Haskell Preview Weekend

 June 14 - 16

At the end of the week, it was a very good week - and an excellent Saturday of racing!  Here's how the whole week played out!

After the big Game 1 WIN on Saturday the Panthers Playoff run continued Monday where we hosted the Edmonton Oilers.  It was a great game and we won AGAIN!  The big weather system that moved in made it very dicey for the team to get out of town on their flight, but after a long delay they made it out and arrived in Edmonton.  We opted to go to the Watch Party at the arena for Game 3 and the place, full of more than 10,000 excited fans went wild as we built a 4-1 lead and held on 4-3 to take a commanding 3-0 game lead in this best of seven event.  When we got home late Thursday I immediately went online and got tickets for the Game 4 Watch Party thinking there'd be a huge demand because of the possibility of our winning our first, ever championship.  Sure enough by lunch on Friday all the tickets were gone (several people I knew wanted to go but were shut out).  We got there early and sat in the upper bowl, like watching the game on a BIG screen TV.  It was exciting early as we made it scored to make it 1-2 and our picture was flashed on the ice during a time out (below, just to the left of the red line/center ice).  But then we fell apart and Edmonton got the win.  BIG Game 5 on Tuesday COULD be our chance to win the epic trophy in front of the home fans, including Kim and I.....would be just soooooo amazing!

OK, on to racing!  Friday I had picks from Belmont at Aqueduct and Churchill Downs.  I had ONE second place finish from the first eight races, not good but at least I was occupied during the afternoon was my take on the day.  Then in the NY feature, The Cupcoy's Joy Division of the NY Stallion Stakes, Soloshot tracked the front running favorite and looked to have too much to do, even with a sixteenth of a mile to go.  But Joel Rosario on the favorite never asked his filly to finish strongly and when Irad Ortiz pushed Soloshot she responded with one final surge to be UP IN TIME!  And I'm on the board!

Came back with the last bet of the day, the finale at Churchill where it was a conditioned allowance sprinting five and a half furlongs on the turf.  Just Might was on a losing skid, but he was a multiple stakes winner in the past.  And best of all he looked clearly like the lone speed.  Rocketed to the front, was clear turning for home, and while he was tiring late he lasted to the wire by daylight to salvage the day.

Saturday:  Haskell Preview Day / Downs After Dark

Much like the start to Friday's races my first bet went in a little past 12:30 and I didn't score until nearly 3pm.  After running fourth twice, third, and second twice in the first five plays of the day it was post time for Race 5 at Monmouth Park.  This was a MSW turf route that featured two Todd Pletcher runners, AND two Chad Brown runners.  But for me, it was all about Christophe Clement's Eastern Empress.  She'd run 2nd at Tampa in her first North American start and was second at Gulfstream as the favorite last time out.  The "paired" Beyers in her first two starts indicated to me a big move forward.  Tracked the leaders through the far turn, swung outside into the clear and drew off to win by daylight, and I'm FINALLY on the board!

Less than fifteen minutes later I was on the grass in New York where Chad Brown's Unit Economics was trying to break his maiden.  The likely favorite figured to be Todd Pletcher's $1 Million colt, Then.  But when that one had run a just-miss second last time out, Irad Ortiz was up.  Today he opted to ride Unit Economics.  I like that angle!  The longshot front runner quarter-horsed on a multi-length lead to the far turn while Unit Economics bided his time in second.  Collared him on the turn, opened up at the 1/8th pole and took off as much the best - two in a row!

My next bet was in the very next race in NY where Todd Pletcher had what looked to be two REALLY talented first time two-year-olds.  Either would have been the short-priced favorite on their own merits, but certainly they'd be odds-on as an entry.  Mentee tracked his stablemate into the turn, blew by and opened up into the lane in what looked to be a powerful debut.  But at the furlong pole you could tell he was tiring and a late runner was flying!  This is going to be close......PHOTO FINISH.  As I watched the slow-mo replay I was "pretty sure" I'd won, and when it went official I'd won by the narrowest of margins.  Still, that makes THREE in a rwo!

I missed on three picks, sandwiched around a score in a turf allowance at Belmont with Belouni as we headed into the big races at Monmouth on Haskell Preview Day.  The 10th on the Jersey Shore was the local prep for the $1 Million Haskell Invitational and Todd Pletcher had entered the lightly raced Tuscan Sky.  He'd had two stellar wins to kick off his career then stretched out and moved up in class to try the Grade 2 Wood Memorial where he was outrun.  Off for several weeks he looked regrouped and ready to show that he was one of the leaders of the 3yo division.  Right out of the gate he broke sharply on the rail, but was quickly joined by not one, not two, not three, but four others on the front.  It's typically NOT a good thing to be on a pace duel going two turns but it seemed like jockey Javier Castellano was content to hold the rail position and let the other four runners lose valuable ground.  As they swung into the stretch I thought, "we'll find out who's the real deal - if any - of these guys now."  And as heads turned for home Tuscan Sky opened up and drew off in a visually impressive effort.  OK, let's hope he comes back in the Haskell where he might face his stable mate, 2yo champion and Fla Derby winner Fierceness and the colt I think is the best 3yo in the country, Bob Baffert's Muth.

Two races left on my sheet before we headed out to the arena for the Watch Party.  In the Grade 3 Monmouth on the turf I was a fading 7th at 2/1 odds.  Then in the featured, Grade 3 Salvatore Mile, Todd Pletcher sent out Grade 1 winner Bright Future.  At first glance this one mile trip looked too short for him and I could envision the connections thinking "if we just run well, it's a good stepping stone to longer and bigger races."  But it's been my experience that Hall of Famer Mr. Todd does not run races as a "prep," if he's in - he's "in it to win it."  His layoff runners are always ready and being fresh off a layoff I thought he'd probably show better speed than if he were going longer.  I made him the BET of the Day!  He was in good position pressing the pace into the turn, but got shuffled back, all the way to sixth.  That's really not good.  Jockey probably just keeps him wrapped up and awaits a better fate next time, I thought.  But the rail opened and Javier Castellano stepped on the gas.  Bright Future burst through in an instant and quickly opened up a daylight margin to win going away.  It was a WOW performance, and I cashed for over $40 as a reward for my big bet!

Downs After Dark

With our disappointing effort in the playoff game out west Kim and I came home after the second period, and I watched the replays of my picks from Churchill Downs.  I love their "Downs After Dark" programs and I'd even considered going to this one, but with the playoffs scheduled to still be going on at the time I was considering the trip, I wasn't about to miss a chance to watch us play in the Finls.  In Race 2, Xtra Extraordinary was my pick to win the cheap, $10K sprint for maidens.  The morning line pick was a first time starter and I've just never liked betting a debut runner when in for such a small price tag.  I thought with a little "creativity" I could make a case for my pick.  His three back try at Keeneland for $40K produced a sharp third place finish.  Drew the rail for the same big price tag here and was away slowly, then looked like the rider didn't try the second half of the race.  Stretched to a one-turn mile in the slop on the drop to $20K to no avail.  With blinkers on, another price drop I thought he might just repeat that Keeneland effort.  Right to the front, took pressure all the way through the turn, then opened up and drew off at a generous $9.80 price!  WHOOOO HOOOO.

The third was a five and a half furlong turf sprint and I liked the chances of Cloudwalker quite a lot.  The on-air analysts made such a big deal that he was a closer from well out of it, but it's my experience that more often than not - especially here at Churchill Downs - THAT is the preferred running style in these kinds of races.  I'd even had a nice score in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint in 2011 with Chamberlain's Bridge doing that.  Cloudwalker was near the back through the turn as he began to advance between rivals.  Split runners, got into the clear turning for home and hit a whole other gear to blow by late and WIN with my triple investment on board!

The co-feature under the lights was the Monomoy Girl for 3yo fillies.  Our Pretty Woman had looked very talented in the spring airing on debut around two turns at the Fair Grounds and taking an allowance event handily.  Was a sharp second in the Grade 2 FG Oaks and moved on to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.  Pretty much lost all chance when drawing post 14 of 14 and was never in the race.  She'd been off for the six weeks since and I thought this was a good spot regroup dropping into a listed event off back-to-back graded events.  Tracked the leaders in third through the turn, and looked to be being asked to run pretty hard, but she put her head in front and courageously drove home, holding off the closers - again with my triple investment bet on board for my NINTH winner on the day.

Had a daylight lead and looked LONG GONE with a 3/5 favorite in a MSW dash, only to see them get nipped on the wire.  Sigh.....missed in the co-feature when the Godolphin favorite disappointed for the third time since coming state-side.  But in the finale, I thought Generous Lover looked best of the most obvious win contenders.  His last three speed figures - interestingly earned on both turf and dirt going both short and long - were the best numbers on the page.  Tyler G would know how to handle this guy.  Sat comfortably behind a wall of horses, saving ground through the turn, swung outside and advanced to third at the furlong pole.  Lifted late, and surged to the wire for my tenth winner of the day!

Sunday I only had four bets at Monmouth, and only got two runner-up finishes from the four.  Well, the racing this week was all about Saturday!

Social Media this week......

I reached out to my most favorite former Kimmy because with the epic rainfall this week, her former home, near Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach would have certainly been flooded.  She wrote back :)

Another very favorite is Michelle, who if you've read previous journals of mine, I'm most proud of because she picked up and took off for Hawaii years ago to become a flight attendant without knowing anyone there or in the business.  She's so sweet, and she post a photo of herself with a "boy" and a beautiful sunset.  I had to comment, and she replied back.

CBS-Miami reporter Trish Christakis, who I first "connected with" when I learned she was originally from Greece and we were looking forward to our recent trip there, was covering the Panthers playoff run.  She posted and I replied.  She wrote back complimenting Kim and I :)  And when she posted a second time I wrote to her and she "liked" it.

Long time gal-pal Karli saw my messages to her on Instagram and she wrote back to me, so sweet.

I don't often watch the much of the morning news broadcast on the local ABC station, but I am a fan of anchor Jayce who's very active on social media and is a real fashionista.  When she posted pics of an outfit with a "nautical" them I had to comment, and she replied :)

I was "noticed" and got a lot of "likes" from my pal Lauren Pastrana.  First, prior to our Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final and then when I sent her a photo of myself celebrating our win.  The third one below came during the massive weather event when our Panthers were scheduled to take off to fly to Edmonton.  I was wondering about the flight status and couldn't find any info, but of course Lauren (and the CBS team - though Lauren was the one reporting it!) gave the good news that the flight had left FLL.  If you recall, recently I bought raffle tickets to support Lauren's son's little league baseball.  She messaged me - that's very unusual - to tell me that "sadly" I had not won, and thanked me for the support.  I replied that I would be even happier to "win" a Stanley Cup and she wrote back to me on that one!  The last photo I sent to her was in preface to Kim and I going to the big Watch Party for Game 4 and she "liked" that as well.  Here's hoping I can send her a photo of Kim and I celebrating the WINNING of the Stanley Cup this week!

Belmont Festival at Saratoga

 June 6 - 9

What a weekend!  Started with the extended stakes action at the Belmont at Saratoga meet which ran Thursday through Sunday with over two dozen stakes.  Then on Saturday, just before the Gr 1 Belmont, we left for the arena for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  What an epic night.  Let's get to the action.....

