Day 21

January 3:  Happy Anniversary!

Twenty-eight fabulous years with the love of my life, and sooooo many great memories!  We didn't do anything today as we were just worn down from the long holiday break and chasing around our grandson :)  I had considered going out to the races today but I knew that I would not be at my best (if I even had the time) to handicap yesterday, and wasn't even sure I'd want to be at the races for the full day.  I always enjoy being there, but if I were as worn out as I thought I'd be, I wouldn't enjoy it to the fullest, so I planned on an assault for Sunday.  And in the end it proved to be a wise decision as not only would I have not enjoyed the day due to lack of energy, but it was a disappointing day.  Not so much the losses, as I went 0-for-6, but I ran second in back-to-back races where I looked like a certain winner, and in the "BEST" of the day my horse just stopped running on the turn.  I'll briefly mention the two runner-up finishes and then let's move on to tomorrow.  In the Grade 3 Dania Beach I thought Bill Mott's A Lot had a good shot to rebound at a price.  She was the 3/2 favorite in the $100K Awad in New York last time out and it seemed clear to me that she did not care for the yielding turf.  At 6/1 in the program, running on firm ground, and with jockey John Velazquez I expected a big effort.  My only fear was Night Prowler who had Javier Castellano for Chad Brown.  But the Brown barn is struggling at 1-for-17 through the month of December.  Sure enough, as the turned for home Velazquez had A Lot in prime position and she blew by to lead, at a big 6/1 post time odds!  I was counting the $70 plus dollars I was about to collect.......but in the final 100 yards the #9 caught her.  Who's the 9?  Yes, Night Prowler.  Sigh.  In the very next race, the Spectacular Bid, Ready For Rye looked like a standout.  Coming off a second behind Grade 1 winner Carpe Diem he'd blown away the competition.  But I actually thought that second behind Pletcher talented colt had been an even better race.  Either effort would win for fun here.  Everyone thought he was a standout and he was sent away as the even money favorite.  He rated just off the pace, moved to the front.......

......but as I expected him to blow by the horse on the rail, on the outside was a runner with a full head of steam and Ready For Rye had no response, second again.  The "best thing" about the day was I was NOT on track for these results.  Luckily the great thing about racing is that we're back on track tomorrow!