June 23 - 27: Family Vacation & Racing
On Wednesday June 23 Kim and I were up early to board an American Airlines flight to Erie, Pa. to visit her family. But along the way we met our son Brad and his family in Charlotte, North Carolina. QUITE the adventure for our young grandson to not only fly long distance, but to get to fly sitting beside his Grandma. So adorable as we approached the Erie International Airport he looked back and said excitedly, "Gramdpa, LOOK - I can see Pennsylvania!" Before we'd packed for the trip I'd handicapped for the first two days of the long weekend, starting with the card from Canterbury on Wednesday evening.
It turned out to be quite an "interesting" night of racing, and with our recent booking of a getaway to the Minnesota facility for mid-August, this will kick off what I anticipate being a weekly playing of the mid-week evening racing cards. After missing with the first play of the evening I was on the board with a winner in the first stakes events of the night, the Curtis Sampson Oaks. It was oh-so-obvious that the winner SHOULD be Saranya who came from the Brad Cox barn with top national rider Florent Geroux the pilot in a rare appearance in Minnesota. The filly had been on the turf for five trips with two wins and two seconds. Last time out in the Grade 2 Appalachian she was third less than two behind the winner. The drop into this listed event should make her an obvious choice. I tripled the bet and she produced the victory at 3/5 odds, which were generous considering her record compared to the rest of the field.
Missed in the Dark Star Turf Sprint, then came right back with another triple investment in the MTA Auction Stakes with Star of the North. Much like Saranya in the Oaks, it would be really hard to make a case for anyone else in the field. There were a couple of maiden runners - obviously no - and the remainder of the field had BUT the single maiden win. Comparatively Star of the North had won FOUR of FIVE starts. OK, she'd not been seen since February but that was the only knock on the resume. The 1-2 favorite went right to the front, eased clear into the turn, then with each stride gradually widened her advantage to finish well more than half a dozen clear while geared down. My "Upset Special" came in the 7th, the Mystic Lake Mile where the rail runner, Cinco Star looked to be the LONE speed. Right to the front and clear. Turned for home with the same advantage and spurted away, but in the final stride he was head-bobbed out of the win. That would have produced a $55 payoff and guaranteed a huge winning night. But not to worry, my BET of the Night came in the featured Mystic Lake Derby where T D Dance went off as the short priced favorite after scoring last time out in an open stakes on the Preakness undercard. Like the first winner on the night, the colt was a Brad Cox/Florent Geroux runner. I thought as they approached the far turn that he was a bit farther back than I'd have liked. But he began picking off runners and weaving through openings. As the field came to the top of the lane he had to slam on the breaks as an outside horse veered in and formed a wall with two others. Switched out into the clear he finished with a flurry but was JUST short of the upset winner (see photo finish at left). Sigh..... At that point it was nearly 9:30 pm and I'd been up since about 4 am so I headed off to bed even though I had two late race selections with wagers on them. The next morning I was up early and pulled up the replays. In the 9th, an entry level allowance, the DRF handicapper had made Just A Kiss Away as his "best bet" as she was listed at a juicy 8/1 price in the program. As they hit the far turn the filly was clear on the easiest of leads, but apparently everyone had either read his column or mine and had bet her down to the 9/5 favorite. Much the best and I cashed for almost $15 to soften the blow from the two photo finish losses.
Then in the night's finale, another entry level allowance, I'd written the following, ".... Looking for the “big finish,” literally as 8-Samurai Cause (4/1) comes FLYING down the middle of the track to swoop up the final win of the evening. Goes for the top barn, winning at 32% overall and what I like most is the pattern. Claimed by this outfit and ran a dull race, then BOOM – big figure win; next was a dull race, then BOOMx2 – big figure win; last time out, another dull race…..tonight: BOOMx3! ...." As the field approached the far turn the front runner was clear and Samurai Cause was well back as she began to weave through traffic. Too far back I thought. But at the furlong pole I'd advanced to fourth and was clear in the middle of the track absolutely flying. The track announcer called that the winner was "floating under the wire....OR DID the #8 catch her" he called excitedly. As I watched the slow-mo replays I wasn't sure, but I thought I was up in time. Indeed and at a nice 9/2 price so I concluded the night with a more than $20 payoff to finish a fine 4-for-9 and just missed breaking even.
