Day 17

UPSET WINNER Makes The Day!

Close Week 4 With Nice Profit

Today, Sunday, we spent the morning in Orlando and then we headed back to Ft. Lauderdale as our daughter Julie was heading over for her holiday visit; and tomorrow our grandson Cameron and his parents (our oldest son Jeff & his wife Antoinette) arrive.  I had six plays on the Sunday card......in the 3rd I went against the odds-on favorite, Lassofthemohicans who had been second in all three starts.  She was tons the best at 1/5 while my pick ran 6th at 7/1.  In the 4th I was 8/1 and pressing the leaders to the top of the stretch before weakening to 7th.  Then came the fifth race, a Maiden Claiming event on the turf.  As I scanned through the field I came to #8 Flight To Quality and it was just a "duh" - Todd Pletcher with Javier Castellano on a MSW class dropper!  I knew he wouldn't be the favorite because turf routes are not where Pletcher excels, but it is also where you can often get a nice price.  The DRF linemaker, nearly always WAY off in his numbers listed him at 10/1.  As I wrote, he wouldn't be that high, but he wouldn't be the favorite either.  Right out of the gate I knew I was in good shape.  He was away sharply and pressing a longshot leader who had no chance, while daylight clear of the field.  As they spun out of the turn he opened up and ran clear to the wire.  Talbot County came late to maybe give you an anxious moment, but it was never in doubt.....and note this one was my second choice in my analysis (20/1 according to the DRF). 

The payoff was an amazing $13.00 and I was cashing for $65!  I am guaranteed to profit on the day regardless of how the rest of the day goes!  In the sixth I liked Indian Brut who was listed at 10/1 by the DRF.  She was third to a future stakes winner in her 2013 debut, then came back just three weeks ago with  smashing win.  A blazing bullet work in :59 said she would be sharp for Castellano today.  Nothing like the 10/1 price she was the chalky 4/5 favorite, but chased the winner all the way around the track to be a best-of-the-rest second.  In the eighth I liked Dark Cove who was last seen winning back-to-back-to-back graded stakes in the summer of 2013.  He'd worked well and I thought his class would carry him in this allowance spot.  He was in a good stalking spot as they hit the turn, but as he began to accelerate he checked not once, but twice.  Finished strongly but too late to be fourth.  In the finale I had picked Purely Boy who had won four straight since moving into the Jason Servis barn.  He seemed an obvious winner, especially with a turf career resume of 6/4-1-0.  As they turned for home he was stuck behind horses, but found  seam with a furlong to go and dueled with Kitten In May (with Castellano).  In the final fifty yards he edged to the front for Paco Lopez and I had my second winner of the day. 

The crowd had let him go off at a very sweet 3/1 and I cashed for more than $20!  So for the day I was 2-for-6 and profited over $25!

Week 4 In Review:

 

Day 16

A GOOD Day At Gulfstream

This morning we headed out to Orlando for a "Christmas Visit" with our son Brad and his wife Lauren (as well as our grand-puppy Vader).  I had passed the first two races, but in the third I had a "near-best" bet with Off Duty, a 5 1/2 furlong maiden claiming event for juveniles.  He had been out five time already, but I thought you could draw a line through his two MSW efforts as he was over his head, and the $50K race was similarly too talented for him.  For a $35K tag he'd been second by 3/4 of a length at 3/5, then was third by 3/4 of a length at 4/5 vs. $25K.  Today's spot for a bottom-level $12,500K made him stand out over this mediocre field like a Breeders' Cup champion over allowance company.  He was sent off at a short 8/5 and took the lead turning for home.  While the final margin was only a length, the final outcome was never in doubt from the time he poked his head in front. 

I'd tripled the bet and I thought the $5.40 return was very generous considering how he seemed to stack up against his rivals today....cashed for more than $40!  The very next race was my "BEST of the Day!"  Overcontrol was debuting for Todd Pletcher in a MSW two-year-old event.  This colt was a $725K OBS purchase for top New York owner Michael Repole and ridden by John Velazquez.  The crowd knew, as did I that this guy was certain to be a future stakes winner as he was sent away at a short 1/2.  He broke a tad slow and was behind the leaders, but before the first quarter mile he'd pulled his way up to a pressing spot in second outside the front-runner. As they moved through the turn he glided to the lead without ever being asked.  And then it was one of those "WOW" moments of the meet when he accelerated for home effortlessly.  Completely geared down at the finish he looked REALLY good! 

In the three featured graded efforts I was disappointed.  In the 8th, the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Photo Call was checked at the top of the stretch and was a close third.  It didn't help, but I can't say that with a clean trip she'd have won.  In the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector I thought it was a weak edition without any true stars.  I liked Calamondin, who was 6/1 in the program and left the gate at 7/2 - never even close finishing 6th.  In the finale, the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight Handicap I took Unitarian for Todd Pletcher.  He seemed in perfect position into the far turn but had no late punch, fourth.  Even though we were on the road I'd decided to use the two day break from racing - Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day - to handicap the races at Tampa, the Fair Grounds, and Santa Anita and had found several other races to play.  I won with two short priced horses late in the day - one each from the Fair Grounds and Santa Anita - so that on the whole it wasn't a good day of racing results.....but I was pleased with my 2-for-5 numbers and a flat-bet profit on the Gulfstream card.

Days 14 - 15

Big Win On Friday's BET of the DAY!

Tuesday, December 23 was disappointing as I ran third in four of six races and lost with what looked like the obvious "BEST" of the day in the finale.  Bellamy Chief in the opener was the 8/5 favorite and set the pace (a wicked :45 and change for a one-turn mile) before weakening to be third.  In the third race Viramundo was bet down to 5/2 from 8/1 in the program but trailed to mid-stretch before making a belated rally to close for the show money.  In the 7th Todd Pletcher's Journey Proud was eased at 9/1.  In the eighth Empress Maker was wide throughout finishing third in a marathon turf event.  And the "Best" of the Day in the finale was Wild Swava who had been third in the Claiming Crown Tiara for Michael Maker, as the favorite, was dropping in for a starter optional claiming tag.  Tracked to the far turn and looked to have PLENTY of run to blow by the field, but hung through the stretch, lucky to finish fourth.  The only good news from the day was that I was able to get all of my Florida Derby tickets put together into a block of 23 seats in "our section,"  Section 101! 

