Week 4: Christmas Week

December 21 - 26

Christmas Week!

It was another, in what has become usual, slow week for finding winning selections in Hallandale.  But hoping to see our fortunes turn as the Monday card, December 26 marks the OFFICIAL opening of the Championship Meeting!   It was a special holiday week of racing with racing cards on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Christmas Eve Day - then dark on Sunday / Christmas Day - and then the special "Opening Day" card on Monday December 26.  On that day I played the big Opening Day card at Santa Anita as well as the big "Road To The Derby Kickoff Day" at the Fair Grounds.  Originally I thought I'd go out to the races live on Monday but the weather (rainy with highs in the low 40's) and the fact that Laurel's multi-stakes card got moved to Friday combined to have me stay at home and watch - especially with only four plays at the live racing Gulfstream card.  The week at Gulfstream I continued to struggle - as did most handicappers.  I went 2-for-20 with TEN of my misses running second or third.  For the week, over a span of forty-five live racing events, 18 of them - an even 40% - had winners that paid double digits, with ten paying more than $15 and three paying more than $20, including a winner that paid over $125 for a $2 wager:

Wednesday:  5-of-8 ($17.20. $12.60, $18.40, $12.80, $10.40)

Thursday:  3-of-9 ($18.60, $25.80, $17.00)

Friday:  4-of-9 ($19.20, $128.40, $14.80)

Saturday:  2-of-9 ($23.60, $11.80)

Monday:  4-of-10 ($18.20. $10.00, $17.20)

After being shut out the first two days where the "biggest" price runner I played was 2/1 over the seven races I finally scored on Friday when Love Her Lots was a clear winner in the fifth, a two-turn synthetic event and I cashed for almost $40 to help soften the spiraling decline in my bankroll.  Saturday there were very few tracks running - most likely since it was Christmas Eve Day.  I had a Todd Pletcher winner in Dude N Colorado in the opener, another synthetic route under MSW conditions which put more than $35 into the account.  But was off the board in the final three choices of the day.  No racing on Sunday, Christmas Day.  And from four picks on the special Monday card I went 4/0-2-2.  I'll take some consolation from the fact that three of the four losses were scheduled on the grass, but with a little bit of light rain on Sunday and Monday morning they were moved - as is the new norm - to the all weather track.  Might be a reason contributing to the losses.

Friday's lone winner, Love Her Lots

Todd Pletcher's Dude N Colorado posts the only win on Saturday

Originally I thought I'd be heading out to Gulfstream for the big day of racing.  Santa Anita's traditional Opening Day card is loaded with stakes every December 26th, and this year - even with the date falling on a Monday, the Fair Grounds had multiple stakes races on their "Road To The Derby Kickoff Program."  With Gulfstream only having two stakes I was excited to also play Laurel's "Christmastide Stakes" program with six stakes races.  But the bitter cold weather led to that program being postponed to Friday the 30th.  Got up Saturday to drizzling rain - which meant the races would probably come off the turf, and with temps predicted to not get out of the 50's I didn't see the point in watching the vast majority of my bets on the TV monitors when I could be warm, and dry, watching them on my own big screen TV.  So I stayed home.  After missing with the GP opener, moved to the synthetic where my choice went gate to final jump and was 2nd I got on the board at the Fair Grounds with Basalt Street.  I wavered between not betting and having an added money bet and finally split the difference with a minimum wager.  Had all the best figures, but had earned them for the most part in losses while building up a 15/3-5-0 resume.  But what swayed me to bet was the bullet workout for today.  Tracked the two leaders through the far turn, collared them in the stretch and edged clear in the final 16th.

Picked up my first stakes winner on the day in the Sugar Bowl Stakes, a six furlong sprint in New Orleans for juveniles.  Corona Belt had debuted at Churchill Downs in the fall for Brad Cox and was bet down to favoritism.  Ran away from the field impressively and earned a field best 82 Beyer - that's a big number for a debuting 2yo.  The question was, will he be able to repeat anything like that here while facing winners (and stakes rivals) for the first time.  That he was made the morning line 8/5 favorite told me that a lot of people must BELIEVE he was the real deal.  Added Lasix today - a 40% win angle for the Cox barn and looked tough on paper.  Broke a step or two slowly but quickly split horses to take the early lead.  Seemed in hand while setting all the pace.  As heads turned for home I thought to myself, "well, now we'll find out how good he is) and with that he opened up and ran away under mild urging.  One to watch I think!

The third win on Monday was not originally on my selection sheet.  When I'd handicapped the Santa Anita card and came to this, the fourth race of the day I couldn't separate the main contenders.  And the reason for that was because in this MSW juvenile sprint there wasn't one Bob Baffert runner but THREE.  And the most expensive one, $800K sales grad Faustin had the "lesser" of the three riders named for today.  After the first half hour or so of watching the live stream from TwinSpires on the big screen TV I decided to switch over and watch the racing telecast from TVG - now FanDuel TV since they were carrying all three tracks.  Early in the broadcast handicapper Scott Hazelton showed his early Pick-5 ticket and he singled in this race naming the expensive Baffert colt as that key runner.  I found that interesting and then he commented that in the Kentucky Derby Early Wagering Pool, Faustin had taken so much money that he was not in the "everyone else" pool, but was 29/1 on his own......and he had not even run yet.  UH OH.  Broke a step slowly but moved up down the backstretch while getting into the clear.  Moved up from fifth to second through the turn, engaged the leader and then kicked into another gear to draw off impressively.  Another juvenile to watch carefully!  After today's win his price dropped to 22/1 making him one of the FOUR SHORTEST PRICED picks in the early betting for the 2023 Kentucky Derby!

The second stakes win of the day came at the Fair Grounds in the filly version of the Sugar Bowl Stakes - this one the Letellier Stakes going six panels.  And like that earlier race, the morning line favorite was a Brad Cox second time starter who'd whistled in her debut as the favorite.  Dazzling Blue looked to be LONG gone if running back to her early pace figures from that debut, but that's a dangerous assumption even for an expensive sales grad like this $500K daughter of Into Mischief.  Nearly identical to the first two winners today she was away slowly.  But like the Corona Belt she rushed up to gain command quickly.  Was challenged turning for home before the rider turned her loose and she drew off to an equally impressive win as her stablemate earlier on the day.

Got my first stakes winner on the So Cal card when I sent in a ticket on Bob Baffert's Country Grammer.  It was interesting to me that legendary jockey Frankie Detorri had opted to spend the first few months of his final season of racing her in Southern California from his usual European base.  He got the call on this guy who clearly was using this as a prep.  The Grade 2 San Antonio was a mile and a sixteenth test, and as Detorri noted in the pre-race interview with hottie handicapper Brittney Eurton, a mile and an eighth would be considered "too short" for this classic distance runner.  He would be pointing for the gigantic purses being offered in the Middle East again - the $20 Million Saudi Cup and the $12 Million Dubai World Cup.  He'd missed by half a length in the former last spring before winning the latter - with these results contributing largely to his $10 Million in earnings this year.  So the question was - was he simply just too good for this field even though the race was "too short" and he was probably NOT cranked up 100%.  I thought he was.  Detorri had him closer to the pace than he usually is - why he is a Hall of Fame rider - and he drew off handily as much the best.

I often say about my racing and handicapping that it's not about winning money - that's just a bonus - it's more about being right.  And nothing makes me feel better about a day of racing, regardless of the win percentage, that to win a BIG Bet of the Day selection.  Today that was Bob Baffert's very talented 3yo colt Taiba who was going to be the favorite in the seven furlong, Grade 1 Malibu.  A win here, especially if impressive MIGHT be enough to get him the Eclipse Award as 3yo of the year.  He was indeed very impressive in scoring with my big money wager on board.  And so despite the way the week went, racing wise, I ended the week feeling pretty good.  Now toss in the holiday cheer for the weekend, and especially all the holiday greetings I got from my online pals and it was indeed a Merry Christmas week!

Social Media This Week......

My two MOST favorite interactions this week came with of my most very favorite gal-pals.  Long time sweetheart, former student Kimmy, made my Christmas Eve Day when SHE reached out to me to initiate a Christmas conversation.

The day after Christmas, gal-pal and CBS-4 weekend anchor Karli Barnett responded to my Christmas wish to her - which wasn't a surprise because she next to always responds to my messages within a few days.  But what made this so special was when her message popped up I replied and we exchanged multiple messages.  Never had a "conversation" with her - just the two of us (we have on the FB chat) like that - super cool.

Also, this past week was Chloe Nelson's birthday - she's the hottie daughter of one of my best pals, former assistant principal Jeff Nelson.  We exchanged comments/messages.

I reached out to Lauren Pastrana, evening news anchor at CBS-4 and long time social media gal-pal upon my return from Europe and she messaged me back.

Melissa, who I worked with at Cypress Bay replied to an earlier comment while traveling.

Former student (from way back at Western High) and frequent social media gal-pal, Jen sent me a Christmas greeting/message.

I've long been a follower and "friend" to CBS-4 morning weather girl Lissette Gonzalez, but we don't interact much - most of her social media is weather videos.  But when she reached out with a holiday greeting I replied and got a reaction from her.

Finally, reached out to Lauren Pastrana with a personal "Merry Christmas" tweet and she reacted to it.

And lastly, on Saturday - Christmas Eve - Karli had her usual Facebook LIVE chat.  I just happened to come across it because she was on about an hour earlier than usual.  But it was a "great conversation" from my perspective.  She remarked about my recent trip to the European Christmas Markets saying that she'd always wanted to go there to see those.  Then a few minutes later, in something that's never happened before, without my messaging her during a bit of a lull in the chat, Karli brought ME up in her remarks about our travels and how cold it was - like when we were in Antarctica.  This led to her reacting to my reply and we had several interactions.  Captured it all on video clips here:

Karli Barnett Saturday / Christmas Eve Chat Highlights

Christmas Wishes From My Social Media Friends....

Week 3: Christmas Markets Cruise!

 December 14 - 18

The Viking Skirnir - a Christmas Card setting

Before we get to the racing, you just could not have scripted a more magical Christmas cruise than we have enjoyed this week.  And through the wonder of the Internet, I was able to play the races each of the five racing days of the week.  Here's how MY week played out......

Wednesday December 14:  Dordrecht, Germany

Today when we were finished with dinner and I'd completed writing the journal and posting pics for the day I went to check the race results.  The WiFi is good on the ship, but streaming video does not come through so all I can do is check the results and look at the charts.  I had four picks today and ran second with ALL FOUR!  Even money, 5/2, 2/1, and 3/1 all reported in as second best.  Moving on.....

Thursday December 15:  Dusseldorf & Cologne, Germany

With changes and scratches, today's racing was reduced to two selections.  I often complain about the racing on the synthetic surface, but in this rich $50K starter optional five furlong sprint it was the ideal racing surface for top choice One Identity.  He had an 8/4-1-1 lifetime resume, but the only two times he'd been on the fake dirt he'd WON BOTH, AND earned his two best Beyer figures!  Was sent off as the favorite and he tracked the pace close up in second to the turn.  Took control and then held on late to get the win and allow me to cash for the first time this week.

Came right back in the final pick of the day in Race 9, going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf under Maiden Special conditions where I liked Todd Pletcher's Watch It with top rider Luis Saez.  The question was the surface because in both career starts he'd been on the main track, BUT both times he had been entered for the grass and it got washed off.  Finally got the surface the Hall of Fame trainer wanted and he obviously enjoyed it.  Broke a touch slowly, but tracked up close in third to the far turn.  Took control, opened up and was a daylight winner!

Friday December 16:  Koblenz & Rhine River Valley, Germany

I picked up another two wins today while enjoying THE BEST day of sailing on the trip.  If you take a Rhine River cruise the highlight is "Castle Day" where you see multiple castles all afternoon dotting the landscape along the river and you get to visit a medieval castle!  I had four selections on the Friday card and ironically it was like the "perfect mix" of the first two days.  Two of my selections were second (again) at odds of 4/1 - that would have been nice - and 9/5.  And I scored on the other two.  The third was a 2yo MSW event going a one-turn mile.  And while I noted these were lightly raced juveniles and anything COULD happen, it seemed obvious that the one to beat was Brian Lynch's Emporer's Appeal.  He'd run at this same trip at Churchill Downs and broken 11th of 12.  But came running to be third.  With experience and the rider switch to hot ridding Luis Saez he looked pretty good to me.  Broke a touch slow again, but tracked up close in third through the far turn.  Challenged turning for home and got the upper hand inside the 16th pole to score.

Came right back in the fourth in a juvenile, MSW turf sprint.  None of those with experience had ever run to par so toss those.  The one and only first timer was a Todd Pletcher runner, Kanthari.  From top turf bloodlines, the expensive $575K sales grad had top rider Luis Saez up.  Got a bit squeezed at the start but Saez got him into the race right away.  Edged to the front on the turn and was clear without a problem through the final furlong.

Saturday December 17:  Speyer, Germany

The Saturday card had two stakes races and while I typically don't do this, I will count them both on my records despite the fact that I handicapped them for turf and despite what appeared to be sunny skies they were transferred to the Tapeata track.  Four of the six picks ran second - 3/1, even money and two odds-on choices.  The other two were off the board.  Sigh.....

Sunday December 18:  Strasbourg, France

Last day of racing and next to last day of the trip - in fact this evening we got all the details about how to disembark and get our transfers to the airport.  I scored with my first pick when Cheers For Kitten was the default pick on the all-weather as a firster in a bad field.  When I saw he won and paid $7 I thought - that will pay for the day's four wagers.  Immediately thought I should not have had that thought and as is often the case - that was the case.  Went 1-for-4 but broke even, I'll take it.

And so I ended the week five-for-twenty, which was OK, and I was satisfied knowing I was enjoying first and foremost the trip!  Back home in time for regular racing through the holidays!

Social Media While Sailing Through Europe.....

Jayce Birch is the morning co-anchor on the local ABC station and I follow her on Twitter.  Not nearly the kind of "gal-pal" that my "CBS Girls" are, but we've exchanged messages before.  Four months ago this cute girl broke BOTH feet and she was unable to work for several weeks, and then when she returned it was without her signature high heels.  Finally she got back into them this week and I congratulated her, noting I was in Europe.  She replied, duly impressed :)

A Facebook memory popped up showing Kim and I with our good friend Melissa at a Panthers game.  Melissa and her husband have since moved to Naples but we've remained good friends through social media.  I sent her the pic and we exchanged "Miss You" messages.

My gal-pal and former student Kimmy keeps close touch with me and we frequently exchange text messages.  She knows how much I like to travel and sail on the rivers so I texted with her and she replied back after a day of sailing.

Social media "gal-pal" and CBS-4 Weekend Anchor Karli Barnett and I are frequent message and chat partners.  I'd learned months ago that she'd always wanted to go on a Christmas Market cruise so I knew she'd enjoy pics from this trip as much or more than she enjoyed our Alaska, Hawaii, and Antarctica photos.  So I sent her a few and she replied saying she always wanted to enjoy one of these trips.

Karli sent me another message after I sent her a short video highlight of a Christmas Market a couple days later.

Later in the week it was Melissa's birthday so I wished her a happy birthday and she replied back.  

