Haskell Week

July 16 - 19

This week we headed over to Cape Coral on the west coast of Florida to a rental home where the plan was we'd live most of the time through November as I joined our son Jeff's coaching staff at Oasis High School.  But as the time has gotten closer to the actual start of practice and school the rising numbers from the pandemic/virus are causing most plans to be pushed back.  We kept our first month of the rental agreement, (a) so we'd have a place IF things did go through, and (b) viewing it as a month long get-away vacation (which in my mind would "replace" the two cancelled cruises that should have been highlights of the summer/fall).  On the first day Jeff came over and we had a "Welcome Toast" .....

A Toast...."To the past, to the future, but most especially to the NOW"

Here's how the racing week played out......

Thursday July 16:  Opening Day at Saratoga
The original plan was not to handicap until Friday, but with Thursday being Opening Day at the Spa I decided to look at the card.  I really was excited to see the featured Grade 2 Schuylerville Stakes for two-year-old fillies and the potential superstar Beautiful Memories run.  But I found a couple of other races where I liked the runners.  In the first play of the meet I liked Todd Pletcher's Eternal Summer in a maiden event on the turf.  As a two-year-old he'd run here.  In his debut he was pinched back and the start and jogged around the track.  In his second start he was a sharp third to Structor who came back to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.  Off since last summer, I know Pletcher is excellent with layoff runners.  Right to the lead with John Velazquez and led to deep stretch until overtaken late by a Klaravich runner (NOT from Chad Brown's barn).  But that one was DQ'd and my number got put up at a nice 5/1 price, so I cashed for $30.

Missed on the other picks, and in the feature Beautiful Memories was away awkwardly and pulled up in the stretch.  Reports were she was perfectly fine, and I'll look for her to run back maybe later in the meet.

Friday July 17

Missed in the first two races of the short Friday program (remember, we have a 5 pm post time).  And my pick in the third race scratched out.  But in the fourth, my first added money investment, I liked Peaceful Feeling on the grass in an open claiming event.  She "boasted" only a 1-for-8 mark on the turf but last time out she'd made what looked like a winning move into the stretch, only to be caught late.  And that was going a sixteenth farther than today, at the more competitive Belmont meeting, AND off the layoff.  Jersey Joe Bravo took over today and if she ran back to her last two turf Beyers of 71 she'd win for fun.  Moved three wide to the front into the lane and drove for the wire.  Suddenly I'm 1-for-3 and ahead for the day!

Right back in the fifth race which was a a Maiden Special for Jersey-breds.  Last time out Pianzi was a sharp second, although the beaten favorite.  BUT it was coming off a layoff....it was his best finish ever....it was his best Beyer ever.  Have to expect improvement moving into state-bred company and indeed he was far, far too good for these.  Romped under a hand ride.

Finished the day 2-for-4 and a winner for the day.

Saturday July 18

The signature day at Monmouth featured six straight stakes at the end of the big fourteen race card.  I considered, since we were in Cape Coral, just playing on the Jersey Shore.  But decided in the end to also handicap the Saratoga card and the Woodbine card.  By the time the first race went off I had twenty-two selections on my sheet, with the first race going off at noon and the last one at 7 pm.  In the Monmouth opener I liked He Will who was 5/1 in the program.  I noted you had to "open the window" to find the races that would make him figure.  He'd not run on the turf for quite some time, because he'd spent the winter at Oaklawn.  But if he ran back to his last four turf events, he'd win for fun.  As they turned for home, he was still far off the pace with a lot of work to do.  But suddenly he hit overdrive and blew by the field to win going away.  And he was a nice $9.80.  So even with the minimum play I cashed for nearly $25.

Missed on the next five picks over the next two hours.  The fifth at Monmouth was an entry level allowance on the grass.  Typically don't like to play these, especially with a runner like Zabava who had over twenty career starts and had yet to win that initial allowance race.  But she was new to the Jerry Hollendorfer barn and showed a sharp bullet work while picking up Paco Lopez.  She tracked the 12/1 front runner to the stretch, moved to take over but that one would not go away....PHOTO finish.  I was pretty sure I'd won and I did, but then the OBJECTION and INQUIRY lights went on.  I was on the outside of the front runner and a challenger was trying to come up the rail but had to steady.  Seemed obvious to me that my horse was not to blame, but the objection and inquiry went against both of us.  NO CHANGE!  Whoooo hoooo.  Cashed for nearly $25 on my second winner.

The next selection on the sheet was the first big stakes of the day, the Grade 2 Hall of Fame from Saratoga for three-year-olds.  The horse on the rail was Chad Brown's Domestic Spending who I'd seen last time out and I thought "That guy goes to stakes company next time out!"  But then I saw that the BEST 3yo on the turf, multiple stakes winner Decorated Invader was also in the field.  Hmmm.  Eventually went with the proven commodity and wow was Decorated Invader impressive.  Tracked the lone speed who was at least a half dozen lengths in front to the far turn while in second.  Too far back?  When asked he cut into the margin, was on near even terms heading for home and opened up through the final furlong.

Missed in the sixth at Monmouth before I had a triple investment in the seventh on the Jersey Shore.  Total Tap had been in three claiming events for a $16K price tag, and won them all.  He'd two second level allowance events in that span, didn't win either but ran Beyers in one of them that matched the $16K numbers.  All four of those figures would win here by daylight.  And today not only did he get Paco Lopez, but was in for $12.5K going a one mile trip where he was 4-for-9.  Mid-pack to the turn, moved to challenge, caught the leader but could not put him away to the shadow of the wire, but a winner none the less.

Less than fifteen minutes later it was time for the 5th a Woodbine, an allowance event where Clayton looked best, even in a field that had several Queen's Plate hopefuls.  In his debut he was no secret, going off at 6/5 and blowing out the field while earning a huge 88 Beyer.  An eventful trip vs. winners had compromised him to be second.  A clean trip and he's the winner I thought.  Had THE cleanest of journeys and when he opened up it was a "WOW" performance as he drew off as much the best as he pleased.

Missed the next two, but in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup I thought Global Campaign looked good to me in spite of the fact it was a WIDE open race.  But I'd seen Global Campaign run previously.  He began his career at Gulfstream and at one point was on the Derby trail.  Fell off, but won the Grade 3 Peter Pan.  He'd been off for a while but returned with two wins (as my choice) at Gulfstream and now was entered here.  Thought he would rebound off an uncharacteristically off-the-pace try in Churchill's Blame Stakes.  Sure enough, he went right to the front, but into the lane he was collared and apparently passed.  Would not say no and fought back to not only regain the lead but pull clear late.  Courageous and gutsy effort.  Paid $7 and even with the minimum play I got back nearly $20.

