Well, while this is a journal primarily of my racing adventures over the winter racing season, it is also a general story-telling of my life and certainly the highlight of today was not the racing, but the fact that our Florida Panthers Hockey club won their NINTH straight game - a franchise record - and padded their position in first place of the Atlantic Division. Kim and I left Columbus at 1 pm on Southwest with a direct flight to Ft. Lauderdale. We landed at 4:30 and planned to drive directly to the game which dropped the puck at 6 pm. But once we landed and got our luggage the skies opened up in a torrential rain storm. As our bus slowly traveled to the parking lot it was already 5:15 and not only was it a near certainty that we'd miss the start of the game, but it looked like we'd also get soaked walking in. So we agreed we'd probably skip the game. But by the time we got to the car the rain had let up. We arrived at the arena half-way through the first period with the Panthers leading 1-0. Early in the second Minnesota tied the game and now it was a thrilling game! Our star player, Jaromir Jagar scored with less than ten minutes to go to put us ahead and we held on as the 17,000 and change fans erupted with enthusiasm and showered the ice with rats! WHOOO HOOO!
Once Kim and I got home - around 9 pm - she began to unpack and begin getting ready for her return to work tomorrow while I watched the race replays. In the opener Indian Brut was the prohibitive 1/5 favorite and could only mange to finish 4th after surging to the front at the top of the stretch. In the third Get Air Lex was NEVER in it at 5/2, finishing eighth. The fourth saw Tzi Our Destiny disappoint for the 14th time trying to break his maiden at even money - no more backing that guy for me! Finally in the 7th I hit paydirt when Cool Man Walkin was much the best. He went right to the front, dictated the pace through the turn and when the challengers came he opened up to draw off. Very impressive winner as the deserving 8/5 favorite.
Right back with my second winner in the eighth when Twist and Turn went wire to wire. This one seemed way too obvious after winning four of his last five his lone loss had come when well above his proper class level. I didn't wager more because I felt sure someone would challenge him on the front end, after all it was so obvious in the form he was a "need to lead" type. But nope, long gone and I cashed for another $20. In the 10th Flowers For Lisa, who had disappointed as my pick last time out was a disappointment again, this time at 3/5 when running second. Hoping to get out to Gulfstream at least once if not twice during the week before making an all-day event of Saturday's card.
Gulfstream Holiday Racing Recap
December 23 - January 3
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