Friday December 26  No racing on Christmas Eve Day or Christmas Day, but today not only did I have six plays at Gulfstream, but today was Opening Day at "The Great Race Place" - Santa Anita.  So I had handicapped the full card, which featured three graded stakes, the highlight of which was the Grade 1 Malibu.  The star of the show was formerly unbeaten Shared Belief who had his undefeated mark blemished with a rough, and unfair trip in the Breeders' Cup Classic.  But first, to the racing in Hallandale.  It was an overcast day and while it was drizzling in Sunrise it came down pretty heavy at Gulfstream.  Fortunately we were NOT at Calder racecourse where the mere threat of rain would have taken us off the turf......here at Gulfstream in spite of the steady rain it was a "firm turf" and all races stayed on with the exception of the finale.  In the opener I thought I had the easiest of winners when Todd Pletcher's Bully Proof broke slowly but quickly went to the front and was well in command with a sixteenth to go.  Then he shortened stride an was caught in the final twenty yards.....second.  Certainly this would NOT be another day like Tuesday!  In the third I pick Calm Water to upset the marathon maiden special turf event.  In the program at 8/1 he was slightly bet down to 6/1.  He coasted on an easy lead (:25 - :50 - 1:16) and I thought I had something. But when the field began to run approaching the far turn he was swallowed up an finished 8th and last. 

Of the six selections on the day I thought three of them were nearly "prime-time" plays.  The first came up in the 4th where Centrique was running for Marty Wolfson.  Centrique had captured the Claiming Crown Tiara last year and then shipped to Laurel for the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie.  In fact, since that 2013 Opening Day win she'd seen nothing but stakes races.  She had seemed primed for a big effort last out in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl off a bullet work, but stumbled badly at he start and lost all chance.  She'd worked another bullet and was dropping into this starter optional claimer at her favorite seven furlong distance.  Typically she's an off-the-pace runner, but today (with blinkers off) she broke slowly out of the gate and rushed to the front.  She wired the field handily to win by daylight!  FINALLY a winner!  First one since last Sunday. 

In the 6th Grand Rapport looked as good as Centrique on paper.  He was a seven-time turf winner and the crowd realized this as he left the gate at 4/5.  Was stalking in mid-pack before suddenly pulling up down the backside :(  In the eighth was my final big bet of the day.  Melville had moved to early when making up eleven lengths to take the lead two back, then was caught late.  Then he pressed the pace and was second in front of a next-out maiden winner.  These facts alone would have made him the favorite, but this field looked average at best.  Still, the 4/5 price was more than fair I thought.  He saved all the ground on the rail into the final turn and seemed to have run, but no where to go.  A seam opened briefly and he made up ground, but was reluctant to accelerate.  Jockey Javier Castellano moved him between horses, then switched outside at the sixteenth pole - would he have enough time to rally?  JUST UP IN TIME!  Whoooo hooooo! 

Vicuna in the 9th was another Pletcher runner, and he had a best-of-32 bullet work for his comeback today - he'd won two straight last spring.  He pressed in second as the top two were well clear of the field and looked ready to run away to victory when he just stopped....finished 8th and last.  This race was no sooner official than it was approaching post time of the fourth at Santa Anita where the first of five selections was ready to run.  I liked Bob Baffert's Wabel.  Even HRTV analyst Christina Blacker remarked several times how well he'd run when second last out in his debut behind a promising colt and couldn't understand why he was such a nice price.  At 7/2 I thought I might have the "day maker" here.  He dueled on the lead and shook free as they spun out of the turn, but the first-time starter who'd been bet heavily came roaring by to be a clear winner, while Wabel held second.  In the fifth I liked Bench Light.  He was dropping out of three straight Grade 2 events.  If he ran back to his dominating win at Del Mar earlier this year, which I thought he might with the drop back into allowance company, he would win.  As the field spun into the far turn he was making up ground then had to CHECK!  And then check AGAIN!  Oh no.  He was floated very wide out of the turn but man he was gobbling up ground and was JUST up in time to score!  The $8.80 payoff netted me $22!  The sixth was the Grade 1 La Brea for sophomore fillies.  I liked Taris.  She had the rail and in spite of an abundance of speed signed on I thought she was clearly the speed of the speed.  As I watched the HRTV telecast I was encouraged when the analysts remarked they had thought she would have won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint if she'd run there.  She was coming off a dynamite performance in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland.  I did NOT make her a prime time bet only because I thought she might survive the pace war but not last to the wire.  I was right on every thing I thought.....she went right to the front, and she set sizzling fractions for a seven furlong event:  :43.4 for he half and when she stopped the teletimer at 1:08 for six furlongs she was three in front and appeared home free.  But in the final 100 yards she began to shorten stride, but still looked to have enough until right in front of the wire......caught!  Second :(  Glad I did not go "all in" on the investment.  So close again in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile where I thought there was a ton of pace.  The favorite figured to be Heart to Heart who had wired back-to-back graded stakes at Churchill Downs.  But not only did he figure to face pressure today, but I just KNEW jockey Julian Leparoux would not ride a smart race.  I figured he'd try to duel and that would be his undoing.  I liked closer Home Run Kitten.  Again, I was spot on......Leparoux let the inside runner go through the first turn and I thought maybe he would ride a smart race.  But no, as they straightened down the backstretch he pushed his colt and they dueled to the far turn.  He's done I thought, and he was.  Then here I came flying on the outside while a 9/1 shot split horses and got the jump on me.  Home Run Kitten looked to have all the momentum but just couldn't get by....the PHOTO finish showed me second by a nose :( 

But now it was time for not only the feature of the day at Santa Anita, but the national feature.....the Grade 1 Malibu.  Shared Belief had been unbeaten as a two-year-old and won the Eclipse for best juvenile.  He'd come back last winter, but his training was stalled with foot issues.  But through the summer he'd continued his unbeaten streak while stretching out, moving to dirt, and then by beating Grade 1 older horses in both the Pacific Classic and the Awesome Again.  He was the best horse and the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Classic.  I thought he'd score big again but he was wiped out at the break by the eventual winner and was steadied twice through the stretch.  So today I thought he'd run well in spite of the turn back from a mile & a quarter to this seven furlong sprint distance.  He was the prohibitive 1/5 favorite with five minutes to post time and I thought I would only make a miserly $10 on my big $50 "BET of the Day."  But luckily some "value" players began spreading their money away and he floated up to a very, very generous 1/2 at post time.  He tracked the dueling Bob Baffert sprinters in fourth to the far turn.  He looked to right where he always has been before he just blows by the field, but today the top two, and the third place runner all had their running shoes on and Shared Belief had to be asked for his best run by Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith.  He was all heart and all class as he wore them down in the final sixteenth and I cashed for $75! 

