Ivory + Rose Diarist

Tally: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Bookshelf: The Barcelona Inheritance (Chapter 8)

The Barcelona Inheritance (Jonathan Wilson)

Chapter 8: Counter-Reformation

Wilson opens this chapter by using Nigel de Jong's brutal and infamous foul in the 2010 Men's World Cup as the exemplar for how Dutch soccer had turned its back on Cruyffian ideals and embraced cynicism and realism.

And he spends most of the chapter analyzing Johan Cruyff's "Velvet Revolution," or the effort to reintroduce first principles to Ajax:

Play attractive and beautiful soccer
Focus on developing and rostering homegrown youth players
Limit transfers to players who'll provide an immediate squad improvement without crowding out an opportunity for a homegrown player
Make club bureaucracy more efficient and responsive
Individualize player development

40/40 Bankroll: Wednesday, September 2 (Day No. 17)

(This series will feature a $1 Double and a $1, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer respectively over a 40-day period.)

*Soccer*

Men's Coppa Italia (Italy)

Game No. 1 (9a)

Sassuolo (-120)

Men's Coppa Italia (Italy)

Game No. 2 (12p)

Udinese (-110)

Soccer Hit Rate: 50% (16/32)

Soccer Bankroll: $29.59 (-26.0%)

*Horse Racing*

Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs, NY)

Race No. 2 (1:48p)

#3: Acoustic Ave (9-2 ML)

Race No. 3 (2:22p)

#5: Protect and Defend (7-2 ML)

Horse Racing Hit Rate: 33% (10/30)

Horse Racing Bankroll: $26.00 (-35.0%)

*Total*

Total Hit Rate: 42% (26/62)

Total Bankroll: $55.59 (-30.5%)

Maine Bet: Wednesday, September 3

(This series will feature a daily Win wager on a pacer or trotter racing at a Maine track and/or owned by Maine connections.)

No Maine or New England tracks have entries today.

Road to the Maine Sire Stakes: Tuesday, September 1 (Day No. 28)

(A day-to-day look at the Ivory Pine Syndicate's efforts to compete in the Maine Sire Stakes.)

Handicapped races at Plainridge Park
Texted with trainer about Crimson Pine's post-race shape
Created and posted Crimson Pine post-race social media post
Handicapped and watched races at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Talked with trainer about Crimson Pine entries

Road to the U.S. Open Cup: Tuesday, September 1 (Day No. 28)

(A day-to-day look at the Rosevelt Soccer Club's efforts to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup.)

Subscribed to local sports website
Subscribed to local newspaper
Created and scheduled player recognition post
Texted with coach about Veo footage
Talked with director about RSC Lab logistics
Uploaded Veo footage