RECORD: 7-2

You know, I had something planned for this section out of a weird combination of incredulousness and a hearty sense of humor. I posted my chat with Gino Buccola on social media yesterday, and it was responded to in a fashion that I found…strange.

I was actually going to listen, but as usual, @AndrewChampagne’s unjustified arrogance at the beginning of the interview made me close it out.

— Damian Sasso (@DamianSasso) January 9, 2020

I had planned to write something here that eviscerates Damian Sasso. However, due to recent developments, I can’t do that.

Life’s too short to get wrapped up in nonsense on Twitter. There are times where horse racing Twitter has been the weirdest community I’ve ever been part of, and this is coming from a guy whose college friend group routinely sings, “I Want It That Way,” by the Backstreet Boys, at weddings and social functions where microphones are present.

Strong opinions and an environment that minimizes accountability are a combustible mixture. Given a few things I saw Thursday night, it’s not one I have any interest contributing anything fiery to.

I still think the tweet was a puzzling reaction, but you know what? Damian Sasso is entitled to his opinions as much as I’m entitled to mine. I hope he’s well, and if I ever run into him at a racetrack, he’s got a beverage of his choosing on me. Additionally, I hope a lot of people in racing who may be reading this find whatever peace they’re looking for.

THURSDAY’S RESULT: My logic wasn’t bad with College of Charleston, as the Cougars did indeed go on the road to beat Elon. However, they only won by eight, and in doing so fell short of the 9.5-point spread.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: OK, time for some MAAC-tion! Much to the consternation of a prickly conference commissioner who has me blocked on social media for no good reason, I used to work in an athletic department in that conference, and I keep up with what goes on pretty well (and no, there’s no inside information happening here).

Anyway, perennial conference contender Iona is 2-7 on the year and has been without head coach Tim Cluess for much of the season. On Friday night, they head to 8-5 Rider, a team that’s lost to the better squads it’s faced (Wisconsin and Temple, to name two) but beaten almost everyone else. The homestanding Broncs are 6.5-point favorites, and I’ll take them to cover that spread.