Shared Belief's win closed the day for me at 4-for-11, a solid 36%!  Whooop whoop.  Tomorrow we are driving to Orlando to spend the day & night with Brad & Lauren, but I still have bets at Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Tampa, and the Fair Grounds!  Hoping to continue the winning as we close out the 2014 racing year.

Day 13

Close Out A BIG Weekend!

40% WINS Today

I tried to be a little more selective with my races today, but I still ended up with five solid plays.  We have had a great time on the cruise, and the best part for Kim is that when we arrive in Ft. Lauderdale early tomorrow morning it will be the first day of her Christmas Holiday break from school!  I was hoping that our Formal Night photo, taken between two Christmas trees would turn out well, and indeed it did!  The final night's dinner was steak and the live performance was excellent.  I was little skeptical with the Caribbean Princess cast back on stage, but tonight they were top notch! 

The racing today...... I was second in the opener at 8/5, with a minimum investment.  Then a disappointing third at even money in the fifth.  But the sixth was a very interesting race.  On Thursday's card I had named Todd Pletcher's Race Day as a top pick, but he scratched.  On Friday I had really liked Kings Over from the Peter Walder barn, but he too scratched.  Now, here on Sunday in the sixth they BOTH were back in the starting gate.  To make it even more interesting, Race Day had been originally scheduled in a 3-other-than allowance on the turf, a surface he'd never tried.  Today he was DROPPING into an AOC non-winners-of-two, back on the dirt at a one turn mile.  Conversely, Kings Over had looked like an easy winner on Friday for a $30K claimer, but today was in for double the price, $62.5K.  So, take the Pletcher class dropper going back to a better surface or do you like the confidence Walder has in scratching out of what looked like a much sweeter spot for this one?  I went with Pletcher, obviously.  On the far turn a seam opened up inside and he burst through under a hand ride and drew off by TWELVE!  Better yet, somehow the crowd let him go off at more than 2/1. 

And even better yet, when I wrote the results down I listed the winnings at $32 for a double bet.....but when  was doing my final calculations I noticed I had TRIPLED the bet so instead I was going to get nearly $50!  OUTSTANDING!  In the eighth it was a maiden special for two-year-olds.  You know the drill, where's the Pletcher runner?  There he is, in post five, Resilient One.  I often struggle with these five-furlong turf sprints, but it was easier when considering Resilient One had been a best-of-the-rest second in her turf debut, and then was third in an off-the-turf event.  Both Beyers (72 and 70) towered over all the figures earned by the maidens who had raced; in fact the top BSF in the field was in the mid-60s; another around 60; and the rest all in the 50 or lower range.  Unless one of the first time starters jumped up (and none of the stats, or workouts indicated this would happen) then Resilient One was clearly the one to beat.  John Velazquez had her sitting mid-pack until heads turned for home.  Then he split horses, moved into the clear on the outside and it was GOODBYE to the field! 

For the day I finished 5/2-1-2 and made money again, topping a weekend that saw my final numbers stand at:

6-for-13 .... Profit = $82

It was an excellent weekend of cruising and racing.  As an added bonus on the cruise Kim and I had enjoyed some "binge TV watching."  We'd found the series "Longmire" this summer and watched three seasons of episodes.  When the "finale" was a cliffhanger and there were no more episodes on Netflix we went searching and found them on the iTunes store.  So we downloaded them, ten episodes, and saved them for the late-evenings on the cruise.  I brought along the HDMI cable and we were able to hook the iPad to the flat-screen TV!  Loved watching those as an added treat to our trip!  Check out the week's highlights......



Days 11 - 12

Disappointing Friday Followed By

A HUGE SATURDAY!

Friday we enjoyed the day at sea - walked the track (which alternated between two decks with twenty-two steps up and twenty-two steps down....that's 396 steps we walked today if anyone is counting); and then had a good dinner, but the show with the Caribbean Princess singers and dancers was average I thought.  When I checked the races for Friday I was shut-out, but like Thursday I had several winners on the sheet.  In the second I tabbed Angel's Girl at 10/1 in the program, ON TOP, and she won at 9/1 paying $20.....but it was a "no bet" race.  I had the winner in the third listed as the upset pick over my top choice; they ran 1-2 in the wrong order.  Had the winner in the 5th, again as the upset choice over my top pick, and again they ran 1-2.  In the eighth I ran 4th at even money while my third choice won at 10/1!   

Saturday: Tropical Park Turf / Tropical Park Oaks Day

When I looked at the Racing Form for Saturday I noted that there was a stakes race on the Fair Grounds card, so I handicapped the card.  Came up with three picks, but one was a main-track-only and he scratched out.  At Gulfstream the co-features were two stakes races that had always been a part of the Tropical-at-Calder meet, but with Gulfstream controlling all the racing it now is on the Championship meet calendar.  I made my bets early in the morning and then we headed out on an all-morning through mid-afternoon exploration of Grand Turk Island.  It was a fabulous day and the show, which featured an illusionist from "America's Got Talent" - one of our favorite summer programs, was excellent.  The racing matched the sensational day we'd had.......

On Governor's Beach

 

I was in the winner's circle right away in the Gulfstream opener.  Right On Course was listed at 8/5 and he was dropping from a $30K spot to today's $6.25K level.  Might have raised a red flag if not being a Gulfstream 40% Club play.  Peter Walder with Javier Castellano - already won with one of those this week.  Easy-peasy-pie!  I was a disappointing 6th at 3/1 with another "Club" play in the 4th and then ran fourth in the fifth race when 10/1 Dr. No was bet down to 8/5.  What had been exciting to watch in that race was my second and third choices were ridden by top jockeys Javier Castellano and John Velazquez and they finished in a dead heat!  In the 7th I was just ill......I wrote that if program favorite, Battle Red, had been trained by ANYONE but Todd Pletcher he would have been a big-time play against.  But I wasn't about to let Pletcher beat me again - as you read in earlier entries, that has happened once and it won't again, no matter the circumstances.  Should have an exception here as I described Reconfigure at 10/1 in the program as the one to fear.  It was a photo finish with that one nosing out Battle Red....the payoff was over $20, sigh......Then it was time for the first of the co-features, The Tropical Park Turf.  In my analysis I wrote that any of five or six would be no surprise if they won.  But I was going with Mark Casse's lightly raced colt, Sky Flight.  He'd only been out three times, and won two of them.  His two best figures by far were the only two times he went long on the grass, like today.  It was an added benefit that this was another Gulfstream Park 40% Club play as over the last four years any time Casse teamed up with Jose Lezcano on a turf route runner they's won 12-of-31 times!  Sky Flight was tracking the leader, who appeared ready to wire the field with a furlong to go, but then Sky Flight kicked into gear and cleared by him with a 16th to go.  WHOOOOO HOOOOOOO! 

