Heart Attack claims life of Skip Away

Horseracing Betting Lines

05/14/2010 - Midway, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Horse of the Year Skip Away died from an apparent heart attack Friday morning in Kentucky. The 17-year-old stallion was living at Hopewell Farm.

Skip Away was a four-time Eclipse Award winner having been voted champion three-year-old male in 1996, champion older horse in 1997-98 and Horse of the Year in 1998. At the time of his retirement, he was the second all-time leading North America earner with $9,616,360, behind only Cigar.

Owned by Carolyn Hine, Skip Away was trained by her husband Sonny Hine and won 18 of 38 lifetime starts. The champion was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2004.

During his illustrious career Skip Away won the 1997 Breeders' Cup Classic and the Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1996-97. Beginning with the 1997 Gold Cup he won nine straight graded stakes.

The two jockeys that rode him most often were Hall of Fame member Jerry Baily and Shane Sellers. He was also ridden several times by Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos.

Skip Away's death comes just one day before the running the Preakness Stakes a race in which he finished second in 1996 to Louis Quatorze.

Mertocasino Horseracing Betting News

<< Stamps release Carpenter
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Stampeders have released linebacker Dwaine Carpenter, who spent the past three seasons with the club. Carpenter appeared in 50 games and recorded 119 tackles with two sacks, two interceptions, f

<< Vickers being treated for blood clots
Dover, DE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - NASCAR driver Brian Vickers is being treated for blood clots at an undisclosed Washington, D.C. hospital, Red Bull Racing vice president and general manager Jay Frye confirmed Friday at Dover International Speedwa

<< Braden faces Angels in first start since perfecto
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Now that the dust has settled on the 19th perfect game in Major League history and all the television appearances have subsided, Oakland Athletics starter Dallas Braden will get back to work tonight in the opener of a three-g

<< Upstart Nats try to keep rolling in Colorado
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Runs may be scarce in tonight's matchup between the Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies, as two of the top ERA leaders get together in the second portion of a four-game series from Coors Field. Rockies ace Ubaldo Jim

<< Royals to host White Sox in Yost's debut
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Ned Yost era in Kansas City will commence tonight, when the Royals resume a six-game homestand with the first of three straight games versus the AL Central-rival Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. After the Royals

Busch takes pole for Dover truck race >>
Dover, DE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Busch will start on the pole for Friday's Dover 200 Camping World Truck Series race after topping the charts in qualifying at Dover International Speedway. Busch posted a lap of 156.481 m.p.h.

In the FCS Huddle: ODU hopes to keep soaring in Year 2 >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - His first-year program was about to make its initial road trip last season when Old Dominion head coach Bobby Wilder learned something, just days before the Monarchs' visit to Jacksonville University: Amo

Union need result at home against FC Dallas >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia Union coach Peter Nowak said following the expansion club's fourth consecutive defeat last weekend the team is making mistakes "that should not happen." Philadelphia has made mistakes in ever

Barca, Real title race goes down to the wire >>
Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona has secured the La Liga title at Camp Nou in the final match of the season four times, but captain Carles Puyol warned that Sunday's match against Valladolid "will be no stroll." Barca enters the

Woodson won't return to Hawks >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Woodson reportedly will not return as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks next season. Both the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and NBA.com reported that Woodson was not offered a new contract. The t

Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.