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.
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!
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 :)
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