Kentucky Derby...The Hat's the Thing!

I cannot believe it, but the daffodils are in full bloom at the federal courthouse here in Pikeville. With all the gloom and doom in Washington, and with our own trials and tribulations sometimes we need a glimmer of spring. Today, it came via FedEX. Yep, my 2009 Kentucky Derby chapeau arrived. It's a large cartwheel style hat, a striped number featuring baby blues, twinkles on metallic gold on a field of natural straw. Whoo-hoo! Surely a sign from above that spring is not far from our door!

Baffert Among my Favorites

While the field for the Kentucky Derby is far from being "firmed up" there are some clear favorites in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool Number 1. Mike Battaglia has Pioneer of the Nile at 12-1 odds. Pioneer of the Nile has posted some impressive winnings, but all on synthetic tracks. What can he do on Churchill's turf? Pioneer of the Nile is being trained by bad boy Bob Baffert. Baffert, that silver haired jean wearing fox, is a perrienal favorite with me.

Battaglia also has Old Fashioned at 10-1 and Friesen Fire at 12-1; both of which are being trained by Larry Jones. I like Larry Jones too; and he seems to be very excited about Old Fashioned. After his elation last year at The Oaks, and the huge trama of losing Eight Belles at last year's Derby my heart is with Jones too.

But as I said in the opening, it's all about the hat. The horses and the players may change, but come Derby Day I am ready. I have "The Hat." Now all I need is "The Dress", "The Shoes" and "The Bag."

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Joyce Pinson is a  Kentucky health insurance agent,  with a passion for horse racing. Joyce also enjoys Pikeville College Basketball and Football, and is a huge fan of University of Kentucky athletics. She begrudging follows U of L Cardinal basketball as well, as she always has like Pitino.

Elks staring you down?Get up close and personal at Kentucky Parks

Three State Resort Parks To Offer Fall and Winter Elk Tours

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Parks will again be offering elk tours this fall and winter, allowing visitors to see these majestic animals up close.

Tours have been added at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park – one of three parks that host the event. Elk viewing is also offered at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and Pine Mountain State Resort Park.

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The return of elk to the region is considered to be one of Kentucky’s biggest wildlife management success stories. The animals, after being gone from the state for 150 years, were returned in 1997. They now number more than 8,500.

You can pick out a weekend, stay at a state park lodge or cottage, and rise early to enjoy one of these unique tours. Participants should bring their cameras – there should be great photography opportunities. The largest elk herds are located on privately-owned lands that are normally closed to the public. This is one of the few opportunities available for the public to see the greatest number of elk.

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Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park in Perry County is offering elk tour packages. The park’s weekend packages include a night’s lodging, two meals, and the elk tour. The package price is $150 per couple; $110 for individuals. Morning tours leave at 5:45 a.m. Stay an extra night Saturday for $45. The elk tour alone is $30. (The park reserves the right to cancel tours due to inclement weather.)

Buckhorn Lake has a lodge, cottages, Bowlingtown Country Kitchen, hiking trails, mini-golf and fishing.

The dates for the elk tour weekends at Buckhorn Lake are Sept. 12-14; Oct. 17-19; Nov. 14-16; Nov. 21-23; Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14. In 2009 the dates are Jan. 17-19, Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Feb. 27-March 1, March 13-15 and March 27-29.

For information and reservations, call Buckhorn Lake at 1-800-325-0058.

Tours offered at Pine Mountain State Resort Park near Pineville are $20 a person ($10 for children 12 and under). The program includes a Friday evening seminar concerning the natural history of the elk and the restoration program, a continental breakfast, passenger van transportation and interpretive guide services.

Pine Mountain has a rustic lodge, modern cottages, log cabins, Mountain View Restaurant, hiking trails, championship golf course, interpretive center, mini-golf, naturalist programming, and a gift shop. The park also conducts a popular series of special events throughout the year.

The dates of the Pine Mountain elk tours this fall are Sept. 19-20; Oct. 10-11; Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1, and in 2009 Jan. 9-10, Jan. 16-17, and Jan. 23-24. Call Pine Mountain at 1-800-325-1712 for information and reservations.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park at Prestonsburg offers half-day tours that include a continental breakfast and costs $20 for adults and $10 for children under age 12.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages, campground, Music Highway Grill, hiking trails, disc golf, fishing, a summer theater and recreational activities.

The dates at Jenny Wiley for 2008 are Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28; Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26; Nov. 1, 15, 22, 29 and Dec. 6. For 2009, the dates are Jan. 10, 17, 24, 25, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 7, 14.

For information and reservations, call Jenny Wiley State Resort Park at 1-800-325-0142.

Group tours are also available at these parks. Call the park for information. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov

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Charlie Pinson Insurance serves all of Kentucky including  Pikeville KY,  Louisville KY  and Lexington KY.  

