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!