Spring 2025: Week 8

 Memorial Day Weekend

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer, the racing on the holiday closed down the two-month Spring Racing Season.  And as you can see, it was a remarkable two months for me as I cashed tickets at a rate well over 40% and had an ROI of over $2.50.  What doesn't show in those numbers is the flat bet profit of well over $500.  Oh yes my friends, it was a wonderful spring.  And as cool as those totals are, that was NOT the highlight of the holiday weekend!  Here's how my weekend played out over the three days of racing where I focused on the Jersey Shore & Santa Anita's Racing Carnival.

Saturday, despite the weather looking ideal all over the east and midwest, we were off the turf at Monmouth.  I stuck with my first two bets and ran 3rd at 8/5 in the opener.  But in R3 my top pick, Maerdama was up in the shadow of the wire after missing the break to give me my first win of the weekend.

I went six races, three hours before my next selection in Monmouth's feature, the Cliff Hanger but was third at 8/5 again.  Got back in the winner's circle when the obvious choice, He's In Charge ran away with the race.  What was interesting to me was I knew he'd be the favorite and he hovered around 3/5 and 1/2 through the betting and into the gate.  But by the time they hit the far turn he'd been pounded down to odds-on at 1/5.  But, a win is a win and I got some money back.

At Santa Anita they had stakes races over all three days' cards.  Today they were all Cal-bred stakes and several of them were head scratchers in my opinion.  In the Thor's Echo "everyone" was certain the speedy Book Smart would win and his 3/5 odds supported that.  But two cheap speeds quarter-horsed out of the gate and by the time he put them away in the stretch, he was spent and weakened to be third.  In the Crystal Water I thought King's River Knight might go favored, but never imagined he would be pounded all the way to 1/5 odds.  Right to the front and no one got close to him.  So for the day I had three wins but lost a little.

Sunday saw me with a dozen selections but only able to cash in on three of them.  But all three came with a story and somehow, I came out on top for the day.  Remarkable!  As I was watching FanDuel TV waiting for my first betting selection, hottie handicapper Gabby Gaudet described her Early Pick-5 ticket and she singled Wesley Ward's Ashkenazi in Churchill's second, a four and a half furlong maiden claimer.  Not only did I like what she had to say about the second time starter, and that she was singling him.  But it was her description of her conversation with the trainer that led me to add the filly to the betting list.  Broke like a shot and while the other juveniles had barely taken their first step she was two lengths clear and never looked back.

Missed in Monmouth's second.  Then in the second I went with 8x maiden Blue Marble.  Note my analysis....OK, so you don't typically like a maiden with eight losses.  But the "wake-up" race last out and today leading rider Paco Lopez on board.  Certain to be one of the favorites, right.  Nope, went off at a big 7/1 price and with my bet I cashed for nearly $90!

That sealed a winning day, in spite of running 2nd in FIVE of my last six bets.  But it's the one that scored that was the story of the week!  I've written about my filly - that I own in partnership with MyRacehorse - Seismic Beauty.  And from the beginning there seemed to be a lot of confidence that this filly maybe, just maybe could be special.  When stretched out to two turns last time and she romped over her overmatched foes, trainer Bob Baffert remarked they would point for the November Breeders' Cup World Championships.  Could she really be this good I wondered.  Then she appeared in the entries off a first time long win over entry level allowance foes to go in the $200K Grade 2 Santa Margarita.  Baffert's go-to rider Juan Hernandez opted to ride the "other Baffert" who left the gate as the favorite.  But it was MY filly who took it right to them and wired them impressively.  Note the comments that came following the race.  AND Brad and I will be there at Del Mar hopefully to see her run!

Seismic Beauty

Monday Memorial Day:  As "good" as the weekend was, I truly saved the best for last....literally.  As Monday afternoon rolled around and I checked the scratches I discovered that my "best" of the day at Monmouth in R2 had scratched.  I looked at the rest of the field and didn't see anything.  But as the FanDuel telecast started I noted that in the first race, which I had not mentioned anyone, there was a prohibitive favorite.  AND then FanDuel showed a video with a post from national announcer Larry Colmus saying he was walking the five miles to Monmouth and hoped to be there in time for the opener where a horse he was part owner of was running.  Looked at it was the favorite - with Paco on board.  OK, it's meant to be a "game time decision with my first bet out and the road signs pointing here.  So I sent in a double investment on One Fine Wine.  Hovered around 1-2 until they left the gate and then was pounded to 1/5 odds.  Tracked the leader to the stretch and took off as easily best.

