The BAT Challenge: The Tony Belmont Stakes, Part II

For this second part of The Tony Belmont Stakes, see how many Tony winners you can predict. As usual, anyone can play—just leave your guesses in the comments section and use the ol' distinct moniker so we can tell you apart from the rest of the competitors.

To select the winners, feel free to copy, paste, and delete your way through this list. Cut-off time for your selections will be 5pm EST on Sunday, June 7, 2009.

Oh—and here's a BAT tip for Tony evening: Hang out in the theater district after the matinees end to get a taste of the community. Some will arrive at Radio City Music Hall by limo, but many will just stroll over from their theaters.

The BAT Challenge: The Tony Belmont Stakes, Part I

In honor of Tony Belmont—the beloved "Old Broadway" personality who was such a familiar presence at the track that she had both a high-profile horserace and a prestigious theater award named after her—this week's challenge will be in two parts: one for the horserace and one for the show.

First, the horserace. As you might know, the stage was set for Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird to run against Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra in what promised to be a very close contest. But after what must have been a careful consideration of risks and benefits and ovary value, Rachel Alexandra's owners pulled her out of the race. So jockey Calvin Borel, who won the Kentucky Derby on Mine that Bird and the Preakness on Rachel Alexandra, will return to Mine that Bird for the Belmont.

Will Borel win his own kind of Triple Crown? Or will the rest of the field figure out how to keep him and Mine that Bird out of first place? That's part of the Part I challenge: Predict whether Borel will get that Triple Crown and you'll win a point. The other part of the Part I challenge? Pick the horses for first, second, and third—you will be rewarded for getting any number of them right. You can find the horses that will be running here.

As usual, anyone can play. Your choices must be posted in the comments section by 5pm EST on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Until that time you will also be able to replace any entry that's been scratched with a horse that's still in the running. Just be sure to use a distinct moniker that distinguishes you from the other jokers in the competition.

The BAT Challenge: Do You Hear What I Hear? Results!

Debbie hears what I hear!

She gets a point, which advances her into the lead while triggering a resetting of that crazy ol' wherewasiometer. Myra takes another Bronze, while first-time medalists Deborah and Ellen are now in a wild runoff to determine who will get the Silver and who will get the Gold! Congrats to all three medalists!!

The current standings:

11 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and Silver Medal and Bronze Medal and WWI? credits, plus February 2008 and November 2008 WWI? credits)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
9 Gary (Gold Medal and Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal and one unredeemed Gold Medal credits)
7 David (Bronze Medal plus Attendance Award)
4 Deborah (includes WWI? credit and Attendance Award and one Silver/Gold runoff point)
4 Ellen (includes one WWI? credit and one Silver/Gold runoff point)
2 Luke N. Atmaguchi
2 Myra (includes 2 Attendance Awards, one 3/3/09 photo credit, and two unredeemed Bronze Medal credits)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Ellen and Gary and Myra and Scott can send in their own photos—or propose their own BAT challenges!

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I? results!

My location has been ascertained to my satisfaction. Kudos to Ellen for swooping for the wind and bagging the bonus to boot! She is now tied with Deborah for the lead.

The current standings:

14 Deborah (includes WWI? credit and Attendance Award and bonus point)
14 Ellen (includes one WWI? credit and bonus point)
12 Myra (includes 2 Attendance Awards, one 3/3/09 photo credit, and an unredeemed Bronze Medal credit)
10 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and Silver Medal and Bronze Medal and WWI? credits, plus February 2008 and November 2008 WWI? credits)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
9 Gary (Gold Medal and Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal and one unredeemed Gold Medal credits)
7 David (Bronze Medal plus Attendance Award)
2 Luke N. Atmaguchi
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Ellen and Gary and Myra and Scott can send in their own photos—or propose their own BAT challenges!

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's someplace in NYC. Anyone can play—just leave your guesses in the comments section, using a distinct moniker so you aren't confused with the other players, such as Debbie and Deborah. And remember: The more you guess, the more clues you get.





















Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Predict the Vote! Results!

Who won the 2008 Election? Why, Dave, of course!

The current standings:

13 Deborah (includes WWI? credit and Attendance Award and bonus point)
12 Ellen (includes one WWI? credit)
10 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and Silver Medal and Bronze Medal and WWI? credits, plus February 2008 and November 2008 WWI? credits)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
9 Gary (Gold Medal and Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal and one unredeemed Gold Medal credits)
9 Myra (includes Attendance Award and unredeemed Bronze Medal credit)
7 David (Bronze Medal plus Attendance Award)
2 Luke N. Atmaguchi
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Ellen and Gary and Myra and Scott can send in their own photos—or propose their own BAT challenges!

The BAT Challenge: Playing Favorites? Results!

Once again it pays to play The BAT Challenge! In Playing Favorites? all participants got one point per post, with Deborah netting two points with her two posts. And Debbie gets another WWI? credit!

13 Deborah (includes WWI? credit and Attendance Award and bonus point)
12 Ellen (includes one WWI? credit)
10 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and Silver Medal and Bronze Medal and WWI? credits, plus February 2008 and November 2008 WWI? credits)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
9 Gary (Gold Medal and Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal and one unredeemed Gold Medal credits)
9 Myra (includes Attendance Award and unredeemed Bronze Medal credit)
5 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Luke N. Atmaguchi
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Ellen and Gary and Myra and Scott can send in their own photos—or propose their own BAT challenges!

The BAT Challenge: Playing Favorites?

