It was truly an amazing weekend from start to finish! Not only was there racing, but the Stanley Cup Finals started this Saturday with our own Florida Panthers playing for the most difficult trophy in sports to win for the first time in nearly 30 years. The only time, all year, that I play Penn National Race Course is on their signature day/night when they have "Penn Mile Night" and as the week started I thought this was the highlight card of the weekend. I decided to "warm up" for the weekend's racing by playing the Thursday Twilight card from Woodbine and then decided that I'd add on the Churchill Twilight program as well. That didn't turn out so well for me as my six picks in Louisville yielded one 3rd place finish and everyone else was off the board. But at the end of the evening I did cash on the last two races from Woodbine to salvage the evening from a complete loss. Friday's selection sheet featured the first Friday card from Monmouth as they now move to their summer-long three-day-a-week calendar. The races start late afternoon and typically it's a shortened eight race program, but it's better than having only the two days on the weekend. Just before the last race on the Jersey Shore the racing program would kick off at Penn National. Much like Thursday's results I got nothing from Monmouth. But at least I was "close" as the four selections netted two seconds and two thirds - but no money for my wagered. Finally got started and back on the more normal winning track in Penn's first stakes of the evening, the Lyphard Stakes. This was a mile and a sixteenth on the turf course for Pa-breds and it featured my BEST Bet of the Night in Hearty Constitution. I knew that she'd be odds-on but really wasn't expecting the miniscule 1/9 price. BUT, as I often have said....when I'm playing the races making money is secondary to the process and being right. This filly not only had paired Beyers in her last two starts - which were very legitimate numbers since they both came from wins - but those two figures beat 134-of-the-135 combined lifetime Beyers of her rivals tonight. Oh. Add in Irad Ortiz riding for trainer Joe Sharp, OH. And top it off with a best-of-71 bullet work, OH . Patiently reserved at the back until the field reached the far turn she noticeably accelerated, passing rivals and collared the leader at the top of the stretch. Kicked into another gear and drew off as much the best.
Only collected $22 for my "prime time" wager, but again - it was all about being right! AND good for me for sticking to the wagering plan after the first fifteen bets of the week had netted but two victories. Right back in the fourth at Penn with the With Anticipation Stakes where I liked Buy Land And Sea to win. I believed going into the race that this guy looked awfully formidable and I noted that while I would not rank him as likely to win as Heartyconsitution he looked very strong. Like the Best Bet in the previous he had paired figures, which also came in back-to-back wins, and he was on a two-race winning streak. What was interesting to me was that the Lyphard Stakes had seen my top choice roll past the leaders after they had set what I thought were pretty quick fractions of :23, :47, and 1:10 for the pace call. Here, 'Buy set out right to the front and clicked off fractions of :23, :46, and 1:09 as they hit the turn and I thought "he's gone too fast." But when he turned for home he lengthened stride and his one length lead became two, then three, four, and finally nearly half a dozen while geared down at the finish. Ultra impressive. I enjoyed the even money price as well cashing for $30 on my triple investment.
I missed in the Penn Oaks which saw the winner pay well over $20 as my filly ran third. The sixth was the featured Grade 2 Penn Mile and I was on board with Todd Pletcher's Major Dude. When I had handicapped the race I landed on this guy who had a strong resume of races. The rest of the field was winless in seven graded stakes while he'd won two-of-four graded events. AND his last THREE Beyers topped all forty-two numbers earned by the rest of the field. As I noted, he appeared on that evidence as a "free bingo square" in the multi-race wagers. But....I'd seen him run this winter at Gulfstream and he had but a single win and his two losses saw him go down in flames as the odds-on-choice so I was only going to go in for a double investment. But prior to the race I read in more than one spot that he looked VERY difficult to go past; another was quoted as saying "I'd be surprised if anyone can beat him." And then the paddock analyst at Penn was all over him. I decided that maybe my objective view of his ability in relation to THIS field tonight was somewhat clouded by what I'd seen over the winter. So I upped the bet to a triple investment. He pressed the pace into the turn, ran into some trouble and was shuffled back, then Irad Ortiz got him into the clear turning for home and he powered home to be up in the final yards to reward my additional backing!
Missed at 8/5 when 2nd in the New Start Stakes, a 3yo sprint before taking down the finale - an entry level allowance where obvious choice, Bowl of Cherries. I only had the minimum wager here as this one had been 3/5 when beaten by not one but two of tonight's rivals. Then lost again at odds on while finishing just a neck in front of one of those two rivals. But on paper she looked much the best, and it did add into my thinking that Irad Ortiz was sticking around to ride the late night entry level allowance when he could have easily headed back to NY after the stakes action. Tracked the leaders between horses to the top of the stretch then kicked clear to win easy-peasy-pie.
