Day 59

TWO WINS Thursday

I was hoping to bounce back off a one-win Wednesday, and while I did win twice, I missed with two seconds and a third with fair-priced runners.  But, unlike yesterday, my "best" of the day - also in the opener (very unusual) was a winner!  The opener today, like yesterday, was a mile and a sixteenth on the grass.  Makaket Millie just jumped off the page to me.  While the rest of the field had struggled against "beaten" claimers at this price level or against 2-lifetime foes, Madaket Millie was dropping out of allowance company and running for a first time tag.  Toss in the rider change from 5-for-118 Joe Bravo to top riding Javier Castellano and it appeared she'd be odds-on.  Such was the case.  The only thing that did NOT go as expected was the pace of the race.  Woderfully Wild, a 10-1 shot, set off on a lonely lead and as they turned onto the backstretch the first pace call flashed up in a glacial :26 flat.  Meanwhile Makaket Millie was mid pack expecting to rally.  The half mile was up in an equally slow :51 flat.  So as they hit the far turn and Millie made her move, Wonderfully Wild had plenty for the sprint to the wire.  But as they ran home you could tell Millie was gaining with each stride, it was a question of getting there before the wire......JUST got to her late in an well-judged ride by Castellano! 

I had tripled the bet, so I cashed for nearly $25.  In the second Just Got Out figured to rally into a speed duel, and he did....but too far back and too late on his move, 3rd.  I didn't have a selection in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th.  In the 6th we were sprinting on the turf.  Tripski was 5/1 in he program and had not been out since last March.  But his numbers fit and he had Castellano.  The pace was wicked, but he was pretty far back.  When heads were turned for home he was FLYING and JUST missed on the wire at a fair 2/1 price.  In the 7th Purely Boy was working on a five-race win streak for Michael Maker.  He'd been a top selection since his last in at least two if not three spots, but had not run.  Once he scratched at the gate and once it came off the turf.  But today he was allowed to go off at a generous 5/2.  He's generally a pace presser or stalker, but in this event Paco Lopez had him at least a dozen off the leader.  He rallied up the inside and was getting to the winner, but was still 3/4 of a length shy at the finish.  Sigh.....  In the 8th Remarkable Teresa was Ron Nicoletti's "best" and deservedly so.  The field had fifty-three races on their collective resumes with a grand total of three combined 80 figures.  Two of Teresa's last three were at that level.  Javier Castellano was winning at a 50% clip for trainer Jane Cibelli.  But like the other also-rans today she was too far back and could not get to the front-runner.  Finally in the 9th I had the front runner.  Isabella Sings was being sent out by Todd Pletcher.  In her debut she'd won sprinting on the turf.  Off that debut she was sent two turns in the Grade 2 Natalma at Woodbine and was a dirty nose short of winning.  Off to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly Turf where she set the pace for six furlongs before giving way late.  So today it was the "early speed, class drop" angle.  The only question was her fitness having not run since the first weekend in November.  But Pletcher returnees, especially 3-year-olds who are coming of sharp juvenile seasons, nearly always run well at Gulfstream for Pletcher.  John Velazquez put her right on the lead and she was clear early.  But she was being tracked and as the two separated themselves from the field, that one collared Isabella.  It was "a show" as track announcer Larry Colmus described it.  The two fillies dueled the length of the stretch but Isabella would not be denied and edged clear in the final 100 yards! 

The price was a short $3.00 but a win is a win!  Finished the day with yet another late runner who was too far back and came up short when Bird Maker was 4th at 3/1.

Day 58

TROUBLE - Right Off The Bat

My "best" of the day on this first day of racing for the week came in the opener wit Casual Smile in a Maiden Special event on the turf.  This filly had flashed talent in her second career start in Europe when second by a neck to Taghrooda who came back to win two Group 1 events and was third to the boys in the most prestigious race in Europe, the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.  Today she made her first North American start for Chad Brown with meet-leading rider Javier Castellano on board.  But right out of the gate it all went wrong - check the sequence of photos - broke behind the field - clipped heels nearly tossing Castellano over the top - lost the irons - steadied/checked again - but once recovered was picking off horses through the far turn before - fanned WAY out into the middle of the course.......... 

........and still ran third.  Wow.  My next two selections were scratched leaving me without a live selection until the seventh.  Sora was a fair 4/1, but was wide and ran evenly throughout to finish 6th.  In the 9th it was  GP 40% Club play for Michael Maker on the turf.  St. Borealis was the 6/5 favorite and saved all the ground into the turn with apparently a full head of steam as a seam opened inside......no response, 6th again.  I took a chance in the 10th with Three Alarm Fire in a nw2x allowance spot.  This guy had earned four of five Beyers above 90 and the one that was not you could toss in a Grade 3 over a sloppy track.  He had beaten Todd Pletcher's star runner Liam's Map last summer at Saratoga to break his maiden, and that guy has come back to win every start since including a stake.  The problem is that his trainer, Tom Albertrani - a good conditioner - was 0-for-54 at the meet.  As I wrote in my analysis, Three Alarm Fire was as easy to like as to go against.  Sent off at odds of 7/5 he simply ran evenly finishing fourth.  But the day was not a total loss as in the finally Bill Mott's Jewelisa scored for me.  She was a generous 6/1 in the program and I projected her to be a nice price play.  But the crowd sent her off as the 9/5 favorite.  She saved all the ground into the turn and unlike St. Borealis earlier, when a seam opened on the rail she exploded to draw off by daylight as MUCH the best!  My Mom arrived today from frigid Ohio and we'll plan to be on track Saturday for the three graded stakes, one of which - The Swale - will feature the return of Grade 1 winner Daredevil from the Todd Pletcher barn who ran the fastest speed figure of any two-year-old in 2014 in the Champagne. 

Day 57

Could He Be THE Derby Horse?

Today was the final full day in New Orleans and it was a GREAT day.  After a great breakfast at Ashton's B & B we headed downtown to the waterfront to get on the bus for our "Super City Tour" of New Orleans.  I enjoyed the nearly two-hour tour, but what was really satisfying was when Kim's Dad remarked that he'd lived in the New Orleans area for many years and didn't know most of what we found out today.  The highlight of the morning was the stop in the City Park and then when Kim and I had lunch at Frank's on Jackson Square where we enjoyed traditional New Orleans fare - Muffalettas and a Hurricane to drink

After lunch we took another bus across the river where we went on a nearly two hour Swamp & Bayou tour and saw many alligators in the wild and got to hold one!  When we got back to Ashton's I was able to check the race replays, and I was MOST anxious to see one race in particular.  In the fifth today was my "BET of the Day" where I thought Todd Pletcher's rising star, Khozan was much the best.  But let's start at the beginning.  In the third race Burning Time looked solid in spite of the barn's 3-for-60 record at the meet.  He'd won three of four at this level and in his last two he faced much tougher than today's group.  He was the 4/5 favorite and was well back throughout before making a mild run to finish fifth.  Valiant Knight in the 4th looked even stronger.  He'd debuted in January in MSW company and today was dropping down for a tag.  The Eddie Kenneally barn was 35% with second time maidens and the fact he had finished only three lengths behind the winner in that MSW start pointed him out.  The crowd sent him off at miniscule odds of 1/5.  He pressed the leader into the lane, apparently ready to pounce, but when the running started he couldn't get by.....second.  Finally, time for Khozan.  He had debuted from post 14 on Holy Bull Day in early January and had dazzled that day in spite of the draw.  He'd been working sharply since and today would be the day that we found out how much talent he might have.  As a half brother to multiple Breeders' Cup champion Royal Delta I thought he might be a super star in the making.  The fact that his connections had been willing to pay $1 million for him at the Fasig-Tipton sale only further made me believe in his natural ability.  The odds were at 2/5 as they left the gate, but were 1/5 by the time the numbers showed for the first time; and that quickly dropped to 1/9 as they moved down the backstretch.  Jockey Javier Castellano had him under a strangle hold as he pressed the leaders into the far turn.  When he finally let him go Khozan did it all naturally as Castellano sat still as a statute.  With every stride he drew clear by more and more lengths and won by at least half the length of the stretch without ever taking a deep breath.  This young colt is OBVIOUSLY something special.  I immediately thought, Florida Derby good?  And later in the day I read online that trainer Todd Pletcher remarked that the Florida Derby was the "next logical" spot for him.  As I reflected on the impressive win I was reminded of how last year's Derby winner, Constitution had won his maiden at the meet, then was even more impressive against entry-level allowance runners before taking the signature race - just like Khozan this winter.  Uh oh! 

But the day was not over!  After running 3rd at 7/5 in the 6th on the turf I had my second winner on the day in the 8th, another Pletcher 3yo.  You may remember my story about Itsonlyactingdad from about a month ago.  He'd left the gate at 9/1 and came within a nose of making my day.  So today, second time out I figured he'd be a short priced favorite, but still he owed me!  He pressed the pace just like in his debut, but today when it was time to put the field away at the 16th pole he accelerated to the wire as much the best. 

But the price - OH MY!  How did the crowd let him go off at that price?  I was delighted to collect nearly $50!  I was a dismal 10th at 8/1 with another Pletcher horse - but hey, just as 'Dad shows, you never know!  Then in the finale I bet on Perfect Tay.  I wrote "....is a value play in a race where the two likely betting favorites have issues...."  Two back he'd scored for this price, but in 3L conditioned company.  Last out in open company he rallied for third.  But, as I noted, what was important was that in that race he was going a full furlong shorter AND he was chasing a loose-on-the-lead runner who a couple of years ago had won a stakes here!  No such opponent today.  He rallied wide and then drew clear in deep stretch. 

Much lie Itsonlyactingdad, the price......wow!  So for the day I made nearly $40 in profits.  And for the week, in spite of the 2-for-12 Saturday (granted I was robbed not once but twice and had the worst kind of racing luck!), I finished with ten wins for a 31% winning average.  Check out the highlights for this week:

Week 12 Highlights

 

Day 56

Wow.  Well, the best way to describe the day is that if there is ANY kind of trouble or bad luck a thoroughbred can get into while racing, they ALL happened to me today.  Have to admit that it was a disappointing day from a handicapping standpoint.  But I will add that I enjoyed the racing adventure.  As you can see we were all decked out for the day, and that was one thing I really enjoyed - not only were we dressed up but I saw many others in the clubhouse who were also sporting their racing fashion finest!  We arrived early at the Fair Grounds thinking there would be traffic of some kind and at least a big crowd.  And while I knew the track was near our bed & breakfast I didn't know how near.  Turns out it was less than a mile and a half and we could have walked it!  In fact our hosts at the bed & breakfast told us that they have some regular guests that come in early summer for the "Jazz Fest" held at the track and they walk every day!  After walking around an seeing the facility we settled into our seats and Ed began pouring over the analysis I'd written.  Again poor Peggy didn't feel well enough to join us :(  I will say up front that I don't have anything to say about the races here locally - didn't score in a single one of them.  Typical of the day was in the fourth, my "BEST" of the day Delauney held a Fair Grounds record of 7/6-1-0 and was a ten-time winner at the distance.  Of the Beyers listed in the 70 races of his rivals there were two triple digits;  meanwhile Delauney had eight of his twelve races with a 100 or better.  The only way I could see him losing was if he dueled on the front end and then Too Dim could run him down with a rally.  But as post time approached the crowd was betting the other speed horse.  I even said to Kim and Ed as the horses approached the gate that I didn't understand the crowd because there was NO WAY that horse could go wire to wire.  Delauney was 2/5 at post time.  But sure enough that front runner went right to the lead and never looked back.  Wow.  So, let's focus on the Gulfstream races which have more stories, and what stories to tell......

I thought it was going to be a great day because in the opener at Gulfstream I liked Empire Knight.  He'd won a two-lifetime event and was claimed by Michael Maker.  He confidently moved him up to an open $50K spot and he'd won again.  Today he moved him up to an entry-level allowance and with top jockey Javier Castellano on board I thought he would be odds-on.  Instead he left the gate at 2/1.  He split horses at the top of the stretch and drew off.  The winning payoff was a remarkable $6.60 and I was starting the day with a $33 winning ticket.  NICE!

 

In the fourth race, the first of the eight stakes races, Wedding Toast was the 4/5 favorite in the Grade 3 Rampart.  While she'd only been out once since the fall, it was a sharp listed stakes win here and her only career loss had been to multiple Grade 1 winner Princess of Sylmar in New York.  The second choice for me was House Rules who loves this track and is a Todd Pletcher runner.  But, four of the last five figures earned by Wedding Toast would take a career best by House Rules to compete.  AND Wedding Toast looked like the clear speed.  That's the way the race went until mid stretch when she weakened and House Rules ranged up.  But she cut off a longshot who was squeezed between the two favorites, and I thought this also impeded my pick.  Seemed like a logical DQ, especially when they showed the head-on.  But the stewards let House Rules victory stand.  I told Kim afterwards that it seemed like since it was a Todd Pletcher horse they'd looked the other way.  Wouldn't have done me any good since Wedding Toast was bobbed out of second on the wire.  In the Grade 3 Very One Riposte was the LONE speed and set ridiculous pace figures of :26.4 and :53.3, followed by a pedestrian 1:20 clocking for six furlongs while loose on the lead.  As they turned for home and began the wild sprint I was certain I'd win.  But my second choice ran right by to win.  Wow.  In the 6th, the Grade 3 Gulfstream Sprint I realized that Mean Season was a gamble - he'd been sensational in three NY sprints, but was often on the shelf.  If able to run to his numbers he'd be long gone.  He led them into the turn in hand and stopped badly.  Then the REALLY bad luck began.  The 7th was the Gulfstream Ladies Turf Sprint and Good Deed just laid over the field.  She was ultra-quick but didn't have to lead, she could sit just off the pace.  She had sizzled in back-to-back Fair Ground Turf sprints leading into this spot.  NONE of the 155 races run by her rivals matched her back-to-back 97 Beyers in her last two and she was 5/4-1-0 in turf sprints.  The trouble started when as they came out of the gate she was squeezed back from both sides and was quickly 10th!  She began moving up rapidly as they approached the far turn, only to be shut off, again.  As the field turned for home she was still in mid-pack but then was unleashed!  She was F-L-Y-I-N-G up the rail and the longshot leader was drifting out towards the outer rail with each stride.  It looked like she would easily catch her but the leader fought on.....PHOTO FINISH!  UGH.  If I had any luck other than bad luck I'd have been the winner. 

 

The next big stakes was the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida.  I told Kim that with all the bad karma of the day I was about to find out was it just a day to shrug it all off as an impossible to win day.  My pick in the Mac Diarmida was Main Sequence.  All he'd done since arriving in North America last summer was win not one, not two, not three, but four Grade 1 events including the Breeders' Cup Turf.  His most logical rival today was Twilight Eclipse who loves the Gulfstream turf and had Javier Castellano.  BUT.....in ALL FOUR of those Grade 1 wins, Twilight Eclipse had been beaten by Main Sequence.  AND this was the kicker.....the trainer for that Twilight Eclipse is 0-for-50 heading into today.  If he beats my horse, the Eclipse Award winner, well I don't have any hope of winning today!  Sure enough as they turned for home Main Sequence was still in mid-pack with, as track announcer Larry Colmus called, "....work to do!"  But approaching the 16th pole, with Twilight Eclipse in front (sigh!) jockey Rajiv Maragh simply shook the reigns and oh my.....the acceleration was immediate and devastating.  In an eye blink he was in front and cruising under a hand ride to the wire.  The last time I saw anything like that was Goldikova's third win in the Breeders' Cup Mile.  Breathtaking. 

 

I had $50 to win - and I must say I was proud of myself to stick with my bet and not let my confidence be shaken.  Cashed for $85 and I thought, "here we go!"  But no.  In the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Jack Milton went to his knees out of the gate.  Wow-squared.  Followed at the Fair Grounds by my pick running away from the field in the stretch but unable to catch the 13/1 loose-on-the-lead front runner.  Then it was time for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.  Honestly I thought this was a good spot to go against the Holy Bull winner Upstart.  Even hsi trainer said he wouldn't be surprised if he regressed a little today after running that 106 Beyer last out.  But even a step backwards of multiple lengths would STILL put him in the winner's circle.  And the horse I liked second best, Todd Pletcher's unbeaten Itsaknockout, was only a two-time winner making his first start in stakes company.  As they turned for home Upstart was gathering momentum and Itsaknockout was following him.  A longshot on the rail came out and bumped Upstart who was knocked briefly into Itsaknockout.  But he regathered himself and easily drew off to win by daylight.  My prime time investment was going to pay off close to $40. 

 

But, wait a tic........INQUIRY / OBJECTION.  I watched the replay and at best it was an iffy call.  It seemed clear (you'll have to watch the video on my weekly highlight in tomorrow's journal) that when Upstart "bothered" Itsaknockout he was already clear of that one.  That seems obvious from these still photos I think. 

 

But no, the stewards took him down.  And again I told Kim that I'd hate to think that Upstart, as a New York based horse for a New York based trainer was given the shaft in favor of 11-time training champion Todd Pletcher and locally based Itsaknockout.  Bad call I thought.  But wait, it gets worse.  How is that possible you might ask.  Well, in the finale, one of my top plays at Gulfstream, Dreaming of Gold was running in a Maiden Special for 3yo on the turf.  Castellano was riding for Michael Maker, a GP 40% Club angle.  'Gold was cruising along in third on the rail easily the best horse in the field at 6/5, when suddenly he was checked hard losing about eight lengths.  But Castellano wasn't about to take that sitting down and he moved 'Gold wide into the lane and had him flying.  There was a stretch duel through the final 16th and he just missed.  Sigh.......but again, wait a tic - INQUIRY / OBJECTION!  When I saw the replay (again, watch in the video tomorrow) I said out loud, "Oh wow!"  Very obvious interference as not once but TWICE the winner not brushed, not bumped, but SLAMMED into Dreaming of Gold.  See the stills: 

 

Compared to the "trouble" that Upstart was found guilty of this was racing karma for me to get my money back.  A CLEAR DQ.  You have to know how the story turns out.  No change in the order.  Seriously?  Unbelievable.  And so the day ended with only two tickets cashed.  But again, I truly did enjoy the day from a "Racing Adventure" point of view, and Ed came out $0.90 ahead :)  Here are some pics from the day....

 

 

 

 

Day 55

We Are In New Orleans!

I made my wagers this morning.  When Kim arrived home around 12:30 we headed out to Ft. Lauderdale International and boarded a direct flight to New Orleans.  The flight could not have been smoother, and we arrived early.  We got our rental car in near record time (very helpful we did NOT have to shuttle to an off-site facility).  There was no traffic to speak of as we drove from the west side of the city through downtown to the east side and arrived at our Bed & Breakfast, Ashton's.  The place was amazing!  We were SOOOOOO delighted with our selection.  We picked up Kim's Dad (her mom was feeling sick) at their nearby hotel (they couldn't get into ours until Saturday night) and then caught a cab to the French Quarter for a Ghost Tour.  The story-telling was very good and it was enjoyable on a very crisp (which became cold at the end) evening.  Once we were back at the room I checked on the outcome of my racing for the day.

