Preakness Weekend

 May 17 - 18

After winning just two races on Monmouth's Opening Weekend last Saturday & Sunday - I'll chalk that up to jet lag and being distracted from the trip - I had an excellent weekend of handicapping for the second leg of the Triple Crown over Friday Black-Eyed Susan Day & Saturday Preakness Day.  I started the week off by playing the Twilight Thursday card at Churchill.  Had to wait until the final bet of the day before scoring, but when Elliptic crossed the line I collected enough to make the day a minimal loss.  It was a good warm-up for the big weekend of racing!

Friday Black-Eyed Susan Day saw the first post go off in late morning at 11:30am and I wasted little time getting onto the board.  Castle Island had begun his career for Bob Baffert on the west coast but had later been moved to the mid-Atlantic and into the barn of Brittany Russell.  Dropped in for a tag he responded with a new career top on the stretchout.  Claimed away he "paired" the figure for the new barn in a conditioned allowance.  Now "dropping" into an entry level event around two turns I thought he looked solid.  Tracked the 2/1 leader through the far turn, put that one away and opened up to the wire for my first win on Old Hilltop!

I came right back to score at a nice price in the second race of the day, another entry level allowance, but this one going five furlongs on the turf.  Had To Have Him had raced against two of today's rivals a month ago and they finished 2-3-4 under the wire, but I thought Had To Have Him had license to improve more than the others as that had been his first, ever turf try.  At the top of the lane I appeared to be out of it, but he found a seam, got into the clear and was FLYING down the outside....PHOTO FINISH!  When the official photo came up I was in front and at a generous $10.60 payoff!

Missed on the next four, but fortunately for me TwinSpires was offering the popular "Bet Back" promotion if you ran 2nd or 3rd and the first two of the four hit the board to allow me to "cash" despite not winning.  I got my first stakes winner of the day in the Allaire Dupont Distaff with Shotgun Hottie.  She was a Gr 3 winner and what I liked best was that her two best efforts had come when Paco Lopez was riding, and he was in town to ride today.  Tracked the leaders into the stretch before Paco gave not one, not two, but three "condescending" looks under the arm and drew off as easily best.

The next race was the Hilltop Stakes for 3yo fillies going a mile on the turf.  She Feels Pretty had suffered her first loss in the Gr 1 BC Juvenile Fillies Turf as the favorite.  While she was coming off the layoff and you never know if they will be as good or better at 3 as they were at 2 I thought she looked awfully solid with the drop out of graded stakes to the $100K listed event.  Sat chilly in mid-pack to the far turn, split rivals and opened up to run away by daylight as EASILY best of all.

I had two seconds and a fourth in the next three selections before it was time for the big race, the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan for 3yo fillies.  Clearly all of the "star" 3yo fillies had run two weeks ago and none of those were in here.  But that made for a wide-open race with some potential future stars.  Just looking at the horses and the past performances, I thought Gun Song was the most talented and a likely winner.  But when I handicap, the human connections play a big part in my decision-making.  Trainer Mark Henning used to have solid numbers, but that has not been the case of late, especially at Gulfstream this winter.  So his 7-for-85 resume for the year made me wonder about the legitimate chances for Gun Song to perform to her ability.  Still, I couldn't find anyone else that was a likely winner so I bet the minimum.  Well, today she truly ran to her ability - albeit against somewhat softer competition.  Pressed the leader into the far turn, took over willingly and ran off.  It was a cool moment to watch the post-race interviews with the owner and trainer who both acknowledged they had not had the best racing luck, or horse talent of late, but that this one felt really good.

Saturday Preakness Day dawned with a lot of weather in Baltimore.  I checked the scratches and changes and saw that we were still on the turf.  So I made my first bet and watched some hockey highlights of our Panthers epic win in Boston last night to move into the Eastern Conference Finals.  With a couple minutes to the mid-morning (10:30am) post time I turned the sound back on for the FanDuel TV broadcast and the first thing I hear is that just 30 minutes ago, while I had the sound muted, the first race had been moved to the main track.  I looked at the odds and my pick, Irish Heartbeat was the 6/5 favorite so I stuck with it.  She tracked the other short-priced runner through the turn and took off for the wire, clear by daylight.  As she crossed the finish line, track announcer Dave Rodman said "she was a popular winner, but went off at 2/1."  What?  Her odds had floated all the way up to 2/1?  Wow what a gift from the bettors, so I cashed for over $30 to kick off the day.  