Here's the first thing that was interesting about Saturday's racing....I DID think as I was finishing the Monmouth races Friday that with the lack of wins from Thursday and thru the first part of Friday that my numbers ALWAYS even out and that just maybe it would happen this weekend. But you never know how the day is going to go. I just "KNOW" that at the end of the week or month or season my numbers will balance out. The other thing that was interesting was that I knew I was playing the Louisiana Legends card in the evening - even though I wouldn't be watching live because I was going to be at the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Watch Party. And I knew I'd be playing the Saturday Monmouth card. What was ironic, after no wins at Churchill on Thursday and thinking maybe I should avoid the Louisville track, the best racing card for Saturday WAS at Churchill Downs where it was Stephen Foster Preview Day with six stakes races. So I handicapped that card as well. The day did NOT start off like my numbers were "evening out" as I ran 2nd at 8/1 in the Churchill opener. The first bet at Monmouth was in their second, a MSW for 2yo. Omaha Girl was debuting for Jorge Delgado and she was the pick. She would probably have been the pick regardless because the barn was a good 23% with firsters and she was a $400K sales purchase, daughter of Omaha Beach. But what made her a big added money play for me is that the two rivals in the field with experience had been beaten a combined 25 lengths in their debut - no. And the other first time starters came from outfits that were a combined 0-for-25, again no. The crowd went overboard with the betting and made her the prohibitive 1/5 choice. Right out of the gate she pressed the 14/1 front runner. Turning for home she made her move, got her head in front but didn't put that one away. The two dueled but she was never headed and she prevailed for my first win of the day. Maybe here we go? NO. Fifth at 3/1 at Churchill, sigh. But then I got a good price on a Paco Lopez mount when Dream Concert scored at 5/2 with my double investment. But then another loss at Churchill. WOW.
The fourth under the Twin Spires was an entry level allowance for 3yo and even with six stakes races on the docket, Scotland in here was my BEST Bet of the Day. The ideal kind of runner in these races are a lightly raced horse who's won early and had a good race or two against winners. Bill Mott's Scotland was an ideal fit. He'd won on debut beating a next out winner who'd been a prohibitive favorite and earned a big figure. Then facing first time winners at Keeneland he'd was beaten a nose while earning a stakes-worthy 93 Beyer. He was reserved near the back chasing fast fractions approaching the far turn. Moved up on the turn to be mid-pack. Angled out four wide for the stretch run, rallied to the front and held off a late challenge to score.
Passed the fifth at Monmouth. Next up was the first of the stakes races in Louisville, the Grade 3 Regret going nine furlongs on the turf for 3yo fillies. Four of the six entered here had run in the Grade 2 Edgewood on the Kentucky Oaks undercard going a mile and a sixteenth. Normally when I see a field like this I immediately look for the "new shooter" to the party but today I thought that Mission of Joy was a standout. She'd improved her Beyer with every career start; had won the first time she'd gone long. Right off her maiden win she beat allowance foes and then won the Florida Oaks on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard. In the Edgewood she "clipped heels" AND had to alter course and still was beaten only a length WITH an improved Beyer. Uh oh - the longer distance suited and with any kind of trip I thought she'd prove a handy winner. She broke cleanly, tracked in third to the top of the lane, found a seam, burst through and drew off as a much the best winner carrying my triple investment!
Again had a pass in the next at Monmouth so the Aristides Stakes was next on my selection sheet from Churchill. Steve Asmussen's talented Gunite was the top choice for me. There was some talk and social media chatter about how much play he was getting while today's rival Sibelius was not being bet as strongly. The latter had just beaten Gunite in the $2 Million Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup Night. But for me, and I'm sure for many bettors, that race was a "good for you" kind of effort for a horse who was peaking at the perfect moment. His resume prior to that a win in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector and the listed Pelican Stakes at Tampa. Gunite by contrast has faced Gr 1 winners Jack Christopher, Cody's Wish and Elite Power while compiling winning five other stakes and building a 6/3-2-1 record locally. Consideration had to be given to Bango who was a TEN TIME winner at Churchill as well. That one took the lead in the stretch but Gunite blew by him easily to win by daylight, again with my triple investment on board.
