Summer 2025: Week 4

 Downs After Dark Weekend Adventure

While the Saturday racing did NOT produce a lot of winners, it was an epic adventure.  After playing the races on Friday and having a very good day on the first Friday card at Monmouth, I boarded a Delta flight Saturday morning at 6:30 am bound for Louisville where I met my buddy Keith for a "Downs After Dark" racing adventure.  Last race was at 11 and we were in the hotel around midnight - up at 4am for my 6:30 am flight home to FLL.  OH MY.  Check out the pics for the epic Saturday HERE:

This Friday was the first that Monmouth returned to hosting racing on the Jersey Shore over three days (it's been just the weekend since Opening Day).  Fridays always have a 2pm first post and an abbreviated race card.  This was no exception with seven races on the program, and I had selections in five of them.  In the opener I ran fourth as the 9/5 favorite.  But then I went on a roll for what turned out to be the most successful handicapping day of the weekend.  Race 3 was a MSW going two turns on the grass.  And I remarked that you'd have a hard time convincing me to go against Souper Williwaw.  She'd been out three times, with her best effort coming at this distance on the stretch out last time out at Laurel.  She'd been a best-of-the-rest second, had fired a bullet work since AND got top rider Paco Lopez.  Broke sharply and bounced out to the front.  You could tell as they hit the backside that she was under a hard hold while maintaining a narrow margin.  The stalkers closed in as they spun out of the turn and headed for home but Paco let her go and quickly she dashed off by a pole.  Despite all of the obvious angles she still paid what I thought was a generous $4.20 for a $2 wager.

Right back in R4 with Magical Warrior who did NOT go favored in this Starter Allowance sprint.  And to be fair I can see why.  He was coming off a win for $5K in a restricted claiming and typically I would not want to bet back a horse like that.  But the key for me was out of that race he'd been claimed by trainer Jamie Ness who, in my opinion is the best at the claiming game.  The stats back that up as he showed a big 27% first off the claim strike rate.  Add in that he is already winning at an absurd 40% here on the Jersey Shore and you had to feel good.  With a 7lb bug boy on - and the cheap price - I was only willing to go in for the minimum.  Broke a step slow from the rail, rushed up and dueled into the turn.  Then opened up to clear off by daylight.  WHOOOO HOOOOO - two straight.

Race 5 was my "best" of the day for the Friday Monmouth card.  It was a five furlong claiming race on the turf and really the question was simply were you willing to take a very short price betting the likely favorite, On The Payroll.  But the facts were:  she was dropping in class by 50%, looked loose on the lead, and had Paco Lopez riding.  Oh.  Broke a beat slow but quickly assumed command.  She was 6/5 going into the gate but by the time she cleared the field she was 1/5.  Opened up at will and drew off by a pole under a hand ride.  In the 6th, my final bet of the day I ran 5th at 9/2 - ironically the winner had Paco Lopez on board as he scored for the FIFTH time on the seven race card.  WOW.

Saturday:  Downs After Dark Adventure - I set the alarm for 4:40am so that I would have about 35-40 minutes upon arrival at Fort Lauderdale International Airport for my 6:30am flight on Delta.  When I'd first decided I wanted to go on this adventure to for the night time racing party I backed off.  That's because with our upcoming Alaska trip requiring a Thursday departure from home I didn't want to be gone for an entire weekend, and thought I'd just do an overnight trip.  Well the cost of two flights and a hotel was just too much for a single night of racing.  Even if it was at Churchill Downs in Louisville.  But then it had occurred to me - don't I have rewards points from my airline travels?  Not enough to go round trip with anyone, but I had enough to fly Delta to Louisville - even had enough to upgrade to the preferred Delta Comfort+ seating! - and to fly Southwest upon return....all for exactly $0 :)  To go at no cost I had to take the flights that I booked, which meant the early departure today.  I landed in Atlanta around 8:15am and we took off for Louisville on a bit of a delay around 10:45 am.  Still, landed around noon where Keith picked me up.  After lunch and an hour drive around of the area we walked into Churchill Downs.  In handicapping the card I was well aware that I might not have the highest win percentage because I had decided that unless I just could not find ANY horse to bet on I was going to play all eleven races.  I was excited to find out it was Minnesota Derby Night at Canterbury so I handicapped that card, only to find out Saturday afternoon they had cancelled because of excessive heat.