But through the next two and a half hours I could only manage a second and two thirds from six selections.  As we approached post time of the Grade 2 Gallorette on the turf the analysts on the TV broadcast were debating exactly what had been wondering - was Fluffy Socks a "I'm ok to finish 2nd and 3rd" kind of horse, or was she the victim of just being against better runners over the last year?  The Chad Brown mare had seen nothing but Gr 1 and Gr 2 competition and had run second or third in all six since a win last May at Churchill.  The analysts on air were divided with most saying she was untrustworthy, and the one who agree with me saying she was simply the best horse and would be a clear and decisive winner.  Of course I was right as she drew off to win by nearly a pole and I cashed on my triple investment for my second winner on the day and first stakes win.

Ran 2nd and 3rd in two Pimlico stakes before scoring at Monmouth.  In a MSW turf event I thought Self Confident looked very solid.  But sitting fourth through dawdling fractions (:25 - :50) she had a LOT of work to do through the lane.  Suddenly found another gear and was FLYING through the final furlong....PHOTO FINISH!  Kim was nearby and said, "Did you have that?" And I replied I thought I did, and if I did I would be cashing for $40......I DID, and the price was even better as I cashed for almost $50 :)

I had really liked Todd Pletcher's Tuscan Sky in the Sir Barton Stakes, a 3yo mile and a sixteenth test, but he scratched out.  I looked at my analysis and saw I'd listed Shug McGaughey's Corporate Power as my next choice and I stuck with him.  In February this colt had been considered for the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby, but the connections ran him in an allowance event in New York instead, and he was second as the 8/5 favorite.  The addition of blinkers today told me they still thought he had talent.  He looked to be spinning his wheels at the top of the lane, but surged late and was just up in time.  An INQUIRY and OBJECTION made me wait to collect but when I saw the head-on replay I knew I had to be the winner.

Less than ten minutes later and we were in the gate for the feature at Monmouth, the Spruce Fir Handicap, a six furlong sprint that featured last year's winner Mia's Crusade.  She was following the same pattern as last year, coming in off a layoff.  Instead of wiring the field like last year she tracked the leaders in fourth to midway on the turn, made her move to collar the leader.  But that one was determined and they dueled to the final 100 yards before the champ edged clear for another winner on my page.

When looking at the calendar of races for today I'd been delighted to see that Canterbury Park was opening late this afternoon.  I have fond memories of that track as I met my great, late friend Jim Anderson there several years ago, then Kim and I went to Minneapolis for a racing weekend getaway.  On that trip I had scored with Thealligatorhunter in the Minnesota Derby, but this guy had now been sprinting of late and he was the key to the opening race of this the 30th season of racing at Canterbury.  He was dueling from the rail through the opening quarter mile, then was in tight and checked back to third losing at least two, if not three lengths.  But he swung into the clear in the lane and mowed down the leaders with my triple investment on board to give me my first winner of the summer in Minnesota, dontchaknow :)

It was "Downs After Dark" at Churchill and I had handicapped the races here which would run until after 11pm!  In the second I really liked Green Light on the turf.  Pressed the longshot leader through soft fractions while well in had through the far turn, then drew off by a pole as MUCH the best.

The featured Preakness was next.  I - like many racing fans - had been waiting for weeks to see Bob Baffert's talented Muth run away here as the best 3yo in the country, but he was a late scratch.  I didn't have the winner, but I was all smiles as 89 year-old D. Wayne Lucas posed for photos with the his horse who was a MyRacehorse colt who went wire-to-wire to upset the 2nd jewel of the Triple Crown.  I got my next winner, but hardly made any money when Disarm went into the gate at Churchill Downs in an allowance event.  The only two times this colt had NOT hit the board was when running fourth in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and fourth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.  He'd been 2nd in the Grade 1 Travers and boasted four straight triple digit Beyers.  All alone on the front end I thought this would be a cake walk, but again it just went to prove that nothing is ever certain in horse racing as he turned for home ready to run away, but was confronted by a rival and a stretch duel ensued.  Finally edged clear to win, but hardly like you'd expect a 1/5 prohibitive favorite to do.  Still, I'd played a "prime time" bet and cashed.