Thursday June 24: Presque Isle Simulcast Day
My brother-in-law Jason picked me up around 2:30 and we headed out for the twilight programs from both Belmont (3 pm first post) and Churchill Downs (5 pm first post). Our plan for our "Boys Day At The Races" was to stay until the finale from Louisville at 8:30; go have some dinner; then head over to the Erie airport to pick up my daughter Julie and her husband Brendon. Started off the day with multiple losses, but the "highlight" of the early part of the afternoon was that where we settled at PID there were no live tellers. So we used the automated betting terminals. Now, I've been going to the races REGULARLY for nearly fifteen years, but I never have used one of these! I had to ask for help from my "wingman" Jason on several occasions to figure out just where everything went.....even though if you looked carefully, it WAS clearly marked :) I found it interesting when scanning through Facebook today that exactly eleven years ago today I WAS at Presque Isle Downs with Jason :)
After missing with the first five picks of the afternoon I finally scored when Flat Awesome Jenny came roaring down the middle of the track from well off the pace to catch the front running favorite and I cashed for over $35. Came right back in the eighth from Belmont when I picked Robin Sparkles to wire the non-conditioned allowance turf sprint. I'd had her last time out in the restricted Mt. Vernon Stakes which had been scheduled for a mile on the turf, but that day got rained off. In a short field, as the lone speed she was able to hang on going the two turn mile. But this sprint distance of six panels was right up her alley. Right to the front and despite a wicked :43 and change half mile she was daylight clear under the wire as the 9/5 favorite and I cashed for another near $30.
I picked up my lone win under the Twin Spires in their fifth when Cryo went off as the 4/5 choice. Swooped to the front spinning out of the turn, was daylight lengths in front and I thought, "he's going to walk with this" but then up the rail came a closer and it was desperately close on the wire, but my pick prevailed and I collected another near-$30 payout.
Jason and I headed down to the casino to cash in our winning tickets - he'd had several - and I collected over $90 to again, nearly break even for the day. Picked up the kids after a good steak dinner and went to bed around midnight following a long, but enjoyable day.
Friday Twilight Racing From The Jersey Shore
The routine for Monmouth is to start the racing week with a six race card, first post at 5 pm. Whether it's the "no use of a whip" rule, or the fact that many of the leading riders have opted NOT to ride here because of that rule, or just that's the way it is this summer....I'm finding that many of the races are real toss-ups. But the one characteristic of the racing at Monmouth that HAS remained the same as in past summers is that FOR ME as a handicapper I find nearly all of their races fall into one of two categories. EITHER it's a clear cut - that's your winner OR it's a complete toss-up that I've learned to stay away from. More of the same today as on the six race card I found only three races worth an investment and two of them were minimum plays. In the second race four of the runners were exiting a contest against one another from a May 30th sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs. The beaten favorite, High Five Cotton, looked much better over the anticipated fast going today (it had been sloppy in late May) and at this 3/4 of a mile trip. Sent off at even money he pressed the pace to the turn, glided to the front and was a handy two length winner under the wire.
The only added money investment came in the fifth, the Goldwood Stakes. I thought any one of five of the stakes entrants could get the money, but for me it was hard to discount that perfect record Caravel held at this turf sprint distance. As they spun out of the turn she was fifth and in the clear. Turning for home she had a clear run but was wide. Then visually you could see her hit another gear and even track announcer Frank Mirahmadi called, "Look at her go!" as she blew by the field and one motored down as tons the best.
