Day 3

Wednesday December 10

Florida Derby Tickets!

It was cool and crisp today - 47 degrees when I got up and in the low 60's while I was on track this afternoon.  I wanted to go out to Gulfstream, not only because I've promised myself to take more advantage of being able to go out during the week, but to pick up my Florida Derby tickets.  We expect to have over thirty people join us for the signature day of the meet on March 28.  I paid for 21 tickets today and I believe that between Stephanie & Jim Anderson's group and Brad & Lauren's group we should be have a full group playing in our pool and enjoying the big races.  I was fortunate that in handicapping for today I found three selections in the first four races so I could go out for a couple of hours of racing as well.  In the opener I liked Sylviasgivenangel who was being sent out by Kirk Ziadie.  Over the last four years when he's sent out a runner off a layoff in a claiming event at odds of less than 6/1 he's won at a big 45%.  The crowd agreed and made her the 7/5 favorite, but she was never able to make a serious run and was fourth.  No bet in the second, but I spent the time talking with my oldest son Jeff on the phone.  One of his closest college coaching pals has just been given the position of Head Football Coach at Kansas University and Jeff is hopeful of going back to Lawrence to be his video coordinator.  While we talked on the phone he actually ran into him on the recruiting trail!  The third race was the first of what I am sure will be many, many Todd Pletcher maiden winners.  Eskenformoney had run four times on the turf, but her best effort came in her last when trying the dirt at Keeneland.  Add in the fact that her daddy, champion Eskenderaya, loved this track and she looked like a slam dunk - especially against what appeared to be a weak field.  My original plan was to triple the bet, but when the smart money hammered her to 1/9 early I went "Prime Time."  She dueled through the far turn and then was L-O-N-G gone, opening up by a widening eight lengths while under wraps for John Velazquez. 

She had floated up to 2/5 at post time so I cashed for nearly $30.  In the fourth I had landed on Bustle in a turf claimer.  While you may not remember that name, Bustle holds a spot in my racing adventure scrapbook because she won for me when I was at Saratoga for Travers Day 2013.  On the Friday before the big day I had met my brother-in-law Jason and we'd gone out for the full day of racing.  That afternoon was one of the best "on-track" adventures I've had as I cashed on five of seven selections, and Bustle was the fifth of those.  But, name alone and fond memories will not get you top billing in my handicapping.  The race was full of speed - on paper - and Bustle was a strong finisher.  But what was the big draw was that trainer Jane Cibelli was a member of the Gulfstream 40% Club on two angles here.  Over the last two winters she's scored at a big 40% with any runner dropping in class.  But what leapt off the page was the "Rosario angle" - when Cibelli gave a leg up to Joel Rosario those horses had won at a phenomenal 60% over the last two winters!  The front runner set off on a suicide mission, setting fractions of :22 and change and :45 and change while Rosario bidding his time some eight off the lead in third.  As the field approached the far turn Bustle began to swallow up the ground between her and the leader and as they spun out of the turn she was in full flight to the wire, in front by a widening four lengths.  The coasted home easily.  WHOOOO HOOOOO!

In the early betting she had been the 2/1 favorite and with the small numbers on the tote board I was unable to see her final odds as I descended from the grandstand.  As I walked into the simulcast area the freeze-frame of the winner with the odds of the top four finishers had just disappeared.  So as I headed to the paddock area to film my video clip I looked up at the tote board in the breezeway and was amazed to see Bustle's final odds at 3/1!  WOW, I'm going to cash for $40 I thought.  Then the final numbers came up and she paid an even bigger $8.80 - I cash for nearly $45!  What a great day at Gulfstream I'm having.  I had three late bets and was surprised that none of them won - I was second with El Bendinat in the 7th and off the board at 4/5 with Chad Brown & Javier Castellano on Pisco Bliss.  Back to the races tomorrow!  Loving the every day handicapping and racing adventures!

Wednesday Video Recap