Missed twice at Churchill, one with my "best" there in the Gr 3 Louisville when Bold Act just didn't fire, and once at Canterbury before cashing my last two bets in Minnesota with Honorable Mischief in the sixth and Distorted Pro in the 7th.

The long, twelve-hour marathon day of racing was winding down as I had the west coast hockey game playing on TV they went into the gate for the 10th at Churchill on the turf.  I was surprised that Highway Robber was not one of the top betting choices but when he was near the back heading into the far turn I thought, "well, that's why he wasn't bet."  But they he began to pick off horses, weaving through the field and swung into the clear turning for home.  Was there enough stretch for him to catch the leaders?  At the furlong pole he noticeably accelerated and not only caught but drew off to score.  And the price was a big 7/1 allowing me to cash my final ticket of the day for over $40.

It was a good two days of racing as I scored with 40% of my picks, but the best news was that the TwinSpires "Bet Back" promotion had seen me "cash" on NINE additional races and collect $85 in "winnings!"  That was a nice boost to the bottom line ROI!

Sunday at Monmouth was an "ok" day of racing.  The "best story" of the day came in the opening three races.  Perennial leading rider Paco Lopez was on my three choices.  In the third race I liked his horse enough for a minimum bet; in the second race I thought he was a nearly certain winner.  And in the opener I thought he had a chance but not enough of an edge to bet.  So I decided to play an early double for a mere $2.  Paco was 6/5 as they approached the gate.  Gave the horse a great ride and somehow scored at the inflated odds of 5/1!  The double had ballooned up from a $3 payout to $13.  But then he ran 2nd at 4/5 and was off the board at 3/2.  Figures, right?  Race Track Logic that the only Paco horse I did NOT bet paid $13 to win and the others lost.  WOW.  I did cash in the feature Speaking defended his crown in the JJ Reilly Handicap, outdueling Paco Lopez's horse to win :)  We went out to dinner with Jeff and Trista, so Jeff and I watched the replay of the finale as we both had bet Electric Eel who went wire to wire to finish off another excellent weekend of racing for me.

For the four days of racing.....

Preakness Weekend Highlights

Recapping our trip to Greece and the Mediterranean

When last I wrote in this journal we had just left Greece and were headed up the coast.  Among the many amazing things about our trip was the fact that every day, and I mean EVERY day, at the end of what ever our excursion was and/or at dinner Kim and I would agree that it had been a great day.  Every single day.  And the other thing that stood out about the trip was the scenery.  On each and every day we had the most amazing vistas - so many that you'd look at the photos and wonder "did I really see that" and recall that yes, this was not a "googled" photo but we'd actually been there.  Check out the video highlights below.......

Greece Highlights Part 1

Greece Highlights Part 2

While we were gone we had an exceptional amount of friends and family who followed our trip in one fashion or another as we had well over 1,500 social media hits on our posts & pictures.  Thank you to everyone who followed along, especially to all "my girls" that are such great friends online (see below).

Social Media .......

While we were gone, and once we returned I continued to (a) see few people "live" but (b) have most of my "human contact" with friends online.  And far and away the one person I "talked to" every day, and most days more than once was gal-pal and CBS evening anchor Lauren Pastrana.  I so very much enjoyed that SHE enjoyed having me send daily "best of" photos from our trip.  And once we returned we continued to find things to exchange comments about.  But let's start with some of the other pals who made my "highlight list" of peeps that followed our trip.  My all-time favorite former student Kimmy has always been interested in what goes on with my life and after wishing her a Happy Mother's Day she reached out to let me know she'd appreciated following along.