Less than fifteen minutes later and they were in the gate for the Grade 3 Trillium at Woodbine.  My upset choice was 10/1 on the morning line, Souper Escape.  The race was a mile and a sixteenth on the main, synthetic track and 'Escape had spent his entire career on the turf with one lone exception.  In that one non-turf event he'd won a stakes race for fun!  Jockey Luis Contreras was a 43% rider for the barn.  When I switched Xpressbet screens to make the bet about fifteen minutes before post time, Souper Escape was the 2/1 favorite!  What happened to my big odds?  Looked at the multi-race payoffs and he was well-played so I decided to up the bet.  Right to the front, clear by daylight and won in an absolute canter.  So clever of me to up the ante!!!!

They'd no sooner crossed the wire when I flipped back to Monmouth for the Grade 1 United Nations.  The one thing I was nearly certain of when I handicapped the race was that the program favorite, Arklow, would NOT win.  He'd run just 13 days ago in the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland where he and Zulu Alpha were supposed to have a "showdown."  I made Zulu Alpha my BET of the Day and he romped while Arklow was well beaten.  Now back in a "hey, let's try that Monmouth race" last minute event, AND off a poor effort.  NO.  I looked for alternatives and landed on Aquaphobia with Jersey Joe Bravo on board.  Listed as the 9/2 fourth choice in the program.  He'd been claimed by Mike Maker four back and immediately won a restricted starter stakes.  Then he was a close-up fourth in two graded events.  Today it looked like Paret, who'd won a stakes at this trip last time when slowing down the lead to a crawl, would be in front and Aquaphobia would be right behind him.  But when I flipped to the Monmouth page Aquaphobia was a longshot 10/1.  Wait, what?  I looked in the multi-race payoffs and he wasn't one of the top choices.  Am I wrong here?  I thought, "well, I upped the bet and it paid off, I should cut back on the bet here."  Then I looked again, one of the big reasons he was 10/1 was the crowd was POUNDING Arklow.  They are SO WRONG!  I'm sticking with the double investment, could be a big score!!!  The race was E-X-A-C-T-L-Y as I saw it and when they turned up the backside I KNEW I had a good chance.  Bravo had Aquaphobia close to the leader skimming the rail and on the turn I said, "we're about to find out if I'm good enough."  Bravo eased him off the rail, collared Paret and in the final sixteenth edged clear!  Paid a whopping $23.40 - so glad I didn't scale back the bet! - and I cashed for nearly $120!

Missed at Woodbine and then it was time for the 9th at Saratoga, my BEST BET at the Spa.  As a 3yo Digital Age, a Chad Brown turf runner, had been ultra impressive.  He'd won his debut at Tampa when apparently hopelessly beaten at the top of the stretch and came right back to win the Columbia Stakes with a furious rally.  On Kentucky Derby Day he was entered in the Grade 2 American Turf and won at nearly 9/1.  I remember this because my son Jeff called me to thank me for saving his day :)  Winless since he'd come off the bench at Belmont and I remember the analysts ALL saying he was the best horse but there was only a lone front runner and he'd be pace compromised.  Closed willingly for second but had no chance into the soft pace.  So when he was entered today I knew he'd get a legitimate chance.  What made my bet was when the Daily Racing Form's Mike Beer didn't mention ANY of that in his analysis when picking him second behind a Brad Cox second time Euro.  I'd had that one in is North American debut, and he was impressive but he was no Digital Age.  So I made Digital Age the BEST BET.  Unfortunately the crowd also poured the money in on him.  The Euro didn't lift his feet and Digital Age roared down the lane to win going away, much the best.  Oh I'm having a VERY good day!

The next was THE RACE of the day, the Grade 1 $1 Million TVG Haskell Invitational.  Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won this race EIGHT times and today he shipped Kentucky Derby hopeful Authentic to run.  Listed as the 4/5 morning line favorite he would rule this event IF he ran back to his first three races.  In his last he'd run in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.  BUT....he'd been in the outside gate, was slow away from the gate and wide into the first turn.  Forced to rate off the leaders he moved to the front but had no answer for Honor AP who mowed him down easily, but still Authentic held second.  Today he had an inside post and looked long gone on an easy lead under Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith.  Made HIM the Best Bet at Monmouth.  Right to the front easily, turning for home he opened up under a hand ride and announcer Frank Mirahmadi called, "Authentic is just cruising...."  But the 2nd place horse, Ny Traffic under Paco Lopez would not give up and began gobbling up ground.  He got within a length, 3/4, 1/2 and was bearing down ..... PHOTO FINISH.

WOW that was close!  But he won.  Later I saw an interview with Smith and he said Authentic is so young and inexperienced he was looking around the entire time and not running straight.  Said he was so off course down the backside he almost lost Smith!  Oh my.  But he didn't and I had my tenth win of the day.  Next the third Grade 1 event of the afternoon, Saratoga's Grade 1 Coaching Club of America Oaks going nine furlongs for 3yo fillies.  Normally this race would feature some 3yo fillies who'd run in the Kentucky Oaks and up and coming fillies.  But with the Oaks now postponed to September ALL of these were up and coming.  Bob Baffert had a shipper that looked to be the lone speed and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had a rising star in Paris Lights.  I loved Paris Lights.  Bill Mott next to never has his horses ready right away, so when one shows talent in their debut, watch out.  She'd done that when third on debut and then won right back in her next start.  In her most recent, an allowance at Churchill I noted this same thing and had her as she won.  Now to jump into a Grade 1, Mott must think he's got something.  Paris Lights pressed the Baffert filly and turning for home they were head and head together dueling to the shadow of the wire when finally Paris Lights edged every so slightly in front.

WINNER!  My eleventh win from twenty-two selections and a profit of well over $150.  What a day.

Haskell Day Selection Sheet :)

Sunday July 19

I had multiple bets today and I was pretty confident I'd have at least a couple winners, but I didn't want to "ruin" the weekend by draining my winning percentage or my profits.  As it turned out I need not have worried.  Missed the first bet after passing the opener...those two were won by a 50/1 winner and a 20/1 winner, yowza.  In the third I liked Bebeau.  His last race looked much the same on the Beyer scale as the other contenders, but he'd had trouble AND was dropping in class today.  His prior numbers made him an easy winner.  And he was at even money - my first added investment is a winning one.