In the Churchill opener I was a solid 3/1 choice in a five horse field.  The gates opened and my horse three his head and quickly spotted the field half a dozen lengths.  Rallied strongly through the lane but the poor start had cost him and I was second best.  In R2 I was the prohibitive 2/5 favorite and looked every bit the part on paper.  Came cruising up at the top of the lane, but never got by and I was second, again.  The third was a 2yo MSW dash and no one looked to have a definitive edge.  My pick had fired a best-of-109 bullet and that was enough for me to take the 7/1 price.  Raced up close early on and I had some hope, then stopped badly to finish next to last.  I did NOT like the short priced favorite in R4 and was surprised I got 2/1 on my pick.  Broke sharply and looked to be long gone on the lead, but weakened in the final 16th to be third.  Up close through the opening half mile in R5, faded again to be well beaten.  The sixth was a two-turn maiden claimer and I thought I had a good chance making a move at the top of the lane, but couldn't sustain the move and finished third.  FINALLY in R7 I got on the board with Echo Lane.  This was a second level allowance going two turns on the grass and I thought that the race was so much like the earlier ones in that it was pretty wide open.  BUT Echo Lane did show his best races had come here.  When he took early money I doubled the bet.  Tracked in the clear to the far turn.  Swung four wide to the lead turning for home....opened up and then held on with just enough left at the wire.  Enjoyed celebrating the win for sure :)

I thought I was coming right back in R8 as I had the even money favorite who pressed the leaders through the far turn and took command heading for home.  But like all the earlier losses, weakened and finished third.  Next was the featured Grade 2 Chicago and I liked Vahva to defend her title from her win in this race last year.  I also recognized that she probably would NOT be the favorite and it was a bit of a gamble.  But from the opening she was the favorite of the large betting crowd at Churchill.  I'm sure they saw what I did....her best races last year, including the win in this stakes, had come here.  And she ran credibly in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff on the Kentucky Derby Day undercard against the definitive leader of the female sprint division.  Broke sharply and tracked the leader into the turn.  Took the lead heading for home, but dueled with a price play to the 16th pole before edging clear.  It was the highlight of the evening for me :)

Missed in the finale - again, thought I was a winner with the even money favorite who was cruising loose on the lead into the lane before he shortened stride and finished 3rd.  Sunday - as I was sitting in the Tampa airport and then traveling home to So Fla saw me lose all four races.  Well, that's not completely true.  While waiting to board the plane I watched the opener and my top pick Kantknowitall dueled to the wire and had a head in front.  I WIN!  Then the INQUIRY sign went up.  OK, I did drift wide in the stretch but when you watched the head-on and rear view the 2nd place runner drifted out and I seemed to follow him.  I was certain there would be no change.  Wrong :(

I WIN - but didn't win

Downs After Dark Highlights

What a week outside of the racing!  On Tuesday we repeated as Stanley Cup Champions!  The looks on our faces says it all as it culminated an amazing two month playoff run.  We look to go back-to-back-to-back next year, whooooo hooooo.

On on Thursday and Friday our long awaited Fire Bowl project was completed giving us a "water fall" feature in our pool.  Love the looks of it at night and the sound all day long!

Social Media this week.....

I was fortunate to have a lot of social interaction with my online friends this week!  One of the big reasons was we had our Fire Bowl project completed this week which gives us a waterfall in the pool.  I shared it with our "girl from Egypt," Petra who I keep trying to convince that she needs to come see us and lay out by our pool.  Still hasn't said no :)

Following our Stanley Cup win I reached out to our Account Manager Emma who's been so helpful all year (and ever since she joined the Panthers).  She responded in kind.

Shared the Fire Bowl video with my "Disney girl" Amanda who also thought it was "neat."

I was in touch with Kimmy who reacted to our Stanley Cup win, and in particular to the video Kim made of me as the final horn sounded :)

Karli Barnett had messaged me a week or so ago that she thought of me because she and her parents had been talking about going on a river cruise, which she and I had chatted about before.  I wrote to her that I'd be happy to help in any way....knowing that it would probably be "a while" before she saw the message and perhaps replied.  She reached out to me this week appreciating my offer and told me she'd be with her parents in August to discuss.  Also, I so proud of "our Karli."  For years when I've included her in a video I used the title, "Emmy-nominated broadcaster."  Well this week she won her first Emmy award and we exchanged messages about that.