Jayce Birch is a morning anchor that I don't often exchange with but twice she posted pics that I reacted to and she reciprocated.

Our "adopted daughter" Jillian.....well, just look at this recent photo she posted.  It's hard to believe that the "little girl" that used to play with our son each day has blossomed into this stunning woman.  We exchanged messages over Mother's Day as well.

I also heard from gal-pals Jen Cook and Petra after we'd returned - and they had been among the many friends that had followed our trip with "likes" and comments.

Another highlight shortly after returning home was I woke up to a message from gal-pal Karli Barnett.  I used to be more "active" with Karli - especially with travel - than Lauren.  But since Facebook Messenger no longer is linked to Instagram I've found it difficult to reach Karli, other than through her FB live chats.  Still, I'd sent her pics hoping she would eventually see them.  When I woke up on this particular morning she had "found" the photos and sent me a message.  I'm hopeful we can begin to reconnect as we once did.  I like that Karli also enjoys my sharing of our trips.

And the last of the "other girls" ..... late in the week former WISE student Amber posted a photo of her with a guitar and I inquired about concert tix :)

OK, onto the Lauren stories.  For the first - and as it turned out the only time while we were gone - I was able to watch a bit of the local news and let my CBS peeps know that I was still watching despite being halfway around the globe.  Captured a pic of Lauren's "pretty in pink" look and posted it.  On the final day of the cruise we explored an amazing castle and then went far underground into some amazing caverns.  When Lauren saw those pics she sent me a message of "wow-ness!"

Twice towards the end of the trip I sent pics to Lauren and once remarked that I would have liked to be able to watch her broadcast - she replied that SHE wished she were on a cruise :)

Once we were home, Lauren and I continued to "chat" - she replied back to me after I'd wished her a Happy Mother's Day and sent a photo of her when I explained I do like to travel very much, but also enjoy watching her on the news.

We also exchanged messages as our Florida Panthers advanced in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  The night of Mother's Day we got to see our 'Cats claw out a narrow win 2-1 and I shared with Lauren that I was taking partial credit for the win after I'd changed jerseys I was wearing during the game and THEN the Panthers rallied for the win.  She wrote back almost immediately telling me I'd better where that same jersey for the next game :)

On the broadcast prior to Game 5 I snapped a photo of Lauren on the desk in what I labeled Panther red; unfortunately we lost that game, at home, in a wild/nerve-wracking 2-1 decision.  That was on Tuesday following our return.....then on Friday morning prior to Game 6 in Boston I captured Lauren on air and asked if she could please call the outcome as she'd done last year when we clinched in Boston.  That night, on the air Lauren was in a pretty orange outfit and she'd "curled" her hair.  The CBS team did a feature on the game and I posted a Twitter pic of her with a bright smile.

With 1:33 left in this intense battle to move on we scored to win.  I almost immediately reached out to Lauren and within minutes she replied back to me.  I get it, it's me - and I also get it I don't have many "in person" friends.  But STILL I find it rewarding or a "feel good" kind of thing that Lauren and I have become close enough friends that not only do I feel comfortable connecting with her in moments like this, but that she responds as well.

When on Instagram during the news following the game I noted that Lauren had posted a "plea" to the Panthers to please end the game in regulation so that she could "be smiling like this" during the 11pm broadcast.  And the photo she used for her Instagram and Facebook reel - WAS the picture I'd taken of her.  So I "liked" the post and remarked what a "great photo" that was :)  And of course she replied.

But perhaps the biggest highlight to our conversations this week came at the end of the week when I twice had "issues" with our upcoming travel plans.  I reached out to Lauren twice and said she should do a feature on "Travel Tips" and that I would love to share some of MY experiences since I'd traveled "a little."  I had been hopeful for a reply but didn't think I'd get one....but after the second message I sent Lauren wrote back and said she would pitch this idea for a story to her producers this upcoming week.  Even Kim thought this would be VERY COOL if I were featured on the local news.  And I would particularly enjoy finally getting to meet "my girl Lauren" in person were this to all unfold.  Stay tuned!

