Day 37

Sunday January 25

 

I made my way out to the races today and truly enjoyed the weather.  But, I have to say, the story of the day were the two that got away.  While I did score six times on the afternoon there were NINE selections that ran second today.  Any hope of a big day went with that stat.  But even so, it was two in particular that cost me from having at least a good day, if not one of "those days" where I have a big money-making afternoon.  The first came in the fourth race.  It was a claiming event on the turf going 7 1/2 furlongs.  I liked 10/1 Raro.  The first sign of trouble came when she opened in the wagering as the 3/1 favorite and then Christina Bossinakiss put her on top.  But as post time approached she floated up to a fair 4/1.  I'd doubled the bet so I was looking at maybe cashing for over $50.  Jockey Paco Lopez had his mare tracking the speed and in perfect striking position to the stretch and as they approached where I was standing on the rail she was clear!  YES I'm about to have a nice score.  Then there was a blur of gray as a longshot came closing on the outside.....PHOTO FINISH!  Even after watching the slo-mo replay I thought I'd won.  I passed two guys who indicated to each other that my mare had held on.  Even watching the HRTV broadcast at home later their analysts both thought I'd hung on.  No.....second by a whisker.  I had a second consecutive photo in the fifth race, but I won this one and honestly while they had to look at the photo, it was obvious my filly had hung on.  Then in the sixth race we were going 7 1/2 furlongs again on the grass - this one was a maiden special for three-year-olds.  Yep, there was a Pletcher debuting colt, Itsonlyactingdad who was NOT the favorite.  But there was also a debuting colt from the Chad Brown barn who had Javier Castellano on board, Ayaady who was the program favorite.  I thought I might get a price but did NOT expect Aaady to be 8/5 while Itsonlydancingdad to be 10/1 in the early wagering.  As the money kept coming in like this I seriously considered putting Ayaady on top as a "prime time" play, but then I thought - what if this is one of those rare Pletcher scores and I had it, then changed my mind!  So I kept the bet.  As they hit the far turn Itsonlydancingdad was poised to strike while Ayaady was in fourth.  I forged to the front just as Castellano got his runner under way and by mid-stretch they were on even terms.  One head up and one head down to the wire, but I truly thought I had a very slight edge.  They hit the wire virtually together and when you watch the slo-mo in the video (above) you'll see what I mean.  Again several people I passed remarked that Itsonlydancingdad seemed to have held on.  Again the photo - second.  GRRRRRR.  Those two misses cost me over $150!  I'm usually good at letting losses go and moving on to the rest of the selections but the remainder of the day I kept thinking about how sooooo close I'd come to big winnings.  Sigh......

At the end of the day I had two double investments - both of which I thought were going to be handy winners - scratch at the gate, so I "won" those by getting the money back at least.  And then I closed out the day when my "BEST" at Santa Anita, Prize Exhibit was much the best. 

For the day I was just below 30% again.....but oh those two photos......

Week 8 Highlights