On Track - BET of The Day WINS!
I made myself the promise before Opening Day that I would make every effort to go out to Gulfstream for live racing during the week. I had said so many times through my last several years of working during this time of the year, "if I were retired, I'd be at Gulfstream today!" And so I wanted to continue to make that dream come true. I went back and forth about going with the weather being a big off, but in the end I really wanted to go. When I'd handicapped the card there looked to be two good time sequences - either head out for the second through the fourth as I had a double investment in the second and my "BET of the DAY" in the fourth; or go for the 4th & 5th because the fifth was also a double investment. In the end the earlier time sequence won out, largely so I could beat the late afternoon traffic home. When I arrived I was amazed at the newly completed Pegasus Park and fountain. For two years they have been working on this gigantic fountain as a landmark symbol for the facility and I have thought while it was something to look at, it took up a LOT of parking spaces. I read later today that it still is not completed as they will have a laser light show set to music that will go off every hour on the hour. Still, as I had told Brad and Jeff two summers ago it had to be the "largest fountain in the universe!"
I arrived about fifteen minutes before post time of the second, and I cashed in my winning tickets from last Saturday. I also had Dan's tickets as well as tickets from my last on-track visit prior to the Breeders' Cup. Over $150 into my pocket to start the day....that's always a nice way to start the day! In the 2nd I liked Tzi Our Destiny who had Javier Castellano riding in the first turf race of the day. It was a maiden claiming event and this 3yo filly was dropping in class today. The crowd bet her down to 6/5, but she was never in contention, fifth. I went to the gift shop prior afterwards to see what was new there. I know the gal who runs the shop and we caught up. I found a new Gulstream shirt, in their signature purple color, and so it was an early Christmas present for me! Passed the 4th, after considering a "fun bet" on Ron Nicoletti's choice. Good thing I did as the winner paid a whopping $103.20 for a $2 bet! Now it was time for the key race of the day. This was a six furlong maiden claiming event for bottom level claimers. If you looked at my selection, Tale Stone alone it was clear that this was not a very good nor very fast horse. But in handicapping it's all about the match-ups. And compared to this field, Tale Stone stood out like a Breeders' Cup Champion running in an entry level allowance. Toss in the superb human team: trainer Michael Maker for top North American owners Ken & Sarah Ramsey, and top rider Javier Castellano AND that Tale Stone was dropping from a solid 4th in $30K company at Churchill to today's $12K level here - duh, slam dunk. As they approached the gate she floated up to an amazing 1/2 price and couldn't believe my good fortune. But the late money came pouring in and she was 1/5 at post time. Pressed the leader while well within herself to the top of the lane and ran away as I stood on the rail. EASILY best! Whooo hoooo. Not about the pay off, just that not only I picked her, but put my money where my conviction was and went prime time!
I left with my purchase and winning ticket in my pocket. I had three later bets that I'd made before I left. In the fifth, Two Step Temper was an even 4th at 9/2. And then both of my final two selections were scratched. So for the day I was 1-for-3, a solid 33% to keep my high winning average at the meet going. But more importantly I'd enjoyed being able to go to my favorite venue and watch live racing with some of the best jockeys, trainers, owners, and horses in the country on a Thursday afternoon.
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