Finally, both Karli Barnett and weekday evening anchor Lauren Pastrana had indicated interest in our Christmas Market cruise so I made a 45 second slide show of highlight photos from the first week and sent it to the two girls.  Karli replied back on Sunday - the day her live chat was moved to but again because of the time difference I was unable to join in.  Hopefully next week!

Week Two - Off To Europe!

 December 7 - 11

I'm In Europe On A Christmas Markets Cruise!

The second week of racing kicked off on Wednesday as we returned to a full, five-day racing calendar.  But unfortunately for my handicapping, the longshots continued to roll in at Hallandale and it wasn't until Thursday that I got back into the winner's circle.  On Wednesday I was 2nd in three out of four races at odds of 5/2, 1/2, and 3/5 while the winners paid $32.20, $12.60, and $9.40.  Thursday I started off with three fourth place finishes sandwiched around a third before it was time for the featured allowance event going 8 1/2 furlongs on the main track - racing through a short stretch to the first finish line.  Super Corinto has come off a layoff to make his first start in the US last time out and had been nailed on the wire by multiple stakes winner and Gulfstream Horse-for-the-Course Noble Drama.  In his native Chile he'd won four of six, including a Group 1 over Pegasus World Cup bound O'Connor from the Saffie Joseph barn.  On the far turn he was asked to run from a pressing position on the turn.  Made a clear lead into the stretch and then had to hold off the 5/2 third choice.  I'd originally planned to go with a triple investment, but upped the bet to $30 to WIN!  And if I do say so myself, I was proud of ME that in spite of the losing skid I still had the confidence to go "all in!"

Friday Khloe and I left for the airport about 9 am for the airport, but I made my bets before I left.  We flew to Newark, landing around 3 pm.  While waiting for our international flight I watched the races from Gulfstream.  In the third my pick, Trace of God was sent off as the favorite and walked with it handily.

And in the BEST of the Day Friday came in the 7th, a conditioned allowance event going seven furlongs.  Todd Pletcher sent out Favor who had run 2nd in the Grade 2 Fair Ground Oaks as a 3yo then seemed to regress in two tries, so she went to the shelf.  Mr. Todd is THE MASTER of layoff runners at Gulfstream, especially on the main track.  Had Luis Saez up today.  She broke just behind the leader but pressed that one on nearly even terms for the opening quarter before saying "enough of this" and then took off to draw away as much, MUCH the best with my prime time investment on board.

Saturday we arrived in Europe in the morning, Belgium time - about 2am EST.  Got into our hotel room right away and then shortly thereafter walked around the area for about 45 minutes.  We had dinner across the street at a "hip" food court set-up and then I watched the races for as long as I could stay up.

So when the racing started around noon at home it was already after dinner here in Brussels.  I scored with two early races at Gulfstream when Wheelingndealing came roaring off the turn in a starter optional claiming sprint to score at a generous $9 - wish I'd had more than the minimum bet in play.  And then Todd Pletcher, once again showed why he's an "automatic" play at Gulfstream when his first time starter OK Boomer won a MSW turf route in the sixth race at a very generous $8.60, allowing me to cash for nearly $45.

And in my lone win at the Fair Grounds Ova Charged wired the Louisiana Champions Ladies' Sprint as my "best" in New Orleans.  I went to bed shortly after this - at almost 11pm with three bets on the table.  Lost in a photo after a stretch-long duel in the first at 3/5; then was third as the 1/2 favorite.  Then off the board with a minimum bet at 5/2 odds.

Sunday was a full day in Brussels.  We were on the bus - with just half a dozen others from another Viking tour - at 9 am and did a panoramic bus ride through Brussels.  Got off for one photo op.  Then when we arrived back at the hotel we began a two hour walking tour.  Only the four of our group and one lady from the other group were along with the two Viking guides and the one local guide.  Then we had the afternoon free before going to the Lights & Sound Show in the central square - really cool - before walking around the Christmas Market and having a glass of mull wine with the group, courtesy of our guide Astrid - see photo at the top of the page.