Passed the fourth and then the fifth was a handicapping dilemma.  When I was first learning the game my buddy Keith had taught me some basics and one of those adages was, "...a quitter, is a quitter, is a quitter...."  Another big time angle that works to pick winners (not avoid losers like the "quitter" angle) is the Double Beyer Advantage where a horse has run Beyer speed figures in his last two starts that beat the lifetime best figures for the rest of the field.  And so we come to Saucy Derek in this Maiden Special event going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.  Saucy Derek had been out four times on the turf, right to the front and then backed up through the stretch.  The very definition of a "quitter."  BUT......the four Beyers he'd earned in his four lifetime turf tries were better than the combined seventy-six, yes 76 lifetime turf efforts from the rest of the field.  So he'd be loose on the lead and then......the "quitter" angle or the "Double Beyer" angle kicks in?  I took him, doubled the bet.  Right to the front, coasted into the stretch in front by nearly half a dozen.  A 17/1 shot came running but never within a couple lengths....easy, peasy, pie.

Missed with a triple investment in a short four horse field, sigh.....and passed the 7th.  In the eighth the biggest question about Growth Engine was the layoff dating back to Saratoga LAST summer.  He'd debuted in second behind Global Campaign (see Saturday's Gr 3 Monmouth Cup) and then won handily next time out going two turns.  Two good seconds at Saratoga followed and then the layoff.  Brown is excellent with layoff types and he always has quality runners for the Klaravich Stables like this one.  Pressed the pace to the turn, opened up and won for fun.

Missed on the last two, but I'll take a three win day any time.  For the week - who can complain?  What a great week of racing!

Haskell Weekend Highlights

Welcome to Cape Coral!
A couple of pics from our arrival at the Cape Coral rental......

Welcome to Cape Coral!

First night's dinner at "Pinchers" at the marina on the waterfront

A great ending to the start of a new adventure

Exploring Ft. Myers Beach

More from my online social life

After a quiet week last week I reached out  to my gal-pal broadcaster Lauren Pastrana who anchors the local evening news, and I've been watching each night here in Cape Coral.  I was sincere in telling her that I enjoyed getting the news online, and that she's the one I trust most of the local are on the news.  She replied back and told me that I should watch the WINK news locally, when I'm not watching her, because she used to work at that station.

The next evening when I checked out the CBS-4 news I was surprised to see Lauren in a floral, print dress.  Typically she's in something solid or maybe two-tone.  But tonight she was all bright and colorful.  Then later in the evening she posted on both Facebook and Twitter a self-photo and said she was dreaming of a Hawaiian vacation, where would "you" like to go.  So, obviously I responded and again she wrote back to me.  Little thing to others, but certainly I enjoy the "friendship."

The Keeneland Summer Meet

July 8 - 12

One of my most favorite tracks is Keeneland in Lexington.  In fact, when I retired the very, VERY first trip I took following my long-planned "I'm going to be at Saratoga on the first day of school" retirement trip was to Keeneland.  That trip I flew up early in the morning, went to lunch, the track, right across the street to the airport and flew home arriving around midnight!  I've since been back for a Breeders' Cup in 2015 and a fall track day in 2019 when I met Keith there.  And now we're looking forward to the 2020 Breeders' Cup weekend there this coming November.  Keeneland runs two meets each year, both for about three weeks - one in the spring, one in the fall.  But with the pandemic the spring meet was cancelled.  Because of the importance of racing in Lexington the powers that be in Kentucky negotiated to have a special, five-day boutique summer meet this past week with racing from Wednesday through Sunday.  The highlight being graded stakes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Originally my plan had been to only handicap the races for Friday-Sunday since Monmouth opened a week ago, but this special meet caused me to add on the two earlier days of the week to my racing week.  Here's how it played out.....

Wednesday July 8:  Opening Day at Keeneland

Not only was it a big day for racing, but for the TVG hosts they actually got to be on the grounds at Keeneland and you could tell they were all thrilled to be AT the races.  I looked through the nine race card and after handicapping the races I had some surprising thoughts.  First, the build up to this special summer meet had been that they were literally jamming the best of the spring meet into five days.  So, my first "Hmmm" moment came when I saw there were only nine races.  Seems to me like we'd have at least ten to twelve if we're trying to fit the best of three weeks into five days.  Then second, as I went through the card, at the half way point of five races I'd looked at FOUR maiden events and one starter optional claiming sprint.  Hardly "the best of" racing.  But, I found six horses that I liked.  Missed in the opener when my horse just didn't run.  In the second EVERYONE liked Heaven's Whisper.  As I noted, it would be really REALLY hard to look elsewhere.  She'd won three of four at today's six furlong distance and two of those came against far richer than this starter called for.  And she'd already beaten three of the five she was lining up against here (the other two were obvious toss outs).  Went off as the prohibitive 1/5 chalk.  Was behind horses into the lane, but found a seam around the furlong pole....burst through and ran away as much the best.

Missed in a 2yo MSW and in the first turf event when my 3/1 second choice just didn't have any punch as they turned for home.  Passed the fifth and then in the sixth I noted it would be all about the trip in this entry level allowance.  In this spot I thought Chad Brown's $850K son of Pioneerof The Nile looked the most talented.  He'd begun with three dirt tries, although after the debut in a dirt sprint, the next two had been originally carded for the turf.  After a sixteen month layoff he came back and ran a new career top in his first turf try at Gulfstream.  He shipped to Churchill and topped that figure when he closed down that MSW event in a dominant performance.   It was a better effort than it looked as he was wide AND had to close into a soft pace.  With a legitimate set-up he looked good under Tyler Gaffalione.  He got a good inside trip to the top of the lane but had no where to go.  Gaffalione urged him to muscle his way out and he did, now some half dozen off the leader and at least four wide with time running out.  But with a big acceleration he burst to the front in the shadow of the wire for the highlight of the day.

Missed with a 9/1 longshot in my final play who ran a credible third.

