ST. George Over Golf Habig

Golf Betting Lines

Steve Friesen matched Habig with his own eight-under 63. That moved him into a tie for third place at nine-under-par 275, where he was joined by Chris Wall (68) and Rob Oppenheim (70). Wes Heffernan was one stroke behind that trio at minus-eight after a final-round 64.

 

The 29-year-old came right back with a birdie on the 13th, while Griff tripped to a bogey on 11 to give Habig a two-stroke cushion. He drained a birdie on 15, then kicked in a three-footer for birdie at 17 to extend his cushion.

 

"To be able to get it done when it matters is a great feeling. I tell you, that round from tee to green was one of the most solid of my life."

 

David Walker, who won Winter Qualifying School, closed with a four-under 67 to take seventh place at seven-under-par 277. Wil Collins, Lee Curry and Matt Seppanen were one stroke further back at minus-six.

 

The Mount Robson is the only Jasper Hotel to offer luxuriously spacious suites with one—the Robson Suite—designed specifically for families. As well, amenities such as free wireless high-speed internet, two outdoor whirlpools, and family dining room keep both children and parents entertained after an adventurous day exploring the Canadian rockies.

 

Parents will appreciate the inn’s Jasper vacation packages for families. The family package includes one night’s stay in one of the Robson Suites and one ticket per person to either the town pool or the Chaba Theater. The Robson Suite includes two rooms with a king-size bed, sitting area with pull-out sofa bed, bunkbeds, oversize television and an X-Box game console, bean bag loungers, and two baths. Games for the X-box are free of charge.

 

About Mount Robson Inn Mount Robson Inn is a family-owned Jasper motel with an array of amenities and close proximity to downtown and, of course, Jasper National Park’s favorite sightseeing destinations. The Mount Robson Inn boasts 80 well-appointed accommodations, including six suites, as well as the locally owned Mount Robson Steakhouse, two whirlpools, wireless internet access, movie rentals, laundry facilities, shuttles, and most importantly, spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies that bring guests to Jasper. Twelve beautiful suites, each different, include amenities ranging from Jacuzzis and body massage showers to fireplaces and oversize televisions.

 

For more information, contact: Chad Gulevich

 

We are excited about the relationship between The Ledges of St. George and Nicklaus Academies with the opening of the first Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf in Utah
Located among the abundance of natural wonders of Southern Utah, The Ledges sits above the booming city of St. George on the rim of Snow Canyon State Park, a geological masterpiece. The 1,100 acre community has already become the areas most sought after location. Interlaced with this spectacular setting is the 18-hole championship Ledges Golf Club designed in the famous Dye family tradition by Matt Dye. The course opened in March of 2006 to fabulous reviews.

 

The addition of the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf to The Ledges community is a perfect fit. Nicklaus Academies are reserved for the world’s finest resorts, residential developments and private clubs. Guests of the Academy can expect the most advanced, quality instruction available anywhere in the world enhanced by the beautiful setting of The Ledges and the growing popularity and abundant recreation opportunities of the Greater St. George area.

 

Highlights of the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf at The Ledges include:

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Champion Beats Tequila At Order >>

Golf Operations Mountain Experience Highlight Name Down Tequilas >>

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Bodog Music Golf Name Salvage For Lochenheath >>

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Horse Betting

(This is an update of a sportsbook for the May 4th issue of ESPN The Magazine).

The Kentucky Derby's post-position draw happened on Wednesday. And, as is always the case, shortly afterwards, a buzz raced around Churchill Downs. It was a low rumble at first, nothing that the squares in the mint julep crowd pick up right away. But by the time the sun set over the twin spires, the chatter was impossible to ignore. Everyone -- sharps, trainers, owners -- was talking about one thing: the wise guy horse, the pre-draw long shot us mopes didn't have on our radar until it was too late.

"You think you're hearing the scoop," says handicapper Lane Gold. "Then you get to the window, the odds are short, and you missed it."

