Summer 2026 - Week 3

 Haskell Weekend
July 16-21 At The Condo

I wish that it had worked differently and my adorable wife Kimberly D had been able to come to Orlando for the extended weekend at our stay-cation condo, but she was up in the air about doctor appointments and visits.  Drove up her, at my wife's insistence I might add, on Thursday morning.  Our son Brad came and we had a long lunch together.  Friday I went to his hockey game - he was the star and they won in a shootout.  Brought the grandson back for the weekend.  Ended by spending a good part of Monday with our adorable realtor Sophia before heading home.  The racing highlights were from the signature day at Monmouth, Haskell Day.  For the day Saturday I won 47% of the picks and with the promotional money I got back I finished in the black.  Made Sunday a winning day when I added their stakes event, the Wicker Stakes to the two picks from the Jersey Shore.

Friday:  Book'em Danno

Saturday:  Knightsbridge

Splendora

Kathynmarissa

Souper Quest

Cy Fair

Echo Sound

Journalism

Sunday:  King of Gosford

Was fun to hear back from my gal-pal Karli Barnett who's now based at an Atlanta news station.  We still keep in touch and she follows our trips.

Summer 2026 - Week 2

 Indiana Derby Weekend

After winning one of three on Friday I scored with eight runners on Saturday, including five stakes.  In that group was my BEST of the Day and the national highlighted Grade 3 Indiana Derby.  Also made a new online social media news-gal friend....reconnected with a long time friend and celebrated my best gal-pal hosting a baby shower for her bestie.  All in all, a really good weekend.

JR Shadow Boy right to the front and never looks back, never threatened in the Hoosier Sophomore

Irish Jig up in time for the upset of the Miss Disco

Noquestionaboutit runs by late to repeat in the Glen Petty

Determined Kingdom EASILY as the BET of the Day

Lightly raced but ultra-talented Leading Change digs in to win the Gr 3 Indiana Derby

My pal Lauren Pastrana posted that newbie to CBS-Miami Anna McAllister would be taking over the weekend morning news anchor.  Used to be I really enjoyed these program when I became friends with Teri Hornstein before she married and moved to Washington D.C.  The hosts since have not interested me nor have they shown much ability if I'm honest.  But I've seen Anna's reporting and she has "it" so I was excited to see her promotion.  Even more so when I reached out to her and she messaged me back multiple times.  New travel follower?  Hoping so.

Long, LONG time gal-pal Michelle at one time worked side-by-side with my Kim and they even coached volleyball together for a few years.  Since she moved to North Carolina we've only seen her a couple times.  But when we bought the condo she and I connected about that and the fact she visits her Mom in central Florida on occasion.  This weekend she & Kim made plans for her to visit us at the new condo and she and I exchanged messages about how fun it will be.  The AI-generated image pictures her on our condo balcony ready for pool time with my pretty Mrs.

Finally....continuing a regular exchange with my girl Kimmy, she hosted a baby shower for her high school and adult best friend Christy.  Those two were nothing but trouble, in a good way in high school and I was sooooo glad Kimmy posted pics online.  Of course I commented right away....and OF course she answered right back :)

Summer 2026: Week 1

 4th of July Weekend

Saturday July 4 was the kind of day that keeps me coming back for racing as I scored with six-of-eleven and had a tidy profit.  Saratoga opened this weekend, which was even far earlier than the recent early openings.  Used to be that Saratoga was a "boutique meet" that ran four weeks in August.  Then it was extended to the last week in July....then to Labor Day...then to the third week in July.  This year, Opening Day was on July 3.  Will be interesting when the newly refurbished Belmont Park opens next year if this continues or if we go back to Belmont running through mid-July.  I had selections from both Gulfstream (unusual for this time of year) and of course Monmouth.  The races from Monmouth were cancelled on Friday because of the oppressive heat and then again on Saturday, and so I was left with only the two tracks.  The biggest take away from the day Saturday was a reminder that the track pays on ALL winning tickets.  There were five big stakes race selections on my sheet Saturday and I won only one of them, but had five other winners :)

Mashallah clears off and draws away in the Saratoga opener

Cross Haste wires the second at Gulfstream

Eponine goes six-wide into the stretch and edges clear in the 2nd at the Spa

Shelzawa proves best through the final 16th for my 3rd consecutive Saratoga score

One Sweet Girl goes last-to-first to win the fourth at Gulfstream

Gran Oriente handled patiently early, blows by to win the Soldier's Dancer

Two notable social interactions over the last two weeks.....first, our good friend Michelle had her birthday and we exchanged messages.  As a side note, in my continuing book writing project I used Michelle as the basis for a fictional character that Mark & Kimmy work with at the Viking TV offices.  Fictional fun :)  And when I reached out to my very favorite former student and gal-pal Kimmy about her reunion cruise with former Royal Caribbean pals and Kim's health issues, she and I exchanged messages.  She's so sweet to care about both of us.