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."