And did you see that price?  OH MY!  Oh yeah baby, $11.40 so I'm cashing in for nearly $60!  In the finale, the co-featured Tropical Park Oaks I thought Sandiva was an obvious win contender. She was a multiple Group winner in Europe and was now trained by Todd Pletcher with top jockey Javier Castellano riding.....duh.  I was hoping that post 14 would discourage some bettors, and it did!  She was sitting just off the leader as they spun out of the far turn and then edged clear through the stretch.......check out this price! 

WOW!  $10.60 on a Pletcher-Castellano runner, are you serious!  I am cashing out for another fifty and change.  Swept the feature races and I added another win with my "Best" of the day at the Fair Grounds where Cinco Charlie won the Sugar Bowl Stakes!  What a fabulous day today was from start to finish!  Kim and I remarked today that this has been a great cruise "to nowhere" (well, one stop today, but honestly there was nothing to return to Grand Turk Island for), and it has been the perfect length.  We are looking forward to tomorrow's day at sea.

Day 10

Holiday Caribbean Cruise

And We're Off!

Sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale

Yes, this afternoon we boarded the Caribbean Princess and sailed out of Port Everglades, headed for the Turks & Caicos Islands - a four night sailing adventure.  We LOVE to cruise and with none of the kids planning to be here the first part of the Christmas holidays we booked this trip;  but, through the wonder of the Internet I was able to continue my Gulfstream Park Handicapping Project.  I would download the past performances in the evening, make bets the following morning; spend the day enjoying the cruise; then, in between dinner and the evening's show I would check the results and get the next day's past performances.  Here's how the first day turned out........

I had found five "live" runners today, the first was in the opener where I went with Upon Reflection who was 8/1 in the program, but left the gate at 18/1 and ran to those odds.  My pick in the 2nd scratched before running a disappointing fifth at 3/5 with Todd Pletcher's Sloane Square in the fourth.  In the sixth I was a close second at 6/5 with Marvino - again a Pletcher disappointment with Javier Castellano on board.  In the 7th I doubled the bet on Gulfstream 40% Club player My Cousin Fay.  This was a non-winners-of-two-lifetime spot, but trainer Peter Walder is a Club member when giving Javier Castellano a leg-up.  All four of Fay's top numbers had been earned here.  The crowd was not fooled as she went off at 3/5 and was the easiest kind of winner! 

In the 8th I had my second scratch of the afternoon, and then I closed the day with my second win on the card in the featured ninth, an entry level allowance.  More Than A Party had four recent dirt sprints:  she had dominated allowance company twice; won a torrid pace duel, only to be nailed on the line by a closer; and was a sharp third in the Eleven North Handicap behind multiple stakes winner Geeky Gorgeous.  Paco Lopez had the rail and she was L-O-N-G gone here. 

For the day I went 40% (2-for-5 with a second).  In what is turning out to be a trend at the meet I had described the winner in five other races in my top three selections!  On the cruise we enjoyed the afternoon, dinner and a show.  Tomorrow is a full day at sea where we will enjoy our oversized balcony!

Day 9

"Bounce Back" To Reality

Yes, after a great Tuesday, Wednesday's results were anything but exciting.  The opener was a Gulfstream 40% Club play with Jorge Navarro's La Churchi - 7th at 8/1.  The second was another "Club" play, Peter Walder & Javier Castellano on Tres Hermanas - fifth at 3/1.  In the 3rd my top pick won, but no bet - typical for today.  The fifth was my lone win of the day.  I was reluctant to bet Hammers Terror largely because of jockey Julian Leparoux who RARELY gives my horses a good ride when I've bet him.  So it's a near unheard of event that I'll bet his horse, but the last three speed figures Hammer Terror had earned were close to lifetime best of the others AND today was his first trip for a claiming tag.  Right to the front on the inner course and never looked back winning by daylight. 

With Leparoux on board I was not going above the minimum, and with post time odds of even money I only cashed for $10.  In the 7th La Moskette had fired a sizzling bullet work in :59.3 for a barn that earned $3.42 with debut runners, but he was a dismal eighth at 4/1.  Magnificent Margo in the eighth was another "Club" play as a class dropper for Michael Maker & Javier Castellano.  Dropped out of back-to-back stakes for this allowance spot and was bet down to 7/5....third.  My third choice won at $6.80.  I closed the day down with the two most likely winners of the day, both Todd Pletcher runners.  In the 9th Savoy Stomp resembled Eskeformoney from last week, where he'd won his debut then faltered in graded company and now dropped into an allowance spot off the layoff.  He was the 7/5 favorite, but chased my third choice, Bluegrass Singer ($8.40) all the way around the track, third.  And in the finale Violinist looked to bail me out at a nice 2/1 with my triple investment.  Chased the longshot pace maker into the turn right on his hip, but instead of running by under John Velazquez he ran evenly to the wire and the upset was on.  WOW.  The track giveth (on Tuesday) and taketh away (today).  More selections tomorrow as we head out to sea late in the afternoon!

