Racehorses and Rock Lists! Sports Columnist Bill Finley’s Top 10 Albums of All Time
It’s tough being a horse racing fanatic. TVG is nice for seeing the actual races, but you have to suffer through awful commentary, not to mention commercials for ShamWow, the Snuggie and Mighty Putty. Horse racing trade publications, racing blogs, and forums provide news and opinions, but there are few people with the industry knowledge, scope, and experience to provide racing fans with real insight into the sport.
Bill Finley is one of the finest writers in horse racing. He speaks to handicappers, fans, and to members of the racing industry. I admire his unwavering dedication to the Sport of Kings, as well as his visionary ideas to improve it. Finley has the courage to buck popular thought about the racing industry and speak out about deep problems within the institution. He writes for the New York Times, USA Today, and ESPN, and in 2008, he published Betting Synthetic Surfaces, a book of in-depth research and analysis of what makes a winner on a synthetic track. He’s also a co-host of Down The Stretch, a racing program on Sirius Satellite Radio and has appeared in editions of ESPN’s SportsCentury.
Check out Bill’s thoughts on the 2008 Eclipse Awards, the unsung heroes of 2008, the legacy of Barbaro, a throwdown between Big Brown and Curlin, Eight Belles’ tragic demise, and some early 2009 Kentucky Derby picks (including Old Fashioned, pictured above with trainer Larry Jones).
… and check out Bill Finley’s Top Ten Albums of all time!
1. English Beat: I Just Can’t Stop It
2. The Clash: London Calling
3. The Clash: Sandinista!
4. The Who: Who’s Next
5. Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run
6. Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
7. Bruce Springsteen: Born in the USA
8. Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros: Rock Art and the X-Ray Style
9. The Smiths: Louder Than Bombs
10. Graham Parker: Squeezing Out Sparks
Trackbacks
- Racehorses and Rock Lists! Sports Columnist Bill Finley’s Top 10… | Bets 911
- Horse Racing: The best bets for Doncaster, Sandown and Wetherby and the latest news in our daily horse racing blog | Bets 911
- Racehorses and Rock Lists! Photographer Bud Morton’s Top 10 Albums of All Time « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
- Rock Lists and Valentines: Musician, Singer, and Songwriter Jonathan Andrew’s Top Ten Albums of All Time « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
- Lensjockeys and Rock Lists: Photographer Holly Van Voast’s Top 10 Albums of All Time « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
- The Kentucky Derby and Movie Lists: Jockey Joe Talamo’s Top Ten Movies of All Time « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
- Ritual de lo Habitual: Photographer Charles Pravata’s Top Ten Albums of All Time « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
- Rogue Critic Unbridled: Tris McCall’s Top Twenty Five Albums of All Time « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
- Rachel Alexandra: Newest Jersey Girl? « Rock and Racehorses: The Blog
Rock and Racehorses: The Blog 
I don’t understand how you can dis the ShamWow.
“You following me, cameraguy?”
I love it.
“It’s made in Germany! You know the Germans make good stuff.” In our house, we have a secret love for infomercials.
I don’t see how anybody can pick the “Top 10 of All Time.” Music for me is so situational, so strongly linked to a time in my life, and I don’t think I could ever say “this is the best album ever.”
Born in the USA is definitely the best album of my childhood though!
Have you seen the parody of the ShamWow commercial? Prepare to laugh…
Funder, it’s a big commitment, that’s for sure. And my Top Ten change all the time, which is why I think it’s a great thing to do every once in a while. Some lists have more of a flavor of “Ten Albums that Changed My Life” and some have a flavor of “Ten Albums that are Unarguably the Greatest of All Time”.
I really liked seeing The English Beat as #1 on Bill’s list.
Very cool top ten list. I appreciate the Springsteen and Clash love. But can it soak up 50% of the cola without applying any pressure?
P.S. I’m really liking these lists!
Finally someone has the good sense to select Dark Side of the Moon.
But boy I’ve gotta admit these celebrities are clearly purveyors
of the underworld of Rock. 😀
Indeed! I’m learning a lot from these lists. I’m beginning to think I could create some sort of thesis about their musical tastes and how they match their personalities and style.
I’ve been reading Bill’s columns since I was a kid. I was wondering where he went after The Daily News and now I know! Who knew he was so cool to boot? The Clash and Joe Strummer – classic! As a former singer/guitarist in a punk band, I give Bill’s picks two hooves up!
Hi Sarah – beautiful blog – thanks!