July 20
We completed a 22-hour travel day Thursday night and I spent Friday looking at the cards for the big Haskell Day at Monmouth, the CCA Oaks card at Saratoga, and the Opening Day card for Del Mar. It was an "OK" day of selections but I was pleased when BOTH "Bet of the Day" picks (at $50) won. Typically when we travel I do some handicapping, but for this trip I opted to take the entire, nearly two weeks off from the races. It was an amazing journey as we flew to Amsterdam and spent three nights there, the last of which was on board the AMA Serena, our first adventure with the AMA Waterways company. We then sailed down the Rhine, through the UNESCO protected Rhine River Gorge with the many castles on nearly every hillside; on to romantic Heidelberg.....a stop in the quaint French town of Heidelberg....and finally to Basel, Switzerland. There we took an all day excursion to Lake Lucerne and to the top of Mt. Pilatus. Topped the trip with three nights on Lake Como where Kim and I had an exceptional private boat tour of the lake. Just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
After running 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th with my first four picks it was time for the first of the two "BET of the Day" selections with champion Idiomatic in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park. Having won nine of her last eleven, including the Gr 1 BC Distaff she seemed a virtual layover unless, as I wrote, you were betting on the "anything can happen" in racing. And that's what nearly unfolded as she turned for home dueling the length of the stretch, after being headed at the top of the lane. But she was all class and heart as she edged just in front in the shadow of the wire. WHEW.....I'd upped the bet from the listed $30 WIN bet to a big $50 bet.
The next seven races produced two off-the-board finishes, two thirds and three seconds. At least I got my money back thanks to the TwinSpires "Bet Back" promotion in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup. Finally got my second win when Todd Pletcher's stakes Major Dude winning made his second start off a nine month layoff and was stretching out farther than he'd been before. Jockey John Velazquez sat patiently on the hedge through the far turn, shot through an opening outside the furlong pole and drew off convincingly.
Missed in the Gr 2 United Nations at Monmouth before scoring with a Bob Baffert firstime starter, two-year-old Getaway Car. There were more than one legitimate runners in this MSW dash but Baffert is usually deadly with this kind at Del Mar. I'd made the bet when FanDuel TV interviewed the Hall of Fame conditioner in the paddock and you could tell he had a LOT of confidence in how his colt would run. Burst out of the gate, quickly opened a daylight lead and drew off late impressively.
The next two bets were in graded stakes, first the Grade 3 Lake George on the Saratoga turf for 3yo fillies. Oversubscribed looked to be a winner into the lane, but was only second best. Then in the featured Grade 1 $1 Million Haskell, Todd Pletcher's talented Mindframe had dead aim on the front running Dornach, just as he had in the Gr 1 Belmont earlier this summer. But again could not get by. Fortunately I got refunds on both picks. Off the board in the next before it was time for the Saratoga feature Grade 1 Coaching Club of America Oaks for 3yo fillies. I think that Thorpedo Anna is not only tons the best 3yo filly in the country but might be the best 3yo, period in the country. With a couple of scratches I opted to up the bet to a "BET of the Day" level. The gates opened and she leaped into the air, spotting the field multiple lengths. Seriously? Quickly recovered and rushed up to track the leader in second. Nearly always this kind of break and hustled recovery leads to no late punch so I was concerned as they headed for the far turn. But without being asked she blew by the leader and drew off under a hand ride by more than a pole. WHOOOO HOOOO.
Ran second at Monmouth before scoring in the next three - two at Del Mar sandwiched around the finale at Monmouth.......
Kim and I watched TV after I'd made bets on the last five races at Del Mar. One only one of them to finish 8-for-28 on the day, but with the three refunds I "cashed" tickets on nearly 40% of my picks.
Next weekend is Jim Dandy weekend, and we'll have a full house as all three of our kids will be here along with my Ohio family & our three grandsons!
Social Media on the trip......
I sent daily pics (often more than once) to my gal-pal Lauren Pastrana and she reacted or responded two dozen times on eleven of the twelve days I sent her pics, videos or messages. In the name of space I compiled the comments into one photo rather than be so repetitive. So very much appreciated her following along and taking the time to respond frequently.
My other news media gal-pal, Karli who was a regular follower of our trips until FB messenger stopped connecting with Instagram has become a frequent follower of our trips again. I was so very happy to her several reactions and especially when she messaged me she'd shared our Rhine Castles video with her parents and they were going to look into a river cruise!
Long time, all-time favorite Kimmy replied a couple of times, but to be fair I didn't send her daily pics.
While on board, after we'd sailed through the castles I had an extended chat with my girl Petra whom we met on our Egypt trip. She is so sweet and during the course of the conversation we talked at length about Europe vs. Egypt for her career. I've so enjoyed maintaining our friendship!
FB friend and former real estate agent Kati follows us quite often and we had a "chat" about hooking up upon our return. Kati has lost significant weight and is a pretty picture of her younger self.
Finally, new gal-pal CBS-Miami anchor and reporter Teri really made my day this weekend. First, she took the time to message me back when I commented on her post, and added a comment about our trip. Then she commented back on my Saturday morning picture-post that she was glad we were back safe and sound. But even better, the highlight, when I posted another photo-comment for Sunday's news broadcast she reposted the pic/comment, replied AND opted to follow me on Twitter. So on Sunday afternoon I messaged her on Instagram....thanked her for following me and sent her two short videos of our trip. And she "liked" them within the hour and commented back. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment