Thursday December 13
THREE - out of - FOUR!
Today was one of "those" days that make handicapping a very enjoyable hobby! I had posted on Facebook that I had five selections on the nine race program, but before the racing began one of them was scratched, leaving me with just four. I passed on the first (when none of my top three were in the money). My first selection came in the second race where I Orient Moon was being send out by "The Main Man" at Gulfstream Park, trainer Todd Pletcher. Orient Moon was the prototype of the kind of runner that has made Pletcher the top trainer EIGHT years running. He had run spectacularly HERE in his debut last winter, and was coming off a layoff to return here. But, I was a little reluctant to back him because by this time last year Pletcher had already scored many times - currently he has only had two wins. Hmmmmm. Further complicating the picture was that in Orient Moon's two races after his big win last winter he had not even been closed, being pounded as the odds-on favorite. Still, as I wrote in my analysis, you are "either all in on Pletcher at Gulfstream" or you are not. If you try to guess where he's live, you will end up missing so many winners - trust me, I know from experience! Orient Moon ran back to his big debut win by sitting just off a longshot leader into the turn. He then drew even and drew off with authority to score.....I collected nearly $25! Whooo hoooo, off to a good start!
I passed the third (note my top pick won as the favorite) and was back at the windows (virtually as I was playing online today) for the fourth which was a turf sprint. I was very hopeful that the crowd would bet down the program favorite because I liked Varsity, who was a multiple winner (2-for-3) sprinting over the Gulfstream turf. As I watched the races on HRTV, the analysts thought that I would be compromised by other speedsters and that the second choice would run by Varsity in the stretch. NOT SO FAST my friend! Varsity bounded out of the gate and was quickly in front....and not just in front, but in front by multiple lengths. Even though the pace fractions were lightning quick (21.2 and 44.1) he looked to be running well within himself. Afterwards the analysts noted that "you had to be feeling good about your pick if you had Varsity the way he was running on the lead turning for home" - and I WAS! He walked with it and I collected nearly $25 again!
I passed the fifth (where my top choice won), the sixth, and then the 7th was where my top pick scratched. This led us to the eighth, another turf sprint. My pick was a Gulfstream Handicapper 40% Club play with Kirk Ziadie as the trainer. And I liked the fact that Quiz Whiz was in post eleven because that would give him a good stalking trip from the outside and not force him to run as quickly. He went off at a juicy 2/1, but jockey Paco Lopez gunned him right to the front with an 11/1 longshot. He sat just off his flank and easily ran by that one and was clear into the stretch. But by then the damage was done and a longshot blew by him in deep stretch, and then he weakened and couldn't even hold second, finishing third.
While I was watching HRTV the analyst prior to the 7th said he too liked Quiz Whiz, but that he believed there was a real standout in the final race, so just in case he was going to back wheel the double. So when the 11/1 winner was named official he was looking at a nice payout, and his "standout" was my top selection - Ambitoness. He had been claimed for $25K two back in California and then ran a good 2nd for a $32K tag. Today he was in a starter allowance where the conditions were for $10K runners. He was MUCH the class of the field. And as the analysts pointed out after the race, top rider Joel Rosario gave a very "professional" ride to the favorite. Knowing he had the best horse, who had good speed, he sent him right to the front.....and never looked back! WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!
Three out of four for the day and a nice profit in spite of all three being winners! Back at it tomorrow before the weekend and this week's stakes races. You can find my selections on my selection page here:
No comments:
Post a Comment