No bets in the 2nd or 3rd, then ran second in the 4th and was 11/1 when a distant eighth in R5.  No bet in R6 before in the next to last race, the seventh I went against Paco & the favorite.  But as they were in the post parade it was announced there was a late scratch - my horse.  Looked at my analysis and I'd actually written, "....I may make a post time decision as Paco rides Magic Pathway who SHOULD win...."  I added, "....if this guy gets pounded I may jump ship...."  Well he was already down to 4/5 odds and as they walked to the gate I put in a double investment.  Tracked the 6/1 leader into the turn with plenty of horse - I've seen this movie before.  Paco let him go and he burst past and drew off as easily best.  AND his odds floated up to better than even money so I cashed for over $20.

In the Monmouth finale, the featured Mr. Prospector I really liked Dean Delivers.  Was let go at a huge 9/1 price but was only third behind, yes, Paco again.  Opted in on Gabby Gaudet's single again in the Gr 3 Winning Colors but ran third.  And missed the first three bets at Santa Anita.  So heading into R6 out west I was working on a lowly 2-for-9 day where those winners had paid $2.40 and $4.20.  In the sixth at the "Great Race Place" Navajo Warrior was cleverly spotted in a $25K starter.  He'd beaten $35K and $30K runners already and on paper, as the Santa Anita analyst said, he just looked much the best.  Tracked the dueling leaders into the turn, caught the survivor turning for home and drew off easily best to finally get me another win.

I made the bets for the final five races of the day and as I did so I noted my bankroll being drained.  I'd already done the majority of work calculating my spring totals earlier in the day so I was less concerned because I had a pretty nice cushion for the two-months of handicapping, but still, didn't want to finish the month on a skid.  We left for the Panthers Hockey game anticipating a win and a sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals only to be trailing 1-0 with two minutes left when we pulled the goalie and they sealed it with an empty net goal.

During the afternoon, knowing we'd be leaving at this point in the racing day I'd thought I'd wait and watch replays when I got home after the game.  But with the way the day was going, but the time we left for the game I had decided that I wanted to watch the next race as we awaited the start of the hockey game.  That's because R7 was the Grade 1 Gamely going nine furlongs on the turf and I liked Saffie Joseph's shipper, with Irad Ortiz in town to ride, Be Your Best.  She'd won the Grade 2 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf in January and I liked her chances.  But I really liked her chances when the DRF's So Cal analyst Brad Free made her the "BEST Bet of the Day."  I followed suit.  As I watched the broadcast as the races began from Santa Anita, long time So Cal analyst Kurt Hoover explained to host Todd Schrupp that the two scratches in this race were hugely significant.  Not that either would win, he explained, but their absence left the front end all to Be Your Best and then Hoover said, "I expect her to get the easiest of leads and just walk on the front end."  And he repeated this at least two more times before we left for the game.  Now that he's told everyone on national television about how easy it is to pick the winner I'm sure my BET of the Day will be odds on.  Opened the replay on my phone at the game and sure enough, Be Your Best easily took the lead and held a multi-length lead into the first turn.  Then the odds came up along the bottom of the screen.  I could hardly believe my eyes that not only was Be Your Best N-O-T the favorite but she was 2/1.  Coasted all the way around and when I checked the final payout it was $6.20 so I'd cashed for a whopping $62!  Suddenly I'm back in the game for the day!!!!

Race 8 was the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup, and I noted in my analysis that while I'd only visited Hollywood Park twice over a weekend long ago, it had always been one of my favorite tracks, and the signature Gold Cup one of my favorite races.  Today I was initially against Saffie Joseph's shipper, multiple graded stakes winning Skippylongstocking but again Brad Free made a strong case for him and I had to agree that while I wasn't sure he could get the classic mile and a quarter distance, the field he faced today was no where near as strong as his last several opponents.  So I tripled the bet.  After winning the Gamely I opted during the 1st period intermission at the game to watch the replay on my phone.  Irad Ortiz kept him three-to-four wide throughout, meaning he was going to travel farther than the 10 furlongs of the race.  But he was third into the far turn with two longshots in front of him and I began to think I had the winner, again.  Collared the leader at the furlong pole and edged clear to score!  Make it three in a row!

The co-featured Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile was W-I-D-E open I thought.  As I scanned the past performances it was clear to me there were no "should win" runners, but several "could win" types.  The two I narrowed it down to were both beaten favorites in their last at short odds.  King of Gosford got the vote for me, and again I have to credit some of the insight to Brad Free.  He was not Free's top choice (the other beaten favorite was), but I was intrigued that he'd chased a loose on the lead winner, when coming off a layoff AND reportedly had missed a workout.  Now with one under his belt, all his works in place and top rider Flavian Prat on board I thought he had a good chance.  During a time out I watched the race and watched as he was at the back half of the field.  Swung into the clear turning for home and began gobbling up ground.  On the small screen I lost him in the midst of a clump of runners all closing in and thought he was in traffic, but as they hit the final 50 yards I was sure it was the #4 saddle cloth he was wearing that surged on the outside to be up in time by the narrowest of margins.  OH WOW, I won again.  Checked the payoff - YOWZA, paid $10.80 so even with the minimum bet I was cashing for nearly $30 on my fourth straight winner.