Thursday July 9
Another nine race card with four maiden events, a nw2L claiming event, a straight claimer and two allowance races.  Passed the 2yo opener, was 2nd at 2/1 after dueling three wide in the second.  Belated fifth in the third at 5/2 and passed the fourth.  The fifth I was too far back and finished fourth at 5/2.  The sixth was a MSW event and I noted I wouldn't be surprised if any of these won the race, but I liked the chances of debut runner Palio Flag sent out by Steve Asmussen.  The $350K daughter of champion Curlin had blistered a June 9th bullet move HERE at Keeneland in a swift :59.4.  Nicely drawn on the outside I thought she could be any kind.  She broke sharply and pressed the pace three-wide to the stretch, then accelerated to the front and held my second choice safe (who was the 3/2 post time favorite).  Best of all 'Flag went off at a nice 4/1 so I cashed for over $50 on my first win of the day!

Missed when blocked through the far turn with the 9/5 choice in the 7th in a turf allowance and then we came to what I thought was a strong second level allowance race.  I knew/thought Dos Vinos would go favored, but despite the balance in the race I thought she had a lot of upside.  She had two wins, a second, and a third in four starts.  She had been sharp in her debut then improved significantly in her next start.  Today - like then - she was second off the bench.  She had worked sharply for today and indeed she was bet down to 4/5.  Pressed into the stretch, took the lead and held on for the win to close out my Thursday.

Friday July 10
Nothing - not a single win.  2nd at 6/5....8th at 4/5 (wow) ....4th at 9/5...5th at 6/1...and fifth at 2/1.  A long day.  And adding to the down side of the day, a tropical storm swept up the east coast and New Jersey got slammed with rain and wind, so Monmouth canceled for the day.  Oh well....

Saturday July 11:  Super Stakes Saturday
I knew going into today I had several star runners on my sheet who were VERY likely winners.  But they wouldn't pay much.  Almost put it on my selection sheet for my "followers" that I knew and anticipated this.  In the first pick of the day, I dueled as the 3/2 favorite and just missed to be second.  Missed with a price play and then had my first very legitimate pick.  At Monmouth in their second, it was a six furlong sprint for non-winners of three lifetime.  Morgantown was the ONLY runner in the field who had never been in a conditioned event AND had Paco Lopez on board.  Listed at a hugely overinflated 7/2 in the program I rhetorically asked, could we really get anything but odds-on at post time?  AND he'd had two blistering bullets at Belmont while dropping in for a first time tag (and first time conditioned tag) today.  Chased a 20/1 longshot to the top of the lane, then couldn't get by!  Grinding away, heads up and heads down.....PHOTO FINISH.

Whew, not the way you'd expect an even money shot to run, but I cashed for $30 on my triple investment.  Thought I had a "Day-Maker" in the second at Keeneland with Directional at 8/1 in the program.  Bet down to 4/1 he was 7th when tiring badly into the far turn.  Picked up my second win of the day back on the Jersey Shore when Never Enough Time went wire to wire as the 3/2 favorite in a second level allowance.  Interestingly Paco was NOT up, but one of the other top riders, Antonio Gallardo.

Third at 6/5, 8th at 2/1 (wow), 2nd at 4/5 and 3rd at 1/2 followed before it was time for the first of the BIG bets in one of the big graded events.  In November of 2019 we were at the Breeders' Cup in Louisville at Churchill Downs and one of my two big wins came on Monomoy Girl in the Distaff.  She was out all of last year and returned with a sharp allowance win to kick off her 5yo season about a month ago.  She was entered today in Belmont's Grade 2 Ruffian going a one-turn mile.  She laid over the four rivals and if even 80% she'd win today.  I made her the "Belmont Best" and she lived up to the hype.  Pressed the leader into the turn, took over willingly and opened up in the stretch.  Ran evenly to the wire - just hard enough to get something out of the race, not too taxing that it would set back her progression to the next race as she points towards the Breeders' Cup.

After a miss in a 2yo MSW at Delaware it was time for the next big bet, the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland going seven furlongs.  One of the best races of the year that I've seen and wagered on!  The way the race appeared to set up was with the lightning quick Amy's Challenge on the outside and my pick, Chad Brown's ultra-talented Guarana on the rail.  I thought jockey Jose Ortiz would let 'Amy get to the front, ease to her hip and then have to fend off the closing Mia Mischief.  And let me say at this point, Mia Mischief is one of my favorite fillies...it was hard to pick against her, but I think Guarana is really something special.  The gates opened and Guarana - who often is in front - easily made the front.  About one hundred yards out it was obvious that going today's seven furlong trip, the connections - or at least the rider of Amy's Challenge - had decided to take back as she was under a strangle hold.  Immediately the dynamics of the race flow changed.  Mia Mischief came to prompt Guarana and when the opening quarter went in :23 and change I thought I was home free.  The half mile was a quick :45 and change with Guarana still a half length in front.  But as they swung out of the turn Mia Mischief accelerated and was half a length in front with Guarana pinned on the rail.  I thought "good for her," but was disappointed that I would lose my bet.  Then Guarana showed why she truly is so special.  She dug in, fought back and surged to the front in the shadow of the wire.  Watch the video highlights - much more exciting than I can put into words.  Just a "WOW" race for the day.

I was happy to get 1-2 odds on her as I thought she looked MUCH the best.  Ran 2nd in a Delaware sprint stake at 7/5 and then missed in easily the most competitive race of the day, the 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland.  Following a third at 6/5 on the Jersey Shore I had to make a decision on my next graded stakes.  At Delaware Park the highlight came in the eighth in their signature race, the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap.  But preceding that was the Grade 3 RG Dick Memorial going 11 furlongs on the grass.  I had a pick, but with the storm yesterday we were off the turf.  My second choice was still in and was being well bet so I pulled up the past performances.  I saw that (a) Gentle Ruler had won this race last year, on the turf, and (b) she'd run well on the dirt previously.  I tagged along and kept my bet at the same triple investment level.  Into the backstretch the second choice was all and I mean ALL alone on the front setting a very slow pace.  I kept wondering when my rider would move from fifth, well back.  As they began the run to the far turn he let her go.  Quickly she moved with the fourth choice and came to the front runner.  I blew right on by on the inside, the rival on the outside and the race was on!  They dueled for about a furlong before Gentle Ruler edged clear to give me my fifth win on the afternoon, and third in a graded stakes.

I was really surprised when Venetian Harbor when right to the front and set a measured pace in the Grade 1 Ashland but could not hold off the second choice, runner-up but well clear of the rest.  The feature at Monmouth was the Blue Sparkler set for 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.  But we were off the inner course, yet my top pick, Shippy was still in the race.  I decided to wait until the betting began to make a choice on playing or not.  She looked to be taking a lot of money in all the pools so I decided to play, and because she was being well played, with Paco Lopez up, I doubled the bet.  She wired the field while being well held through the stretch.  I was so proud of myself for doubling the bet.  THEN I looked at what I'd written, ".....UP the investment if this is off the turf....."  If only I'd looked :)  But I was glad I had scored and actually HAD upped the bet.