BAD NEWS.....my most favorite CBS-Miami Weekend Morning anchor Teri announced today that she is leaving the area.  When I messaged her to tell her how happy I was for her, but sad for me, she replied she'd miss knowing I was watching with my Wawa coffee :)  Later in the week we exchanged messages and I told Teri I hoped we'd continue to stay in touch, which got a "Yes!!!" reply, and I asked if she still wanted me to share pics from our trips.  Teri said, yes and keep sharing and told me she'd keep me updated on her plans.  Finally I sent Teri the video of the Fire Bowl and she almost immediately replied back how cool it was.

Former WISE student Jen and I exchanged messages about the Stanley Cup win, and while I didn't post them here, we exchanged several messages about where she and her husband might enjoy going in Europe because, as you know we've been to A LOT of places in Europe that ARE very cool :)

Going way to back to our Piper High days, our very good gal-pal Shelly has been close to Kim and I.  She posted on Friday that it was the start of her birthday weekend.  So we exchanged messages both Friday and on her birthday.  Such a sweet girl.

Finally, multiple exchanges with my gal-pal Lauren Pastrana.  Eleven (count them, 11) different times I sent her something and she "liked" it this week and on two of the occasions she replied back to me.  I most especially appreciated her comment to me when I was enroute home from Louisville the day of the Florida Panthers celebration parade when she indicated she'd miss me being at the parade with an "Awww I thought you'd be here...."

Downs After Dark Scrapbook

 June 21:  Downs After Dark

I love going to Churchill Downs for the night time party atmosphere, "Downs After Dark."  I've not been in a few years so I arranged to meet my buddy Keith in Louisville for this Saturday program.  It was a perfect fit with the Stanley Cup playoffs slated to be completed no later than June 20th - fortunately our Panthers DID go all the way to the Final and won Game 6 on Tuesday June 17th.  But, because Kim and I are heading out for our Alaska trip on Thursday June 26th I did not want to make this a whole weekend adventure.  When I first looked into it the flights and hotel seemed very expensive for a one night adventure.  And then it occurred to me to used my airline points.  I was able to book a flight to Louisville out of Fort Lauderdale in "Delta Comfort+" seating for FREE and a return flight home on Southwest Airlines FREE.  So I was up at 4:45am Saturday morning for a 6:30am flight to Louisville on Delta, via a short layover in Atlanta.  Landed a little after noon where Keith picked me up.  Drove the 20 minutes to the hotel, right on the Ohio River, checked in, and went to lunch.  By the time we finished lunch we had about an hour to drive around Louisville on our way to Churchill Downs.  Got there a little before 5pm - first post was at 6pm and the last race went off a little after 11pm.  Back in the hotel around midnight.  Alarm goes off at 4am to get to the airport for my 6:30am flight home.  Stopped for several hours in Tampa (where I had breakfast and worked on the computer) - was the "price" I paid to get a FREE flight - and was home mid-afternoon Sunday.  WHEW.  Here's a scrapbook of photos from our cool adventure!

Front row nearly on the Finish Line

Welcome To Churchill Downs

The new Clubhouse Turn Grandstand

Free souvenir program with admission

The view from our first row seats, balcony level nearly on the finish line

The caricature murals of all the legends who've been a part of the history of Churchill Downs

The historic & iconic Twin Spires

The brand new multi-million paddock

Long time pals of nearly 30 years

The massive jumbotron

Echo Lane JUSTS holds on for the first win

Vahva runs through the stretch under the Twin Spires to WIN the featured Grade 2 Chicago

The stands are PACKED

I've got the winner!

That's a winning ticket my friends

The massive crowd

It's a big party atmosphere that brings out the "youngsters"

And they love to show off their festive party outfits

Downs After Dark Highlights

Summer 25: Week 3

 Haskell Preview Day / Delaware Oaks Day

Stanley Cup Final

It wasn't the kind of Saturday I'd anticipated this weekend, but the weather in Oceanport didn't help matters.  But I could not have been happier with the way the week played out for our Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.  But to be fair, at the end of the weekend I'd scored with 9-of-25 selections for a good (but typical) 36% so I have to be happy with that.  If just a couple of the bigger bets had come in and/or I'd had some prices I'd have come out ahead.  But so goes the game of racing!  Saturday's races started off with two off the board finishes as the rain began coming down in Oceanport, but initially we were still on the turf.  Got the first win of the day - and first win of the summer at Delaware with Warning Signs in a starter optional claiming turf event in their second race.  His last three Beyers were all tops for the field.  Rode the rail to the top of the lane....came off the wood, split rivals and drew off as easily best.