At the second period intermission I just had to watch the 11th and final from Santa Anita as it was my last bet of the day.  This was a MSW going a mile on the turf - but hey, if you win they pay the same as they do on the graded stakes!  Winning Patriot had debuted for trainer Carla Gaines in April and had pressed the leader as a well bet 3/1 choice.  Raced greenly through the lane and was second best behind a daylight winner.  With one under his belt AND a bullet work, he looked best on paper.  Pressed the 9/1 leader into the lane and looked ready to take over but just got a head in front.  A wall of horses were surging and several hit the wire together.....PHOTO FINISH.  But I win!  

So, as I said, literally saved the best for last.  After a 2-for-9 start I rattled off FIVE IN A ROW to finish the day an amazing 7-for-14 with a profit on the day of over $40.  For he weekend I cashed on 13-of-33 for nearly 40% wins and made over $65 with an ROI of $2.45.  Remarkably my numbers had been so amazing for the two months that these numbers actually were a click below my grand totals!

The Weekend Totals

33 / 13 - 7 - 6     -$300/+$366.90

39.0% WINS     $2.45 ROI

Next week we start the Summer Racing Season and Friday night is Penn Mile Night - I always like playing that card and hope to visit there for that signature card some day.

Social Media this week.....

There was not a lot of social interaction with my online pals, but two of he three were very rewarding for me.  First, my bestie former, Kimmy, and I interacted today.  The first good part was I know that while she's a very busy working mom of two little ones, at some point she does reach out to me.  And so even though she didn't see my Mother's Day wishes until a week late, she DID see them and thanked me.  And in the same "conversation," I asked if she'd changed allegiances to the Carolina Hurricanes over our Panthers since she lives up there....but got a big "oh no still a Panthers fan" reply :)

My most favorite interaction came with my gal-pal, former weekend anchor Karli Barnett.  We used to "chat" very frequently on her FB Lives and via messages.  But once she moved to Atlanta that's really tailed off.  But for my part, I'm just happy we ARE still in touch.  So when Karli was local there were frequent discussions about travel and in particular she was envious of our river cruises telling me she had always wanted to do one with her family.  Fast forward to this week.  Karli posted a very sweet photo of herself, she is so attractive, and wished everyone a Happy Memorial Day.  I replied and sent her similar wishes along with telling her we missed her locally still.  Then she wrote back to me to say just recently she was thinking of me :) because she and her family were talking about booking a cruise.  So very sweet.

It was an EVERY Friday morning thing that I met with my "Jenny-girl," Sandra at the Jenny Craig Centre for weight management.  Over the years it became more than client / advisor as we became very close friends.  This week was her birthday and in reply to my birthday wishes Sandra brought up that she missed our chats.  

Finally, Lauren Pastrana and I didn't "chat" all week, but six different times when I reached out to her I got the "like" which for me, especially this week as she was off almost every day, that she took time to acknowledge me, that was good enough for me :)

Spring 2025: Week 7

 Preakness Weekend

Following the amazing Derby weekend two weeks ago, it would be unrealistic to believe I could have another such amazing run.  But with the way the spring is going I was expecting to have another successful weekend.  And as I near the end of the first two months of the Spring-Summer Racing Season I really think one of the keys to my success to date has been my willingness to be very selective with my races that I bet on.  And to be fair, I've also had a good share of price play winners.  So here's how the weekend played out.

Friday:  Black-Eyed Susan Day

The late morning first race brought me the first of three winners on Friday.  I'd had Brad Cox's Verifire in his debut on the Virginia Derby weekend undercard when he was a flashy winner earning a stakes worth Beyer figure of 92.  Even a regression of several lengths would still put him in the winner's circle today.  But first of a maiden win, at Colonial no less, I planned on a minimum play.  But he was not only being pounded on the board but the analysts were saying he might be the shortest price and most likely winner of the weekend.  So I doubled the bet.  Broke on top, rated kindly and when the other thought they had a chance at the top of the lane he let out a notch and drew off by more than half a dozen without being asked.  Very talented.