Pikeville College Basketball Coaching Clinic Set

Saturday, October 4 Pikeville College Gym

Kentucky basketball coaches, mark your calendar for the upcoming Pikeville College Coaching Clinic. Speakers will include Pikeville Bears Basketball Coach, Kelly Wells, CBA's East Kentucky Miners Coach, Kevin Keathley, South Laurel's Steve Wright, and Centre's George Mason. The clinic will include two practice sessions, and a coaches' social. A question and answer session will focus on "Helping your players be recruited."

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The day will begin at 10 AM. Pre-registration is expected to fill up fast. Cost for one coach is $50 or $40 per each coach if an entire staff attends.

Send checks payable to:
Pikeville College Basketball Camps

147 Sycamore Street
Pikeville, KY 41501
Attn: Kelly Wells

For more information contact Coach Kelly Wells at Pikeville College. Email or phone 606.218.5352. Assistant coach Ritchie Riley can be reached at EMAIL  or 606.218.5377.

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from Charlie Pinson Insurance KY

Charlie Pinson is a Kentucky independent insurance agent and Kentucky Sportscaster. "The Voice of Pikeville College Bears," Charlie enjoys a variety of Kentucky sports. For   Kentucky Health Insurance Quote  Kentucky Car Insurance  check out the Kentucky insurance agency website or call 606.433.0031 M-F 8:30 - 5 pm EST.

Pikeville College Bears Scrimmage Behind the Scenes

Here Comes the Bears!

Went to Pikeville College's last of the "two a day" practices yesterday at the Hambley Athletic complex. Looking over the players and the team as a whole, it appears they will be a little better than last year. The Bears are more in step, seem to understand the college game much better from Coach Mac Bryan's point of view.

The Defense is looking good; with the defensive front lineman really stepping up. Offensively, the Bears are really shaping up. Dan Wideman, the big quarterback is coming in for his second year. His experience is showing; and he appears to have a better handle on the college game.

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The recievers have also matured this year. In watching the scrimmage, the offensive line did a particuliarly good job yesterday. So it looks like Coach Mac Bryan's Pikeville College Bears will show improvement over last year. We look forward to an exciting season!

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Charlie Pinson  is a Kentucky independent insurance agent, and the Voice of Pikeville College Bears on WPRG-TV 5 and Gearheart Communications Intermountain Sports Network.

Kentucky Sports UK's Mica Johnson UK Media Day Lexington KY

Mica Johnson UK Wildcat Standout

Mica Johnson, at 6' 2", a middle linebacker for the University of Kentucky Football Wildcats, checked in at 250 pounds on UK's media day. That's about 10 pounds lighter than he was last season. With his quickness, that will make him an imposing force in the middle.

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Johnson claimed the middle linebacker starters job during spring practice. That has enabled the University of Kentucky coaches to move Braxton Kelley from the middle linebacker to the weak side slot. Both are much improved this season; better at reading plays and understanding assignments and moving in on tackles.

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It's going to be a Big Blue season this year!

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from Kentucky Insurance Agent Charlie Pinson

Charlie Pinson can often be seen in on the media deck and on the sidelines at University of Kentucky Wildcat ballgames.  A Kentucky insurance agent  Charlie enjoys Kentucky sports broadcasting for WPRG-TV 5 Intermountain Cable Sports.

Photo courtesy Appalachian News Express Pikeville KY

Get on the Greens with Red White and Blue

State Park Golf Courses To Take Part In Patriot Golf Day On Aug. 30

FRANKFORT, Ky. – All state park golf courses will be taking part in Patriot Golf Day on Aug. 30, 2008, as part of an effort to support the families of soldiers who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty.

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Anyone playing golf at a state park golf course will be able to voluntarily donate $1 to Wounded Warriors, Inc., which will also benefit the Fallen Heroes Foundation. Patriot Golf Day has the backing of the United States Golf Association and the PGA of America.

Patriot Golf Day is the brainchild of Dan Rooney, a 34-year-old USGA and PGA member who has served two tours of duty in Iraq as an F-16 fighter pilot. He got the idea as a way to remember those who have died in military service.

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“This is a great opportunity to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer. “I would encourage golfers to participate at our state park courses and other participating golf courses in Kentucky.”

For more information about Patriot Golf Day, visit www.playgolfamerica.com

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The Kentucky State Parks operate 19 courses across the state, including several courses that have received national recognition by golf publications. For more information about state park golf courses, visit &nbps; www.parks.ky.gov  and click on “golf” at the top.

Louisville Kentucky Sports Cards Football

So a couple of days ago, the media preseason poll said Louisville Cards would finish seventh in the Big East. Seventh! The sports media overwhelming projects West Virginia's Mountaineers to be top team in the Big East.

