Christmas / Santa Opening Day

Week of December 25 - 29

On Sunday morning Kim and I set off to Orlando to spend the Christmas holiday with our son Brad, his wife Lauren, and our 3yo grandson Oliver who is just obsessed with Santa....year round.  We got to visit with our daughter Julie and her fiance Brendon; we went to Disney Springs on Christmas Eve to see the themed Christmas trees and visit with Santa; then of course the highlight was Santa coming with all his presents for the little man.

Headed back on Thursday afternoon to Fort Lauderdale after I'd made my selections for the day.....

Thursday December 26
I had handicapped the card prior to our departure and made my bets before we loaded up and drove home.  Missed in the opener and passed the second.  The third was a maiden claiming event for 2yo and I just did not like the odds-on choice.  Mikalah was dropping in class for the fifth consecutive time and top rider Luis Saez was opting off to ride Tuff N Bluff who was my choice.  She was also dropping but just for the third time, and in her last she not only started wide in post 11, but when bidding for the lead she made 2nd and was steadied.  Tuff N Bluff pressed the pace, took over turning for home and then the 2/5 favorite Mikalah came to her.  But Saez would not let her by and I had my first winner of the week.

The fourth was a maiden event on the turf for two-year-olds.  He's Super Lucky had debuted at Saratoga in a MSW then dropped to this $25K level here in September and was a just-miss second.  On Opening Weekend of the Championship Meet he stepped UP to $35K runners and improved position while earning a "paired" Beyer figure.  Luis Saez took over the mount today as he dropped back down.  He was ninth early, and I was concerned, but he began picking off horses and wore down the 25/1 leader in deep stretch to give me my second win, and at a generous 3/1 price.  Cashed for $40 :)

The fifth was my "best" of the day.  Another maiden claiming event, fillies sprinting six and a half furlongs.  Hartling had paired Beyer figures, was dropping out of MSW company to run for a first time tag, AND her last two paired figures were better than anything the rest of the field had ever earned.  Again Luis Saez was up.  Dueled for a half mile with a 6/1 rival and then kicked clear in the final furlong for my third win in a row!

Passed one and missed three picks to bring us to the finale of the Thursday card.  This was a five furlong turf sprint for non-winners of three lifetime.  Jorge Navarro's Xy Speed was dropping in class and coming off a layoff.  This was the first time he'd run for a tag AND in conditioned company.  And Luis Saez was up again.  Three way duel to the turn then put those rivals away to win gamely when the second choice tried to rally by.

Luis Saez had FIVE wins on the card and I finished four-for-eight to begin the week.  I'll take that any day of the week.

Friday December 27
I passed the first three races and in the fourth I was against the heavy favorite.  Ray'swarrior had won as the 1/5 favorite for me two weeks ago on the class drop and he was ultra-fast.  But on that day he was claimed away by a barn that was 0-for-7 first off the claim and just 1-for-22 at the meet.  No thanks.  I liked the second choice Starship Apollo who was 5/2 in the program and was sitting at about 3/1 until GP analysts Ron Nicoletti and Jason Blewitt began talking about his good chances.  The race did NOT unfold as I'd seen it.  I thought Ray'swarrior was clearly the speed of the race and jockey Irad Ortiz would stalk and blow by.  Instead it was Ortiz on 'Apollo who gunned to the front and Ray'swarrior could not keep up.  Wire to wire for my first win of the day.

The sixth was a maiden claiming turf event for two-year-olds going seven and a half furlongs.  Wicked Solution looked much the best on the class drop but I was suspicious.  So I only invested a minimum amount.  Sat back for Irad Ortiz, moved on the turn to challenge and drew off at even money and I was 2-for-2.

Right back in the seventh with Ron Nicoletti's best bet on French Quarter.  He'd last run in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse going two turns, a mile and a sixteenth.  Today he dropped in class into this claiming event and turned back to a one-turn mile.  Got a rider switch to patient Irad Ortiz and best of all had fired a best-of-82 bullet for today.  Sat third behind the lone speed, moved up into the lane and the two favorites dueled for a furlong before French Quarter drew clear for my third win.

Missed on my last two, but still three for five isn't anything to sneeze at.  And ironically after Luis Saez had won five yesterday, today Irad Ortiz won five races.

Saturday December 28:  Opening Day At Santa Anita

When I began handicapping for today I was faced with a dilemma - to go to the races today or not?  On the one hand......it's Gulfstream in the winter and that's the time of the year I look forward to going all year long.  And there were many good races to watch and wager on.  But, on the other hand....the biggest races were from Santa Anita and wouldn't go off until late afternoon and into the evening; and there was college football on beginning at noon; AND the national semi-final bowl games were on at 4 pm and 8 pm; AND there was a Panthers home game.  In the end I decided I'd play at home, watch football and give the Panthers tickets away (because there's a home game right back tomorrow night).  The first bet was a triple investment at Gulfstream and I was the 1/2 favorite, and got run down in deep stretch.  Is THIS the kind of day I'm going to have?  Sigh......But then I went on a five race winning streak!  In Laurel's 2nd Let's Play Nine may have some real ability as he graduated at first asking last time out in a sprint and today handled entry level allowance at a one-turn mile pretty handily.  I also won the opener at the Fair Grounds in a maiden claiming event for 2yo when My Boy Lollipop came firing up the rail to score.