Races 2-3-4 and 6 were all "PASS" races for me, but I was patient.  And in Race 5 I was the prohibitive 1/5 favorite, only to run 2nd; then in R7 I was the 4/5 favorite and was second again.  Not the kind of day I had hoped for.....at this point.  Next up was the Allaire DuPont Stakes going nine furlongs for older fillies and mares.  Clearly Todd Pletcher's Candied was the class of the field.  Since her debut win she'd run nine times, eight of them in graded events.  The lone listed stakes was last summer's Lady's Secret and she was a runaway winner.  If you bought in that she was just a cut below the best graded runners, then her resume looked a lot better.  That was my view and I made her the "best" of the Friday picks with a triple investment.  Tracked along the rail in third to the top of the lane, swung into the clear and ran off very impressively.  Cashed for almost $40.

When I wrote my analysis for R9, the Hilltop Stakes for 3yo on the turf, I thought that Play With Fire could be the "Day Maker" bet of the day.  Listed at 6/1 in the program I was hopeful to get maybe 5/1.  You had to be a bit creative interpreting his past performances, but I thought he was a lot better than he looked on paper under Flavian Prat for trainer Brendon Walsh.  Last into the far turn he unleashed a furious rally and just blew by the stunned field to win going away in dramatic fashion.  Got late money to go off at 7/2 odds, but still cashed for $45 sealing a winning day.  The last three bets, all stakes, were all wide open and I bet the minimum - two fourth place finishes and a 3rd.  37% wins on the day and a clear profit, I'm ok with that!  Patience rewarded!!!

Saturday:  Preakness 150 Day

Preakness Saturday began an hour earlier that the Friday card, and it wasn't until about ten minutes before the first race that I realized that.  Missed at 7/2 when fourth.  No bet in the second, but in R3 it was very similar to Friday's opener.  Bob Baffert's lightly raced Varney was stretching out to two turns for the first time with two Beyer figures that said he should be the easiest of winners, IF he could get the added ground.  Flavian Prat took him right to the front, controlled his speed nicely and let him set sail for home in the lane as he drew off impressively.

Came right back in the fourth which was the first graded stakes, the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint where I liked Steve Asmussen's Booth.  Much like yesterday's Verifire race the analysts all said he could the the shortest priced stakes winner of the weekend based on his three race winning streak, including back to back Gr 3 wins like this making him the ONLY graded winner in the line-up.  My concern was I'd had him in his last as the 2/5 favorite at Oaklawn.  And he'd had to fight the entire length of the stretch to get the win, and his Beyer dropped.  Was he starting to regress or would he improve off having to fight for one?  I liked him enough to double the bet.  Took command immediately and was well handled by the trainer's son to the top of the lane where he cut loose and drew off in an impressive final time.

I had also handicapped the Saturday card on the Jersey Shore and it presented very few runners that I thought were worth the gamble.  In fact on the nine race card I had but three bets.  Two of them won for me sandwiching three stakes losses at Pimlico.  Persistent Danger was a surging winner at the wire paying a generous $6.40, and then Layered was a runaway winner paying an even better $6.80.

The 9th at Pimlico was the Jim McKay Turf Sprint going a short five furlongs on the turf.  Witty had run second in this spot last year as a dead closer at 7/2 odds and for some reason was listed at 10/1 in the program.  He'd used the same prep race as last year, and ran 2nd like last year again this year in the prep.  Last by more than ten into the turn he came flying through the field to the top of the lane, got into the clear and ran by them all like they were tied to the rail.  Cashed for almost $20 on the minimum bet.

Brad and Oliver were visiting over the weekend thru Sat evening and he'd asked me if I had a "BET of the Day" on the Preakness card.  I told him that all the really good horses had run two weeks ago, so no, but the "best" today was in the 11th, the JW Murphy on the turf for 3yo's with Regan's Wit.  So put a small wager down.  After the Witty win I ran 3rd twice at odds on leading up to the Murphy.  Regan's Wit was indeed best as he blew by to win going away as easily best :)

I topped off the Saturday by naming the upset winner of the Grade 3 Dinner Party in Shug McGaughey's Fort Washington.  Much like Witty, he came from well off of it and ran off impressively paying $12 for a $2 wager.  The Preakness was one of the most dramatic races I've seen as the favorite had all kinds of trouble in the stretch and then ran down the loose on the lead front runner who seemed long gone.  Impressive.

Sunday at the Jersey Shore

Much like the Saturday program at Monmouth it was hard to find any horses worth betting on.  At the end of the day I did find three on the nine race card.  After running third at 8/5 in the first of the three wagers, I scored in the Sunday feature, the JJ Reily Handicap for New-Jersey breds.  While you could make a case for several in this sprint, especially off recent form, I thought it was really hard to look past the past performances of Speaking.  He showed five NJ-bred races, all stakes.  Easy to toss the lone turf sprint experiment.  The other four....two wins in the NJ Breeders here - a six furlong handicap.  And wins in the 2023 and 2024 JJ Reily.  OH.  Somehow the crowd let him go off at better than 5/2 odds - what were they thinking?  Right the front and never in doubt.  Ran second in the final bet of the day but another day of clear profits!