Day 8

A BIG WIN On Special TUESDAY Card

Indeed it was a big, and I must admit somewhat surprising day.  I headed out to Gulfstream on this special Tuesday card - you see, with no racing on December 24 or 25 we get to run today and next Tuesday! - for three different reasons.  First, Kim and I leave for a Holiday Caribbean Cruise on Thursday afternoon, so there will be no "on track" racing this weekend; second, when I handicapped the card I found four selections in the first five races - one of which appeared to be perhaps the "Bet of the Week;" and third, I thought I might be able to move one of my two blocks of Florida Derby tickets closer to the other so we could all sit together.  In the opener I had picked Keyed For Speed who just looked much the best on paper.  I wasn't surprised when I walked in that he was the favorite, but as I walked into Gulfstream he was being hammered at 2/5.  He floated up to 4/5 and promptly broke slowly from the gate, was behind horses through the turn and when he finally came running it was without a lot of enthusiasm - a disappointing third.  In the second I had a Gulfstream 40% Club play!  Trainer Kelly Breen has hit with 6-of-13 (46%) runners over the last FOUR winters when three circumstances occur simultaneously:  (1) a horse is making it's first start of the meet, (2) the race is in the first twenty days of the meet, and (3) it is a maiden claiming event.  Personal Start was breaking from the rail with Paco Lopez aboard and looked to be on or near the lead, and had the "early speed, class drop" angle going as he'd shown speed for a half mile at Parx as the even money favorite for a $25K tag, today he was in for $12.5K.  Today was his (1) first start of the meet, (2) on the 8th day of the meet, and (3) it was a maiden claimer....check-check-CHECK!  He dueled with a price horse until they straightened for home and then drew off to score by daylight through the final furlong!  WHOOOO HOOOOO! 

In the third I didn't have a bet - all the other handicappers liked Pass Key, who was my second choice and I anticipated being the short-priced favorite.  He won and paid a nice $8.20.  Because I had no bet I went inside and hooked up with "Gabe" from the ticket office who I've worked with before.  He told me he was 99% sure he'd be able to put my two groups together into one section and get me to additional tickets (found out that Kassandra Gordon, an AP I've worked with on graduation at Cypress Bay and have been trying to get to the races) has committed to go.  I gave him my business card and told him he should check out my web site as I handicap every day for Gulfstream and devote my page to the track.  He said, "Really?  I'll check that out!"  And then I told him that I could not tell him how many people I'd turned on to racing by bringing them out to Gulfstream.  He replied, "I'll have to do something special for you!"  We'll see!  Now it was time for the fourth race, a maiden special weight sprint for two-year-olds.  Duh, hello.......is there a Pletcher runner?  Indeed!  On the rail was Blame Game.  He was the son of champion Blame, who I had seen hand the immortal Zenyatta her lone career loss in by a nose in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs as we stood along the rail.  He had been purchased by one of Todd Pletcher's clients for $200K at Keeneland and was making his career debut today.  The works were not spectacular, no bullets, but were steady and dated back to August.  My only concern was that jockey John Velazquez was on the rail, and that can often intimidate a horse, especially a first time starter, and most especially a young juvenile runner.  I went to the paddock to get a look at him up close and he was a beautiful animal.  When I looked at the board I was amazed that the #5 was the 8/5 favorite and the #7 was 2/1 while Blame Game sat up there at 5/2.  I looked at my analysis and I did not even have the #7 in the mix!  And the #5 was my third choice.  What is everyone thinking!!!!!?????  I briefly considered maybe I should back down from my triple investment plan, but then thought "NO" I am about to make a nice score.  As I stood on the rail and the horses loaded into the gate Blame Game floated up another click to 3/1!  WOW.  He broke sharply and was quickly dueling with two experienced horses and stuck on the rail.  Before the first quarter mile was over Johnny V showed why he is in the Hall of Fame.  He eased Blame Game off the duel, then slipped him outside of horses for a clear run.  By doing so he'd give up about two lengths, which did concern me a little, but as the horses now hit the far turn Blame Game EXPLODED and burst by the runners in front of him.  By the time he turned for home he was clear by daylight and was L-O-N-G gone! 

I could not believe my good fortune when the tote board flashed up $8.60 for a winning ticket - I would be cashing for almost $65 and I am certainly going to win for the day!  Especially knowing that the next race was my BET of the WEEK!  It's funny how racing works though.  I had this nagging thought in my head, what if THIS race had been the best of the day?  I looked again at my sheet and Palace Gate was a Todd Pletcher GP 40% Club play - racing for a $40K tag or less.  And his last FOUR BEYER speed figures were better than all the LIFETIME figures of the rest of the field.  I had planned to bet $30 to win.  I quickly added up my remaining plays and if I lost all three of them, unlikely but it could happen, I would lose a dollar for the day.  It seemed a shame to waste the big win on Blame Game .... what if I backed down to $20 on Palace Gate?  Then I thought - no, stick to your guns, if you are meant to win for the day you will.  It is a long meet before we start thinking win or loss bottom line.  Well Palace Gate broke alright but seemed to be off stride or bobbled for a 16th of a mile.  Javier Castellano settled him by the first turn and as they hit the far turn he was poised to strike as the heavy 2/5 favorite.  Then ...... nothing.  Just stopped running and finished dead last.  WOW.  I went in to make my last two bets, only to discover that the final bet of the day had scratched.  Now granted that might have made me a big winner on the day, but without that bet, I am guaranteed to win for the day!  The pick in the 8th trailed throughout, so for the day I finished a solid 2-for-5 (40%) and in the black!  Check out the video clips from today:

 

Day 7

Sunday December 14

Still glowing from the HUGE Saturday I had six selections on the Sunday card.  I thought I had one really strong selection, two "Club" selections that I should hit one of, and a big longshot to close the afternoon.  At the end of the day I only had added one winner to the spread sheet.  In the opener I did not have a bet and my top choice did not win, but my second choice DID score at 27/1.....wow, would have liked to have put that one on top.  In the second I was a dismal 9th at 3/1 but I was nearly certain I was poised to win the third where Value Voucher was the heavy 3/5 chalk.  He had dueled through a :45 half mile at Keeneland last out in MSW company and today dropped into a maiden claimer for trainer Larry Rivelli - that's a 47% winning angle according to the DRF.  But Value Voucher broke a bit slowly, rushed up to third and was poised to go by, but had no stretch punch....evenly to be third.  In the fifth I had a Gulfstream Park 40% Club move with Michael Maker teaming with Javier Castellano on March Reward.  It was a starter optional claimer going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.  Castellano was in tight early AND down the backstretch, but rallied through the turn.  Then he split horses entering the stretch and was J-U-S-T up in time! 

