JEFF ALLEN: Random Notes and Thoughts about the Weekend
The Masters: In our Masters preview this week, we started with the sentence that longshots “never” win the
Masters and then went on to look at what figured to be the “Big Eight”. Ricky Fowler, Lefty and Zach Johnson
didn’t make the cut. Adam Scott was awful all week. Rory and Jason Day were basically course managers
who might have made one or two shots (the Day 80-foot put) between them. Dustin Johnson finally avoided
a Sunday meltdown but basically couldn’t put together a round much better than par. Jordan Spieth who had
been second and won in his first two Masters and then shot 66 on Thursday, folded like 7-2 off suit on the
nine with a five shot lead. In the end, the player with most guts and resolve won which was good and that was
Brit Danny Willett. While many say that the weather played a huge part in determining this year’s winner, it was
windy for everyone. Willett, who almost didn’t play the tournament as his wife’s due date with their first child was
April 10th, had every chance to quit after a tough up and down for par on the second hole. Instead, he birdied
five holes for a 67 and the win. Willett was not a complete surprise having finished sixth in the British Open last
summer. Somebidy new something as Willett opened at 150-1 at the Westgate before going off Thursday at
50-1.
Golden State 92 San Antonio 86: If there is such a thing for a team that is 72-9, this was a statement game for
the Warriors. After a life and death win at Memphis where the officals basically gave Golden State the game. The
Warriors arguably played one of their best games of the season in snapping a 33-game losing streak dating back
to 2007 in Alamo City. Tim Duncan didn’t play which was inconsequential as the Spurs had no answer for Steph
Curry who was 13-22 from the field for 37 points. Boris Diaw, also didn’t play which was more telling as he’s an
intregal part of the Spur offense and defense. In the game the Spurs beat Golden State this year, Curry was 1-12
from behind the arc, knocking down his first start. You could argue that without the MVP’s poor shooting night back
in January that Golden State should have swept the season series and should these two meet again in the playoffs,
it might not be close.
Kentucky Derby Prep Races: There were three major Derby Preps run Saturday and all three were run on off tracks.
At the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York, Outwork was a front running winner nosing 81-1 ground saving
longshot Trojan Nation. Previously unbeaten Shagaf went off the favorite, never fired and was eased. In the Bluegrass
at Keeneland, Brody’s Cause weaved his through a wall of dead pieces to grind his way to a win over My Man Sam
and Cherry Wine. None of the horses coming out of these two races should be considered a threat come the first
Sunday in June. In California at Santa Anita, Exaggerator, down 20 lengths at the half mile, swooped the field with a
monster move to easily crush nine opponents. Our choice, Danzigs Candy, got involved in a speed dual with Uncle
Leno and was a well beaten fourth after sizzling fractions. Exaggerator would now have to be considered a threat to
Nyquist if he were to work out a trip and have things his own way. Nice horse.
Manny Pacquiao: Knocked down Timothy Bradley twice enroute to an easy unanimous decision win over Timothy
Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Pacquiao then announced his retirement to the surprise
of all. Manny looked razor sharp and showed no ill effects of the rotator cuff surgery he had after the Floyd Mayweather
fight last May. If the this is the end for Manny, it would be the end of a career spanning 21-years and starting
at (105 pounds) light-flyweight. Pacquiao is 58-6-2.
Major League Baseball Week One: The Baltimore Orioles are baseball’s lone unbeaten but that doesn’t figure to last
long as the O’s probably don’t have the starting pitching to last into September. The Reds are another team that has done
it with smoke and mirrors to this point. Cincinnati’s pitching is all hurt and the lineup is just flat out not very good. The
Cubs, Royals, Tigers and Nats are all right where they should be. The Al East and NL West figure to beat each other up
while AL West should see Seattle, Texas and Houston pull away from Oakland and the Angels once the bats get going.
Allen has started the bases 5-1 just picking his spots in the early going. Allen will start playing more once each team has
played about 20 games and the pitching rotations have made 4-5 starts.