This Weekend's Totals
25 / 11 - 3 - 5    WIN: 44%    -$205/+$263    ROI: $2.56

Panthers Playoffs:  This week we were working our way through the second round of the playoffs.  After rallying from an 0-2 deficit with back-to-back wins last weekend the series shifted to Toronto for a pivotal Game 5.  A win in Toronto would send the series back here for a Friday game that could wrap the series.  Unlike the first four games we just blasted them out of the rink 6-1 sending their fans into a "boo-bird" frenzy, throwing jerseys on the ice, and leaving early in what the Toronto media called one of the worst losses in Maple Leafs history.  So excited for Game 6 at home to wrap it up with a big celebration.  Brad brought Oliver down - left school after a half day and we all were in the front row of Section 317 to enjoy the celebratory win.....

Only Toronto played well and we didn't have the same push.  Lost 0-2 and now the game would be decided in a winner-take-all decisive Game 7.  We were anxious for sure, but I've said from about mid-season on that we are REALLY good and while any of the good teams in the NHL might beat us on any given night, I honestly didn't think anyone had a good chance in a best-of-seven series.  I also thought it worked against the Maple Leafs that they were under the intense scrutiny of the home town fans and media.  They had to feel the pressure.  Our guys, to a man, talked before the game about "enjoying the opportunity....something every kid hockey player dreams of, to play in a playoff Game 7."  We came out on fire but didn't score.  They responded and our goalie BOBBY made miraculous saves.  0-0 after one.  And then the roof caved in on them as we rattled off three straight and the boo-birds were out again.  Early in the third they scored, the crowd came alive and we have a ball game!  For 45 seconds....we quickly scored again and put them away with two more goals for a decisive 6-1 victory!  The Eastern Conference Finals kick off Tuesday in Carolina.

Social Media this week.....

Teri Hornstein was out in the rain early in the week and I felt badly for her.....wished for her to be on the desk and she replied to the same.  And then later in the week she enjoyed the photo of me with former student at the Panthers game and she told me she was 36 years old, which I'd never have guessed.

I knew Lauren Pastrana wouldn't see it on Mother's Day but I sent her a virtual card anyway and when she did see it she thanked me.  She did a "Walk & Talk" with the subject being to "share your gifts" with others and I chipped in saying what I do "best" is I'm the trip planner.  I also shared how I had gotten a free re-order of flowers for Kim after hers seemed "aged" for the holiday.  Lauren gave me a local florist she uses.  Thursday she & Elliot were in the new "News-Verse" studio and I asked about the standing vs. being at the desk and how the graphics worked.  She replied right back that she likes the standing and that their iPads are only their scripts.  Finally, the best exchange was when Lauren reacted to my game photo with Kim, Brad & Oliver and then she reached out to me to help her by "liking" and commenting on a CBS-Miami post about the evening team.  She expressed her appreciation for how I am also so supportive of her.  And when I did post she was again very appreciative.

Spring 2025: Week 6

 Opening Weekend at Monmouth

Belmont Stakes Preview Weekend

You never would have been able to convince me that after the amazing week I had on last week's Derby week programs, that I could have as good of a week again this weekend.  But the Friday-thru-Sunday time frame was nearly as good!  Started on Friday when our Florida Panthers - down 0-2 in their 2nd round Stanley Cup Playoffs with Toronto.  Our oldest son Jeff was able to be in town so Kim gave up her tickets so it could be a Father-Son night.  As we walked in we met Emma, our Panthers Ticket Manager so we posed for a pic.  Then it was an EPIC game.  Fell behind 2-0 and 3-1....roared back to tie it, then took the lead.  They tied us.....went to overtime.  Played for 15 minutes before our newly acquired star player threw the puck to the net and it ricocheted around and into the net sending the home town fans, including Jeff & I into a frenzy!  What a start to the weekend!

Panthers Game 3 Epic OT WIN

So Saturday dawned as Opening Day at Monmouth Park.  I play all their live races over the summer.  But it's not as "intense" and/or time consuming as the winter at Gulfstream because from Opening Day through mid-June they only run on Saturday & Sunday.  Then through Labor Day they run Friday thru Sundays.  One of the things that appeals to me about Monmouth is that most of the races are either pretty clear as to who should win, or a complete "go figure."  So I tend to do pretty well there.  And of course jockey Paco Lopez is king at Monmouth, he seems to win four or five every day.  The first race of the meet was scheduled to be run over the turf course but rains had forced the grass races to the main track.  When I'd handicapped the race I liked Paco on a turf horse, but he was also listed on Concrete Faze who was a "Main Track Only" runner.  The plan was to bet the minimum but Paco was taking money so I upped the bet.  Pressed the longshot front runner into the turn, took over willingly and drew off as much the best.  Paco - wow, so typical at Monmouth.  And I was amazed at the bettors because 'Concrete had hovered at 4/5 from the opening bell but as they hit the far turn his odds showed up at a very generous 7/5 so I cashed for nearly $25.  Well worth a photo op!