Two for two heading into the finale. In that event I was up front about the "conflicting" angles on the obvious favorite Pogi. By the numbers he looked to be L-O-N-G gone in this maiden special sprint. BUT in five straight he'd been clear and faded to second or third. Still, his numbers - and I'm a big speed figure guy - said he would win for fun. Turning for home he was handily in front and I thought to myself, "that was an easy $7" as he was the 2/5 favorite. But then, as in every other start someone came flying by him as he quit, yet again. Still, I'll take the 2-for-3 day and a clear profit on the "greatest stretch on the shore."
Saturday June 26: Stephen Foster Day/Closing Day at Churchill Downs
Today we had nearly forty people over at Karrie's home for a family gathering and part of the activities included family photos. Kim had requested a family pic of just the two of us with our kids and their families; then we had a family pic with the Woods family - just grand matriarch Peggy and her four kids and their spouses.
While everyone was socializing, cooking out, etc. I was back and forth in front of the computer watching my nearly one-dozen selections run at Monmouth and Churchill Downs. The first pick came in the opener at Monmouth, a Maiden Special Weight affair where my pick He'spuregold was 1-2 heading into the gate, but into the far turn he was 1-9 watching the live feed. Collared the front runner inside the furlong marker....stretch duel.....JUST in front under the wire.
The price play score of the day came in the Churchill Downs opener where I liked Robo Man in another maiden special event. As they neared the bottom of the far turn he split rivals and I could tell the rider was sitting on a ton of horse. Burst into the clear and opened up to win by eight and a half going away. AND was a very generous 4/1 price so I cashed for well over $25. Was well behind at 14/1 in the next in Louisville before short-priced favorite Brice was much the best at Monmouth for my second and final win of the day there. Because I knew there would be a lot of people around I didn't want to be a complete anti-social kind of relative so I'd only played two tracks and eleven selections overall today.
The first of the multiple graded stakes events under the Twin Spires, the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis - a "Breeders' Cup Win and You're In" event featured divisional leader Latruska. Now I've never been as big a fan of hers as she's been made out to be. But I had to give her credit for her last two wins over two of the best older females in North America, Monomoy Girl and Shesadaresthedevil. And as much as I wanted to play against her, she just looked easily best. As the gates opened and she quickly took the lead, all by herself I KNEW it was all over for the "value players." Coasted home as much the best.
I'd only doubled the bet because as much as I thought Latruska SHOULD win I just wasn't convinced she was as good as advertised. She was. A big lull in the racing as over the next hour and forty-five minutes I had ONE bet....ran a disappointing seventh at 5/2. Lost the Debutante Stakes at CD for 2yo fillies when I was a late running 2nd. The rains had swept into New Jersey and my next pick was washed off the turf and was scratched. Down to three final picks and this would decide the outcome of the day for me. The 10th at Churchill was the Grade 2 Wise Dan on the turf going a mile and a sixteenth. I'd seen, and bet Set Piece in his latest, here in Louisville in a listed event. It was a big jump to Grade 2 company, but the way he'd effortlessly inhaled the field had been visually impressive that day. I not only made him the pick, but the "BEST of the Day" with a prime time play on him. The fractions weren't slow, but they were far from fast and he sat last into the far turn, apparently not in any hurry under jockey Florent Geroux. But, like last time, his acceleration was visually immediate as midway on the turn he began to pick off horses running by them, inside them, and around them. Straightening into the stretch he was still mid-pack and either had to swing wide or find a seam so he didn't break stride. Geroux chose the latter and dove down to the rail. He was in full stride with dead aim on the leader at the 16th pole and I noted Geroux had yet to raise the stick. The ultimate confident ride as he BLEW BY in the final two hundred yards to win going away. VERY impressive.