WOW I'm having a good day at Churchill with three straight wins! Finally got to play a race from the Jersey Shore as the seventh was an allowance turf route. Chad Brown's Customer List looked best to me. Won impressively first time out last year and went straight to the Penn Oaks. Last year the turf course for the big day at Penn was a swampy bog so I'd forgive her effort there. Was squeezed back at the start of a Saratoga allowance then rallied seven wide in the Saratoga Riskaverse Stakes while beaten only two lengths. Off a short layoff she was beaten a head. Now off a longer layoff with "paired Beyers" I thought she'd take a big step forward. Saved ground to the far turn, swept up four wide into contention and rallied late to be a winning favorite!
Finally missed after scoring with four consecutive selections when Desert Duke was a sharp 3rd at 8/1 in the Audobon Stakes on the turf for 3yo at Churchill. My BEST of the Day at Monmouth was in the eighth, but Great Navigator scratched in the morning. Sigh..... So next up was Churchill's Grade 3 Shawnee Stakes for older fillies and mares. Unlike in the Regret where I went with one of the "familiar friends" in here it was an identical situation with four of the six entered had faced off in the past and this time I WAS going with the "new shooter." Brad Cox had sent Idiomatic to the one-turn mile of the Grade 2 Ruffian last time out and she'd run 2nd. The stretch out today seemed to suit, but what really caught my eye was that her effort in the Ruffian was only the second time in her seven race career that she'd run on real dirt. I'm thinking Cox thought he saw something and he thought this Grade 3 spot was a likely win opportunity. She was bet down from 5/1 to 2/1 and went right to the front - never looked back. Wishing now I'd upped the bet since she was bet down, but still collected over $15 on a minimum play investment.
Missed in the 9th at Monmouth before it was time for the Arlington Stakes going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf for older males. First, a bit of a rant.....I'll NEVER forgive Churchill Downs, Inc. for closing Arlington Race Course - especially after they gave up racing at local Calder Race Course to just collect the casino revenue. But it really irks me, still that they run several of the traditional Arlington stakes races here in Louisville. But at least so far they've maintained their name. OK, enough. My pick here was one of my favorite turf runners, Set Piece. I've had him in many of his wins as he has always shown a devastating turn of foot on the turn while rallying from well off the pace. Last time out in a stakes race here he was 11th at the top of the stretch and finished third behind Todd Pletcher's talented runner Annapolis - who was an odds-on favorite that day - beaten only two lengths. Now, second off the layoff he looked to get back on track. As a 7yo I was only in for a double investment but all the pre-race hype was about how he should rule in this spot.....so much like Major Dude in the Penn Mile yesterday I upped the ante. Dropped right out the back door out of the gate and was patiently handled to the far turn, even with slow splits up front. But I wasn't too concerned, I've seen him do this before with those kind of fractions. Launched his rally on the turn and blew by rivals to catch the leader late and edge clear as a decisive winner.
What a day in Louisville I'm having! The final stakes was the Grade 3 Blame. In the past I've never been a big fan of Ken McPeek's Rattle N Roll. But last time out in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special he'd scored in a photo finish for me. And he "LOOKED" best her on paper. Of the combined 112 starts for the field there were EIGHT triple digit Beyers on the page. Four of the eight were earned by 'Rattle with three having come back-to-back-to-back in his last three. Should be an obvious pick, what's the prob Mark? The Pimlico Special was just two weeks ago.....oh. Still in THIS field on THIS day I thought he still should win. Rallied up the rail through the turn into fourth approaching the top of the stretch then was checked sharply - that can't be good. Shifted ground to the clear outside of runners and rallied to be up in time for my SIXTH win on the Churchill card and fifth stakes winner.
Had "PASS" races in the finales at both Churchill and Monmouth and in the FOUR from Evangeline. So I made my late bets and Kim and I headed out to the Watch Party for the game. Our great pal Enzo had gone early and got seats - it was general admission & seating - that had a clear view of the big jumbotron screen. I'd thought maybe six-to-seven thousand people would show up and we'd fill one side of the lower bowl from one corner to the next. Oh no my friends. Over 13,000 rabid fans filled the building - more than were in attendance for a LIVE game many times over the last many seasons - and it was an electric atmosphere. We were SO glad we were there.
But as the game started, as cool as the atmosphere was it was very difficult to follow the commentary from the broadcast and difficult to really see the action. So Kim and I agreed that we were really glad we came to experience it. But with this once-in-a-30-year-playoff run, we want to SEE the game and HEAR the commentary for the rest of the road games, so we won't be joining our fellow fans at the next Watch Party. For just a taste of what it was like, check out the video below. I've also included in this video how CBS-Miami evening anchor, and gal-pal Lauren Pastrana reacted after the game winning goal of the Eastern Conference Finals. She posted it online.