Paco at Monmouth....How hard is THAT to figure out?

Missed in the opener in New York at the "Belmont at Aqueduct" meet, where it was Belmont Stakes Preview Day, before I had a bet in the second race at Churchill Downs.  Goldentown looked like a legitimate play to me in this $30K non-winners of two sprint as he was dropping out of a good third place finish in a $50K nw2L sprint.  The only question was his form was over the synthetic and obviously at Churchill the main track is dirt.  So I went for a minimum play.  Broke sharply to the front, but was quickly joined by two others who surrounded him.  Dueled to the top of the lane before edging clear then opening up triggering track announcer Travis Stone to call out, "....he's going, going, GONE..."

Missed in both the 2nd and 3rd on the Jersey Shore, fortunately it was NOT because I'd failed to bet on Paco's horse!  That brought us to the second race at BAQ.  This was the Grade 2 Man O'War going eleven furlongs on the turf as the first of  multiple graded stakes in New York today.  My pick was Christophe Clement's Far Bridge who had been a "prime time" play for me when winning the Grade 3 Pan American on the Florida Derby Day card.  That day he'd been a very narrow winner coming off a layoff so I figured he'd be much fitter today.  Just a five horse field let Joel Rosario sit patiently down the backside.  Saw an opening along the rail approaching the far turn and shot thru to the front.  Opened up under a hand ride turning for home and was long gone!  Ironically, later in the day at Churchill Downs the horse who'd nearly upset him at Gulfstream was running in a Churchill turf allowance.  Made me feel more confident in that pick.

After running second as the 3/2 favorite in Louisville I went on a three race streak, winning a race at Monmouth, Churchill, and Belmont.  The fifth at Monmouth was a starter allowance requiring a start for a $6.25K tag or less.  He's In Charge was a 7yo who'd raced at this level six times last year and won three of them while running a good second in two others.  Off a short, three month break he'd resurfaced at Laurel in a starter for twice the price.  Fired a four furlong bullet ahead of the race and then won!  Now dropped back to this level, with another four furlong bullet - uh oh.  AND got Paco Lopez.  UH OH.  Tracked the leaders up close to the far turn, slipped up the rail while well in hand.  Dueled to the top of the lane before Paco let him go and it was all over.  Tripled the bet to get a return of nearly $30 on my fourth winner of the day.

The fifth at Churchill Downs was a maiden special on the turf where NONE of the runners had run fas enough to reach par.  Typically that's a "PASS" for me but in this case, Brian Lynch's Wedding Mood was coming off her first North American start.  In that race at Keeneland she closed from off the pace to take the lead in the lane but was run down late.  I felt that perhaps she'd been moved a bit prematurely there AND with one under her belt she could score here.  The FanDuel analysts were all against her, but I stuck with my bet.  Next-to-last down the backside before beginning to pick off horses through the far turn.  Six wide into the lane with all the momentum she blew by the leaders and drew off by daylight!  The 2/1-plus odds enabled my ticket to bring in nearly $35 to the growing bankroll.  Less than ten minutes later they were in the gate in New York for an entry level allowance going a one-turn mile.  I thought Quick to Accuse would not be favored with a Chad Brown runner in the line-up here.  But what I DID like was that 'Accuse had twice before stretched from an elongated sprint to a one-turn mile - like today - and WON both times.  Add that to the fact that he was 1-for-9 at all other distances and 3-for-7 at this one-turn mile.  Tracked the leaders to the stretch, glided up and took flight for the wire, drawing off by daylight with my triple investment on board.  When official I cashed for over $30 again running my three race winning streak cash total to almost $95!  WHOOOO HOOOOO,

Two thirds and a sixth led to the 8th at Churchill Downs, a nine-furlong, second level allowance.  It was here that I had found the horse, Corruption, who had given Far Bridge such a run for his money last time out in the Grade 3 Pan American.  On his own merits the lightly raced Mark Casse runner probably would have warranted a "Prime Time" play.  But the "other horse," son Norm Casse trainee, was a "Horse for the Course" and I was afraid that might trump my horses chances.  So I went with a triple investment.  Corruption shot right to the front when after the opening 16th no one else wanted the lead.  Jockey Jose Ortiz held a daylight lead without asking his mount to the top of the lane.  Confronted by two challengers he shrugged them off and drew off for the win.  The 9/5 price led to a payoff of nearly $45.  I'm having a very good day!