In the opener I scored!  My pick was Pass Key in this non-winners of three lifetime.  He had just beaten five of the seven lined up to face him today and the other two were listed at 15/1 and 30/1!  Could it be that simple?  And he had a trainer pattern.....he had two starts in 2L company, the second a narrow miss, and then he won.  Today he comes off two starts in 3L company, the most recent a narrow loss.....bingo!  He rallied four-wide into the stretch, caught the second choice in the wagering (and my second choice) at the furlong marker and then it was one head up and one head down the length of the stretch until in the final strides Pass Key extended his neck JUST enough to get the victory! 

In the second Confrontational looked much the best for Todd Pletcher, and was pounded down to 2/5.  After leading to the turn he stopped badly to finish seventh.  Wow.  In the third Air Squadron was also hammered, 7/5 at post time.  He was wide throughout and really never put in a bid - 5th.  I scored with my "Best" of the day next out in the 7th when Honor The Kitten was sent out by Michael Maker for Ken & Sarah Ramsey.  With Javier Castellano up it became a Gulfstream 40% Club play!  He was cruising along inside to the far turn then was blocked with no where to go.....Castellano swung him at least seven wide and closed with a rush down the middle of the course to score going away!  WHOOOOO HOOOOOO! 

The even-money payoff meant I'd cash for $30.  Little to speak of in the last three of the day, but tomorrow is the BIG EVENT!  Very excited to be headed to the Fair Grounds for their big day of six stakes races.  Though to be honest I feel like the card is wide open from top to bottom.  The Gulfstream card on Fountain of Youth Day seems much stronger for me as I have three or four that look to be best unless there is some "issue."

Day 54

THREE WINS To Kick-Off Short Week

This is the week I've been waiting for since the holidays at least, and you could say all the way back to last March!  For the past several years the Louisiana Derby has been run on the same day as the Florida Derby.  So this past spring I mentioned to our friends that go to the Florida Derby with us - since they all come from out of town save one - "Why don't we go to New Orleans for the Louisiana Derby next year!?"  The response was a deafening silence.....finally our good friend Dan said with a sorrowful look in his eyes, "So, we wouldn't go to the Florida Derby?"  I got the message quickly!  So I told Kim that there wasn't any reason we couldn't have a getaway weekend to New Orleans, we'd just go for their Louisiana Derby Preview Day, which is this upcoming Saturday.  So we have tickets to fly out Friday afternoon and have booked a bed & breakfast as well as tours on Sunday.  Can't wait!  But, first let's get to this week's racing, which - because of the holiday card this past Monday - is a short week:  Thursday February 19 - Sunday February 22.

In the opener on today I doubled the bet on Chllin Dylan who was a GP 40% Club play for Tamar Levy.  He was a huge 9/1 at post time and rallied well to be fourth.  My next selection was in the 4th where we were sending maiden three-year-old special weights seven furlongs.  Royal Squeeze was my choice who was making his career sixth start, but was turning back in a "classic karma move" from 8 1/2 furlongs around two turns to today's elongated sprint.  She was also dropping out of a stakes race at the Ocala Breeders' Sales event for Chad Brown AND was getting Javier Castellano.  Interesting stat displayed in the DRF below Royal Squeeze's past performances was that Brown was scoring at a HUGE 56% with runner going from a route to a sprint!  I tripled the bet.  As they hit the far turn she was three wide around the bend and moving on the leader, but was joined on the outside by the 5/2 second choice.  They dueled for a 16th of a mile then that one put a head in front of Royal Squeeze!  Now typically once a horse is headed, especially in the stretch, and MOST especially when on the inside, it's all over.  But Royal Squeeze would not quit and on the wire it was a head bob.........

I WIN!  The triple investment meant that I'd be cashing for nearly $30.  Nice.  In the 5th it was my "best" of the day.  Wild Swava was a Gulfstream 40% Club play for Michael Maker.  He had Javier Castellano on board.  In the twelve past performances showing, Wild Swava had been the post time favorite in TEN of them; odds-on in FIVE!  The good news was she'd won seven of those races.  The bad news is that after third as the favorite in the $125K Claiming Crown Tiara on Opening Day she was a dull fourth at this level in her next at even money.  But today was a rider change to the top jock and looking down the pp's you could see that Castellano had only ridden her twice - and BOTH were WINS!  Have to like the local record (4/2-0-1) and her resume at today's 7 1/2 furlong distance (3/2-1-0).  She was sent off at 3/5 and after pressing the leader to the top of the lane she just ran away in hand! 

WHOOOO HOOOO!  Collected over $25 on that one.  In the 7th Probably was the even money favorite and dueled to mid-stretch then stopped, fading to 6th.  Ouch.  In the eighth race Hereditary held a huge edge over his fellow Maiden Special Weight rivals.  In his last he'd won by daylight going a one-turn mile at Laurel.  But the stewards took his number down.  Today the classic Phipps silks of black & cherry red would be worn by Javier Castellano for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.  As heads turned for home he was still fourth with work to do, but once he was pointed for home he accelerated down the middle of the stretch and surged past late to give me my third win of the day.....and make it a profitable one at that!

Day 53

THREE MORE!

Yes, three more of my handicapping selections ran across the wire first today!  WHOOOO HOOOOO!  Wait a tic, that's an odd way to express it......well, read on my friend.  For this special Monday, President's Day of racing I had six selections on the card.  Unlike the other days where I'd watched the races live, today Kim came home early from her girls' weekend and we spent the day together - took a long morning walk, went to the movies, and then went out for a late lunch.  So around 6 pm I sat down and logged onto my twinspires.com account to watch the replays.  In the third, it was a maiden claiming sprint for sophomores. When I handicapped the race it looked fairly simple to me - all but two of these fillies had been beaten at this bottom level previously and the other two were class droppers. OK, which of those two? The program favorite Bushnell was dropping out of a better race ($40K), but in her previous start she'd been an early speed and fade AT THIS LEVEL. The other, Pretty Girl Anna had showed good speed against $25K runners and dropped to a new low today. She seemed the more likely to steal it, and as the second choice at 4/1 offered better value. Well, no one was more surprised than me when I opened up the replays and the final odds showing for 'Anna were a HUGE 8/1! Right to the front and she was quickly clear by four lengths. I've documented before that when you pick a front-runner, most especially at a big price, there are three keys to the race: (1) the most obvious is that the front runner must break in front; (2) as they hit the final turn the leader must maintain their margin through the turn; and finally (3) when heads turn for home a spurt to open up some more ground because you KNOW the closers will be coming late. Just as described - Pretty Girl Anna was clear by four into the turn and I was encouraged; as they moved through the turn and NO ONE made up any ground - in fact the 6/5 favorite LOST ground - I knew I had a very good chance. And as she turned for home she extended the lead to almost six lengths before in the final furlong late runners began to cut into the lead.....too little, too late.

