out anyway.

This year both tracks are well prepared and have special events and promotions planned.
Racing fans who want to make a day of it will be treated to a party atmosphere at Calder, which has live racing.

The theme of the day is Florida vs. Kentucky at special food and drink stands. Fans will be able to purchase mint juleps, the traditional Derby adult beverage, or mojitos. Derby pie will be available, as will key lime pie. Burgoo (one of those delicious stews for which you don’t want to know the ingredients) will be an option to paellla.

Admission and general parking is free at both tracks for those who want to just bet the race, then watch from home.

Palm Beach Kennel Club has a "finest hat" contest early in the afternoon and is selling $4 mint juleps ($5 if you want the glass, too).

Meanwhile, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has a bash set as well, although none of the tribe's casinos have any form of parimutuel betting.

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Avid racing fans probably know this but for those who want to see and bet on Big Brown in Saturday's Belmont Stakes, there will be no hinderances.

The dispute between Calder and horsemen, which denied Calder the Kentucky Derby and placed Preakness betting in doubt until the 11th hour, will have no impact on the Belmont.

Calder has been taking bets on NY races without interruption and will do so on Saturday. In fact, those who want to bet on Saturday's Belmont Stakes will be able to do it starting Friday.

Standard admission and parking charges will be in effect ($3 grandstand, $5 clubhouse).

Gulfstream Park and Palm Beach Kennel Club also are able to offer full-card simulcasting from New York.

Jai Alai frontons and dog tracks, which offer thoroughbred betting after 6 p.m., also will be able to take bets on the Belmont starting Friday, since post time for the third jewel of the Triple Crown is about 6:15 Saturday.

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How bad are the stripped down Marlins going to be this season? Just about the worst in baseball, according to an offshore gambling site, Bookmaker.com, which puts its money behind its opinions.

The first estimates of the regular season win totals have been posted and the Marlins over/under is 68 1/2 wins. In other words, if you bet over, they have to win 69. If you go under, they can win no more than 68. (They won 71 last season.)

The Pittsburgh Pirates also are at 68 1/2. No team in the National League is lower. The Baltimore Orioles have the distinction of bottoming out both leagues at 65 wins.

As usual, the Yankees are Red Sox have the highest totals, 94 wins. The Mets are high in the National League at 92 1/2.

If you are a hopeless dreamer, you can get 35-1 that the Marlins will win the National League East, 65-1 that they will capture the National League pennant and 100-1 that the team will take its third World Series.

If you are so inclined (delusional), go for the 35-1 on the division. The Marlins would then have to go into three post-season series to win it all. Trust me, they would be substantial underdogs in each.

Let's say you bet $100. Your division return would be $3,600.

Even if you had to take even-money in the first playoff series, and take your original $100 out, this would net you $7,000. Same thing in round two would bring back $14,000. Double up on the Series and you could win $28,000. The actually parlay figure would probably be as much as $50K.

This is a lot better than 100-1 on a $100 World Series bet, which would net only $10,100.

(Obligatory disclaimer: betting through offshore websites is against the law.)

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