Fifteen minutes after the Corruption score, the horses were going into line for the Grade 3 John A Nerud at BAQ, the second of their graded stakes.  The NY-bred Whatchatalkinabout had whistled home with a graded stakes worthy 106 Beyer in his last this past January.  The question was, could he do that facing open company.....open Gr 3 company, and off a layoff.  Trainer Wesley Ward had seen him blister two morning works in a sizzling :59.4 on April 22nd and then just nine days ago another bullet in an even faster :59.3.  Dueled right out of the gate while in between runners.  That kind of race flow will do in even the most seasoned of speedy runners, but Whatchatalkinabout gamely pushed to the front in the final 16th and as the three of them hit the wire nearly simultaneously it was him who won the bob.  Was sent off as an underlaid even money choice I got back $20.

Ran second in the Monmouth feature, the Long Branch.  I was irritated because after I made the choice I looked at who Paco Lopez was on and thought, "he SHOULDN'T win, but he might" and considered making the change.  Even told Kim about it after he won the opener.  But didn't make the change and lost.  Sigh......Was almost 40 minutes later before Shisospicy went into the gate for the Grade 3 Mamzelle at Churchill, a five and a half furlong turf sprint.  After running on the main track until two back, the filly had rattled off two straight turf sprint wins.  At first glance I did NOT like that she was among the SEVEN horses exiting an April Keeneland turf sprint stakes, and liked it even less that she had won that race.  But of the 90 combined races run by the fifteen on the page, none of those numbers would beat ANY of the LAST THREE figures she'd earned.  I tripled the bet!  Broke sharply from her wide draw up on the 6/1 front runner through wicked splits of :21.3 and :44 flat.  And today they were traveling an extra 16th of a mile...can she hang on I thought?  Took the lead and drew off impressively by daylight.

Missed the next three (off the board in two straight and then 2nd) before it was time for the Grade 3 Peter Pan at BAQ, the last race on my sheet.  I thought the field was pretty evenly matched, but I was intrigued that Flavian Prat was riding for Chad Brown on Hill Road.  He'd won at first asking in his native Ireland, then was outrun in a Group 1.  Came to the US and was a flying third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile to finish his 2yo season.  Made his 3yo debut in the Gr 3 Tampa Bay Derby and again closed ground to finish third (again) behind loose on the lead Owen Almighty who finished 4th in last week's Kentucky Derby.  I thought he had a good chance today.  Was well back into the turn before he came flying on the turn picking off one horse after another.  Five wide into the lane he kept coming and caught the leaders in the final 100 yards before edging away late.

The big day saw me with an impressive win percentage and a BIG profit on the day!

Before going further, I have to share very sad news......sigh.  When Kim and I first arrived in Fort Lauderdale and began teaching at Piper High School we met Sue Reynolds.  Quickly she and Kim became the best of friends and "the girls" became a close knit group of five ladies.  When everyone would get together, there were only three husbands and Sue's spouse, Dan and I had little in common.  But within a few years we found common ground and became THE BEST of friends.  He and Sue loved to join us every year for the Florida Derby and they were our most special travel pals.  In fact it was at Sue & Dan's request in 2016 for me to find a "big trip" for us that led to us going on our first Viking adventure and has paved the way for so SO many trips.  Just fourteen months ago Sue & Dan were going on our Mediterranean trip featuring several stops in Greece before ending on the Italian Lakes and we'd had a FaceTime call to review excursion choices.  Then Sue got the news no one wants, she was diagnosed with lung cancer.  She battled bravely until a couple months ago when it was determined the treatment was not working.  Saturday morning Sue passed away quietly.  We so loved her (and Dan) and I can hardly wrap my head around her being gone.  Won't ever take a trip without thinking of Sue, and most especially won't be able to go to a Florida Derby without thinking of them.  Sigh.....