I picked up first two stakes wins of the day - one at Laurel and one at Gulfstream.  The third at Laurel was the Dave's Friend Stakes going six furlongs.  Threefiveindia looked to be a heavy favorite and deservedly so after drilling So Cal sprinters in his last two.  And those two Beyer figures would beat 166 of the 169 combined speed figures earned by the rest of the field.  He was tons the best and paid what I thought was a more than fair $3 to win.

The Gulfstream program featured several turf events and they'd run on the grass on Friday.  But because of overnight rains they took some of them off the turf, including the Janus Stakes at five furlongs.  I had noted in my analysis that Extravagant Kid was Gr 1 stakes placed on the main track in addition to having good turf form (was my second choice on the turf).  He went off as the 6/5 favorite and swooped by to score.

And I topped off the five race streak when New Day Dawning debuted in a one-turn mile at Gulfstream for maiden special two-year-olds and was dominant.  She may have a stakes future, watch for her down the line.

Over the next several races I ran third three times and was off the board in three others before finally getting back in the winner's circle in another stakes event at Laurel.  The Willa On The Move looked like a good spot for Majestic Reason to take advantage of a favorite who looked to be compromised on the front end today.  Sure enough, the 9/5 favorite had to work hard to get and hold the lead through the opening half mile and then faded to third.  Meanwhile Majestic Reason sat back in fifth and rallied up the inside when the leaders drifted off the rail like the parting of the Red Sea, and held off a longshot for the score.

Missed at the Fair Grounds and then won back-to-back stakes.  The fifth at Santa Anita was the first of their five graded events, of which I had picks in four of them.  This was the Grade 2 San Antonio and the defending champ was Gift Box from the John Sadler barn.  DRF analyst Brad Free made him his BEST BET, and when Brad Free says that I pay attention.  He was a former Gr 1 winner and was working great.  He'd won two of three starts at Santa Anita with the lone loss coming in a Gr 1 behind Vino Rosso who won the Breeders' Cup Classic here in November.  Joel Rosario sat patiently off a longshot leader to the far turn, then galloped up under a hand ride and drew off impressively.

Next was the seventh at the Fair Grounds.  Interesting how track managements differ on how they handle turf races.  It was a wet, rainy day in New Orleans but the big stakes were still on the turf, all of them (unlike Gulfstream).  Here was the Pago Hop going a mile and I really liked Zofelle.  As a Euro import she had a decided class edge.  And she was 2-for-2 in the US since arriving.  What impressed me most was in her last she rallied from far back despite slow fractions and won going away.  So when she lagged near the back today I was a bit anxious but knew if she were to win it would be with a big late kick, and the Fair Grounds has a L-O-N-G stretch.  Began picking off horses entering the far turn, swung out some five wide to have clear run and inhaled the leader at the sixteenth pole to edge clear for the win.

Was delighted that Zofelle paid $7.20 with my triple investment yielding a winning return of more than $50!  WHOOOO HOOOOO.  I really liked Bellafina in the Grade 1 La Brea going seven furlongs.  She was a multiple Grade 1 winner and she was 5/4-1-0 at Santa Anita, that lone loss in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in a just miss second behind the odds-on favorite.  She was 3/5 at post time and was clear on the lead into the lane but got run down by a $20 winner in deep stretch.  Glad she wasn't MY best bet.  And then I closed out the day by winning FIVE STRAIGHT!  The first was at Gulfstream, the H. Allen Jerkens originally carded for two miles on the turf.  For some reason when it was take off the turf they reduced the distance to a mile and a quarter.  And all of this played into the hand of my pick, Todd Pletcher's American Tattoo who had been a good third going fourteen furlongs in the Grade 2 Marathon on Breeders' Cup weekend on the main track.  Jose Ortiz put him right on the lead and the odds-on choice wired the field handily.

Next up was The Woodchopper from the Fair Grounds going a mile on the turf.  I can honestly say I had this one because of my handicapping at Monmouth all summer long.  Tracksmith had won the Frisk Me Now Stakes at Monmouth for trainer Joe Sharp in a better-than-it-looked effort as my top choice.  He'd been close in two Gr 3 events since and the drop into a listed event again suited him.  He was also an off-the-pace runner which often is the preferred running style on the FG course.  Didn't care for the wide draw in post 13 but as a closer I figured it wouldn't be a huge problem.  Sure enough, came running late to be up in time at a big 3/1.  Wishing I'd invested more than the minimum on him like I did on Zofelle earlier in the day.