He was the second choice at 5/2, so I cashed for close to $20.  In the seventh my pick, Lady Anita was a big 7/1 and was in second heading into the stretch and I had high hopes....but she stopped badly to finish a well-beaten ninth.  In the 9th Whiskey Tap was a Gulfstream 40% Club for trainer Saffie Joseph - over the last four years he's won five-of-nine times when sending a dirt runner out that is stretching out in distance.  In addition he was 7-for-17 with class droppers (41%).  AND he'd already proven able to win at today's one-turn mile.  He was 2/1 at post time and was close up through the turn, but was in tight in mid-stretch and had no late punch, seventh.  In the finale I tabbed Paco Lopez on Scorched Cat listed at a big 15/1 in the program.  He looked to be the sneaky speed of the race and I recalled a big score last year with just this kind of situation.  Scorched Cat went off at 7/1 but was outrun to the turn.  Still Lopez smartly sat close up to the longshot and as they turned for home he was in prime position.  The winner got the jump on him but he was a solid second.  A little disappointing, but it was a great week with a solid Wednesday, a BIG Thursday, and a HUGE Saturday.

This week we have a special bonus day of racing on Tuesday and then Kim and I leave on a Holiday Caribbean Cruise Thursday afternoon.  But as I said in the video on Saturday, you can count on my making some racing investments from the ship!



Day 5 - 6

What A GREAT Day!

FIFTEEN WINS!

 

It was a wonderful, fabulous day at the races today!  And it was especially rewarding after going 0-for-3 on Friday, on what I considered a weak card  By the time I'd watched the final race on my selection sheet I had cashed on fifteen-of-thirty picks; had hit all of my "Best" bets of the day; taken down two of the four Gulfstream featured stakes and four of nine overall on their always tough card; AND had won four Louisiana Champions Day stakes races.  What a wonderful day!  The weather was spectacular as it was in the mid-60s when the day started, only got to the mid-70s and had mostly sunny skies all day long.  I decided against sitting as with all the action I figured I'd be walking all over the place all day, and I was.  It was such a whirl-wind day that about 3 pm I wanted to get a coke and never had time!  So let's get to it, because this will read like "War and Peace" with all the stories to tell!  As I drove out to Gulfstream I was considering my first bet, the opener at Aqueduct where I liked Perfect Disco.  This filly was THE Lone Speed in a field of six in a non-winners of three lifetime.  I had planned originally to double the bet, then upped the investment when I saw it was DRF's Kenny Pecks' "best."  But as I drove into the parking lot I thought to myself, this is too easy....she's going to romp.  So the first bet of the day was a "Prime Time" investment!  For the majority of the wagering period Perfect Disco was on the board at a paltry 1/9, but eventually she clicked up to 1/5.  She broke quickly to the front in the first two strides and it was all over but the shouting as she romped home!  Just awesome - not so much the cash I collected, but to be right and have invested in such a way that showed how much I believed she'd win.  I watched the race from the paddock area on the jumbo-tron so I could see the horses come out for the opener at Gulfstream.  Here I had a triple investment on Enchantress.  In her debut, like so many Pletcher first time starters, she had dazzled going six furlongs.  He moved her immediately into graded company and she set the pace for the first half mile of the one-turn mile in the Grade 3 Tempted before fading.  Today off a freshening she was back to six furlongs and look much the best of these with John Velazquez up.  I watched the two Hall of Fame personalities talk strategy before mounting, then watched as Echantress pressed the pace to the turn and ran away by eight widening lengths. 

My triple investment returned $25.50 and I was off to a 2-for-2 day having cashed for over $50 from $35 bet!  Then came the longest stretch of the day, and in fact when I lost with four straight favorites at 3/5, 4/5, 9/5, and 4/5 I was wondering what kind of day I was in for.  At Gulfstream Poor Etiquette was sent off as the 2/1 favorite - as a Gulfstream 40% Club for Marty Wolfson with Javier Castellano on board.  He's still looking for his first win of the meet after having won back-to-back riding titles.  He sat patiently to the turn, burst to the front and looked home free, but like his first few mounts, he'd moved to early and was caught late to be second.  Joe C was the 1/9 pick for much of the wagering at Laurel in a maiden claimer, but I wouldn't move about my minimum bet.  Glad I didn't as he was second best at the final odds of 3/5.  In the featured Grade 3 Sugar Swirl I went "Prime Time" on R Free Roll.  She wired the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga and I thought she looked too fast for these, but had a bad feeling.  Sure enough in spite of an easy :22.3 opening quarter when in front by daylight she caved in the stretch.  The only good news was that the winner was ridden by Castellano so now I could bet him with confidence.  Next I was a well-beaten sixth at 9/5 in a maiden claimer at Aqueduct.  Donegal Hall was one of only two bets at Tampa for e and looked much the best at 4/5 on paper.  Broke slowly, rushed up to contend into the turn then stopped to be 8th.  Royal L.S. was the 2/1 second choice at Laurel and cruised to the lead turning for home then hung while being outfinished - 6th.  WOW.  FINALLY back in the winner's circle, but I thought it was ironic that I only had the minimum on Alaco Castle in Gulfstream's 4th.  I did not like that she was claimed for $8K two back, then won for $10K first off the claim but was dropped into this $6.25K claiming sprint today AND was stuck on the far outside.  BUT, she looked best and if able to run to her recent form SHOULD win.  She ranged up under Paco Lopez as they turned for home and cruised home under a hand ride! 

So after hitting back-to-back odds-on favorites and losing four added investment bets my profit line wasn't boosted by the $16.50 I cashed for, but I took it as a sign of better things to come!  Next up was my "BET of the Day!"  It was the Louisiana Champions Day Classic, and I thought Sunbean was much the best on paper.  On Friday I saw an interview with his owner/breeder who was so excited about the possibility of him winning and being the youngest La-bred to reach $1 million in winnings.  My plan was to bet probably $30.  But when he was hammered to 1/9 I reconsidered and went in with a U.S. Grant ($50) to win.  As they loaded into the gate I thought that only poor racing luck would get him beat today.  The gates sprung open and he leaped straight up in the air, hoofs over his head and spotted the field a good five to seven lengths.  Really?  Sigh.......  It didn't help my confidence that (a) his regular rider was injured (though Corey Lanerie had ridden him before and he is the two-time Churchill Downs leading rider) or (b) Sunbean likes to be pressing the pace.  But Lanerie showed why he's a top rider by allowing his horse to settle and while they were trailing he was comfortable.  As the field approached the far turn with a 20/1 runner loose on the lead, Lanerie cruised up with the second choice to reach a challenging position.  As they turned for home the front runner spurted away but Sunbean was in full flight now.  As he was slowly inching closer, but not catching the leader I thought about how I'd read he really wasn't probably best at nine furlongs....was the distance AND the poor break going to do him in?  He was all class and heart as he nailed him in the final strides.....PHOTO finish, but I felt sure I'd won, and his number went up - HORRAY!  But almost immediately the INQUIRY sign went up.  As I had watched the stretch run there was some bumping between the leader, Sunbean and the second choice who had tried to split the top two but was shut off.  The inquiry was AGAINST ME!  I didn't think it was my fault and as they showed the head-on slow-mo I was standing next to a guy who started pointing out to me (like I couldn't see) that it was "so obvious" that it was the front-runner who came out on the second choice while Sunbean ran straight as an arrow to the wire.  And that's the way the stewards ruled - Sunbean the winner, the second choice was put up for second money and the 20/1 longshot dq'd to third. 