The "Fearsome Foursome"

Sue & Dan at the 2023 Florida Derby / Viking Oceans 2019 "Mediterranean Odyssey"

2018 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs / Our last trip - Hawaii in Oct 2022

Sunday I played only the Monmouth card.  I often say that one of the things I like most about having the racing game as my interest/passion is that there's a story EVERY day.  So today's story came in the third race.  After passing the opener and finishing 5th in R2 we were on the turf for the first time this summer.  It was a $16K "beaten" turf sprint and I liked My Boy Rocky for Jorge Delgado.  The first thing that caught my eye was one of my favorite jockeys, Chantal Sutherland was on board.  Noting that she was riding for regular partner trainer Jorge Delgado from when she rode regularly in So Fla I was more intrigued.  The lightly raced 3yo had only been out four times.  Three turf tries, two on the turf darkened the fact that his lone win came in a 5 1/2 furlong sprint over the GP Tapeta which often plays like turf.  Went off at a fair 7/2 price and broke sharply.  Chantal had him pressing into the lane, set him down and wore down the leader in the final jumps.  I'll be the first to admit that one thing appealing about Chantal is she is super good looking - is, or was a model in years past.  And I've followed her career and been a Twitter "friend" for several years.  Had made arrangements to hopefully meet her when she was riding at the Fair Grounds a few years ago but then COVID hit.  So after she won for the first time on the Jersey Shore I grabbed the photo of her in the winner's circle and during the trophy presentation and sent her a message.  See the results of that further below :)

Ran third with my "BET of the Day" in the feature but bounced back with another win in the 7th, a turf route for $12.5K claimers.  Yes, Paco was up on Gogo Chanel who drew off as the 4/5 favorite.  Finished the day 2-for-5 and was nearly even. 

The weekend wrapped with the second Panthers playoff game Sunday evening.  During the first intermission Kim and I met up with one of my former students who'd brought her son to the game.  And we won the game to top off a GREAT weekend!  Next week is Preakness weekend so I'll have picks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Social Media this week.......

I had a lot of "contact" with my online pals making me feel like I had a lot of friends :) but I didn't have a lot of "conversations.  Without question the most "heart warming" exchange of the week came early in the week when I was just watching the screen saver run through pictures from our trips over the last few years.  And as I did so, which often happens, I glanced down at the bookcase filled with memorabilia from trips and my teaching career and some significant photos.  And the photography of my most favorite former student and adult gal-pal now, Kimmy caught my eye.  I snapped a photo and texted it to her telling her I "see her" often and it always makes me smile.  Within minutes the reply came back, "This makes me smile always" with a love emoji.  Such a sweet girl.  This is a collage of the several times we got together when she still lived here in So Fla.....

I saw on FB that my Florida Derby gal-pal Chloe and her radio-DJ partners were launching a podcast.  I listened to it and enjoyed it a lot.  Texted her and she replied back.

Thursday afternoon it was so pleasant on the back deck that Kim and I sat out there with a drink and I sent a pic of my wine to several pals, one of which was my "Disney-Girl" Amanda.  Remarked to her that with the announcement by Disney of their plans to build a new theme park in Abu Dhabi we needed to make our plans to go there :) 

Our oldest son Jeff seems to know "everybody" and you can't go anywhere, or so it seems without him running into people he knows.  So when he and I went to the aforementioned Panther game it was no surprise to me that even though I communicate with our ticket manager Emma often, but we never see one another at the games, that we WOULD see her when Jeff (who shares her as his ticket manager) was along.  Not only is Emma the cutest Panther ticket manager we've had, she's also the best one!

Continuing with the Panthers "theme" - two weeks ago I saw a photo on FB of former student Heather (see above) at the game with her son.  Reached out to her and she excitedly was all in for getting together.  We missed connecting at the start of Sunday's game but Heather messaged me to tell me they would come to us.  How sweet.  Look at her - can you even believe she graduated in 2005, which would make her 38yo?  I told her she looks oh-so-much just like she did as an 18yo senior!

As I was watching the races on Saturday I watched the NY races on the "America's Day at the Races" telecast which is a NYRA affiliated broadcast.  That means I almost always see my former Gulfstream analyst and gal-pal Acacia.  Sure enough she was hosting early in the show when my BEST Bet of the Day won.  I reached out to her because her husband is the assistant trainer to his Dad for this horse and she "liked" the pic/post.

When jockey Chantal Sutherland scored in the Sunday race at Monmouth, I clipped the pic from the live feed of her in the winners' circle and sent her a message via Twitter since I follow her.  Wasn't right away, but she did "like" the message and sent me a heart :)  You can see why she's noted as the "World's Sexiest Jockey!"

Tuesday of this week I had MOSE surgery on my shoulder.  When I woke up Wednesday morning my gal-pal, weekend anchor Teri was sharing the weekday desk.  I reached out to her and she was very sympathetic about my procedure.  Also exchanged messages following the epic hockey win.

Of course, as per usual, the most communication came with CBS-Miami evening anchor Lauren Pastrana.  She too, very sweetly I might add, wished me well on my shoulder.  I was also very impressed when early in the week they did a story about removing floride out of the drinking water in the state and I reached out to ask what she knew....within minutes she messaged me back with her thoughts.  I sent her highlight pics from Derby weekend on Monday - as I do with all our trips - and she messaged me back as to how good those were.