The Grade 1 Malibu for 3yo going seven furlongs at Santa Anita was next.  In it, Omaha Beach was my BEST BET of the Day.  I thought he was the most talented horse on Breeders' Cup weekend, and I really thought then, and now, that it was Mike Smith's misjudged ride that led to him being second in the Gr 1 BC Dirt Mile.  Today he looked ideally drawn on the outside and just was too good for these.  Three runners vied for the early lead and Smith bidded his time in the clear to the turn.  Never asked him to run as he blew by and drew off easily.  That was the easiest $28 I've ever cashed on!

By now the national championships were on and I was only watching races when I was "live."  That came in Santa Anita's tenth, the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile on the turf.  I liked what figured to be the short priced favorite in Mo Forza.  It took this guy six tries to break his maiden, but when he did three back he came right back to beat winners....and not just winners, but he won the Grade 2 Twilight Derby on Breeders' Cup Weekend.  And he followed that up by winning the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.  In top form with the best figures and likely to sit the perfect trip he was the pick.  He was shuffled back at the start to ninth and I was anxious.  But Joel Rosario got his feet under him and he advanced on turn while a bit wide.  Began picking off horses into the far turn and got to the front with all the momentum into the lane and scored.

On to the Pegasus World Cup Turf are the plans for this guy.....and I'll BE THERE!  The last bet of the day was in the finale in So Cal, a maiden claimer for juveniles but Include The Tax looked too good to pass up.  He had been third at this level last time out and both the winner and runner up came right back to score.  Joel Rosario guided him outside and then back inside to get the win....my thirteenth win on the day (from 22 selections - nearly 60%!).

I went winless from three picks on Sunday when most races came off the turf at Gulfstream but still finished the week 20-for-39, that's 51.3% for those of you without a calculator,  and a profit of over $65.  And with the close of racing Sunday the first month of racing has finished.  I'm off to an exceptionally good start, winning at nearly 40%!

One last note.....our good friend Sofia from Portugal had not received her Christmas card we sent nearly three weeks ago.  On Friday we hooked up online as it arrived.  She was happy we thought of her and I was happy she got it. 

Fair Grounds Super Saturday Stakes Week

December 18

I decided what better place to spend a Wednesday afternoon than at Gulfstream where I had selections in the first five races.  My plan was to go to the races this week during the week and I had initially targeted Thursday before I began the handicapping process.  But while beginning the picks for Wednesday I got a call from my buddy Paul Gorlick from Cypress Bay HS asking me to join him and a couple others for lunch on Thursday.  And as it turned out, I had several selections on the first half of the card here today.  So I headed out to Gulfstream and arrived about fifteen minutes before the first race.  In the opener we were traveling six furlongs in a maiden claiming sprint for two year olds.  In my opinion it looked like there were three solid win candidates, but what separated Silvery Enough from the other two were the human connections.  In his debut, Silvery Enough had run a best-of-the-rest second behind a daylight winner who had come back to win again.  In addition 'Silvery had been three wide AND forced to alter paths at the furlong pole in mid-stretch.  But as I mentioned, it was the human factor that appealed most.  Silvery Enough had been claimed out of that first start by Scott Becker who wins with nearly 30% of those and he was replacing apprentice Cristian Torres with hot-riding Paco Lopez today.  Right to the front while being confidently handled by Paco.  Once they turned for home he let Silvery Enough out a notch and the margin of victory grew with each and every stride.  Decisive with my double investment on board.  I had a pick in the second which was a five furlong turf sprint, but my top choice scratched.  I looked at my second choice and considered betting that one.  Went back and forth, but knowing I had three more bets before I planned to leave made me patient enough to just watch.  My second pick was easily best and paid over $7.  Wish I'd played since I was there.  In the third race it was a cheap $6,250K sprint and honestly it looked like a woeful group to me.  The seven runners had a combined 7-for-92 record in this restricted 2-lifetime event.  But the DRF's Mike Welsch made Followhisfootsteps his BEST BET of the day in here.  I looked more carefully at him and while on the upside you could say he's 8-for-14 in the money and has the best numbers in the field while also dropping in class, you could also argue that he still had just the one win and the barn is 0-for-11 currently.  Broke sharply under Luis Saez and dueled to the far turn with a 7/1 longshot.  But then he switched gears and opened up to run away by daylight.....and suddenly I'm two-for-two!

In the fourth, we were on the turf and I was surprised that none of the local analysts put my top choice, Keota on top.  Every angle was in his favor......from the Jason Servis barn (top North American turf sprint trainer); Irad Ortiz up (51% for Servis); off a layoff (30% win angle for Servis); dropping in class out of a $50K starter allowance to this $35K claiming sprint.  Bingo, bango, bongo!  He tracked the two leaders some nearly five lengths off the pace to the first turn.  Edged outside into the clear and quickly collared the front runners.  Asked to run when heads turned for home he blew by and won under wraps.  THREE-for-THREE!

The only "bad news" about the weekday racing adventure was that I lost the next race which was my "best bet" - a Todd Pletcher 2yo MSW runner who led the length of the stretch at 1/5 before getting caught in the final strides.  Still, I'll take going three for four on a weekday afternoon at the races!