Louisville Cards head coach, Steve Kragthorpe is in his second year with the red feathered flock. Coach Kragthorpe has a reputation for rebuilding programs, and like any Kentucky sports fan (Blue, Red or otherwise) I expect alot from our coaches. Kragthorpe had a "loaded" lineup last year, and did not deliver. Hopefully, this year will be a new chapter in the Cards history.

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Known for his aggressive offense, Kragthorpe will have to put his trust in Senior Hunter Cantwell to execute the Cards offense. Cantwell, a Paducah native, has made four career starts for the Cards. This season, with Brian Bohme out of the picture, Quarterback Cantwell will be in the limelight.

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Cantwell has been named to the 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award "watch list." West Virginia's Pat White has also been named to that prestigious list. Additionally, Cantwell is on the "watch list" for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Maxwell Award.

Call me an optimist, but I think Kragthorpe and Cantwell have something to prove. You just cannot predict how determination will factor into the Cards football season. So all you media guru's, don't count the Cards out.

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A Kentucky sports fan, Joyce Pinson enjoys all the Kentucky Sports opportunities including outings to Churchill Downs and the Louisville Bats. A UK alumni, Joyce bleeds blue....but believes as long as the Cards aren't playing the Wildcats, the Cards are Kentucky sports proud!

Kentucky Sports Monday Mop Up

More Kentucky Connections to Beijing Olympics

Applebee's Park, home of the Lexington Legends, may seem a little empty without the likes of coach Richard "Stubby" Clapp. Clapp is off to China, one of the baseball athletes representing Canada's team.

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Trinity Christian Academy in Lexington will be saying some special prayers for Olympic swimmer. While the school does not have a swim team, Elaine "Lainey" Breeden swam with a local Lexington swim club team. A junior at Stanford, Elaine will be competing in the 100 m and 200 m butterfly.

Louisville native, Caroline Burckle will be on the Team USA Swim team. A SEC freshman of the year and NCAA runner up in the 500 m freestyle, the University of Florida collegiate will be one to watch in Beijing.

Big Blue fans will be excited to see Tayshaun Prince on the hardwoods in China. Olympic basketball coach Mike Kryzewski will be looking to Prince for a spark of enthusiasm. The Detroit Piston always brings excitement to the competitions.

Football, Football, Football!

EKU Colonels Coach Dean Hood kicked off this season with a gathering at Richmond's Gilliams Lounge last week. The lounge will be the location of Hood's weekly radio show on Thursday nights. The Eastern Kentucky Colonels, part of the Ohio Valley Conference, began practice Friday.

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UK Wildcat football coach, Rich Brooks, will have lots of "splaining" to do tomorrow during UK Football media day. With two players having scrapes with the law in recent weeks, there's going to be some changes in the lineup.  Charlie Pinson will bring you more comments after the WPRG-TV 5 Kentucky sports crew finishes their Wildcat Media day gig.

Here in the mountains, folks are gearing up for the annual Pike County Bowl sponsored by Community Trust Bank. Some controversy surrounding this year's choice of sports venues...a departure from the Bowl's traditions. Match ups will be at Shelby Valley High School and Pikeville City's Howard Field. The competition, slated for the end of August, promises to kick off the Kentucky high school football season in style.

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Joyce Pinson is a Kentucky football fan, with a strong sense of fashion. She is in the process of moving and has high anxieties about relocating her wardrobe. Charlie has to endure the stress. "Watch out those are my lucky orange Pikeville College sandals." "You did pack my UK Big Blue hoodie in the winter clothes didn't you?" "What do you mean you cannot find my Bears football purse emergency kit and sunscreen?" You can get Kentucky Insurance quotes from the Pinsons at &nsbp;www.pinsoninsurance.com

UK Senior Dicky Lyons accompanies Brooks to SEC Media Day

Steppin' Up; Lyons sets Kentucky Sports Goals High

It comes as a big surprise to many of the Big Blue faithful that Senior wide receiver Dicky Lyons was at Rich Brooks side during the much hyped SEC Media Days. Lyons, often labelled a "loose cannon," donned a suit with a Bugs Bunny tie for the occasion. Sounds like Lyons is getting his swagger back! He did a great job at the SEC media day, conducted himself like a "grown up" and made a great representative for the University of Kentucky.

Lyons should be a top receiver in the league this season. Last season, he caught 56 passes a career high. Lyons has set a goal of 100 for this season. It is good to see this athlete step-up. We wish Lyons all the best during his senior year.  Read more about Lyons upbeat attitude

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Charlie Pinson is a Kentucky Independent Insurance Agent and Kentucky Sportscaster for WPRG-TV 5. Watch for more Kentucky Sports Blog posts; as Charlie and the WPRG-TV crew travel to Lexington next week for University of Kentucky Football media day.