Derby Weekend

 May 3 - 4:  We're Sailing The Mediterranean!

Well, I've played the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby cards in several different ways......live at Churchill Downs twice; at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park; and from the "Sunrise Simulcast Center" virtually at home.  But this year Kim and I found ourselves not only missing part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs but sailing on Viking's "Empires of the Mediterranean" itinerary over Derby Week!  So this meant that all of my handicapping for the weekend - and several of my racing pals that follow my picks had asked - while sailing through Greece.  Had them done and posted by Thursday night!

As you can see from the photo above, it's a "tough life" to be me on Derby weekend.  Such a distracting view while handicapping the races, and a fine glass of wine :)  As Kentucky Oaks Day dawned Kim and I were exploring Corfu, Greece.  On the day of the races, because of the time differences, the early post time of 10:30 am in Louisville coincided with 4:30pm in Greece.  And with last bet being in the 12th (no bet in the 13th and final race) with a 6:27pm EST start time, this would be at 1:30am in the morning.....which I'd never be able to stay up for.  Luckily the Internet signal was strong enough that I could watch both race replays and the live feed with minimal interruptions.  I passed the first and the fourth.  In the second and the third Sedona and Arthur's Ride didn't score.  The former was a 5/1 shot in a mile and a sixteenth entry level allowance on the main track.  The $2 Million daughter of Curlin had been impressive to win at first asking going seven furlongs at Gulfstream.  I thought she'd be closer to the pace here but was near the back to the far turn, fanned seven wide into the lane and was a much the best of the rest second while no threat to the winner.  The latter was a distant 8th as the 6/5 favorite.  Race 5 was the first of the big stakes events, this being one of the biggest races on the national calendar for older fillies and mares, the Grade 1 La Troienne going 8 1/2 furlongs on the main track.  For me, Idiomatic was an obvious choice.  Under typical circumstances, the fact that she'd not been seen since early November when winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff might have been a concern.  But in my mind, I didn't think that trainer Brad Cox would bring his champion back in this big Gr 1 event, on Oaks Day where there's a huge spotlight on the racing if she wasn't well meant.  She pressed the 12/1 front runner into the far turn then took a narrow lead.  Closers came to her on the inside and the outside and now we'd find out if she was "short" and needed a race or was geared up.  Took off and won by daylight as MUCH the best for my first win, and first stakes victory of the weekend.

Race 6 was the Grade 3 Unbridled Sydney going five and a half furlongs on the turf.  With a crowded field this looked to be a wide-open affair.  I landed on Ova Charged but I had some questions.  First, she had been beating up on listed foes at the Fair Grounds and I thought this field was way tougher than anything she'd seen in New Orleans.  Second, she was a speedy front runner and there looked to be other "I want the lead" types that could soften her up.  Conversely her last two starts, both daylight wins, had earned Beyer figures of 102 and 113.  If she ran to anything close to that, she would be the winner.  I'm a Beyer believer but I wasn't convinced she was a strong selection so I went with the minimum.  The crowd was convinced and sent her off as the prohibitive 3/5 favorite.  Broke a step slowly - that can't be good - then hustled to the front dueling all the way to the top of the lane.  A wall of horses were coming and it would have been no surprise for her to have been inhaled by any of them.  But no way....she dug down and edged clear in the final strides for my second win, and second stakes victory.

Came right back to win my third in a row in the Grade 2 Alysheba on the main track with First Mission.  This guy is lightly raced but when he runs, he always delivers, with the exception of two back in the Gr 1 Pegasus World Cup when he just didn't seem to fire.  He's run well here, just missing in the Grade 2 Clark Handicap as well.  While it seemed reasonable that maybe he wouldn't fire his best today, he looked good last time out winning at Oaklawn and if they all ran to their best he would win.  Tracked a nearly 30/1 front runner while saving ground in third to the far turn.  Came out into the clear with dead aim on the leader.  Collared him at the sixteenth pole and drew off handily.  Having a pretty good day my friends!