The $19.80 payoff generated nearly $50 in winnings and I'm in the black for the final day of the week!  In the 4th Strategikon was wide into the first turn but was quickly up and on the pace.  He was poised to make his move as they hit the far turn, then stopped - 6th.  I passed on the fifth race, but in the sixth it was a non-winners of three lifetime turf sprint.  Off The Page had come off a more than year layoff to wire a similar 2L field last time out.  I normally would normally look past that kind to take down their very next start - first, claiming runners are remarkably inconsistent for the most part and it's rare indeed to win right back; and second, the step up from 2L to 3L not insignificant.  But in this case Off The Page had been given over a month to recover from that effort AND had two sharp works since.  He appeared razor sharp and might even improve today for trainer Wesley Ward, who is winning at a 27% clip for the meet.  I also really liked the fact that Off The Page was a bit of a "Horse-for-the-Course" with a 3/2-1-0 local record.  He went right to the front and was loose on the lead.  But as they turned for home he was challenged and a stretch duel was on from the 1/8th pole to the wire........but he prevailed courageously! 

He was the 4/5 favorite, but I'd doubled the investment so I was cashing for nearly $20!  The 7th was my "best" of the day.  Lismore had never been out of the exacta on the turf and she'd won her second start by daylight at Aqueduct.  Her first start against winners came in her So Fla debut at Gulfstream Park West where trainer George Weaver had put her into the Wait A While Stakes.  She ran shrply and was a good second.  The winner of that race was winning for the second consecutive time for Chad Brown and then exited that race  to win the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant!  Lismore looked much the best to me.  She stalked the leaders through the far turn and made her move.  A longshot came to her at the furlong pole, and much like my win in the 6th a stretch duel was on, and just like the 6th Lismore prevailed courageously!  THREE WINS!  I watched my last two selections - Barrel of Love rallied to be a good 2nd at 3/1 and King Thief showed little to be 6th.  Then, as I typically do when I'm watching online I changed screens from the "Program View" to the "Results" view to get the payoffs......$19.80 on Pretty Girl Anna, $3.80 on Off the Page, and .....hey, what the!!!!!!  Lismore is listed as the second place finisher.  I know she won the photo.  I went back and watched the post-race video, uh oh - OBJECTION.  And yes, Lismore caused problems through the stretch run: 

She drifted out badly, and not only force the runner-up to change lanes, but actually bumped into her knocking her off stride.  Can't do that :(  Sigh.....demoted to second.  But still, I was 2-for-6 on the day and had a clear profit thanks to the longshot winner in the third.  Check out the week's highlights......

Week 11 Highlight Video

 

Day 52

Sunday February 15

Today reality returned to the races......for the first time this week I failed to have a multiple winning day.  I had seven selections on the day, though no "best" plays.  The theme of the day seemed to be horses that were right there with a chance to win, but couldn't close the deal.  In the opener Tony B was tracking the leaders ready to pounce as they turned for home, but ran evenly for fourth through the lane.  Convolution sat off the pace in the 2nd, made a big move on the turn and appeared ready to sweep by the leaders, but hung to be fourth as well.  The lone winner of the day came in the 3rd, a starter optional claiming on the turf.  Escondido was a Gulfstream 40% Club play for trainer Todd Pletcher.  Ironic that over the last few years there have been no less than SIXTEEN angles linked to Pletcher runners, but for this season he has only one - when running a horse for a claiming tag of less than $40K.  In this event a longshot leader went wild on the front end and was out in front by nearly ten lengths through rapid fractions.  But as he hit the far turn he was still well clear while Escondido was in third.  But he moved in tandem following the second choice in the wagering who caught the leader and was clear by over a length and a half at the furlong marker.  But that horse had given up the lead is two straight races and that was the case again as he willingly gave way to Escondido who pushed his rally all the way to the wire. 

Cashed for nearly $25.  In the fifth Unforgettable Mark - who would have made a great story if he won - made a bold mid mid-race, then nothing, 4th.  In the 6th Killer Partner was a GP 40%Club play for Michael Maker with Javier Castellano.  Maker was interviewed on HRTV and asked how he thought this one would run today from the rail.  He remarked that he was hoping the horse would be settled with blinkers on today and sit third or fourth behind the leaders.  Instead he went right to the front and opened up by two.  Into the lane he appeared to have plenty left and rebroke to be clear at the furlong pole.  But in the final 100 yards he was caught, grrrrrrrr 2nd.  The last two picks continued the trend with middle moves and no late punch as Queequeg stopped to be 9th and Tarnished was in perfect position turning for home but ran evenly in third.  The highlight of the day came when the Florida Panthers played a matinee game at 5 pm.  Kim was still away with her girlfriends so I contacted good pal and former "teammate" Enzo (he'd played with Kim & I on the "Adults" team when we would play roller hockey with the kids for years as they grew up).  We went to the game together and then out for wings afterward.  Good times!