 

The 1/5 odds were, again, not financially rewarding, but the fact I was rewarded for my confidence (and with $65) was all I needed.  WHOOOO HOOOO!  I took a "selfie" of me and my big ticket and posted it to Facebook where I was congratulated by several of my FB friends!  In the fifth at Gulfstream Yolo Kitten went off at 2/1 as a GP 40% Club play for Michael Maker/Javier Castellano but was an even fourth.  But I was back in the winner's circle fifteen minutes later when Via Strata justified her even-money favoritism at Aqueduct.  She was a first-time starter for Kiaran McLaughlin with Irad Ortiz riding - a 30% winning combination.  She stalked the leader into the lane and then accelerated away easily!  Another $20 plus for me!  I made it two in a row in the first of the two stakes races at Hawthorne.  In the Illinois-bred Debutante for two-year-old fillies I tabbed Tizgorgeous.  She had been a best-of-the-rest second behind Timeaday in the Showtime Deb on my Mom's birthday while we were in Ohio and I had bet the winner.  Timeaday had come back to win again and that KEY race angle made her look strong to me.  She stalked the pace three-wide into the lane and all three fillies ran well with Tizgorgeous holding off the 4/5 favorite by a long neck on the wire!  I had the minimum and collected almost $15.  At Laurel, Next Best Thing was 1/5 but could not catch the front runner and was second, disappointing with a double investment.  But in fifteen minutes I scored at Aqueduct.  Oltre' Oro had broken her maiden last out using a wide draw to stalk several pace setters, then running by them in the lane to win.  As much as I typically don't like to bet maiden winners right back, this looked like an identical set-up with multiple "need-to-lead" types and her post 8 draw.  Just as described as she swooped up four wide and edged clear late.  But the best part, she went off at 7/2 and paid a juicy $9.70!  I had doubled the bet so I cashed for nearly $50.  NICE! 

Back-to-back-to-back losses left me considering how the final tally would play out.  I counted up my total plays to be 30 and if I were to hit 40% I would need to win with at least five more.  But as I looked down the list I thought I saw at least six more winners for sure!  Of the three losses the one I wish I had back, and I KNEW IT even before I bet it, was at Gulfstream.  Majestic Z was 10/1 in the program in a two-year-old maiden turf event AND was a Gulfstream 40% Club play for trainer Jane Cibelli and jockey Joel Rosario.  I have to say that the fact I'd just scored for nearly $60 on Thursday with this same combination made me even more inclined bet here at the big price.  But #8 in the field......Escondido, for Todd Pletcher.  How many times do I say on video, "Who didn't get the memo" about Pletcher maidens at Gulfstream and that on the turf you always get a better price.  Well, Majestic Z got into all kinds of trouble on the turn AND through the stretch while, yes, you guessed it, Escondido won for Pletcher and paid a big $7.40.  That's nearly $40 I let get away.  Not again this meet, I promise.  In Aqueduct's feature, the Queen's County, I was right that the favorite Vyjack would not win, but my pick was 4th at 3/1.  Finally back in the winner's circle with the first of two Gulfstream feature events.  It was the El Prado on the turf.  I liked Mshawish, also trained by Pletcher, had been my pick when I was at Monmouth for the $1 Million Haskell in the Grade 3 Oceanport in his first start in North America.  He was too far back and wide when finishing off the board.  He came right back to win at Saratoga, but in one of the worst steward rulings I saw this summer he was DQ'd.  Still winless in North America I had not lost the faith.  He was trapped in and among horses into the lane, but once he got free he BURST past the leader and was much the best. 

He was the 3/2 favorite, and I only had the minimum, but he was a winner!  I collected and was ready for the second half of the day. 

It was on to the Fair Grounds next.  It was the Louisiana Champions Lassie for two-year-old fillies.  As I looked at the field the first thing I saw was I did NOT like the morning line favorite Vivian Da Bling - she was pure speed and it is next to impossible to go wire-to-wire over the New Orleans strip.  The second thing I saw, I DID like.....on the outside was Wind Chill Factor.  On Nov 22, while we were in Ohio, she'd been my pick in the Louisiana Jewel at Delta Downs and she had won oh-so-easily from off-the-pace.  That style was the perfect fit for the Fair Grounds.  I doubled the bet.  As I was waiting for them to line up for the Lassie I was keeping an eye on the Gulfstream monitor where my top pick in the Harlan's Holiday, Liam's Map, was the heavy 1/5 favorite.  This in spite of the fact he had only three races under his belt, was making his stakes debut, and was facing a field full of multiple stakes winner, most especially Pants On Fire who had just run third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Valid who had won the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup when I was on the Jersey Shore, and several local stakes.  I had tripled the bet on this ultra-talented Todd Pletcher runner and had been encouraged at his chances when I read Pletcher's quote that Liam's Map "was ready" and he was "excited to see him stretch out in distance."  It was also a BIG plus that Pletcher compared him to Cross Traffic and Graydar who both had gone from lightly-raced allowance winners to score in stakes company.  But 1-5?  I thought to myself that this was turning out to be "one of those days" for me, and then I made a deal with myself.  I looked up at the Fair Grounds monitor and Wind Chill Factor was sitting at 7/2.  I promised myself that if she won, at this nice price I would take it as "a sign" and would add money to the bet on Liam's Map! 