Thursday June 6

With the big Belmont facility doing a complete make-over, this year's Belmont Festival was held at Saratoga.  Not really sure why they didn't continue the running at Aqueduct, especially since they will return there next week, but Saratoga IS a special place.  Because the action started Thursday I watched the races on Fox where former Gulfstream analyst and my social media gal-pal Acacia Courtney-Clement is often on air.  So when she appeared on the screen I took her pic, sent it to her and she "liked it!"

The day started with a 7th in the opener and then ran third in the Tremont Stakes for 2yo's, but because of a weekend-long "Bet Back" promotion through TwinSpires I got my money back, so I "cashed" the ticket!  Race 3 was a good example of several things about racing, these days.  First, it's a good example that everyone has an opinion at the races and you get to state your opinion at the betting windows, then we know for certain who's right and who's wrong.  It was also an illustration of how my approach to handicapping has changed.  When I first started keeping records there were public handicappers on all the major circuits that their opinion carried weight with my selections.  There's only one of those left today, as I have found I'm often more right - and show a flat bet profit on MY picks - than they are.  The third race was a seven furlong, entry level allowance and I liked Caldo Candy.  No surprise since he exited a good second facing winners for the first time, had never run a bad race, and had the best, last race Beyer figure.  But the DRF's Mike Beer, not only didn't put him on top - that's ok, everyone gets their own opinion - but he didn't even list him in the top three.  I just don't get how if you are PAID to guide the betting public, you can't put an "obvious" choice on top.  Quickly got to the front and wired the field.  And maybe I should thank Beer because somehow he paid a generous $7, so maybe some novice bettors followed his poor advice.

The Jersey Girl Stakes was next, and it was a talented field of 3yo fillies, I thought.  But Almostgone Rocket for Brad Cox looked like the real deal on paper.  She pressed the pace to the turn then took off like a "rocket" and was long gone as the 1-2 favorite.

No bet in the fourth, but in the fifth Todd Pletcher had an entry made up of two, what looked to be very talented first time starters.  Both would have been the bet if they had been in the race alone, and they were 1-2 turning for home before Audacious drew off as the favorite.

Race 7 brought me my fourth consecutive win as Chad Brown's very talented Ways and Means dropped out of stakes company for the first time into an entry level allowance field for a confidence builder.  The definition of "Best Bet" varies by individual bettors - some prefer the term for the best opportunity to perhaps make some money.  But for me a "BEST Bet of the Day" means you are more likely to cash your ticket here than on any other race.  Ways and Means proved me right when I labeled her as the Thursday best - easy, peasy, pie.  Thought I had a solid pick in the two-mile, Grade 2 Belmont Cup on the turf, but the Godolphin favorite, and defending champion didn't fire and didn't even hit the board.  Still, went four-for-seven on the day - cashed five of seven - and showed a flat-bet profit.

Friday June 7

For me, the betting action didn't start until Race 5 on this Friday card from upstate New York.  Ran 3rd and then 2nd in back-to-back allowance events, but again.....because of the TwinSpires promotion I "cashed" on both of them.  I smiled when the analysts on the Fox set debated about betting on Munny's Gold from the Todd Pletcher barn in Race 7, an allowance event.  Much like the Ways and Means race yesterday, this filly had shown immense talent and her losses, some by the narrowest of margins, had come in graded stakes.  Even with other front runners in here she looked obvious to me.  Right to the front and aired with ease.

Four consecutive graded stakes followed and I liked my chances in all of them.  But, alas, I ran 2nd fifth, and third - "cashing" in two of them.  That led us to the day's finale, and for me the highlight race of the day, the Grade 1 Acorn for 3yo fillies.  This is the New York version of the Kentucky Oaks, the 3yo filly companion race to the Gr 1 Belmont Stakes.  In the Oaks, I'd nailed the winner, Ken McPeek's Thorpedo Anna who had wired the field impressively and I liked her here today.  But on Thursday he was interviewed on the set of the "America's Day at the Races" telecast.  He was so upbeat about his filly, so much so that he said that if he didn't have the Derby winner in the field he'd have entered Thorpedo Anna in the Belmont Stakes and she would have beat them.  That was some big time confidence.  So when it came time to bet, I upped the wager to "Bet of the Weekend" status.  Pressed the pace of the 2yo filly champion Just FYI to the turn, then blew by without ever being asked.  She IS the most talented 3yo in the country......of either sex my friends.  While I only had two wins from seven bets on the day, I cashed on SIX of seven, and with the big bet I showed a flat bet profit AGAIN.  :)