Day 51

The Aqueduct card kept me winning early, but in the end it was another awesome day at Gulfstream today.  In the opener at Aqueduct - which ironically had cancelled on Friday due to cold and today announced they would be closed tomorrow due to cold - I liked Forest Boy.  He was the 9/5 program favorite and seemed deserving of that based on his "A" game figures.  If able to run back to one of those he would be LONG gone against these.  But on the flip side you had to take into account that he was a THIRTEEN time maiden loser.  Yikes.  Take confidence that David Jacobson is in charge was my thinking.  The crowd did NOT make him the favorite and he was allowed to leave the gate at a very generous 5/2.  He went right to the front and I could tell the jockey had a tight hold on him......I'm in great shape I thought.  As they spun out of the turn he was let loose and romped home by daylight.  WHOOOO HOOOO!  The first score of the day for a handsome $35.  In the second at Gulfstream, my first local selection, I had tabbed Broadway Zen who looked like the lone speed on the turf in this non-winners of 2 lifetime spot.  He sat just off the cheap speed and opened up turning for home.  Then here came the one horse I feared - I had noted that Classy Kid, listed at 6/1, was the threat.....not because he'd ever really run well, but because today Javier Castellano was on board. That one came to me in deep stretch and edged by late paying over $10.  Sigh......second (the first of many today).  But that race was no sooner official than they were off at Laurel in a starter allowance.  As I mentioned in my video, watch below, it was almost unfair that there was betting allowed on Printasticat in this spot.  he had romped twice by daylight in her last two, against better, AND with Beyers that towered over these.  Even 1/5 would be stealing.  That is what I got and she ran to her numbers.  Sat just off the pace to the far turn and then kissed the field good-bye under a hand ride.  It was the first of any "prime time" investments. 

At Tampa, Hashtag Bourbon was had the top rider and had faced name company in his past.  He looked like a short-priced winner.....on paper.  After stalking the pace to the turn he stopped badly, 6th at 1/2.  In the third at Aqueduct I liked the first time starter Face.  All the numbers said "pick me!"  The barn wins at a 24% rate with debut horses, at a big $3.94 ROI.  The rider was 7-for-14 for the barn - also at better than $3 ROI.  The barn is an even stronger 36% with first-time maiden claimers, and this at a HUGE $6 ROI.  Topping the cake, they had won with a horse like this two weeks ago.  The only concern was the rail draw which can be difficult for inexperienced runners.  But, Dave Liftin wrote that their winner two weeks ago had also won from the rail.  This barn obviously knows what they are doing!  Face broke a bit slowly, but was quickly up and on the lead after the opening quarter.  As they hit the turn he opened up and was an easy winner at 7/5 - cashed for nearly $25.  Then I hit a streak of misses:  third at Tampa, third at Gulfstream when Double Desert tossed the rider and ran off.  The tote board said he was scratched, but then they announced he was NOT scratched.  I considered cancelling the bet, but I liked the horse and he was even a "day-maker" from "The Player" on HRTV.  And I figured if the barn kept him in he must have a legitimate chance.  Made a big run on the far turn into second, but was flat to the wire, third at 5/1.  4th at Laurel, 4th with a Pletcher first time starter at 4/5 at Aqueduct, and fifth at 8/5 at Laurel.  I was SURE I'd snap the losing in either of my next two picks - both from Gulfstream, both maiden races for sophomores, and in both I had Pletcher runners.  Jambles stalked the pace, and went clear on the lead at 7/2 in the fifth, but was run own by the favorite (my second choice) in deep stretch, 2nd.  Spanish Armada made a bold bid on the turn going two turns on the turf at 5/2, but hung to be third.  As I came in from watching this race live, they were posting the "OFFICIAL" sign at Aqueduct.  I'd won with Possessed.  He was the 4/5 favorite, but I was just happy to "stop the bleeding."  Then I saw the replay - Possessed was loose on the lead and LONG gone in mid-stretch (listen to the call in the replay video) and then suddenly he shortens stride and it is oh-so-close!  I would have been having a heart attack :)  But hey, a win is a win.  MIssed two more - at the Fair Grounds when Sugar Street dueled to the top of the stretch and then weakened, and then at Laurel in their John B. Campbell Handicap when Saiolr's Revenge (at 4/1) came flying 7-wide, but too late, fourth. 

Finally a winner at Gulfstream!  The seventh race was a maiden claiming event for three-year-olds going five furlongs over the turf.  Jersey Life looked very obvious, with one concern.  She'd debuted with a miserable effort in May on the dirt, but when transferred to the turf she sprinted to a good second against Maiden Specials.  That race wins here, especially on the drop in for a tag.  But there is the problem - that race was last June!  Could she repeat that effort today?  I felt more confident that the answer was YES when I noted that trainer Wesley Ward was a partner in the ownership on this filly (with actor Joe Pesci!).  She broke in front and was in complete control throughout the entire race, winning by daylight.  I was irritated that I'd only bet the minimum so the $3.80 wasn't even going to get me back $10, but as I walked up to video the recap clip I pulled the ticket out and I HAD doubled the bet!  I looked back at my sheet, and that had been the plan all along, I just assumed I did not.  WHOOO HOOO, I'm collecting nearly $20 for my first winner on track! 

Three misses followed.....second at even money at Aqueduct with Jazzmineagain; third at the Fair Grounds at 8/5 when I made a "winning move" but had no punch through the lane on Miss Ruby's Legacy; and then 4that 2/1 in the featured Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel.  Sam's Sister was unbeaten on the main track and had been shipped from California by Jerry Hollendorfer.  She stalked and then when the real running started she ran evenly to the wire.  Probably got enough of the purse to pay the travel expenses.  I was back in the winner's circle with my next pick, this one from Santa Anita. Just as Todd Pletcher is "the man" with three-year-olds at Gulfstream, so too is Bob Baffert at Santa Anita.  Well, Power Jam had been working sensationally for today's debut including one work covering six furlongs in a swift 1:11 from the gate - that wins many allowance races!  All he had to do was run to his works.  Everyone saw what I saw and he was 2/5 (which I was happy to get after he'd been 1/9 through most of the wagering!).  He talked a sizzling :21 and :44 pace to the far turn then jockey Martin Garcia shook the reigns and that was the end of that.  Ultra impressive and I had my next "prime time" investment on him.  The eighth at Gulfstream we were on the turf - maiden three-year-old fillies.  I liked Chad Brown's debut runner, Araqeel.  Ten days ago Mrs. Mcdougal had romped as a debut filly on the turf for Brown and he commented afterwards that she would next be seen in stakes company.  Well, on paper, Araqeel looked to be cut from the same cloth.  She was the favorite, but at a more-than-fair 8/5.  The gates opened and she was left behind, dead last.  On the turf it's typically not a bad thing to come from off the pace, but at Gulfstream, and especially lately, to win on the grass you need to be up close.  Top jockey Javier Castellano showed why he's #1 as he didn't rush the filly.  Midway down the backstretch she was STILL last.  It's too late, I thought.  But as the field was reaching the far turn he asked her for her run.  By the time the field had made their way half way through the turn she'd swept past the back half of the field and even while four wide, she was quickly catching the top quartet.  As heads turned for home her sensational burst had brought her even with the leaders.  Had the big move taken all the punch out of her finishing kick?  Not in the least as she hit yet another gear and kissed this field good-bye in a devastating run to the wire. 