Thursday December 19
Today I enjoyed a long afternoon in Weston with three old pals from Cypress Bay High and it was really great to be "social" today.  Got home about 3 pm and watched the replays of the first eight races and then watched the last two live.  In the fourth the 2/5 favorite and my top choice sat poised to run by the leaders on the turn but flattened out.  In the fifth we were on the turf for a maiden claiming sprint for juveniles.  A week ago I'd picked No Nay Maybe as the top choice in a spot like this but for a $25K tag.  The races were washed off the grass and he scratched.  Today he was re-entered but it was for a big $50K tag.  Seemed like a confident move by Jorge Navarro.  Luis Saez took him right to the front and he whistled a :21 and change opening quarter to skip clear handily.  Never looked back at even money.

But that proved to be the lone winner on the day.

Friday December 20
Today I was preparing a detailed analysis of all the Gulfstream Saturday races in anticipation of one of my former students so she could understand the racing better.  Throughout the afternoon I had the races on from Gulfstream and with the way the weather was, I did not make my bets up front because I was sure that some, if not all the turf races would come off the inner course.  But instead, we were on the grass all day.  And this in spite of overcast skies and drizzling rain on and off.  So I figured we would be on the turf on Saturday and generally made my selections based on that.  In the opener I thought Grace's Drama was a legitimate long-shot, listed at 12/1 in the program.  I was surprised she not only did NOT go down in price but floated up to 15/1.  A solid third.....good handicapping but no reward.  After passing the second I liked Midtown Rose in the third race, an entry level allowance sprint on the main track.  The conditions completely favored Midtown Rose who was running for Saffie Joseph with Irad Ortiz up.  Patiently handled in third behind the speed to the turn, Ortiz urged her to go midway around the bend.  'Rose forged to a narrow lead but when they straightened into the lane she ran away as much, MUCH the best and I had my first winner of the day.

No bets until the 7th as I passed two races and had a scratch.  In the seventh, I loved Todd Pletcher's Nonna Madeline.  I've often railed about the DRF's early morning line and this is just another example of just how embarrassing it is to use these "graded entries" sometimes.  Somehow this filly, who scored at first asking and then ran in three consecutive graded stakes before going to the shelf, was given a 20/1 shot by the DRF linemaker.  Really?  The layoff, is that the problem?  Hardly since Pletcher wins with 30% of those.  Just a go figure situation.  She was well bet as a short-priced favorite but stumbled out of the gate.  Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez quickly gathered her up and got her into stride and to the front within the first 100 yards.  From there on she was in complete, COMPLETE control and drew off as much the best.

I was glad I upped the investment as I'd been watching the live streaming broadcast.  Missed in the eighth and in the final bet of the day, an entry level allowance around two turns for two-year-olds with some promise Toledo was the 3/5 favorite and was tracking a 14/1 longshot through very fast fractions going a one-turn mile.  He made his move, picking off horses on the turn but the longshot had been left alone too long and he'd slowed the race down through the middle stakes.  Held on easily while Toldeo was more than TEN clear of the rest of the field.

Saturday December 21

Shortly before I left for Gulfstream I got a text from my girl Kristian that her cold was no better and she'd not be joining me today.  Disappointed, but it's all about the racing so off I went with selections from not only Gulfstream and the holiday card at the Fair Grounds, but also a few selections from Aqueduct and Tampa Bay.  I was very surprised upon arriving that after running ON the turf yesterday we were off the turf for all races today.  That made an already pretty average card even more difficult to figure.....and it cost me my selection in the opener.  Missed out of town a few times before it was time for the third from Gulfstream.  Originally carded as a five furlong sprint, we'd now be on the main which made Main Track Only Vinnie Van Go the obvious choice.  Upped the bet and watched as he blew away the competition.

Minutes later Roiland was the main track only runner at the Fair Grounds where it had been pouring down rain for almost two full days.  When I noted how much play he was getting I upped the bet and watched him run away through the long New Orleans stretch.  In the fourth at Aqueduct there were two ways to look at I Love Jaxson.  He'd won only a single race from his first dozen starts - ouch - but since then he'd been allowed to go a distance of ground.  He'd responded by winning three straight before losing in open allowance last time out.  I decided to play, but only the minimum.  He was tons the best and scored with ease as the 6/5 favorite.

The third at the Fair Grounds was next and it was the first of the Santa Super Saturday Stakes, the Lettellier Memorial for two-year-old fillies.  Taraz came from the Steve Asmussen barn and she'd been dazzling in her debut.  But for me the key were her pace figures.  Even though a couple of others earned higher Beyer speed figures, it looked to me that Taraz would be ALL ALONE through the lane if she ran back to her first race pace figures.  Right to the front and she was ultra, ULTRA impressive.  May have a seen a budding 3yo superstar in action here!

