popular thinking

WHAT'S IN A NAME, GIACOMO EDITION: Getting a table at Giacomo's Ristorante can be a longshot.
The Kentucky Derby-winning horse of same name, however, made big winners out of customers, employees and neighbors of both Giacomo's in Boston and Giacomo & Rondi Salon.
"I'd like to e-mail the owner and thank him,'' said Giacomo waiter Chris Iacozza, who went to Foxwoods to place a $25 bet for himself and a $40 bet on behalf of co-worker Rosemarie Talieri.
"We really bet it just for the name, just for laughs,'' Iacozza said.
Of course, now they're literally laughing all the way to the bank.
At 50-1 odds, the horse paid $1,250 to Iacozza and $2,000 to Talieri. Talieri said at least six to eight regulars at the popular Hanover Street eatery claimed winning tickets, although they wouldn't disclose how much they won.
She called her jackpot "a nice Mother's Day present.''
Her son, chef Richie Talieri, heard the race last Saturday on the kitchen radio at the Columbus Avenue Giacomo's.
"We were jumping up and down. Everyone's looking at us,'' he said.
At Giacomo & Rondi Salon in Kenmore Square, at least two clients reported winning $15,000 on Giacomo.
"My dentist called me. He said, `I hope you bet on your husband's namesake,' '' Rondi DiRado said.
Nope. They forgot. But they'll be prepared for the Preakness.
"We're going to have signs in the window: 'Go Giacomo!' '' she said.
On the other hand, the Derby hurt anyone with a soft spot for Buzzards Bay or Bandini, which finished out of the money.
"We heard about it and were excited,'' said Michelle Frey, spokeswoman for the nonprofit Coalition for Buzzards Bay. "I think a couple of people watched it who normally wouldn't, hoping (Buzzards Bay) would win.''
At least the nonprofit didn't bank its donations on the horse.
WHDH-TV (Ch. 7) anchor Caterina Bandini had her sister, who rides race horses in Dallas, bet $10 for her on the Derby.
Alas, Bandini the horse finished 19th - next to last.
"Fortunately, we didn't bet the trailer on it,'' she said.

Read my story: Name game players cash in on Derby winner (Boston Herald)