Saturday Cardinal Couple -- A McCoughtry wins twice on Friday

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Atlanta Dream defeats New York Liberty


-A McCoughtry wins at Belmont


A unique double yesterday in the world of sports. Trainer James Jerkins took Rick Pitino's filly A McCoughtry to Belmont Race Course and she won the second race of the day. The WNBA's New York Liberty traveled from the home of Belmont Race Course to Atlanta and fell to A. McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream 100-74. 

As for the thoroughbred A McCoughtry, she broke alertly from the starting gate, had some early bumping issues with race favorite Jova Real, but got to the lead and went wire-to-wire on the sloppy track conditions to win the $75,000 maiden special weight race for 3 year old and up fillies and mares over 1 1/16 miles. Kinda like the hoops Angel, a claim of foul was lodged against her for the start of the race bumping...but it was disallowed and the order of the finish remained the same. (We know our #35 never fouls, right?) 


She was ignored by the bettors, going off at 14-1 and returning $28.20 to win. It is her first win in three lifetime races and the furthest distance she's been asked to run in her short racing career. 


Rick always likes to point out he tries to get his basketball players in the best condition possible so they can compete in games. Looks like some of his teachings have worn off on his three year old filly. 


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The Atlanta Dream got 23 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds from Angel McCoughtry yesterday in a 100-74 win over the New York Liberty in WNBA action. The Dream were tightly locked into battle with the Liberty in the first quarter at 18-16...but went on a 10-2 run and never looked back. 


Atlanta is now 1-1 on the season and the Liberty drop to 0-4. 


A great day for the McCoughtry's!  We wonder, though...how the Pitino McCoughtry would look driving down the lane to hit a jumper or how Angel would have handled the sloppy surface at Belmont yesterday. 


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WE hope everyone has a safe, successful and fun Memorial Day holiday. WE also hope you remember why we have this holiday and join us in paying respect and saying "Thank You" to those who have served and given their lives for our country and those who still serve to keep us safe. 

Sometimes, we complain about the way things are in our economy and in our lives. We are living in a country here in America where we still have our basic freedoms, no tyranny and no civil wars. We have soldiers and sailors dedicated to defending those things and serving each day to protect us. 


To my Uncle Martin, who died at Pearl Harbor, my father who served in WW II and in Korea, my wife and my friends who have served...thank you and God Bless You. 


I'd have no qualms or hesitations, either...about defending my country in any way they needed me to again. I'm able to sit here in front of my computer, sip coffee and listen to the birds chirping and see the sun beginning to rise without the fear of bombs exploding around me or soldiers storming down my street in combat. I appreciate that.

Our friend Norma and her brother Ron served our
country. Thank you! 

Whether it's a backyard cookout, trip and travel, a visit to the cemetery  or just enjoying an extra day off work...have a great weekend, everybody! Locally, it's supposed to be a scorcher here. 


-- Paul, Sonja, David, Jenny, Sandra and the staff chimps.



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