Minutes later it was time for THE Bet of the Day.  Chad Brown's very talented filly, Dunbar Road was the star attraction in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap.  I wrote in my analysis that after her comeback win in a listed event at Churchill Downs you HAD to believe she'd move forward today.  And a sharp bullet work for this seemed to confirm this.  Jockey Irad Ortiz had her saving ground approaching the far turn and appeared pinned in.  But a seam opened between rivals and he moved three wide into the lane.  He as immediately challenged by a longshot, but she easily disposed of that one and opened up in hand to win as tons the best.  My third straight BIG BET winner.

Less than ten minutes later it was time for the last graded stakes on this big afternoon of racing.  I honestly WOULD have made Chad Brown's Rushing Fall as big a bet as any of the first three wins, but I was reluctant to bet on how jockey Javier Castellano would ride her.  She'd gone right to the front in her comeback race in the Grade 3 Beaugay, and while she had shown she didn't need to lead, I was afraid Castellano might try to steal it, be faced with pressure and not yield.  So I only tripled the bet.  I've often written about Castellano and my poor opinion of many of his rides in recent years after being THE best jockey in the country for several years.  But today, he truly gave a Hall of Fame ride to his filly.  Sat just off the pace setter so she couldn't get away, made his move at exactly the right moment so the closers were quickly distanced and had too much ground to make up.  It was a piece of artistry how he rode today.  And it was a very significant win for the filly....she now has won a Grade 1 race at two, three, four, and age five.  Only two others can make that statement.  Looks like SHE is headed to the Hall of Fame.  Great fun.

From that point, about 5 pm, until 8:30 pm I had only a couple of minor bets so Kim and I had dinner and watched TV, then I watched the replays.  Missed on all four.  But the day was exactly as I thought - star attractions winning with big bets on them, but difficult to make money that way.

Sunday July 12:  Closing Day at Keeneland
I had picks at both Monmouth and Keeneland on this Sunday.  I thought after the winless Friday and then the "ok" day overall on Saturday I might have a big day today.  Missed on the first two then seemed hopelessly out of it in the third at Monmouth when Noble Hope was shut off and then trapped behind a wall of horses at the top of the stretch.  Inside the 16th pole I probably still would have sold you my ticket by she suddenly found multiple other gears and blew by to win going away.  Another race WELL worth watching the highlights for.

From that point at 1:45 until past 4:30 I got nothing.  So Kim and I went out to dinner in Coral Springs at one of our favorite Italian places.

Came back to watch my last two races on the day, the two featured races.  In the 9th at Monmouth I liked Another Miracle in the 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint, the My Frenchman.  Here was my analysis....

Sat in mid-pack to the top of the lane, made a bold move down the middle of the course and ran right by the leaders.  As I watched the replay on the TVG broadcast I'd recorded while we were out, the odds were not displayed.  When I fast forwarded to when they posted the results I was amazed he'd gone off at a generous 9/2 price and I collected nearly $25.  WHOOO HOOOO.

The final pick of the day was the closing day feature at Keeneland and the last race of the shortened meeting, the Grade 2 Elkhorn going a mile and a half on the turf.  I thought that Zulu Alpha was clearly, and I mean CLEARLY the horse to beat IF he ran back to his first two wins of the year in Gulfstream graded events.  He'd been a bit dull in his most recent.  I thought there was enough reason to overlook that and believed he would run big.  But in the pre-race analysis before the day began when hottie Gabby Gaudet and TVG analyst Scott Hazelton reviewed the race they talked about a "key scratch" in the race that would probably make the pace a lot slower.  That would make Zulu Alpha's task more difficult.  But I stuck with him.  Heading towards the far turn it was indeed a pedestrian pace and he WAS well back.  But he began to make his move and pick off horses.  Four wide into the lane he had dead aim on the longshot front runner, but that one had something left.  But inside the final sixteenth Zulu Alpha nailed him and blew by.  He was my "BEST" of the day and closed down the day, the week, and the Keeneland meet in style.

Opening Week at Monmouth Park

July 2 - 5

A new month and with it the opening of my favorite summer-time track, Monmouth Park on the Jersey Shore.  Been there three times and I'm looking forward to the next visit!  Monmouth only runs Friday through Sunday and so my plan was to scale back on the daily handicapping routine to fit their schedule, but then I saw that on Thursday one of my favorite stakes runners was in action at Belmont and one of trainer Bob Baffert's promising three-year-olds was also in action.  So I decided to start the week a day early.

Thursday July 2
After an excellent month of handicapping in June, it was time to turn the page to a new month.  And in spite of scoring with 40% of my picks I began this next segment of the summer racing season with hopes of actually moving that number forward because over the past few years when I play Monmouth daily, I score at a higher than normal rate of success.  I scanned the racing world news every day and I'd seen that Fifty Five, a very consistent turf mare was running in Belmont's Thursday featured event and contemplated playing, but it wasn't until I saw that Bob Baffert's $3.65 Million prize 3yo colt Cezanne was running in an allowance at Los Alamitos that I decided to go ahead and handicap the races for the day.  At Belmont I found four races from their nine race program that I liked someone.  I didn't like anyone even enough to mention them in the opening race.  In the 2nd I mentioned two horses I couldn't separate so I passed.  The top one scratched, so my "top pick" was the 4/5 favorite and won.  In the third it was a Maiden Special going a one-turn mile and a sixteenth on the main track.  Trainer Linda Rice sent out Blackjack Davie with a lot to like.  First, the pace flow favored his stalking style.  In his last race, sprint,  he'd caught a muddy track AND had left the gate last of thirteen - still made up ten lengths by the time they reached the wire.  And finally, DRF analyst Mike Beer pointed out that Rice had won with 12-of-31 dirt sprint to route second time maidens - that's nearly 40%.  OK, that's a pretty narrow window, but I thought it significant.  Doubled the bet.  He broke a bit slowly and was near the back to the mid-point on the turn.  Swooped by decisively and drew off to score at better than 5/2 odds!