Recognizing a wise-guy horse early is as hard as picking a Derby bonnet. That's because handicappers don't like hype (see ya, I Want Revenge). They want Thoroughbreds who look good losing prep races like the Santa Anita Derby. They eye horses who ate up the field after starting wide or made an easy transition from synthetic tracks to dirt. They look for ponies who showed muscle gain race to race and those who ran hard after several weeks' rest.

"A wise guy," says John Avello, a bookmaker at Wynn Las Vegas, "looks for a horse who can improve."

When I first wrote Horse Betting for The Mag, which I turned in a three weeks before Wednesday's draw, I predicted these three horses had wise guy potential:

CHOCOLATE CANDY (15-1 in mid-April, currently 20-1 according to Avello): His second-place finish at Santa Anita, following a seven-week layoff, proved two things: He can run after resting, and -- by losing a high-profile prep race -- he wouldn't be overhyped.

DESERT PARTY (15-1; 15-1): He was upset in the UAE Derby by a horse he had beaten twice. The public remembers his loss, but the wise guys his wins.

PIONEEROF THE NILE (8-1; 4-1): The big favorite at Santa Anita struggled to win, so he initially got less hype than Quality Road and I Want Revenge.

You may have noticed that the odds on Pioneerof the Nile have been cut in half, from 8-1 to 4-1. Which means the wise guys took a shine to him long before the post-position draw. But, to be honest, this is one of those years with four elite horses getting everyone's attention, squares and sharps alike.

"You're not gonna get a lot of chatter about a horse that isn't in that group, which includes Pioneer, I Want Revenge, Dunkirk and Friesan Fire," Avello told me Wednesday. "We don't have a group of horses behind those top four who look like real legit contenders."

Come Derby week, the final two elements in picking a wise guy horse are how he's working out and what gate he's coming out of.

(By the way, picking a Preakness favorite is a whole different bale of hay, partially based on how horses finish in the Derby. You can see my analysis of who has the best shot at Pimlico on Insider Sunday morning.)

Well, early in the week I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile and Friesan Fire were working out better than anyone. Some thought Friesan Fire, currently 6-1, might have run too fast, burning a five-furlong run in :57 4/5. "When you are running that fast you have the sense that it took something out of him," says Gold. "The Derby is longer than any horse has run, and if they need that extra surge you worry they won't have it because they burned it in the workout."

But, Gold points out, Friesan Fire's trainer is Larry Jones, Two years ago his horse Hard Spun did a five-eighths workout in :57 3/5 and then went on to finish second, behind Street Sense, in the Derby. "Every trainer has different methods," says Gold. "And clearly he knows what he's doing."

Now, as for starting position, Gold says to remember this: Churchill Downs traditionally has 14 starting gates. For the Derby, it brings out auxiliary gates and between the original 14th gate and the new 15th gate, there is a little more space than there is between gates 1-14. "That 15 position will give you a precious second or two to sort out what's happening to your inside," says Gold. "Sixteen is also okay because you can follow the horse in front of you."

Dunkirk, one of the race favorites, is coming out of gate 15. In 16 is Baffert's Pioneerof the Nile. I Want Revenge drew 13, where Smarty Jones won from in 2004, and Friesan Fire picked the sixth position. "He doesn't have a lot of speed to the inside of him," says Gold. "So he will get a clear shot to be near the front."

All the jibber-jabber means this: Pioneerof the Nile has leapfrogged from 8-1 to being the second favorite, along with Dunkirk, behind I Want Revenge. Meanwhile, Friesan Fire, with a good trainer, a strong week of training and a decent post position, is still at 6-1. "By Saturday, it's possible he could go from fourth to the favorite," says Gold.

In other words, meet Friesan Fire, your 2009 wise guy horse.

"Now," says Avello, "it's time for action."

To visit this horse betting site go to MySportsbook.com for all your horse racing betting needs.