And much like the Roiland race earlier, because of the strong support she was getting I'd upped the bet here as well.  Close without winning in several races for the next forty-five minutes and then I went on one final run.  From Tampa, Simply Great looked "simply great" in this cheap claiming event.  But for $6,250K it seemed like really short odds to list him at 7/5 in the program.  Made me hesitant to bet more than the minimum unless she was well played.  And she wasn't, opened up around 4/1 and didn't drift down until near post time.  But the late money was accurate as she was much the best.  Two stakes races from out of town were up next going off at nearly the same time.  At the Fair Grounds it was the Bonapaw Stakes scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.  Now on the main track I was SURE that Pete's Play Call would be the favorite, or at least a very short price.  I mean it just leaped off the page that he was 3-for-5 on the off going and he'd won a race JUST LIKE THIS at this distance in an off-the-turf race at Saratoga.  Yet, he was sitting up there at 4/1 early in the betting.  My plan had been to triple the bet but without the expected action I wondered if I was missing something.  Considered down-sizing the bet, but then I said to myself, "No, I'm right, he's the right one" and left the bet at $15 to win.  Tracked the leaders from mid-pace to the far turn then began picking off horses one by one.  Got on even terms with the leader turning for home and then edged clear.  The odds came down to 3/1 but with my investment intact I was going to cash for $60!  WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO.

No sooner had they crossed the line than they were off in the nine furlong Queen's County Stakes at Aqueduct in New York.  In the past Stan The Man had shown a quick opening gear and I felt that he'd be ultra tough to beat if left alone on the front end.  But if he didn't make the lead I knew he could win from a stalking trip.  He was out quicked to the front heading into the first turn so he was patiently handled in third to the far turn.  Split horses, made his move and opened up in mid-stretch.  But here came a late-running closer up the rail.......PHOTO FINISH!

I was pretty sure I'd won, but you never know with the camera angle.  Finally, it's official, I'm the winner!  And another near-$40 coming to me so in two quick races I'd be cashing for nearly $100!  Gotta love the races.  In the Gulfstream featured Grade 3 Mr. Prospector, multiple graded stakes winning Imperial Hint looked much the best - went off at 4/5 - if jockey Javier Castellano just was patient and didn't try to blaze away in a speed duel with horse-for-the-course and SIX furlong specialist XY Jet.  He did.  Got to the front but was mowed down late.  Very disappointing way to finish what had been a good day at the races!

Highlights of Two Days On Track

December 18 & December 21

Sunday December 22
Today we were up early and out the door, on the road to Orlando by 7 am.  We will be spending the next five days with Brad, Lauren, and our grandson Oliver for Christmas.  We arrived in Orlando about 10:15 am - great time with very little traffic and the first thing I did was put in my five bets for the day.  Watched the replays later that night after we'd gone to see the latest Star Wars movie - so cool, can't believe I've been following this saga for over FORTY YEARS! - and getting Oliver off to bed.  I won with my first play of the day and it was my BEST BET of the day.  In the second, much like with Nonna Madeline in the 7th on Friday, somehow the DRF listed Todd Pletcher's 2yo Fearless at odds of 10/1.  This $750K son of champion Ghostzapper had sharp works and looked easily best in here.  Sure enough, went off at 1/5 and won.  Granted he had to work hard through the final furlong of the six furlong sprint, but he showed great heart and determination.

Nothing in the fourth or fifth, but in the sixth we were on the grass (after being off for the first two turf races today, go figure) and I liked Queen of Shades A LOT.  Probably would have gone "prime time" or better had she not been a two year old.  She'd debuted with a strong win and then ran in a stakes race.  Her two Beyer figures (70-71) were paired, which were indicative of a move forward; and those two numbers were better than the combined 26 numbers earned by the rest of the field!  Add in that with paired figs, double Beyer fig advantage, and dropping in class that she was from the Jason Servis barn with Irad Ortiz - winning together at a 51% clip - and you can see why she was the favorite.  Won for fun.

Off the board in the last three, but it had been another good day.  No racing on Wednesday due to the holiday but the track will be open and I'll have picks for Thursday through Sunday next week.

Fair Grounds La Champions Week

December 11 - 15:  Week 3 of Championship Meet

Wednesday Dec. 11

Today was the first BIG bet of the meet.  It was also my day to get my monthly eye injection.  But I will say this, it was the "best" post injection I've had in the nearly eight months of treatment.  Typically my eye is really irritated and bothers me for anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.  But today, only about an hour and a half.  Wonderful.  That allowed me to watch the replay of my big bet and enjoy the bet.  The day began with a Todd Pletcher runner in a turf sprint.  I was just thinking the other day about how noticeably absent Mr. Pletcher had been through the first part of the meet, but today I noticed he's been four-for-eight, so I guess he's not complaining.  Boston Beauties was the pick and my only concern was she was dropping in for a tag in this her fourth start.  But, her three Beyers beat anything this field had run and she'd had trouble as the 3/5 favorite last time out at GPW.  Luis Saez was up today.  They dueled on the inside through wicked splits of :21.1 and :44.1 making me wonder if she'd be cooked late, but once they turned for home she kicked away with authority and my first bet of the week, a triple investment, was a winning one.