Cashed for nearly $40 to start the new week and month, whooo hooo.  Passed the fourth, but my top choice won at 8/5.  Passed the fifth, my top choice won at 3/1 odds.  So I've now picked the winner of four in a row.  Can this keep going?  In the sixth it was a strong and deep entry level allowance for three year olds.  Hall of Fame trainer was high on his colt, Creed and they talked about on "America's Day At The Races" that some talk had been heard that IF he ran well today maybe taking a shot at the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga next month.  He was the 7/5 choice and was well back behind a torrid pace.  Began picking off runners on the turn, made a five-wide bid into the lane and wore down Chad Brown's Mister Winston in deep stretch to score!

Five in a row (two straight winning bets).  Los Alamitos was starting and I'd passed their opener....yes, my top choice won as the 3/2 favorite.  The seventh at Belmont was an exceptionally deep no conditions allowance going a one-turn mile.  Two Todd Pletcher runners looked "live," but I was willing to dismiss both since John Velazquez, his go-to man, was riding the race and was on neither of them.  I liked Chad Brown's Complexity, a $375K son of Maclean's Music.  The colt had only been out six times and if you tossed the three Gr 1 starts in his last four starts you were left with:  a blow-out win in his debut, a blow-out win in the Grade 1 Champagne in his first start against winners, and a blow-out win in a second level allowance at Aqueduct.  Brown had been deadly with layoff runners like this, especially those owned by the Klaravich Stables as was Complexity.  Tracked the leaders to the stretch, moved four-wide and blew open the race.

He too was a generous 5/2 and I cashed for over $35.  The streak of non-stop winners came to an end when the pick in the Los Al 2nd - a "no bet" race - didn't score.  Missed with an actual bet in the 3rd at Los Al when Quick Finish was second at even money.  Next was the first of my two BIG bets on the day, the Mount Vernon Stakes at Belmont for NY-breds.  As I said, it's a horse race and anything COULD happen but it was difficult to go against favorite Fifty Five, one of my favorite turf mares.  The last five times she'd been in a NY-bred stakes, she'd won - that goes back to fall 2018.  She had built an 8/6-1-0 resume over that span and her two losses came in a Gr 3 at Parx when carried out wide into the lane and missed by a half length and in the Gr 2 Ballston Spa when beaten half a length.  She'd beaten three of the six lined up to face her today and the other three had lost to one of the mares she'd beaten.  Tracked a slow pace, which had me concerned that she was still towards the back.  Swept up powerfully, stretch duel.....PHOTO FINISH!

WHEW, just a nose in front (watch the recap video, oh so close) and I had my fourth win from five bets in New York.  The second and final bet at Los Alamitos was the race I'd been pointing for today.  And it was my BET of the Day .  I'd seen Bob Baffert's $3.65 Million Cezanne had debuted with a giant, blow-out win and big figure.  Two years ago he'd had a high priced 3yo colt and he scored a big figure win in a sprint, then ran in a two-turn mile allowance - won again.  Justify went on to win the Triple Crown.  Earlier this year another high-priced 3yo colt won a sprint debut, then a two-turn one mile allowance....Charlatan then won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and was pointing for the Kentucky Derby until recently having a setback.  Now comes Cezanne....won the sprint race last time and was going in a two-turn, one mile allowance at Los Alamitos.  He pressed the leader to the far turn, took over willingly and ran away.

Finished the day five-for-six and a nice, big profit.  Not bad for a day I'd planned to sit out :)

Friday July 3

The long-awaited return to racing on the Jersey Shore was today with a special 5 pm post time.  My first trip here had come in 2000 when I took my oldest son Jeff on his senior trip, "Track Tour 2000" when we visited five tracks in five days, including Monmouth.  My next stop here came once I'd retired and I came here for the 2014 Haskell Invitational and spent the weekend on "the Shore."  I was supposed to be travelling here last summer with my buddy Jim Anderson, but he passed away suddenly - still having a hard time dealing with that.  But then my long-time pal Keith and I decided to do a "Track Trip," and we went to three tracks in three days, including the first stop here. Perhaps most noteworthy for this 2020 opening with a look towards the future of racing, Monmouth was allowing fans to attend the racing (with protective protocols).  For the first full day of racing there were six races carded and I had picks in three of them.  Missed in the opener with a Chad Brown maiden turf runner - I'd questioned how effective he'd be with the "first string" in New York, but over the last few summers when Brown runs here, he wins at about a 40% clip.  Not this time, 5th at 4/5.  In the second it was "the main man" Paco Lopez, who's King of Monmouth, who brought home my first winner on the Jersey Shore.  Kristi's Copilot was the DRF's Kenny Peck's Best of the day.  And it was interesting to me that he liked both the first race favorite and this one because typically he's NOT one to pick favorites, especially for a "best."  Kristi's Copilot was a front-runner/pace presser and those kind run well for Paco.  Tracked the pace into the far turn, made "the move" while gliding to the front, and then came the patented Paco look-back.  When Lopez looks under his shoulder it's nearly always because he knows he's loaded and knows he's on his way, but does he need to really ask.  ALWAYS a great sign.  Kristi's Copilot drew off and I had my first Monmouth winning ticket.  Much the best and cashed for over $20.

Missed in the third, but in the fourth I had another Brown turf runner.  Duopoly had debuted last time out as the favorite at Churchill Downs.  He drew wide and jockey Javier Castellano never got him out of the wide path.  What jumped off the page for me was that BOTH the winner and runner-up came back to win with big Beyers.  Right to the front and when the stalkers made their move approaching the top of the stretch, jockey Nik Juarez let him run and he ran away as tons the best.

Went off at a generous 2/1 so I collected $30 on my second winner of the day.  The final win on this Friday Opening Day card came in the finale, a maiden claiming event where it was such a "Duh" selection.  Paco Lopez was on a class dropping front runner.  OK, I get it why he wasn't odds on because of the low speed figure, but it was easy to see why he didn't get a big number.  Crafty Lass was my "best bet" of the day so I wasn't surprised when she was the early favorite in the betting.  But as we approached post time the crowd pounded the #9.  I looked her up....already a TEN-time maiden, and ridden by a jockey making his first ride OF THE YEAR, and I'm pretty sure his first career mount.  Over class-dropping Paco front runner?  Are you kidding me?  The favorite was a highly overbet 3/5 and chased Crafty Lass into the lane before Paco opened her up and ran away as TONS the best.  Couldn't believe I cashed at nearly 5/2 odds.

No post-race close up/slo-mo of the winner :(

Collected over $50 on the winner and closed the day 3-for-6.  WHOOO HOOO, welcome back Monmouth!