Missed on the next three.  Surprisingly didn't fire, 6th at 3/1 odds.  In the Grade 2 Eight Belles for 3yo fillies Impel went off at a generous 9/2 price.  Stalked the pace in fifth to the turn, caught the leader but could not catch the nearly 7/1 filly that got the jump on her, but was a good second.  Then Hard To Justify pressed the pace to the far turn in the Grade 3 Edgewood on the turf for 3yo fillies, but faded to 9th at 2/1 odds.  At this point I just couldn't stay up any later and went to bed.  As soon as I got up I pulled up the Churchill replays to watch the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.  I picked Thorpeda Anna to win but as I noted, I thought it was as likely that a "go figure" winner would emerge as one of the "logical" win contenders.  I made a minimum bet on 'Anna on the basis that (a) she'd already run well at Churchill Downs, and (b) she'd won Oaklawn's Grade 2 Fantasy off a long layoff.  She had more of a right to move forward than any of the others - none of which had impressed me as a rising star and/or having the ability to handle the demanding 9 furlong trip.  Thorpeda Anna went right to the front by had company as three of them were speeding through the first turn and to the far turn.  The fractions of :22 and change and :46 and change, while under pressure made me feel like there was little chance I'd be able to last to the wire.  But in a big surprise, once the field turned for home, despite the pace, 'Anna opened up!  She increased the margin to more than two lengths to the furlong pole and was widening as they came to the wire!  WOW.  Hit the Oaks and three others to close the day at 40% winners.  I'll take that any racing day!

Kentucky Derby Day began much like Oaks Day only today we'd arrived in Kotor, Montenegro.  The time difference was cut back to six hours from seven as we left Greece, but still to stay up for the Derby would be being up well past midnight.....no happening.  You can see from the panoramic photo above that we had another dazzling day as we climbed W-A-Y up to the top of a mountain, through 25 switch backs on a very narrow road with steep drop down views to reach this point where we had a magnificent view of the harbor - that's our ship on the right!  The opener was set to go off at 10:30 am in Louisville which would make it 4:30 here in Montenegro.  So I was able to watch both this race and the second on the live feed before we headed out for dinner.  The opener was a six and a half furlong sprint under maiden special weight conditions.  There were eight in the gate for the race and seven of them had previously raced.  As I remarked, any of those COULD have won, but NONE of them impressed me.  That pointed me to the lone firster in the field, Pure Force.  Not only did he have that angle, but the Brad Cox debut runner showed sharp works.  And those works had drawn the comment from the DRF analyst, "....it would appear this horse can really run...."  All that was good enough for me and I doubled the bet.  Pressed the pace of the 3/1 second choice all the way to the top of the lane and then gradually drew off to a daylight score.  Cashed for nearly $30 to start the day!

The second race was a REALLY interesting handicapping puzzle.  As I told Kim afterwards, the thing about handicapping races that's "good" is that everyone has their own opinion and can back their opinion with cold, hard cash.  Bill Mott's Scylla looked much the best to me, but not in a typical manner.  Sure, her earlier Beyers would win this second level allowance for fun, and she was dropping out of stakes company.  Mott is a conservative trainer, and has all "good" horses so you know he's only going to run them where they have a chance.  Well, Scylla had just run sixteen days ago - that's a VERY quick turnaround in today's world of racing, especially for top quality horses.  So the fact that Mott WAS doing this told me she was kicking down the barn door.  The on-air analysts used this same information as a negative saying the quick turn around and her figures on the slight decline were evidence that perhaps she wouldn't run big today.  Not so fast my friend!  She was shuffled back early and was fourth between runners into the turn.  Asked to go and she immediately blitzed by the leaders, opened up and drew off in a dazzling performance!  Cashed for more than $20 to run my record to 2-for-2 to start off Derby Day.

Kim and I went to dinner and upon our return I had two race replays to watch.  First, in Race 3 it was an entry level allowance for 3yo.  Mindframe had been dazzling in his debut for Todd Pletcher.  But today he would not only face winners for the first time but go two turns for the first time.  That's a lot to ask.  But his monstrous 103 Beyer on debut told me he could be something special.  Went right to the front but was hounded by a 30/1 longshot.  As heads turned for home we were about to find out if the jump from maiden to allowance was too much, especially after being pressed the entire first six furlongs.  Nope.  Opened up and drew off impressively and I was cashing for almost $15 to run my record to three-for-three.