WOW.  She is good, and I will anxiously await her return in stakes company to bet her back.  She paid a very solid $5.20 and with my triple investment I was about to cash for nearly $40!  At Golden Gate I had Russell Baze on the 1/5 favorite who looked MUCH the best....but he was a close second.  Wow.  Then at Aqueduct Blithely was my choice in the Broadway Stakes after a very troubled trip against most of these same runners last out.  I had watched the replay and she looked like she was clearly the best in that last one.  Well, today she got the dream run on the rail and never broke stride, but was only fifth.  Guess that trouble wasn't so bad after all.  Next up was the ninth from Gulfstream.  This was a non-winners of three lifetime going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.  When I handicap restricted claiming events like this I look for runners who have never been out of open company, and occasionally I will look at runners dropping in class from a higher priced three-lifetime.  But as a general rule I avoid runners exiting a win against 2-lifetime runners.  With all that said, my pick WAS exiting a two-lifetime win.  But there were extenuating circumstances.  In that spot Franklin had been moving dirt-to-turf, was in for less than $40K, and getting Javier Castellano.  All three of those things are Gulfstream 40% Club angles for trainer Michael Maker, and I'd made Franklin a "prime time" play that day.  He was MUCH the best then.  So today Franklin exits a powerful win, is in for last than $40K, and once again gets Castellano.  So, he's STILL a Gulfstream 40% Club play!  I was hoping that he'd be a better price, but the fact he was bet down to 3/2 favoritism was understandable.  Castellano quickly put the outside draw disadvantage out of the way as Franklin broke sharply and was stalking the leader - while daylight clear of the field - as they moved into the first turn.  I knew I had a very probable winner.  When they hit the far turn Castellano asked and Franklin was gone once they turned for home.  My THIRD WINNER at Gulfstream! 

The winning ticket meant I'd collect $25 for my bankroll.  Two odds-on favorites faltered before the feature at Gulfstream.  Iknewuweretrouble was 4/5 at Aqueduct and was cruising on the lead to the top of the stretch, then weakened badly to be fifth.  At the Fair Grounds Hazards of Love was loose on the lead at 7/5 and seemed relaxed and running easily.  But when a challenger came to him in deep stretch he wasn't good enough to hang on, second.  The feature today at Gulfstream was the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie going six and a half furlongs for fillies & mares.  I won this last year with Breeders' Cup Champion Groupie Doll.  Well, my top pick is no Groupie Doll, but she's GOOD!  Merry Meadow was not my choice in either of her last two when she won a listed stakes and then the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl.  But she looked good here.  It was a little disconcerting that I'd read trainer Mark Henning had planned on a brief vacation after her listed stakes, but she was training so well that he ran her in the Sugar Swirl and she won; and then she was supposed to take a break after that, but again Henning said she was just too sharp.  Really?  YES - when you looked at her workout lines, she'd BLISTERED a BEST-OF-100 bullet work for today.  YOWZA!  She is sharp as a tack.  Her main rival was More Than A Party who is very fast and projected to be the lone speed.  But I'd seen More Than A Party wire allowance fields before, and when she faced Geeky Gorgeous - who is a multiple stakes winner, but NOT a listed winner - Geeky Gorgeous easily collared her and blew by.  I saw that as the scenario today.  When Wildcat Lily - who projected to duel with 'Party - scratched it made the pace scenario a little more tricky.  But Merry Meadow had legitimately earned Beyers of 96 and 97 in three of her last five starts against strong company, while More Than A Party had earned similar figures when loose on an easy lead against lesser.  She would NOT be loose today and she WOULD have to run faster at the end of the race.  I made Merry Meadow my BET of the Day.  The race played out just as I'd seen it.  More Than A Party went to the front and was clear, but Javier Castellano had Merry Meadow breathing down her neck to the far turn.  When the real running started Merry Meadow EASILY blew by and drew off by ten widening lengths, clearly running to that bullet work! 

I had bet $25 so I cashed for $50! AND for the third time in four racing days this week I'd cashed on FOUR winners at Gulfstream!  Four disappointments followed - Shackleford Burns was even money at Golden Gate and ran fifth; Turn On The Pumps was clear on the lead in mid-stretch at Santa Anita - at a fair 2/1 - before literally letting a runner go by in deep stretch.  Which really was NOT a surprise considering she was a 22/1-7-1 runner.  I'd initially dismissed the race, but with her being Brad Free's Best Bet and her superior figures I dove in.  Then at the Fair Grounds Echo Warrior looked easily best on paper, and left the gate at 4/5.  But was only second.  In the finale at Gulfstream I was prime time on a GP 40% Club play - Michael Maker and Javier Castellano on the turf with a runner - Cold Spice - who was moving from dirt to turf - a club angle - and in his only turf start was a good second behind a horse that had come right back to win and then ran second in a stakes.  The listed program 5/2 price was more than fair.  But as the betting got under way he was 6/1 - I had to look up the program horses by number because I HAD to have the number wrong.  Nope.  I must be sitting on a "day maker" at this price.  He went off at 5/1, unbelievable.  But after being right there to the far turn he stopped dead in his tracks to finish last.  I had two late plays at Santa Anita that I had bet as I left.  I got home in time to watch the featured El Camino Real from Golden Gate - the original reason I'd handicapped that card.  I had not found a horse I liked and both the track handicapper and the DRF picked a "price play."  Well, the horse they liked ran away with the race and paid over $15.  Oh to have had a $10 bet on that colt just because they BOTH liked him!  The feature at Santa Anita was the Grade 2 Santa Maria.  I was torn between two fillies until I read Brad Free's column.  He supported one of the two I liked, and the more I looked at the race the more I was convinced we were right in settling on Warren's Veneda.  Not only had she paired speed figures, and both at this distance, but her last, albeit in a restricted stakes, had been a dominant performance.  But best of all, four of the seven she faced today figured to be racing on the front, effectively setting he table for a closer, which Warren was!  The race played out just this way as Warren's Veneda sat near the back to the far turn while four of them knocked heads on the front end.  Warren's Veneda swept to the lead while five wide, and as they straightened for the sprint to the wire she accelerated away to win by daylight! 