Was a good 2nd at Monmouth at 3/1 before scoring with Claire's Run who was an interesting choice.  On debut she'd run tenth beaten ten plus lengths but had quickly been shuffled back from an inside draw in a straight maiden race.  Was in a restricted spot here.  I figured "somebody must know something" and I noted to watch the board before betting.  Sent off as the short-priced 4/5 favorite - indeed somebody HAD to know something - she broke a step slowly, but recovered, shot to the front and never looked back.

Ran 2nd AGAIN at Monmouth, at 2/1, before scoring in Delaware's fourth.  This was an entry level allowance for 3yo's going two turns on the turf.  Light Mood had never raced in the US.  But today Graham Motion had Irad Ortiz on board.  You knew he'd take money being a Euro and never having missed hitting the board.  But the reason he scored was all about Irad.  Four wide into the far turn, he let the colt settle behind runners then darted up the rail, burst to the front and cleared off late .... and I got a fair 5/2 price!  But unlike the other two scores today, it was a double investment allowing me to cash for $35.

The Light Mood race wasn't even official when they were off in Churchill's fourth, a 3-lifetime allowance for sophomores on the turf.  Admit had never run on the grass but had run sharply in synthetic races at Turfway including a second and third in stakes company.  Mid-pack to the far turn, moved five wide into the lane and was JUST up on the wire.

At this point in the day, even though four of the five wins had been with small wagers I was feeling pretty good about myself having gone 4-for-8.  But then hit the skids with SEVEN straight losses, six of them with added money wagers including the two "best bets" of the day.  Sigh.....three of them ran 2nd and one was 3rd but I only bet to win, so "moral victories" at best.  Finally back in the winner's circle with the inaugural running of the Delaware Derby - but again with a small bet - when Admiral Dennis drew off handily to score.

To my credit - YAY ME! - I stuck with it and rallied to win four of the next five bets starting with Admiral Dennis.  At Monmouth my top pick in the Monmouth Stakes, a nine furlong turf stakes over "good" going scratched.  I'd noted in my analysis that the horse I was most afraid of was Chad Brown's Redistricting so I put my money here.  Jockey Flavian Prat went right to the front and wired the field in hand.  Even though I doubled the bet I didn't make much money because despite going into the gate at 4/5, but the time he hit the first turn he was the odds-on 1/5 choice.

Was second in the featured Grade 3 Delaware Oaks at 5/2 (with a small wager) before I scored with my "best" at Monmouth in the Grade 3 Salvatore Mile.  Brad Cox had entered lightly raced Bishop's Bay here.  He'd only been out nine times but showed six wins.  And Flavian Prat was on board.  Much like Redistricting in the Monmouth, the crowd pounded him to odds on.  Well deserved as he opened up and ran away with the race in hand.

Not This Boy was the final winner I'd selected on the sheet for the day at Churchill as I ended the afternoon with 2nd and a well beaten sixth before heading off to the arena for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final where I would join my buddy Enzo at the Watch Party.

Sunday I had seven bets at Monmouth and I was a bit surprised that after all the rain on Saturday they not only were still on the inner grass course, but were with it obviously a rainy day.  Ran 4th on the turf in the opener, then second with a main track sprint in the fourth.  Then all the races came off the turf and all but the last two bets scratched out.  I had noted in the featured five furlong Get Serious Stakes cared for the turf that multiple stakes winner Super Chow was entered.  He'd made all his money on the dirt and he had regular rider, hottie Chantal Sutherland back on board today.  When moved to the dirt I made him my double investment play.  Chantal rocketed to the front out of the gate but smartly took back when an outside runner was determined to be in front.  Eased off the pace, moved outside and ran by the leader in the lane.  Despite drifting wide, as Super Chow ALWAYS does he was a daylight winner and made ME a winner on the day.  I opted to pass the last two races despite my horses being in the fields.  In the 10th the pick was plunging from al allowance to a cheap $7.5K event and I just didn't think it was worth betting the favorite.  Ran second at 9/5.  In the finale I really liked the pick who was the DRF Best of the Day.  But it was scheduled for turf.  That he stayed in made him of interest to me so I looked back at the past performances.  NEVER been on dirt or in the slop.  Just not willing to bet here.  Went off at 3/5 and won.  Had I made the bets I'd listed I'd have won $2, so I was ok with my passing them both and taking my small profit on the day.