The Watch Party / Goal Reaction
The Panthers took an early lead, fell behind, tied it with 12 seconds left in the 2nd period. But then ended up losing late. While we were at the game, I checked the race replays from the first of the Evangeline races. I was a close 2nd in the Louisiana Legends turf as the 3/2 favorite then in my "Best" of the evening Free Like A Girl swooped by the score in the La Legends Mademoiselle. Ran a fading 7th at 2/1 in the Cheval Stakes and was caught on the wire at 4/5 in the La Legends Soiree.
Came home and watched the last two races. Eighth at 11/1 with a price play upset shot and then wire to wire with Black Sword to close down the card in the Louisiana Legends Sprint.
I realize you can make numbers say what you want, but combining the two big stakes days of action, Friday & Saturday, I finished 15-for-31....that's 48% for those of you without a calculator and was in the money 80% of the time while collecting a handsome profit for the two days!
I knew the numbers would "balance" out but that was a BIG balancing out! Sunday's racing was yet another "unique" experience. I did wonder if my numbers had "overreacted" and that there might be a bit of a bounce-back today, and there was. I played only Monmouth for the day and through the first six picks I had one second and two thirds despite having runners that left the gate at odds of: 5/2, 9/5, 8/5, 1/1, and 3/5 twice. Disappointing. After the sixth loss I told Kim I'd watch TV with her and watch the replays later. I "KNEW" that I'd win when I wasn't watching :) And sure enough, swept both of the last two bets to close out the day 2-for-8 which brought the four day totals to 19-for-50, my "usual" 38%. See :)
Social Media this week.......
I was reminded of why I make these photos & posts this week when my wife Kim and I were talking about her playing pickleball nearly every day and having interaction with her friends when I said that really the only "people contact" I have when we aren't traveling is through my online friends. And so I guess I do like to make records of my interactions as much for me as for any other reason to demonstrate that I DO have friends :) The first of these came with my "Disney Girl," Amanda who I had as a 15yo sophomore nearly thirty years ago. We were exchanging messages about her maybe going to the Panthers' Watch Party Saturday when she noted to me it would be her birthday. Then the day after her birthday (after I'd wished her a happy b'day both on line and via text) she noted it was her Mom's birthday and we chatted via text again.
Several years ago one of the CBS news girls I followed was Vanessa. Then abruptly she left and when I contacted her she wouldn't give details but it was clear to me that she had not left strictly of her own doing. She resurfaced in So Cal and I saw her online before a couple years back she got back into the local market with the local Fox news. Quite the attractive girl I was always surprised she didn't have her "own boy." This week she showed off an engagement ring and replied to my congrats.
One of the best series of exchanges / conversations came with long-time CBS gal pal news anchor Lauren Pastrana. Last week when the Florida Panthers won their series clinching game against Carolina - when we were there in the arena - with four seconds left Lauren had made the comment on social media that she wanted to "apologize" to her colleagues at CBS Miami for her screams of excitement when the goal was scored. Well this week she posted video from the security cameras in the newsroom that captured her (and her fellow workers) excited reactions to the goal. First it appeared on Twitter and she "liked" my comment; then it appeared on her Facebook page and she answered my comment; then she showed it on the evening news broadcast and she reacted to my comment.
Sunday morning when I got on my computer and checked Facebook it was noted in my memories that eleven years ago on this day, June 4, I'd organized the Cypress Bay High School graduation which we hosted at the Marlins new field in Miami. We had it here to accommodate our key note speaker, then Vice President (now current Pres of the US) Joe Biden. The entire process was an experience of a lifetime and I could write for an hour about all the things that happened. But there were several pics from that day that I'd posted that were on the "memory page" so I made a collage and posted it. Got replies from both gal pal Shasha who was instrumental in all our graduations working side-by-side with me and from gal-pal Chloe who's dad Jeff Nelson was the asst. principal in charge of graduation who was always my partner in putting on these big events. Really cool.
I'm not Facebook "friends" with my good buddy Jeff Nelson (pictured above) but I am with his cute daughter, so I shared with her and asked her to share it with him.
Last week was a birthday of one of my formers, Alicia who I used to be in much closer contact with. But after wishing her a happy birthday she replied.
And last, but certainly not least, my most MOST favorite gal pal Kimmy and I exchanged messages about how cool the Watch Party had been.