Saturday:  July 4
Today I had picks starting at noon and not finishing until 10:30 pm with the running of the Louisiana Legends stakes at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana.  With nearly forty selections on the page(s) for the long day of thoroughbred racing I had to wonder how I'd do after running through an 8-for-12 first two days of the week.  My buddy Paul Gorlick texted me that he and his pals (all of whom follow my selections online) were playing this Saturday and wanted to know how many tracks I was playing.  Sent him the link and also mentioned to him that after the first two days, either I was "on a roll," or today we'd see the "numbers even out."  Missed on the first three, but the first two were minimum bets and the third was a price play at 6/1 (4th, closing into a slow pace).  The opener at Belmont was a maiden claimer with Irad Ortiz on the probable short-priced winner.  Charlotte Webley had dropped into a $30K maiden off of back-to-back MSW tries and led to deep stretch before being caught by the favorite.  Today looked to be her day.  Right to the front, opened up and held off the closers despite drifting through the lane.

Tripled the bet on my first score.  Three passes and three misses brought us to the third at Belmont and the first graded stakes of the day.  And it was in this, the Grade 3 Victory Ride that I felt I had the "Best Bet" in New York.  Bill Mott's filly, Frank's Rockette has looked exceptionally fast and talented.....most of the time.  But there have been times when she just didn't seem to have the courage to fight on occasion.  But here, she had the rail in a short field, John Velazquez on board and was clearly THE LONE speed.  Looked long gone.  Off a beat slow, but quickly to the front, but Johnny V didn't gun to the lead he let her find her stride.  The opening quarter wasn't fast at all and the half was quick, but not sizzling.  She opened up some daylight turning for home but two other fillies would not go away.  It was a thrilling stretch drive ... the other filly took one last shot, PHOTO FINISH.  I thought it was really too close to call but it SEEMED at just the right moment I had the nose down.  YES.....great race, and a big win.

Missed at Gulfstream, passed two other tracks and we were back for the fourth in New York.  It was a nine furlong turf event for maidens of the special weight variety (as Pete Aiello would say).  I liked Mr. Jaggers who would give trainer Bill Mott a middle Daily Double.  In his debut at a mile he'd been a sharp third despite trouble.  Two blistering bullets since the debut made him look worth every bit of the even-money morning line.  Tracked the lonshot leaders, slid up an opening on the rail and held the closers off for a daylight win.

It was another hour (and three losses later) when I got my next win, and it was the second stakes win of the day.  Typically find it difficult to play Gulfstream once the big names have left unless there's a series of big races.  But today there were two stakes so I looked at the card.  The first of the stakes was up next, the Azelea Stakes for 3yo fillies.  I had been disappointed that Boerne didn't win the Game Face Stakes, the prep for this, but she hadn't been able to clear the field to take advantage of her speed.  She looked like the lone speed in here and I thought she'd easily carry the day.  Right to the front and wired the field.  She DID drift outward several paths in deep stretch which resulted in both an objection and steward's inquiry.  I watched the replays and honestly - even though I had the winner - I didn't see anything worth taking her down.  The analysts on TVG called it a "50-50 call at best."  NO CHANGE!  And for some reason, I had upped the bet and so I cashed with a triple investment.

Another near-hour between wins, but it was the third at Los Alamitos (after two seconds, two thirds, and two fourth place finishes - one of the seconds as the 1/5 favorite at Monmouth with one of my "best/prime time" bets of the day.  As I noted in the analysis, the paired 33 Beyers that Sweet Honor owned wouldn't be cause for "excitement" in many circumstances, but in here they towered over the field.  Sent off at even money she went wire to wire easily.

Minutes later it was time for Gulfstream's eleventh race, the co-featured Carry Back Stakes for three-year-old colts.  Double Crown looked very strong to me.  After a debut win over two next out winners at Laurel he shipped to Gulfstream and he was a best-of-the-rest second despite having to steady at the half mile pole.  Returned next out in the Roar Stakes and faced graded stakes winner Green Light Go who was odds on.  But he beat that one at a short 5/2 price.  No one of that quality looked to be in this field.  Tracked the leaders to the top of the stretch opened up and drove to the wire to win by daylight.

Less than ten minutes later they were loading into the gate at Monmouth.  This was a starter handicap going a mile on the turf.  Flowmotion was the DRF best bet and the wide draw (post 12) didn't look to be a problem as she was a closer and there was plenty of pace.  AND you got top rider Paco Lopez for trainer Jane Cibelli.  Prssed to the stretch - took off as much the best driving to the wire for a big win and I cashed for nearly $35 as somehow Flowmotion was allowed to go off at better than 2/1 odds.

Missed in the Grade 3 Poker at Belmont where I didn't feel strongly about any of them, but went with the Chad Brown "other" horse (third at 5/2).  I'd played limited races at Woodbine but hadn't had any luck until we go to race nine, a monied allowance.  Chuck Willis was either going to be tons the best or an overrated favorite.  Off of a two year layoff he'd returned in a sprint for second level allowance runners.  Hopped at the start, then shot to the front, cleared the half mile in a wicked :44.4 then powered home as easily best.  How good would he be today?  Right to the front, in complete control, wiring the field by daylight, in hand.

I closed out this amazing ninety minute sequence of six races with my FIFTH win during that span in a 2yo MSW at Los Alamitos.  Sonic Brees was DRF Analyst Brad Free's Best Bet today.  He had all kinds of trouble in his debut and still managed to be second, and the winner turned out to be pretty good, ran third in a Gr 3 event next out.  Pressed to the turn, took over into the long stretch and an away as much the best.

I missed at Gulfstream and then Kim and I enjoyed dinner while I had only one race over an hour span.  Lost the second "prime time" play of the day when McKenzie just didn't fire in the Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile.  After the long break (and Kim and I went for a walk) the Grade 1 Manhattan was wide open going a mile and a quarter on the turf.  I thought longshot Channel Maker had as good a chance as anyone, so I made a minimum bet.  At 23/1 odds he took the lead turning for home and held it to the furlong pole - could it be?  Nope, faded, but not by much, late to finish fourth.  The Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby was next and it's a great example of why racing is such a great game.  On paper you'd look at the two Bob Baffert favorites....one was a multiple graded stakes winner and had won a Gr 2 HERE last year.  The other was a last-out maiden winner.  Duh, how hard is that to figure out.  Oh no my friend.  This race was ALL about Uncle Chuck, the last out maiden winner.  He'd won for fun in a maiden debut going a mile, but it was the way he looked that had everyone very excited, even at the expense of his more experienced stablemate.  Pressed the leader to the turn, took over willingly and when his stablemate made a bid, he opened up and ran away.