When we returned from our evening at the Light & Sound Show & Christmas Market racing was about mid-way through the Sunday card.  I had one pick in the third where I ran fourth.  No more selections until Race 7.  In the seventh I had Todd Pletcher's Alpha Bella who was a stupid 10/1 on the DRF line.  I was hopeful that maybe, just maybe the crowd would let her go at a short price.  No such luck.  Sent off as the legitimate even money favorite she tracked the pace to the turn, surged to the front, then dueled to the wire.  Looked at the 16th pole like her rival would go by but she found another gear and edged clear.

In the next I liked Battle Cry under the starter conditions.  That she'd won previously at this one-turn mile was a big positive (4/2-2-0 in fact).  The hot riding Luis Saez was on board.  Right to the front by daylight.....opened up by four widening lengths into the lane, extended it to NINE big lengths while under wraps under the wire as I cashed for nearly $25.

And in the BEST of the Day I scored my third consecutive win!  After the Battle Cry win it was after 10 pm here in Brussels.  But I was awake enough so I read my book and waited for the 10th and final, a maiden special event on the turf going a mile.  Todd Pletcher had a filly who I knew would be a fair price but Erna was way too good to pass up.  She'd set all the pace last time out before being nailed on the wire by a Chad Brown filly.  Daylight clear of the rest of the field that would have been a good enough angle to bet her.  But the fact that the Brown filly exited the race to ship to Del Mar and win a Grade 3 made me tab Erna as the BEST of the Day and make her a prime time play.  Rated confidently in third by Luis Saez, going for his FIFTH win on the day, she coasted to the front turning for home by an open length.  But she had to run to hold the late running challenger safe on the wire.  But win she did and I cashed for nearly $45 to have a big winning day to close out the week......all the while traveling in Europe - oh the wonders of technology!

I would have liked to have had a couple more wins on Saturday, but considering the 2-for-3 Friday and the 3-for-4 Sunday results I was content with the results and glad to have some "normalcy" return to the racing world :)  I am planning to try to handicap the racing cards for the week while cruising.  Was able to get the Wednesday-thru-Saturday cards while in Brussels on Sunday so hopefully I can get those selections made and posted in between outings!

Social Media this week....

One of THE BEST "social media things" EVER happened Thursday.  Khloe and I were at the hockey game and between periods I checked Facebook.  Saw that one of "my girls" - former Western High student Jen had posted a bunch of photos of her family's trip to Georgia.  As I scrolled through them I came upon a photo of her with "my Disney girl" Amanda and it was captioned, "This one is for Coach Love."  My heart just melted.  I messaged them both and then later they both messaged me at midnight (what were these two moms doing up - they both have multiple children and here we were chatting into the wee hours!).  Seems Amanda was there with her family, saw Jen from afar, and had not seen her high school pal in TWENTY-FIVE years, but they'd seen each other on FB.  Amanda called out, went over - her family apparently didn't even notice her walking away for the briefest of moments - and they snapped the pic, thinking of me.  I was so touched.

I reached out to answer Lauren Pastrana when she did a segment on favorite Christmas movies and found we liked several of the same ones :)

I happened to tune into Kelly Clarkson show and she did an interview with a young man from Philadelphia who had a nice cause for a project.  He was sitting next to an attractive woman who I was nearly certain I recognized as former CBS-4 morning anchor Frances Wang, who I'd befriended on Twitter.  I looked it up and sure enough it was her.  I sent her a message and minutes later she messaged me back - cool.

CBS-4 Evening Anchor Lauren Pastrana had been off for several days before on Tuesday she was back on the air.  I snapped a photo of her on our big screen with the tree in the photo and wished her Happy Holidays and a welcome back.  Wasn't long that - while on the air - she messaged me back :)

CBS-4 Weekend Anchor and social media gal-pal Karli Barnett had been on vacation to see her parents this past week and on Monday she was on the evening anchor desk.  I messaged her and she wrote back to me.