Passed the next two and missed in the fourth right before leaving for the doctor's appointment.  Once home and I could pull up the replays I watched the fifth, a Maiden Special for juveniles going a mile on the turf.  Todd Pletcher was sending out Summer To Remember who figured to be odds-on.  Everything pointed to this one being a decisive winner.  First, it's Todd Pletcher and Luis Saez with a maiden 2yo in December at Gulfstream; second, his debut Beyer was a furlong better than all but one rival and he was multiple lengths clear of that one (69 vs. 48, 20, FTS, 40, 63, 45, and 39).  And perhaps the most important stat - when this colt debuted at Saratoga he was second best behind a 2yo named Decorated Invader who shipped to Woodbine and won the Grade 1 Summer Stakes in his next start.  Summer To Remember was also GP analyst Ron Nicoletti's best of the day.  He sat just off the 12/1 leader and dueled through the far turn.  As heads turned for home you had to wonder if he was going to kick on after a nearly race-long duel.  But 'Summer had another gear and opened up to score easily.

How he went off at 1-2 odds is beyond me; 1-9 would not have been a surprise and 1-5 were probably fair odds.  But I'll gladly take my $75 in winnings on my biggest bet of the meet to date, a $50 win ticket.  Missed with minor bets on the last three, but that's ok, the day had it's highlight.

Thursday December 12

It was nine years in the making.  That's right - NINE years that my favorite former Western High School student and "Disney Girl," Amanda and I had gone with seeing each other.  As we talked about over brunch we were both thankful for modern technology as we "talk" frequently via Facebook and text messages.  But today was the first day I got to see her.  She's married with three kids and is a nurse practitioner.  But to me she looks nearly the same as she did as a 15 year-old sophomore and 17 year-old senior some 20+ years ago.  Always one of my very favorites.  Because we have such a Disney connection it was no surprise that she, like me, wore a Disney shirt.  Thoroughly enjoyed the morning with her.  When I got home I watched my races and for the day I scored with two of five picks despite a sloppy/drying out track and all the grass races coming off the turf.  The first win came in the fifth where Overdeliver was running in a non-winners of two claiming event.  This guy had won his debut at Tampa and had followed that up with a second in the Pasco Stakes.  Way over his head in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial he now was running for Jorge Navarro and if he was right he figured to be much the best.  I originally made him a minimum bet, but as post time approached I upped the bet.  It was a dog fight to deep stretch but he inched clear late.

In the sixth, it was originally carded as a five furlong turf sprint.  The main question for me was who would be riding the inside two drawn runners IF this came off the turf.  1-Kristo Skye and MTO: 2-Take Charge Dude both figured to run well on the main track and Luis Saez was named on both.  The betting favored 'Dude, and that's who Saez stuck with.  It was a duel to the far turn but then Take Charge Dude took charge and ran away as easily the best.

Friday December 13
Yes, Friday the 13th!  But I had a pretty good day anyway.  Missed with an even money favorite in the opener but bounced back in third where my top pick was Vicky Apple.  It was a 3-lifetime sprint and her paired Beyer figures.  Also, two back she'd won a 2L at this tag then last out just missed in a spot like this.  Sent off at even money she went right to the front and wired the field.

After two misses it was time for my "best" of the day in the eighth.  It was an entry level allowance going a one-turn mile but THE only question was this, "Would ANYBODY run with Flashing Diamond on the front end?"  He'd drawn the rail under last season's top rider, Irad Ortiz.  And he showed three races where he cleared early and never looked back.  NONE of his rivals had ever gone for the lead.  I had originally planned on a $10 bet by I tripled that to a $30 WIN bet before they arrived at the gate.  EASILY to the front and cantered home as much, MUCH the best.

The ONLY surprise turned out to be why the crowd allowed him to go off at 3/5 odds and pay $3.40 on such a "gimme."  WHOOOO HOOOO.

Friday December 14:  Louisiana Champions Day

Today I headed out to the races where the weather forecast was for a hot 86 degree afternoon with a very likely chance of thunderstorms.  Shows what "they" know!  It was in the low 80s at best with a very pleasant breeze all day AND not a drop of rain.  To be honest I had a difficult time coming up with horses that I really liked both at Gulfstream and around the country.  But in the end I had picks in ten of the eleven at GP and had several selections at the Fair Grounds.  As I told the "ticket lady," who always takes good care of me......one thing I LOVE about the races is that there is always a story, and for me there's almost always many stories!  Today was no exception.  The first thing that was worth telling is that I asked about the status of Florida Derby tickets.  I was told that a temporary grandstand is being constructed (which makes me wonder about Pegasus Day - will it be ready in time?  Ticket prices?).  And I was told that in all likelihood I would be contacted shortly after the holidays since I'm a returning ticket holder.  And the most likely scenario appears to be I'll be offered discounted tickets in the terrace dining room or the temporary grandstand seats.  I'd enjoy the restaurant IF we were guaranteed window seats, but that seems unlikely.  We'll see.  The second story comes from my first selection at Woodbine, in their third race, the Display Stakes.  I had the heavy favorite Elusive Knight.  And post time was scheduled to be close to one of my Gulfstream races.  But watching the post time on my phone the "minutes to post" was not changing.  So I walked out to the simulcast tent and checked out the screen.....there was a "Track Maintenance Delay" because it was snowing so much they had to plow the snow off the all weather track!  Now THAT my friends has never happened to me!