Saturday Belmont Stakes Day / Game 1:  Stanley Cup Final

Today was almost CERTAIN to be a BIG DAY and I was most excited for the sports action to get started when the horses went to the post at an early 10:45am.  And that's because not only did I have races from Belmont at Saratoga, Monmouth, Gulfstream, and later this evening from Canterbury Park in Minnesota, but today our Florida Panthers were HOSTING Game 1 of THE Stanley Cup Final.  A BIG DAY for sure!  In the opener I liked General Partner, who'd been a selection of mine on Friday but he scratched out of that sprint allowance to run in this 1 1/2 turn mile allowance for Chad Brown.  Pressed the pace to the far turn and was gone, much the best....and we're off to a winning start!

Missed on four straight from New York, and even though I ran third in the Grade 2 True North, the "Bet Back" didn't apply because there were only seven runners.  But I got back into the win column at Gulfstream with a 2yo MSW race.  Everyone of the runners were making their debut, and they were going the abbreviated four and a half furlongs, with the first finish line.  No room for error!  I typically am NOT a player in the So Fla 2yo races, but Global Legend for Mark Casse showed a 3rd best of 76 work that looked awfully flashy.  Went off as the second choice and when the favorite was checked at the start from the rail, Global Legend was home free on the front end at better than 5/2 odds.

Ran 2nd in the Grade 1 Suburban at the Spa, so I "cashed" again and then I scored at Monmouth in a claiming race on the turf where Bizymaline had beaten better two back.  Had to muscle between rivals in the lane after being blocked behind a wall of horses through the turn, then burst through to score.

One reason I played Gulfstream today is because they had two stakes races, both on the turf.  But rain moved into the area during the afternoon and both were moved to the all-weather.  In A Jam looked just as good to me on the synthetic as the grass, and proved to be way the best in the Not Surprising Stakes.

I ran second in the Grade 1 Phipps at Saratoga - "cashed" - before it was time for Monmouth's feature, the Lady's Secret going a mile and a sixteenth on the dirt.  Todd Pletcher's Candied had won at first asking as a 2yo then won the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland before running third in the Gr 1 BC Juvenile Fillies.  Made her first start at 3 with an average 4th in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland.  Now shows up here in a listed event.  SHOULD be much the best, right?  On the turn it looked like she had no interest in running and jockey Paco Lopez was pushing her hard.  Then suddenly it was like she said, "Fine...ok, I'll run."  And she blitzed by the leaders and drew off easily.

I split "bet back" 2nd and 3rd finishes at Saratoga in two graded stakes with a win at Monmouth that was STRICTLY due to my knowing the circuit.  The seventh was a claiming event on the turf and Mailman Money was listed at 12/1 in the program, and for good reason....she was 6/0-0-0 in her turf races.  Yet.....top rider Paco Lopez showed up.  What's up with that.  The last time she'd won, several months back, had come on the synthetic - which, ok, plays like turf - but note the rider.....the ONLY time Lopez had been on board.  OK, that's too much of a coincidence!  Sent off at 8/5 she blew by everyone and jogged home under wraps.  Sometimes I'm just really smart :)

Missed at Gulfstream and Monmouth and then it was time for the Grade 1 Met Mile.  Bob Baffert had shipped National Treasure to run here.  He'd won the Preakness last year and then was a photo finish 2nd in the Gr 1 BC Dirt Mile behind Horse of the Year Cody's Wish.  Off that effort he'd won the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup - as my bet!  And then ran 4th in the $20 Million Gr 1 Saudi Cup beaten only a length and a quarter.  This distance seemed ideal.  Looked to be other speed in here, but I thought, as the Rock would say, "IT DOESN'T MATTER!"  Right to the front, hounded to the top of the lane by a longshot you'd think he'd be softened up?  Nope.  Drew off in an ultra impressive effort.