In the BAT Challenge, Deborah has won a WWI? credit and an Attendance Award. Ellen has won a WWI? credit. And Debbie has won a Gold Medal and an Attendance Award and garnered two unredeemed Silver Medals and one unredeemed Bronze Medal as well as a WWI? credit plus a Februrary 2008 WWI? credit. Yet it was Debbie who recently posed the following question:

What's "loopy" is the wherewasIometer! That Deborah and Ellen should plunge into the lead is great, but how do I go from 16 to 9 and Scott plateaus at 10? Are you playing favorites, Davester?

So here's this week's challenge: In one comment, explain the wherewasIometer! This week the competition is open only to previous players using their usual monikers—and anyone who posts will get a point. But beware: I may dole out a bonus point for any favorite answers!

The BAT Challenge: Palin or No Palin? Results!

Ellen, Deborah, Debbie, and Myra all kicked my butt in this challenge, tying in the order that I mentioned them. They get two points each. Dave's guess was loopy, in an inscrutable class of its own...but I'll give him one point.

All of this activity creates a kind of new world order on BAT. Gary gets the Gold, Debbie gets the Silver, Myra gets the Bronze, and Ellen gets a picture credit as the wherewasIOmeter is finally reset and Luke finally gets his second point!

11 Deborah (includes WWI? credit and Attendance Award)
11 Ellen (includes one WWI? credit)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
9 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and Silver Medal and Bronze Medal and WWI? credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit)
9 Gary (Gold Medal and Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal and one unredeemed Gold Medal credits)
8 Myra (includes Attendance Award and unredeemed Bronze Medal credit)
4 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Luke N. Atmaguchi
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Ellen and Gary and Myra and Scott can send in their own photos—or propose their own BAT challenges!

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I? Results!

My location has been ascertained to my satisfaction! Ellen labored hard to solve this tricky puzzle and earn another point!

19 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Deborah (includes WWI? credit, bonus point, and Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
9 Ellen (includes at least 2 bonus points)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's somewhere in The Big Apple. This one could be tough, so remember that active guessing yields more hints. Anyone can play by leaving guesses in the comments section, being sure to use a moniker distinct from those of the other players.





















Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Results!

Gary has once again ascertained my location to my satisfaction, while Ellen nabbed a bonus point!

19 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Deborah (includes WWI? credit, bonus point, and Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
8 Ellen (includes at least 2 bonus points)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's somewhere in the Big Apple. Anyone can play—just make sure you use a distinct moniker so we can tell you apart from the rest of the players. Leave your guesses in the comments section. And be specific.





















Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Results!

Gary has ascertained my location to my satisfaction, though there is still an unclaimed bonus point opportunity!

18 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Deborah (includes WWI? credit, bonus point, and Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
7 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's somewhere in the Big Apple. Anyone can play; just leave your guesses in the comments using a distinct moniker so you're not confused with any of the other players. Enjoy!





















VISUAL CLUE ADDED OCTOBER 4





















VISUAL CLUE ADDED OCTOBER 12





















Photos: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Results!

It took a while, but Ellen prevailed in the latest WHOZAT? challenge! I'm sorry to say, though, that no one got a bonus point by finding a picture such as this.

17 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Deborah (includes WWI? credit, bonus point, and Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
7 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I? Results

In the latest Where Was I?, my whereabouts have been ascertained to my satisfaction. Gary swoops to take the lead!

17 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Deborah (includes WWI? credit, bonus point, and Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
6 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.

New BAT Challenge, Plus Results!

In the latest BAT Challenge, it turns out that only Deborah had Barack Obama's ear. Articulate and bright and clean and nice-looking, she picked Joe Biden as Obama's ticket mate and did better than I or any other contestant, earning two points in the process.

16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
8 Deborah (includes bonus point)
6 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.


Due to federal "equal time" laws, this week's challenge is another CHOOSE THE VEEP!

1. Name the person who will soon be named as John McCain's running mate.
2. People say that McCain will make the announcement on Friday, August 29—his 72nd birthday. But of course the news could be announced or leaked sooner. Guess when the info will get out—but you can't guess 8/xx on 8/xx. (You'd have to do it on 8/xx-1 at the latest.) In the case of a tie regarding the date, the first correct guess will take, um, precedence.

The top scorer(s) will get a point. Anyone who does better than I do gets a point for that.

Anyone can play, leaving guesses in the comments section using a distinct moniker so everyone can tell everyone from everyone else. (Remember: There's only one Luke N. Atmaguchi.) Enjoy!

New BAT Challenge, Plus Results!

In the latest WHERE WAS I? my whereabouts have been ascertained to my satisfaction. Ellen wins the point, catching up with Deborah! Lots of ties at the moment!!

16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
6 Deborah (includes bonus point)
6 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Myron
1 Trapezia
- Luke N. Atmaguchi (has April 2008 redeemable point)

Debbie and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.


And now for a new challenge, which I call the WHOZAT: Out of all the celebrities I've spotted in New York City over the years, I think I've seen one more than any other. Whozat celebrity? Anyone can play, leaving guesses in the comments section using a distinct moniker so everyone can tell everyone from everyone else. Enjoy!

Where Was I?

As usual, it's somewhere in New York City. Anyone can play; just leave your guesses in the comments using a distinct moniker so we can tell you apart from the other players. And specificity counts. Enjoy!





















VISUAL CLUE ADDED AUGUST 5




















VISUAL CLUE ADDED AUGUST 6




















Photo: David Marc Fischer