Chantal Sutherland for the WIN

Again, why Chantal Sutherland is called "the world's sexiest jockey"

Panthers Hockey....  Monday was Game 3 after we'd earned a split with a dramatic double overtime win in Game 2.  I thought the rally towels were so cleverly made for the game.  For some reason Edmonton came out and picked one fight after another.  And we just pounded them, not only on the scoreboard but on the ice.  Game 4 I thought we'd take command and go back to Edmonton with a chance to win the Cup.  The roof was blown off the building as we raced to a 3-0 lead after one period.  That's about as good as it gets.  But Edmonton scored three in the second to tie it making for an anxious second intermission.  They scored with five minutes left and it looked dire.  But we buried one with 19.5 seconds left to force overtime!  We were certain we'd win but a bad bounce cost us the win.  Game 5 would be pivotal, and after traveling cross country (2500 miles) on Friday we were in their building where the fans were ready to see their Oilers take command.  But at the Watch Party where the gigantic jumbo screen was RIGHT in front of us WE dominated them in an epic display of Panthers hockey, coming away with a 5-2 win.  Home for Game 6 on Tuesday with a chance to end the playoff run and raise Lord Stanley's Cup!

Monday Game 3:  Note the hidden logos in the towel!

Celebrating Game 5 WIN at the Watch Party Saturday

The 2025 Playoff Run

Social Media this week......

I write each week about how important it is to me to have my online pals, otherwise I'd have very little interaction with people each week.  This week had several of those interactions and two that werre very meaninftul to me.  My first story is with Lauren.  Oh, you thought I meant Lauren Pastrana :)  Nope.  One of my former students Lauren Manuto was taking part in a women's conference and I reached out to her.  We "see" each other online but don't connect often; this was an exception.

Very interesting "story" about gal-pal, weekend anchor Teri.  You have to go back 16 exchanges to May 20th to find the last time Teri has "said" something to me other than a "like."  And that includes several things she saw, but didn't comment or like.  Very odd - for me - because for months when I'd message her I'd almost always get a reply and more times than not we'd exchange multiple messages in an online conversation.  So literally this week I decided maybe she needed a "break" from me and I would back off from messaging her.  So at the Watch Party I posted my photo on Twitter.  Months and months ago Teri started following me on Twitter, but all of our interactions have always been on Instagram.  So you can imagine how amazed I was that minutes after posting on Twitter I got a "heart/like" and it was from my girl Teri (the only reaction to my Twitter post ironically).  So I have to wonder what's the story behind the change in our "relationship."  Still, happy she still "sees" me :)

Of course I had interactions with "my Lauren" this week.  Early in the week she posted how she'd ordered groceries and didn't get hers, but got someone else's order.  We exchanged comments about that - I just enjoy so much that she and I have "conversations" about everyday stuff like that.  We had several other "interactions" but they were all "likes" - still, Lauren always.....ALWAYS recognizes me and my connection to her, and that I so appreciate.

I "see" Michelle - who is a former student of mine and is just the sweetest girl - online and we don't often interact.  But this week she posted about running in the NYC Marathon and raising money for charity so I donated.  She immediately reached out to me.

The two most meaningful exchanges this week came as much for what they were about as - and more importantly that they were initiated by two of my most favorite gal-pals.  Monday's Panthers game featured a lot of brawls on the ice.  The next day as Kim and I were watching "America's Got Talent" my phone flashed and it was my most favorite former and great gal-pal Kimmy who reached out and  sent me a pic of some of her worker colleagues who were at the game, on ice level, right where the fights were.  After an exchange or two I said I wished we could "see" each other in a video chat and she immediately replied enthusiastically YES.  I am hopeful it actually happens this week :)

I was very happy when my phone lit up late Sunday afternoon and my "Disney Girl," Amanda sent me well wishes on Father's Day.  Ever since she was in my sophomore World History class at Western High over 30 years ago we've been close.  I'm so SO happy that we frequently text and try to get together and see one another on a "regular" basis.  Very appreciative of her thinking of me.

And finally, it was my "adopted daughter" Jillian who made my day on Sunday.  Saturday was Jilly's birthday and I reached out to her.  When our son Brad was a new born, up through his teen years Jillian was a constant companion and was like a daughter to us.  We took her on many adventures and even on some family trips.  As she's matured she would give my girl Kimmy a run for her money as the most attractive girl I know, other than my wife obviously.  So after the birthday exchange, early Sunday morning on Father's Day my phone flashed and it was Jillian reaching out to me.  Warm fuzzy feelings for the girl :)