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.