As soon as the summer racing season came to a close we were off to Europe for a nearly three-week cruise adventure of the British Isles. While sailing the international waters around Great Britain, Ireland, and Scotland - and then from Norway I did have some limited racing action. Even if I'd wanted to, which I didn't really, I would have had very little time for handicapping so the plays were mostly spot plays. On Friday August 30 MY 2yo filly - Seismic Beauty - made her second career start at Del mar for trainer Bob Baffert. She'd been beaten in a photo in her debut and the connections pretty much reacted afterwards that it was just a "get started" race and she'd be much more prepared next time out. Well today she was dazzling as she buried the competition without being asked, AND drew high praise from the Hall of Fame trainer afterwards. With three picks on Saturday August 31I had two seconds and a win. That came when 3yo Hope Road was easily best in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar.
The following weekend, on Saturday September 7, I bet on four stakes races. Probably the premier turf sprinter in the country, Cogburn was handily best in the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs. And at Gulfstream Park, 2yo Rated By Merit lived up to his billing as a very talented runner by drawing off easily in the Florida Sire Stakes Dr. Fager.
The final weekend of the trip, Saturday September 14 - where Kim and I were actually flying home from Oslo, Norway - Zeitios scored in Churchill Downs' Open Mind Stakes and on the Woodbine Mile Day card Patches O'Houlihan an easy winner as my BET of the Day. I had two 2nds, a 3rd, and two 4th place finishes as well.
Followers of our trip......
Over the course of the seventeen day trip we had over 1,200 social media hits. But the four gal-pals who mean the most to me rate being mentioned individually. "My girl," Kimmy - all time favorite former student - texted with me on more than one occasion as she followed along.
My "Florida Derby Girl," Chloe also responded to a couple of text messages that she too was enjoying our travels.
And, former CBS-Weekend Anchor Karli used to follow much more closely, but she still checks in from time to time, also messaged me during the trip when I sent her pics.
But clearly the two biggest fans were the local CBS girls Teri and Lauren. Both had replied to me that they would indeed like me to send them daily photos. Over the course of the seventeen day trip I sent them "best of" pics every single day. Teri responded with 29 different "likes" and sent me 16 individual messages. Lauren, had 26 individual "likes" and sent me seven individual messages. Truly appreciate the gal-pals coming along virtually!