I had tripled the bet and will cash for over $40 on my next visit to Gulfstream.  In the final race of the day I had Bobbi Grace in Santa Anita's Sweet Life Stakes going six and a half furlongs down the hill.  Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens gave a ride worthy of his reputation as he scraped paint through the lane, but was narrowly beaten on the wire, second.  He objected to the winner knocking his filly off stride, which did happen, but it was not a slam into her, just a brush.  Still, I thought it might warrant a DQ, but the stewards ruled no.  For the day I scored with ten of thirty-three picks, a very nice 30%.

February 14 Video Recap

 

Day 50

Feb 13: A Lesson In Handicapping Leads To "Score of the Day!"

There are many, many angles and facets to handicapping.....some of them are very straight-forward, some are very esoteric. Today, one of the most basic steps in handicapping led to the "Score of the Day" and a third winning day.  Here's how the day played out.......In the opener I had a GP 40% Club play on a Jorge Navarro runner making it's second start off the layoff.  The crowd was all over My Mom Sinatra, but she stopped badly after setting the pace for the first quarter of a mile, 7th.  In the second, on the turf, Kingdom Crown had been right there as the favorite last time out before encountering traffic.  She was strictly the one to beat at 2/1.  She stalked the pace, made what looked like a winning move, and then ran evenly to the wire, 3rd.  The next bet was in the 6th where Rocky Gap was going first off the claim for Navarro, a 30% winning move.  He stalked the pace at 9/5 and ran evenly, 5th.  In the 7th we were on the turf for a Maiden Special event going 7 1/2 furlongs.  Easement became the latest runner of the week that I would normally NOT bet - a fifteen time maiden.  But today he was sent out by "The Chief," Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens with Javier Castellano on board.  He'd only been on the turf twice and the ls tie out he was third in a 3-way photo.  Today was his day - or so I thought.  Was mid-pack to the turn, made "the winning move" to collar the 7/1 front-runner (who was HRTV's Jeff Siegle "Day-maker") and couldn't get by, second best.  Wow - this is NOT how the week has gone so far!

But here's an interesting sidelight.....if you're following this week's adventures you know that my success has come as I've watched the races live, and that has been the unique element to the unparalleled winning of this week to date.  Well, today Kim was down on the beach for a girls' getaway weekend and so I knew that I'd be watching HRTV.  But she called around 11 am and invited me, strongly encouraged me, to join she and her girlfriends (all pals of mine from our Piper High days) for lunch.  So I drove down there just as the racing got started, but I set the DVR so I could watch the races "live" on HRTV.  I didn't get home until a little after 4 pm, which covered the first seven races of the day, described above.  Lost them all!  Because I'm not watching live?  Oh that's ridiculous you say.  Read on oh paddo-wan....

As I said at the beginning, there are many handicapping angles that you should utilize, or at least check as you go through a race.  One of the basic tenets of handicapping is that you start your handicapping of the race by reading the conditions of the race. These are found at the very top of the past performances, such as below for Gulfstream's 8th race on Friday February 13th. Most of the time the conditions are simple and have little impact on your handicapping. Sometimes it gives you a small insight - such as the price tag for all the runners today and you can find a runner who's dropping in class; or it could be that today is a state-bred allowance and your horse is dropping out of an open allowance. But typically the conditions do not mean a lot. Then there are days like today. When ever I see an allowance race written with conditions that read something like this, ".....or non winners of a race since August 16......" I immediately recall one of the first books I read about handicapping where the author pointed out that often times the racing secretary has a very specific horse in mind when writing that race. So I look for which horse most closely fits the conditions of the race. So, Thursday, in reading the conditions of this race I see that it is for horses that have not won three allowance conditions, or they can have won as many as they like if they are willing to run for a $100K price tag, OR - and this was the key......see the highlighted portion below.......they can run WITHOUT the claiming tag AND can have won three allowance conditions provided they have not won a race since August 16. Now that's a very specific date. Hmmmmm. I scan down and there he is, #2 Karibu Gardens. His last win was in a Grade 2 - obviously above this 3x-other than allowance level, but the win came on.....you guessed it, EXACTLY on August 16. Coincidence? I think not! Even Scott Hazelton on HRTV pointed this out. Still, in spite of this basic handicapping clue, AND the fact that a Grade 2 winner facing allowance foes was being ridden by the meet's top rider, Javier Castellano, the crowd let him go off at better than 2/1. As you can see, he burst through between runners in mid-stretch and streaked past the finish line as a daylight winner!

The winning payout of $6.20 resulted in a return of over $30 for me and provided me another winning day! WHOOOO HOOOOOO!  No play in the 9th, but I had one more selection on the day, in the finale.  The tenth race was a $20K claiming event going two turns on the turf.  In their last, Lighthouse Sound had snapped a four-race win streak by Fan Base.  The fact that Fan Base appeared to be the LONE speed in the race today would, to many handicappers, make him the play back today.  But, even though it's unusual for mid-level claimers like this to put wins together, especially when they were NOT the favorite last time out - as Lighthouse Sound had not been - there was solid handicapping evidence that he WOULD win right back.  The first was a negative angle.  Two races back when Fan Base had scored his fourth consecutive win he had been claimed away so that last time out he was running for new connections.  The fact he'd lost for those new connections would have been negative enough to consider going against, but noting that trainer Patricia Farro is off to an 0-for-40 start this winter made him a DEFINITE play against.  Lighthouse Sound, off the WIN over Fan Base was claimed.  And this was a positive angle, as he was haltered by Jorge Navarro AND was getting top jockey Javier Castellano up today.  The race played out nearly exactly as I'd seen it.  Fan Base was cruising on the lead, Lighthouse Sound stalked into the turn, but to get clear run he was fanned five wide into the stretch.  He was finishing fast and to his credit Fan Base was not giving up, and there was another runner splitting the two who'd gotten a much cleaner trip to take a run on the leader.  As they flew in front of the jumbotron it was clear that it would be a question of which head bob was down on the wire.  The slow-motion replay from the pressbox view made it appear that Lighthouse Sound got the nod.  But the view from the grandstand level was less clear, especially with it's odd angle.  As I watched on HRTV they were unsure and we had to wait three or four minutes for the official photo..........

I WIN!  Finish 2-for-6 for the day and it's another winning day.  AND, the races I watched live, BOTH WON.  Go figure!