Missed at GP and MTH, again, before it was time for the Grade 1 Manhattan going a mile and three-sixteenths on the turf.  All weekend Charlie Appleby's Godolphin stars had been bet down and had yet to produce a win.  NYRA analyst, and "grumpy old man" Andy Serling just ranted about what a bad bet Measured Time because of those other horses.  You'd think after all these years in the game he'd know that how one horse runs does not affect how another horse runs, duh.  I'm glad a lot of bettors apparently took his word as gospel because Measured Time went off at 3/1 and drew off by a pole allowing me to collect over $35.

I had time to watch one more live race, the second stakes from Gulfstream, The Martha Washington (also moved to the Tapeta).  The last two Beyers earned by De Regresso - wins, in stakes with better rivals than this one had (albeit on the grass) beat the combined 42 lifetime figures of her rivals.  Pressed the 5/1 front runner to the top of the lane, opened up and drew away.

Kim and I drove to the arena and as we were driving the Grade 1 Belmont was in progress.  I had listened all day to the NYRA "grumpy old man" Andy Serling not only say he he would bet but he criticized anyone thinking that Todd Pletcher's lightly raced Mindframe had a chance.  It's not that he has an opinion on his horse, you SHOULD have some confidence and/or angles that make you want to bet.  But to try and make others feel like they are uninformed, well maybe he thinks that people like that personality of his, but most that I know think he's just mean and I'm glad when he's wrong.  Turning for home Mindframe accelerated to the lead as I watched the replay on my phone in the arena, but then he began taking two steps sideways for every step forward allowing 17/1 Dornach to re-rally up the rail.  Mindframe saw him, ducked back down inside, accelerated, and came up a neck short at 5/1.  Would have been a nice pay day - Serling's pick way, WAY up the track.....quack quack quack.  And I "cashed" for running second!

Panthers vs. Oilers:  Game 1 Pre Game

The game was just AMAZING! I've never heard the crowd so loud for the team coming out for WARM-UPS!  The pre-game show was sensational and the roof blew off four minutes in when the Panthers scored first.  Edmonton played strongly but our defense was great.  Got an insurance goal early in the second and sealed the deal 3-0 with an empty-net at the end.  Interesting stat - the team that wins Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final has historically gone on to win the Cup 76% of the time.  This REALLY could be THE YEAR!

We got home and I had three races to watch.  Mansa Musa was easily best in the Saratoga finale - cashed for nearly $40.  And I hit one of the two stakes at Canterbury (ran second when my horse, the favorite hopped at the start and was last away from the gate).  For the day I finished 11-of-25, better than 40% and AGAIN a flat bet profit - today bringing home the biggest profit of the weekend so far.

Sunday June 9:  Empire Showcase Day

Still basking in the glory of the amazing Game 1 in the Stanley Cup Final I had more than a dozen selections from Belmont at Saratoga, where it was "Empire Showcase Day" - with multiple stakes for NY-breds - Churchill Downs, and Monmouth.  The second at Churchill was a second level allowance and my opening bet on this Sunday afternoon.  Corningstone had run winning figures last summer and fall but his comeback was not good.  But he had the back class and a local work.  Tracked the leaders to the stretch, edged to the front and drew away.

Missed at Monmouth when second as the prohibitive 1/5 favorite, but right back to the winner's Circle at Saratoga with Save the Trees.  Always difficult to win first time off a maiden score, but I remembered this horse and went back and watched the replay from his Keeneland score.  Hopped at the start and was last.  On the turn he'd passed but a single horse and was still 9th into the lane.  In the last quarter mile he was seven wide and not only blew by, but was geared down late.  How good would he be if away cleanly?  I tripled the bet.  Still wasn't away the cleanest, but was mid-pack into the turn.  only three wide, he swooped up and blew by to WIN for my second score under the Twin Spires.