The final big stakes at Belmont was the mile and a quarter Grade 2 Suburban.  The cast was not stellar and I thought clearly Tacitus was the feature runner.  BUT he'd had so many losses, with excuses.  Even trainer Bill Mott remarked earlier he wanted to see him run his race and not have any excuses.  Well John Velazquez gave him a Hall of Fame ride and when he turned for home, he opened up like a superstar and drew off by more than eight widening lengths to win the 130th edition of this historic feature.

The first of the big Louisiana Legends races was on tap next where Relentless Dancer was entered in the La Legends Cheval.  Of the combined races of the rest of these lightly raced 3yo, one would challenge ANY of the lifetime figures earned by Relentless Dancer.  And he'd not only won for fun in state-bred company but he'd faced graded company in the Gr 2 Holy Bull, Gr 2 Tampa Bay Derby and also seen stakes rivals in Gulfstream's Unbridled Stakes.  Easily best as the prohibitive favorite.

Lost the third of my BIG bets in the Grade 3 Great Lady M when Bellafina didn't fire her best shot.  Missed in two MSW events - one at Los Al and one at Evangeline before I got a nice upset price in the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff.  Mariah's Galaxy had only been on the turf once but that came in OPEN company and she only lost by a length and a half.  Her last four, albeit on dirt, had earned Beyers that would win this for fun.  Tracked the top three into the turn, swung four-wide into the stretch, took a narrow lead and held off the late closing favorite.

The $9.20 price got back nearly $25 - if only I'd gone in for more, sigh....  Missed in the La Legends Sprint before closing out the long day with my 39th selection of the day in the Louisiana Legends Soiree for 3yo fillies.  Vacherie Girl, the "real one" should win here tonight, but there had been the "who's that" version of Vacherie Girl on more than one occasion.  And tonight she faced an unbeaten filly who would try to stretch out in distance.  Vacherie Girl tracked a dawdling pace to the stretch, edged clear then fought to the wire and held on for the narrow win!

So by the end of the day, I'd finished 15-for-39, which is a better-than-my-average 38.5% - I'll take that any day of the week.  But I lost money with three of the four big bets failing to score.  If one of those three had hit I'm probably at the "break-even" point.  Typically for me to have a money-winning day I need to hit all my "big bets" and have at least one price play score.  Close with several of those, but didn't get any.

Sunday July 5
The week wound down with seven picks from twelve races at Monmouth, but the first play of the day came in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes from Sandown Race Course in England where champion Enable was making her 6yo debut.  Normally she'd have been a "prime time" play, but (a) the original plan had been to retire her, (b) how good would she be at age six, (c) knowing she probably has very few "A" game races left and the target is a third win in the Arc de Triomphe how really cranked would she be.  And then there was the second choice in the program.  A lot of Euro handicappers thought he was the real deal and he'd be hard for Enable to catch.  So I only went in on a double investment.  She sat in mid-pack while her rival coasted loose on the lead.  That's not good.  She gave it a big effort and passed all but the winner.  Watch for her next time.  We drove to Orlando for two days so I watched that race and all the Jersey Shore events later in the day.  Missed with a minimum bet in the opener but in the third I got another winner.  I wrote that Mo City might just be a rare Paco Lopez price play in an entry level turf sprint.  She'd been competitive in stakes but had never been on the grass.  That move was a 20% angle for the barn which was an even bigger 38% with Lopez on board.  Made the threatening move to challenge turning for home and caught the leader, my second choice.  But that one, who was in about the three-path began drifting and drifting carrying Mo City out with him.  By the time we were nearing the wire I had to be ten wide and another runner was flying up inside of us.....photo finish!

I was PRETTY sure I'd won, but it was close.  And while I thought I might get a little better price, I was delighted to get $6.60 on a Paco Lopez winner for a trainer he wins 40% with.  Passed the next three, then was a dismal 9th at 5/2 before getting to the 8th, which was my "Monmouth Best" on this final day of the racing week.  Entry level allowance races are always difficult to figure.  But there are two kind of horses that typically win more than their fair share and are usually good bets.  The first is a lightly raced runner who's been competitive against winners after a big maiden win.  None of those in here.  The other is a horse who's entered in an "Allowance-Optional Claiming" race like this that HAS ALREADY WON an entry level allowance.  Share The Ride was just that kind of runner.  Not only had the gelded son of champion Candy Ride won an entry level allowance, but he'd won a second level AOC AND a no-conditioned allowance event.  He'd been at Monmouth only twice, but BOTH were stakes tries (he was third in one of them).  And oh yeah, Paco was up for another barn that he wins at a near-40% clip.  Was four wide to the front, dueled with a 30/1 long-time leader to past the 16th pole then drew off.

Cashed for over $35 on the final winner of the week.  Was third twice and fifth with the last three picks.  So with the racing in the books, my numbers for the week:

And for a flat bet profit.  Gotta love that for the way to start the second month of the summer!

Very excited to continue the Monmouth Park handicapping project next week, but it's a BIG week with Keeneland running their special summer meet.

My Online Social Life
You know by now if you've read all the way through my journals that I enjoy being in touch with people online.  And much like last week I exchanged messages with CBS-4 anchor gal, one of my favorite online personalities, Lauren Pastrana.  Early in the week there were news stories about travel, especially by air.  So she threw out the question, "Do you have plans to travel by air?"  And of course I responded, which got a nice reply :)

Then later in the week I heard from my son Jeff who told me one of his buddies works in a testing facility.  He questioned the official numbers that the news puts out on the virus, so I thought "Who better to do some investigative journalism than my gal-pal Lauren?"  SO I emailed her.  I wasn't really surprised, but sort of was that she replied.....

So  I wrote back and she replied again :)

Also on Friday, one of my most favorite former students, and adult-gal pal Kimmy reached out to me and after a text exchange we talked on the phone for almost an hour, cool beans.

And finally, on Saturday I'd taken a photo of me at the "Sunrise Simulcast Center" with the "America's Day At The Races" logo on the screen.  Early in the racing day, hottie handicapper Acacia Courtney was doing her usual great work and I thought she might enjoy a shout out that all of us Gulfstream fans were still following her.  So I sent her the photo with a message.  Within minutes SHE responded :)

It was a very busy social week online for this handicapper guy!