Fountain of Youth Stakes Week
My Mom's visit continued this week and we have been so busy! After arriving last Wednesday evening we went to a Panthers game Thursday, flew to Houston Friday, all day with the family there and out to eat Saturday, flew home Sunday (arriving at 12:30 am); drove to Orlando & back to see the "kids" Monday (again arriving home at 12:30 am), had a "night off" Tuesday; out to eat at the Sea Watch restaurant Wednesday; and then another hockey game Thursday! Meanwhile I've kept up with the daily handicapping, wagering, watching races and keeping the journals going. The racing week started with an 0-for day on Wednesday as I had a single second place finish and then off the board in the other three.
Thursday February 25
Back in the winner's circle today with BOTH the first two selections! In the second, my first pick of the day, I went with Chad Brown's first-time-starter Noble Beauty in a $75K Maiden Claimer for three-year-old fillies on the turf. With top jockey Javier Castellano they are winning at over 30%. But when the gates opened she was off slowly and before they hit the first turn she was so far out of it that even her chicklet wasn't on the TV screen. As the field approached the far turn I could see the little #6 chicklet coming into the picture and then there she was making up ground. Midway on the turn she was behind horses and had to hold her pattern. But when the field straightened for home and she got clear sailing she just inhaled the field as much, MUCH the best!
The best part for me was not only cashing a ticket but the big $6.20 payoff meant I'd collect over $30! Next on my sheet was the 4th. I had reservations about putting Hanover Honey on my selection list just from a handicapping angle, but the numbers said she HAD to be the best horse. Of the forty-three races run by her fellow maiden claiming rivals today the last two figures earned by Hanover Honey were DAYLIGHT better; and her two starts prior to falling three back were a pole better. If she just ran a typical race she SHOULD win. The only one had back figures to be competitive came from a barn that was 0-for-18 at the meet. But my reservations were that Hanover Honey's trainer was only 2-for-43 and Hanover Honey had already gone down to defeat eight times, the last two as the post-time favorite. But I thought I could make excuses for her last two defeats and with the number advantage I made her my double investment. As they hit the far turn she was in position to make a move but seemed to be spinning her wheels - well, that's what happens when you go out for a barn than cannot figure how to win, I thought. But then as they turned for home a narrow seam opened on the rail and she SQUEEZED through to get to the lead, and then barely held off a longshot closer on the outside!
Back-to-back wins! Cashed for over $20 and I'm guaranteed a winning day! In the eighth my selection went straight to the back of the field and showed little. My final selection was in the 11th, a claiming event going a one-turn mile. The 4/5 favorite was on the lead but my choice, Not Welcome was pressing on the outside at 7/2. He surged to catch the leader and they dueled to the 16th pole, but I simply was second best and well clear of the rest of the field as the favorite scored. Still, 2-for-4 on the day with a nice profit. Tomorrow Mom & I are headed out and I've got selections from not only Gulfstream, but from four other tracks - two of which (Santa Anita & the Fair Grounds) will run late into the evening after we've left!
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