Ran 4th in the first of the NY-bred stakes before I got my first stakes winner of the day, at Churchill Downs in the Leslie's Lady Stakes, a 7 furlong dash for 3yo's.  Emery had won at first asking at Saratoga last summer then pressed the pace in the Grade 1 Frizette before weakening to be fourth.  Off until October she won handily as the 1-2 favorite in a $100K nw1x allowance at Keeneland.  Talented with a bright future she went off at what I thought was a generous 4/5 favorite.  Swooped by from fifth of the fine runners without being asked and won geared down, never asked for her best.

Right back in the fourth at Saratoga with James Bond's Speightful Lady who'd flashed real talent with a 95 Beyer on debut.  Went off as a prohibitive 1/4 favorite drew off handily wire-to-wire.  Followed that with a fourth at Monmouth then got my first Empire Stakes win when Drakes Passage went right to the front, shrugged off the longshot foe and drew off, my fifth win from my first eight selections today.

Missed in the Monmouth feature as the 1/9 favorite - WOW, then missed at 4/5 in a Saratoga stakes before scoring with Sahalat in the Churchill finale.  I was hesitant to bet this guy going for weak human connections, but THE HORSE looked much the best on paper.  The prohibitive favorite was nowhere to be found as I scored at a nice 3/1 and cashed for almost $45 big ones.  Closed out the weekend with a win in the off-the-turf Kingston at Saratoga where Spirit of St. Louis was WAY too good.

I'll be the first to admit that my big profit was in large part due to the "Bet Back" promotion that was run all weekend long, but it IS worth noting that I'd have had a profit and a positive ROI had I NOT "cashed" those tickets.  The Week's Totals:

Social Media this week.....

One of the few "in person" pals I used to have was Sandra from Jenny Craig.  I so enjoyed our weekly meetings and chats.  But now with that business online only I no longer see Sandra, but on occasion I get to text with her.  This week we had an extended exchange about her trip to Italy, and we compared pics of our respective trips to Lake Como.

Most weeks I get an exchange with my all-time favorite former, Kimmy and this week she reacted to my preview of our upcoming trip, and then we talked about how exhausting kids can be :)

Gal pal from C Bay Melissa moved to the Naples area and she posted about starting summer vacation.  I "welcomed" her to my world :)

Analyst Acacia and her "like" to my message.....

It's interesting, to me, that CBS-Miami reporter Trish Christakis sometimes seems to "see" my replies and messages, other times no.  When she posted about being in the arena for the big game I messaged her and on this occasion she "liked" that I reached out to her.

I found CBS-Miami Weekend anchor Teri's message after she appeared on the week-day morning broadcast "interest" - who so many "emotions" for the morning shift?  But she liked my message.

Former WHS student and fellow Miami (Oh) grad was on a girls' getaway - looked like nothing but trouble so I told Jen so :)

Out of the blue former gal-pal and CBS Weekend Anchor Karli Barnett emailed me back about my Viking TV script.  So sweet and some legitimate thoughts to consider.

Of course most of my interaction with "friends" came with gal-pal Lauren Pastrana.  Each day she reacted to my messages about our upcoming trip.  She also "liked" when I sent her a message about the 12-year anniversary of the big Cypress Bay graduation at the Marlins Park with then Vice President Joe Biden as our key note speaker.  Got "likes" to message about our win last Saturday and when she posted about coffee in the morning as well.  Our exchange of actual messages this week came when she posted about a raffle for her son's little league baseball team and I offered to donate.  Got two tickets to help the boys out :)  And finally she posted a teaser about an upcoming "investigative report" that I will look forward to.  Well done my friend!