The other stories can be shared during the race day recap as they involve actual races and bets.  So the opener at Gulfstream was a maiden 2yo event going two turns on the grass and there was little to pick from.  BUT I did think that Just A Bit Sassy, a first timer from the Ralph Nicks barn with Tyler Gafflione up was worth a minimum wager.  Oh she was TONS the best as I scored right off the bat.  That winning the first race has become quite the frequent event for me this winter here!

It wasn't for another two hours that I had my next winner.  When I handicapped the races I was happy to see that top national trainer Chad Brown was finally running some horses today.  And in the fifth he was sending out Sayyaaf in an entry level allowance going a mile on the grass.  Sayyaaf had never been two turns and had nearly always faded through the lane.  So the question today was two-fold, (a) would he be able to negotiate a mile trip and (b) would be hold on to the lead.  With Javier Castellano up I figured he would get to the front with ease and maybe slow the pace down to control the race.  He did just that and he opened up on the run to the wire as MUCH the best!

The fifth at the Fair Grounds was the first of the Louisiana Champions Day Stakes and it was for two-year-old fillies, the La Champ Lassies.  I liked Vacherie Girl from the Steve Asmussen barn despite the fact that she'd only been out once.  In that debut had rated off the pace then blown by the field with ease to draw off by over 6 1/2 widening lengths.  With Florent Geroux in the irons I looked for a repeat of that effort.  I have to admit I was a little concerned when she was still multiple lengths behind as they approached the far turn but through the long New Orleans stretch she wore down the leaders and edged clear for the win.

And as I watched the early betting I'd decided to double my original bet from $5 to $10.  HORRAY!  The eighth at Gulfstream was the Grade 3 Rampart Handicap for older fillies and mares going a one turn mile.  Not a single one of the runners entered in here was a graded stakes winner, and there was very little experience at this one-turn mile configuration.  And so I gave the upset call to Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey's Pink Sands on a couple of angles.  First, she had run well here in the past with two wins in three starts.  Second, one of those wins had come at this one-turn mile.  Third, in her last start, the Pumpkin Pie Stakes in New York she'd finished third in what had to be a prep for this because she is NOT a sprinter.  And, the decisive winner that day had come back to be a best of the rest second in last weekend's Grade 3 Go For Wand behind a multiple Grade 1 winner.  Lastly, Jose Ortiz was on today and he'd been on board for three of Pink Sands' wins.  There looked to be a lot of speed in here and I expected her to rally past the tiring leaders.  Well, on the far turn she was DEAD last and as she was fanned wide turning for home she was still far back.  So far back I didn't even have my camera ready to film.  But then she seemed to be gaining quickly so I began the video and in the final 16th she blew by to be a clear cut winner.

Pink Sands paid a juicy $11 and I so wished I doubled the bet, but still cashed for nearly $30 on a minimum play for my second win on the local track.  I was a photo finish second when nailed on the wire with a prime time bet in an Aqueduct race with the 6/5 favorite, grrrrr.  But minutes later it was time for the seventh at the Fair Grounds, the Louisiana Champions Ladies Sprint.  In here I REALLY liked Minit To Stardom.  She been sensational in her first three starts, two here and one in a Churchill Downs allowance win as a 2yo.  She'd gone off form but then last summer she surprised the Grade 2 Honorable Miss and then was a good second behind another graded stakes runner in a Belmont graded sprint.  That was her only loss in the last five starts.  Still, there was a strong field to overcome and so I had a $10 ticket on her as they approached the gate.  Minit To Stardom was the 6/5 favorite as the horses lined up to go in then the board flashed and suddenly she was 3/5.  WOW.  I looked over my shoulder in the Silks Simulcast area and no one was at the teller windows.  I walked over and got another $10 WIN ticket.  She pressed the leader through the far turn with the teletimer clicking off wicked splits.  She edged to the front and was ready to pull away.  But the long time leader to her inside had something left.  The battled, then the other filly began to edge clear.  Then she drifted out and brushed with Minit To Stardom.  The thought that flashed through my mind immediately was "that wasn't good, but it wasn't bad enough to warrant a DQ."  The two separated for about fifty yards and then the inside filly made a sharp right hand turn coming out about six or seven paths causing my rider to check sharply and take up.  She then continued on to a daylight win.  Everyone standing around me said nearly in unison, "She's coming down."  And when they showed the head-on it was oh-so-obvious.  But the stewards looked at the replay over and over, some fifty times for over ten minutes.  It was such a delay I said to one guy watching with me, "WHAT could they possibly be looking it?  It's so clear."  He agreed and FINALLY they put her up.  Smart move to up the bet and lucky that the "winner" got DQ'd - makes for a great story though!

