The week was a "good" one, but the Saturday....it was VERY good, and that's said even though I missed with my Bet of the Day. The week did NOT start well with an 0-for day on Wednesday. I went with the Wesley Ward firster in the opening but he just didn't feel like the others....still, on paper he seemed best. But my gut feeling was right and he ran fourth. That set the tone for the day. I had a much better day on Thursday where I won with three of the seven selections. In the opener, a cheap $16K claimer it was all about how you felt weighing betting the most likely winner or for value. I've always played to pick the winner. On paper Emirates Affair looked deserving as a favorite, but 3/5 on the morning line? That seemed low. Still she seemed heads and shoulders above the others and ran to it. Was in hand through the lane and drew off easy as she pleased. Was happy there were apparently a lot of "value" players who said "I'm not taking that short price" because she floated above even money...silly bettors :)
After missing on the next two I made what would probably be considered a "bad bet" on Just A Touch in the fifth - a second level allowance on the turf. 'Touch had run lights out and looked like a top runner after back-to-back triple digit wins to start his 4yo campaign following a close second in the 2024 Grade 1 Bluegrass. But then he went down in flames at 1/9, 4/5 and 3/5. ALL on the dirt. Today he was trying turf. I just felt that he really had talent, but we'd see today if he could handle the turf. When he was at the back into the far turn I was resigned to the fact I'd made a poor decision. But he kicked in, swung five wide into the lane and accelerated past in the final 16th to score. After second at 2/1 in the next I got my final victory of the day when Chapman's Peak split rivals at the top of the lane and edged clear late at even money.
Friday was another below par day. My lone winner from six picks was with a Larry Rivelli ship-in from Chicago. Murdock was lightly raced but had run huge figures. While again the "value" thing came into play it has been my experience that when Rivelli ships he's very serious. Murdock pressed the leader to the turn then drew off under a hand ride at 4/5.
Saturday was a very good day. And it would have been a superb day had the "BET of the Day," Sovereignty in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap won instead of running second. But as it was I scored with 10-of-22 and had a clear profit.
Especially & Mazzula take Laurel's 4th and 5th
Mizner give me a 3rd winner in Baltimore
Instamania wins at Oaklawn, turns out to be the lone winner there on the day
Kentucky Belle - OH SO CLOSE in Keeneland's 6th
Sunday I had two winners and while I lost just a little I felt good about the day as I DID score with the BEST of the Day today :)
Carlo Rapido pulls a mild upset in the Sunday opener at Keeneland
Final Story WINS as the Sunday Best
North Carolina.....
Ever since New Year's my best gal-pal Kimmy and I have been pursuing a reunion with her. She immediately suggested my coming to visit and if I were being honest, I was probably over anxious about that actually happening considering how very VERY hectic her life is. It's hard these days for me to relate to someone in the working world being on a schedule, must less someone like her having two small children AND traveling for her job. After exchanging messages for three months, the last two messages I sent went unanswered, which to be fair is not uncommon in her world compared to mine. I had decided to give her space and this next week I would reach out again. As I sat watching the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday evening my phone flashed, "KIMMY" and she reached out to me. Maybe I am just misreading every thing, but I honestly believe she would like to have me visit. But I believe my understanding of just how complicated her life is is not realistic. She's WAY more wrapped up in so many things, not the least of which is being a full time Mom. So with that said, that Kimmy initiated this conversation/exchange - highly unusual - I took as a positive sign that this is still something she'd like to see happen. And then her reaction "we will make this happen" confirms this to me. I have reigned back my expectations and I'm much more comfortable with letting what happens, happen.
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