With my prime time play and his $5.40 payoff I collected over $50. My next to last play was approaching the gate at Monmouth, as the favorite when it was announced he was a late scratch under the advice of the track stewards. And so it came down to the "BET of the WEEKEND" in the featured Grade 1 Stephen Foster, another "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup event. Maxfield had won six of his seven starts and I could easily forgive his lone loss when shipped to Southern California going a mile and a quarter in a Gr 1 event. The lone question today - for me and for anyone who wanted to try and beat the favorite - was the distance of the Foster....nine furlongs. All six of Maxfield's wins had come at 8 1/2 furlongs so you COULD interpret the flat stretch run out west to distance limitations. But I was more inclined to think it was the speed favoring track and the trip out west. As I awaited the start of the race the on-air analysts remarked about a conversation they'd had with trainer Brendon Walsh. That he'd said the distance wouldn't be a problem wasn't a surprise, but that he was very confident he could get today's trip was encouraging. Still, before my trip to Louisville and then while actually there it had been very obvious - and again today (even the on air handicappers remarked about it) that speed was very good and someone from off the pace like Maxfield might have a problem. Into the far turn he was sitting sixth of seven. Then jockey Jose Ortiz gave him the green light and suddenly he was 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and in a matter of strides had struck the front. Under supremely confident handling he romped home as TONS the best, carrying my "BET of the Weekend" investment with him and ensuring a big winning day for me!
WHOOOO HOOOO! Finished the day an exceptional 6-for-11 with a profit of nearly $75. So excited.
Sunday June 27
Today I played only Monmouth Park and I did so before we left for the day to spend it at my niece Ashley's home. But before we left I went onto the Brisnet site to see the entries and noted that it was Opening Day at Ellis Park and they had a prohibitive favorite in the fourth, so I added him to the selection sheet. We spent nearly the entire day at Ashley's and my plan had been to watch the replays in the evening. But with very little going on I watched the races on my phone through my Xpressbet app with Jason who was also playing many of the day's events. The opener was a Maiden Special turf event. I scaled my bet down to the minimum on the horse I thought would be much the best because her trainer, usually top winning percentage Todd Pletcher was still only winning around 10%. Still if Paco Lopez used the rail draw to his advantage, Meet The Beauty would be long gone. Sent off at even money she DID go right to the front, coasted along on the lead and widened through the lane to win at even money.
On Opening Weekend I'd had Wish You Were Mine as a favorite in a cheap claimer. He was coming right back at the same level and seemed to tower over the field. The only knock, other than the short price was that you could not find back-to-back wins on his page. Still, decided to up the bet to a double investment. Rolled into the lane full of momentum but with a hundred yards to go he looked beaten. Then a final push....PHOTO FINISH. The slo mo look showed he was indeed the narrowest of winners, but a winner none-the-less!
Time for the Ellis Park event and Swill was being heavily played, which having not seen the past performances, gave me confidence. He was a Brad Cox / Florent Geroux runner and that alone would draw some attention. That he was unraced since New Year's Day could be a negative, but he'd been fourth in the Jerome Stakes which had produced some quality 3yo colts. Never worry about a Cox runner off the bench my friends. Glided to the leader midway on the turn and Geroux never moved his hands. As the announcer said, it was a paid public workout. The final time for seven furlongs was 1:21 and change, and THAT is flying! EASY MONEY!
Nothing until fifth when I had the favorite who was a best-of-the-rest second. In the sixth, a non winners of three lifetime event around two turns it was easy to pick Trapeze Artist. Not on the first run down the past performances, but when you looked at the possible pace flow he was the one AND ONLY front runner. Right to the front and the easiest of scores at what I thought was a generous, considering the pace flow, 4/5 price.
Three "PASS" races and then back-to-back best-of-the-rest 2nd place finishes at 2/1 prices. And that brought us to the final race of the weekend. It was a maiden claiming sprint and if you were willing to toss the last race try around two turns, then Violent Gigi looked easily best here. Swung three wide to the front turning for home and looked to run right by the 4/1 front runner but that one would not say "no," and kept battling to the wire....PHOTO FINISH, but I was pretty sure I'd won, and I did.
That closed out another good day, finishing five for eight. And when I added the numbers for the extended weekend, I could NOT have been more pleased! Back at it next weekend when we'll be in Ohio before coming home on the 4th of July holiday.
Foster Weekend Racing Highlights
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