The first stakes race was the listed Knicks Go Stakes going a one-turn mile.  I wrote that we'd know right away because both my choice and the likely favorite would want the front.  Strong Quality went right to the front and posted sizzling fractions of :22.1, :44.3 and 1:09 flat - certainly too fast for a mile race right?  Opened up to mid-stretch and then lasted to the wire at a nice 5/1 price.

in the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Coppola ran huge at 15/1 and was leading turning for home which had me thinking of a big pay day, but it was good handicapping without a pay out.  You CAN'T win them all!  Next up was the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff going seven furlongs.  Vahva and Alpha Star had quite the rivalry going.  Star had got the best of her at this 7f distance on Opening Weekend at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Madison.  But I liked Vahva today.  That race was off a layoff, she'd blistered a bullet work out and was unbeaten here under the Twin Spires.  Vahva tracked the leaders in third, saw Alpha Star grab the lead turning for home and then blew by to score going away.  Cashed for almost $30 and I was sitting at a pretty FIVE-for-SIX on the day.

Three of the next five bets were second, two in photo finishes, sigh.  And then I went to bed.  Got up to watch the Derby and saw Fierceness prompt the pace to the top of the stretch as the tepid 3/1 favorite and then back up through the lane.  Disappointed but not surprised.  Then in the finale Discreet Mischief was a best-of-the-rest second.  But here was the lesson "learned" (again) from Derby Day - a win, is a win.....pays the same as a MSW vs. Gr 1.  And finishing five-for-thirteen was an excellent day of handicapping.  What made this even better was that Twin Spires had run a "Bet Back" promotion that you could get up to $10 back if your horse ran second or third.  So over the course of the weekend's racing I'd had SIX runners run second leading me to "cash" for an additional $55.  It was a very profitable weekend - and made even more enjoyable being on the cruise ship floating along through the Mediterranean!

Oaks Day Totals:  10 / 4 - 2 - 0     -$85  / +$104.30

Derby Day Totals:  13 / 5 - 4 - 0   -$140 / +$160.00

Derby Weekend:  23 / 9 - 6 - 0     -$225 / +$264.30

WIN:  39.1%     Cash:  65.2%   PROFIT:  $39.30     ROI:  $2.35

This week on social media.....

While traveling we had contact with SOOOOO many of our friends and family.  Most of them gave us a "like" or a "look" on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and a good number each day looked at the daily photos.  But a few reached out with personal messages that made me feel so good that they were enjoying sharing our adventure with us virtually.  Two of them were former Cypress Bay girls Kimmy and Chloe.

I was also happy to have a "conversation" with my girl from our Egypt cruise, Petra.

But the best was my gal-pal Lauren Pastrana from CBS-Miami.  It's been nearly three weeks now and Lauren and I have been in daily communication.  I've really enjoyed that and feel like I'm a "real" friend and not just some fan who's reaching out to her.  On the first day when we arrived in Athens I sent her a photo of Kim and I on the Aquavit Terrace having lunch and she wrote a message back to me, not just a "like."  Following our day in Athens I sent her several pics and I liked the fact that the photo she choose to "like" was the one of me in the Panthers jersey celebrating our win in Game 5 to advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs!  The next day she saw my pics but didn't react.  Then on Wednesday I wrote to her and told her it meant a lot to me that she was enjoying the photos and that I enjoyed going through them to pick out the best ones for her.  And THAT was the part of the message she "liked."  She reacted to our third day photos from Olympia and then on Day 5, Sunday, I sent here a 2min video highlight of our boat trip to the islands off the coast of Croatia.  Within minutes of me sending it I got a return message :)  I didn't include it in the photos here, but Friday, because I was up late watching the races I saw the first fifteen minutes of her Friday newscast....grabbed a screen shot of my girl and the next day sent it to her, which she also "liked."