Vivian Da Bling went right to the front and was clear by daylight at 4/5 as Wind Chill Factor dropped down from her outside draw and got within five lengths as they hit the far turn.  I could see her rider was motionless as she was passing horses and closing the gap on the favorite with each stride.  At the top of the lane she was three wide but within a length as she was asked for her best.  She accelerated and BLEW BY the favorite then was under wraps, drawing off with each stride to score as MUCH the best!  WHOOOO HOOOOOO!  The payoff was a huge $8.40 and I was collecting nearly $45.  Right to the windows and my favorite teller and I added ten dollars to the Liam's Map bet making him my Gulfstream BEST Bet - $25 to WIN!  As they walked up to the post in front of me, as I stood along the rail at the first finish line Liam's Map went into the gate at a fair even money.  With the short run to the first turn and he being in post 8 I thought he'd sit mid-pack, but despite the wide trip through the turn he was quickly pressing the leader (Csaba, a multiple stakes winner locally with graded stakes on his resume) and they were clear of the field.  Couldn't be in a better spot I thought, he's just waiting to spurt clear!  Sure enough as they hit the far turn he blew right by Csaba, but immediately was confronted by Valid.  It's hard on even the most seasoned stakes runners to have to duel with one horse, put them away and have to deal with a fresh challenge.  Much less a situation like this where my horse is lightly raced, never been tested, and his challenger is an old pro who's got nothing but the finish line on his mind!  They dueled through the turn and as they turned for home Valid had poked his neck in front.  Again, it is the rare horse, even a proven graded stakes runner who can be headed in the lane that will come back......to challenge, much less win.  But Liam's Map showed that he is truly the real deal as he battled right back and it was GAME ON!  One head up and one head down they dueled to the final fifty yards where Liam's Map was just too good and he edged away to a half length win!  

WHOOOOO HOOOOOO, again!  The payoff came up at $4.20 and I was collecting $52.50.  I am having a wonderful day!  But despite winning three in a row, all stakes races I was not done yet.....but a long shot.  Less than fifteen minutes to post for my "best" of the day at the Fair Grounds (if you count the Sunbean play as the BET of the Day!).  String King in the Louisiana Champions Turf looked much the best to me.  Loved his 9/4-2-1 local record and I thought maybe I'd get a "fair" price since he was on a three-race skid.  But those had all been quality efforts against better.  I was "PRIME TIME" on him - $20 to WIN!  He was sitting just behind the leaders through the far turn, then made his move three wide into the lane.  He kept grinding and grinding wearing down the leaders and with 100 yards to go his nose was in front.  He gradually edged clear to score by a length. 

 

And his $3.00 mutual payoff netted me an even $30 for my FOURTH stakes win in a row!  As he crossed the finish line I shifted my gaze to Hawthorne's monitor and looked for Creative Art, the number 6.  Where is he?  Oh there he is, as they turned for home - way back!  But he swung into the clear with all the momentum and ran right by the field from last-to-first!  No matter he only paid $4.20 and I had the minimum on him....it was ANOTHER win and my fifth in a row.  Wow, I TRULY am having a wonderful day!  Two more live races before heading for home.  Could I make it six in the South Beach Stakes here at Gulfstream?  I sat down for the first time all day and watched as Sassy Kitten was in striking position into the far turn, then suddenly stopped and was pulled up as he barely was able to jog through the lane.  But inside I watched as Natalie's Wonder ran to her 1/5 odds at Los Alamitos.  She looked like a virtual slam dunk on paper as the lone speed, while dropping from MSW into a first time maiden claiming event as the lone speed.  She was under pressure but in control to the top of the lane.  Los Alamitos has a VERY long stretch, a full quarter of a mile and the closers were coming.  No.....not getting to the favorite today as she held them safely off and in fact was drawing off again late!  Win #13 on the day.  As I walked to the car I was now 13-for-25 with five late races to watch.  Kim and I shared a pizza while we watched some TV and then I sat down to watch the last five races.  At the Fair Grounds Tensas Harbor would be a big score if she could fly by them late in the Louisiana Champions Ladies at a big 4/1 with my triple investment.  She was flying but was too far back and fourth.  But at Hawthorne I had my "best" of the day there in the second featured event, the Illinois Futurity.  Much like the other runners I've mentioned from November 22, I had bet Dom the Bomb that day and he was the easiest of winners.  Today all three of his career figures were better than the lifetime numbers of all his rivals.  BUT, he was stretching to two turns for the first time AND was marooned in post twelve.  Could he sit mid-pack and get the distance, at a short price?  I thought so and tripled the bet. When the gate sprung open he was quickly past eleven of the twelve juveniles before they even got to the turn.  This is PERFECT I thought.  He sat just off the hip of the long-shot leader and it was obvious to me that the rider had a firm hold of him.  It was just a question of the distance.  As they hit the far turn he glided to the front and when heads turned for home he was LONG GONE!  Devastatingly easy! 

Man this guy is good!  I was going to collected for over $25 on my fourteenth winner of the day! I missed on two Los Alamitos bets (4th and 3rd) and I wanted to bet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly champion Take Charge Brandi in the Grade 1 Starlet, but I went back and forth, and back and forth until finally I decided that all this indecision made it clear I did NOT have a firm opinion.  She gutted out a courageous wire-to-wire win and is the most likely Eclipse Award winning two-year-old filly.  The last win of the day came in the finale at the Fair Grounds, and the last of the Louisiana Champions Day stakes, the Ladies' Sprint.  I thought there were three that were nearly even in chances, but Afternoon Tango was listed at 6/1 and had missed by a neck when rallying in the 2013 edition at a big 15/1.  The crowd was smarter than I gave them credit as she was 5/2 at post time.  As the field turned for home she was still far back, but was just getting going.  She came running with all the momentum and blew by the field to draw off handily.  The $7.40 return will get me $18.50 when I go back out to Gulfstream this week.  For the day I cashed on fifteen winners from thirty selections with only three seconds and one third (which again is why I do not bet win-place, or across the board!).  I had bet well over $350 but cashed for nearly $430....a big profit, the best of the young meet! 

 

Next up is the Sunday card tomorrow.  But next week there is a special Tuesday racing card!  So I'll have selections tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday before we leave for our Holiday Caribbean cruise.  We'll be gone until Monday the 22nd, but I'll be handicapping AND betting from on board the ship for sure!