Minutes later I was in my seat watching the field get into the gate for the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale going nine furlongs on the turf.  As has been the case through 2019, if it's a stakes race on the turf all you need to do is look for the Chad Brown runner.  But, it's also been a frequent dilemma that he has more than one in the field.  And such was the case here.  The one I liked was Flavius.  He'd won a stakes in Europe which is a great sign of talent.  And in his last he was coming off a thirteen month layoff so you knew he'd move forward today.  To prove that he'd notched two bullet works for today's race.  The "other" Chad Brown runner had a history with me.  I'd told Kim that my experience today at Gulfstream would bring to mind memories of my great friend Jim Anderson who suddenly passed away last March.  I miss him terribly as a friend and a track buddy.  In January 2017 he and I had been at the Fair Grounds on their Super Saturday card which featured a race for three-year-olds as the first step towards the Gr 2 Louisiana Derby and eventually the Kentucky Derby.  My pick that day had been west coast invader Instilled Regard and he'd won at a very generous 4/1 price.  Since then he'd only won once and had been moved recently to Chad Brown's barn.  He'd run close in a turf race last time but still was 0-for-3 on the grass.  I like him as well, but in the end I thought (a) Flavius is proven on the grass and (b) I probably "like" Instilled Regard because I know of him.  As the field turned for home it was going to be a mad scramble to the wire with at least half a dozen horses in position to get the win.  But it looked to me as I watched that the runner with the most momentum was Flavius, who'd gone off at a nice 3/1 price.  Without about a furlong to run he was in front and I thought for sure I was going to win.  Then just in the shadow of the wire two other horses burst by and I was third.  Yes, you guessed it, the winner was Instilled Regard.  At least he was only 3/1 and not a big price, still I really had liked him.  Sigh....  The final great story of the day came in the very next race from the Fair Grounds, the Louisiana Champions Juvenile where I liked Chimney Rock.  He was making his first start on the main track since last summer but in between he'd run second three times to top notch turf sprinters finishing a half length, a head, and 3/4 of a length behind the winner.  I just thought he looked much the best on numbers.  As the field was warming up I went out to the Gulfstream paddock to get a look at my pick in the Grade 3 Harlan's Holiday, Prince Lucky who was trained by Todd Pletcher and had Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez up.  When the horses left for the track I went back inside and saw that the FG race was over and the video was showing the slow motion replay of #7 winning.  I looked and saw my horse, #2 had run second.  There was an objection and when they showed the video replay it was at the break and didn't give me much hope of a DQ yet again.  Still the race was not official for the longest time.  #7 was walking into the winner's circle but still no "OFFICIAL" sign.  Time to head out to the rail to watch the GP race.  I reached into my pocket to get the losing ticket to toss it but then thought, I'll wait until it's official.  Watched Prince Lucky get pulled up on the back stretch and as I walked back inside I pulled up the results on my phone.  Wait.....my horse was Chimney Rock....and the results showed the winner was #7 Chimney Rock.  WHAT?  Had I mis-read the number because of my vision?  I looked at my sheet and though a bit blurry it looked like a "7" - put my glasses on, yes, it WAS a "7."  Had I mis-read it when I made my bet?  You've got to be kidding me!  Pulled out my ticket......Ha Ha Ha.....I HAD bet on the 7!  I AM A WINNER!  WHOOOO HOOOO!  Glad there was that objection and I had not tossed the ticket blindly away!

Missed on the remaining races and hustled home to get Kim and head to the hockey game.  We were supposed to meet up with our friend Melissa. But we were later arriving there than she was and we missed her.

Sunday December 15
Today Kim and I went to the movies and really enjoyed "Jumanji" - the second re-make starring the Rock, Dwayne Johnson.  I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud so many times.  Great times.  When I watched the replays from my selections I have to admit that I was surprised.  When I handicapped the card I even told Kim, "There's a good chance that I'm going to be wrong on all my picks, but I think they have a good chance."  In the opener I picked Dancing Destroyer from the Norm Casse barn.  Looked best as the morning line favorite and rallied by the field in mid-stretch to win as the 6/5 favorite.

Didn't get another win until the last bet of the day, but it was a good one.  In the ninth, a five and one half furlong main track sprint under allowance-optional claiming conditions Ray'swarrior looked to be MUCH the best.  In fact the stakes winning runner looked too good to be true.  Granted his last had not been good, only a 79 Beyer compared to his consistent lower 90 figures.  But even if he "only" ran that 79 he'd beat all but one lifetime figure in the field.  With Paco Lopez up for Jason Servis - a near 50% winning combination I had little doubt this was a "pad your stats" win for the barn.  Right to the front, dueled briefly then widened without asking and scored as much, MUCH the best.  My THIRD "big bet" victory of the week.  It was a very good week.  Check out the highlights here:

Gulfstream Highlights:  Dec. 11 - 15