A Swift Chat With Ray Paulick

Ray Paulick was the first mainstream journalist to make contact with TBA bloggers back when we were in our primordial ooze phase. Since then some of us have evolved into the lower life forms you see today while others of us became extinct. It was Paulick, whether he realizes it or not, who gave certain [...]

100,000 Hits And Boy Are My Fingers Tired!

Sometime today Not to the Swift reaches the 100,000 hits plateau, so here’s a shout out to all of you for stopping by, rest assured there is much more mediocrity to come.

I made it out to Calder yesterday on a beautiful day here in South Florida but feeling the effects of too many Presidentes, [...]

That’s A Catchy Title

I wonder where Joe Drape of the New York Times got the idea for it? By the way that’s me in grandstand and now Secretariat and me are on the cover of a book.
I have come full circle!
Geez Joe, I am not asking for royalties but you could [...]

The Swifties

Paul Moran names his picks for the divisional honors on his blog today. And while we all know there won’t be too much suspense this year at the Eclipse Awards (there never really is, it’s a good excuse to take a nap in a tuxedo if you ask me) I thought I might [...]

Does Demi O’Byrne Google Himself?

On the eve of The Green Monkey’s maiden voyage from the starting gate at Belmont Park to the finish line, I have noticed that my stat counter is getting a lot of hits on Google from people searching on the keyword “Demi O’Byrne”, in fact Not to the Swift is Number 1 and 2 [...]

Does Demi O’Byrne Google Himself?

On the eve of The Green Monkey’s maiden voyage from the starting gate at Belmont Park to the finish line, I have noticed that my stat counter is getting a lot of hits on Google from people searching on the keyword “Demi O’Byrne”, in fact Not to the Swift is Number 1 and 2 [...]

Dreadful Blogger Spotted at Saratoga; Racing Journalists In a Panic

Sorry Mr. Crist but one of those dreadful bloggers has been spotted at Saratoga with camera and camcorder in tow, some dreadful blogging is sure to follow; call the grammar police!
The Phipps Barn is by far the nicest one on the backstretch. I got a little more than I bargained for when Shug McGaughey showed [...]

The Washington Post Done Me Wrong

Now I know why Richard Nixon hated the Washington Post. Well maybe not for the same reason I do. After all Nixon was the paranoid nut job who approved the Watergate break in. I am just an overly enthusiastic racing fan with a pendant for stealing photographs I don’t have the copyright to and posting [...]

Introducing Seamus

I’d like you to meet Seamus (shey-mus), my alter ego over there on the side bar. Seamus will be appearing periodically here on Not to the Swift to offer opinion and comment on topics of interest to him. Seamus shoots from the hip, so you can never tell what he might say and of course [...]

Your Average Kentucky Derby Winner

Is there such a thing? For the most part Derby winners are extraordinary horses and for some the exertions of preparing and winning the classic takes it toll; injury and retirement soon follow. Is Street Sense your average Kentucky Derby winner, you know a horse that was more lucky than talented on [...]