I had a great day at Gulfstream today, with one exception....that being that I did not cash any tickets on any price horses. For the day I was an outstanding 9-for-27 with my handicapping selections; Cashed on ALL FOUR of my "BEST" bets, including my two "BET OF THE DAY" selections. So, I couldn't have asked for more, except to win money!
The day kicked off when I won the opener at Tampa, with a triple investment, right after picking up a free polo shirt! I got it because I got a reserved seat. Ironically there wasn't a turf race until about three hours into the day, so when I went up there there were several people in the row.....and later when I went to go there the entire row was full - just not worth the hassle to watch a single race; still, free shirt.....whoooo hoooooo!
I missed in two races before scoring at Aqueduct with Dave Liftin's "Best." Transparent was floated W-A-Y out into the middle of the track as they hit the backstretch and I thought to myself, he better be MUCH the best to win this race! Drew off by six widening lengths - truly much the best! After missing twice at Gulfstream I scored the first of three races in a row. I won at Tampa with Kentucky Hero on the turf. He was inside with no where to run, but jockey Daniel Centeno came off the rail, split horses at the furlong marker and drew clear as much the best. Then I scored with my first "BET of the DAY" at the Fair Grounds. Daisy Devine is a Grade 1 winner and she'd wired a listed stakes field as much the best here in her last. She had the rail and was the lone speed again. I was just a touch leery because off of such a big effort she might not be as razor sharp today. Still, even if she dropped to a B+ effort, especially as the lone speed, I figured she'd be gone. She was tiring late, but was comfortably in front....I WIN!
In the third race of the sequence I scored at Gulfstream with Close Hatches. Trainer Bill Mott rarely wins with first time starters, but this filly had blistered a workout in :59.1 for five furlongs - from the gate. She looked to have enormous talent, and jockey Joel Rosario has been on several solid wins for Mott. Close Hatches was about seven off the leaders as they hit the far turn and then, wow, what a dynamic move! She ran by the field while wide as though they were standing still. I think she has a stakes future.....and maybe in her next start! I was close, without winning in six races until it was time for THE BET of the DAY, the Grade 2 Forward Gal, and my pick Kauai Katie. She had been my favorite juvenile sprinter last summer and I thought she had a chance to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint against the boys, but they opted to try two turns for the first time.....4th. She came back and was featured in the Grade 3 Old Hat on New Year's Day here. I wanted to come out to see her run live, but my son Brad told me he was looking forward to watching football with me all day, and I knew there won't be many of those days left, so I stayed home. When Kauai Katie walked with that race I told Kim that January 26 was circled on the calendar as I WOULD be on track to see her run in the Grade 2 Forward Gal. Got a good look at her in the paddock, as well as "the man" Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez. The gates opened and there would be no rating, or seeing how the race unfolded. She was easily in front and won handily.
Missed at Tampa, but then I came right back with my "Best" at Santa Anita. It was their version of the "Sunshine Millions" with six stakes races on the card. My pick in the Valentine's Dancer - a mile on the turf - was Tiz Flirtatious. She sat mid-pack to the far turn, moved wide, and then exerted her class to draw off late.....collected nearly $40! AWESOME! I wasn't surprised when Shanghai Bobby lost in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes; he was for sure the juvenile champion, but now it's time to go long against horses that are far better bred for the classic distances. Still, he was only 3/5 of a second off the track record, but he was second best to the Calder runner, Itsmyluckyday - who had won the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year's Day. I closed out the day by winning the co-feature at Santa Anita, the Grade 2 Santa Monica with Teddy's Promise. She'd won at this 7 furlong distance in a Grade 1 here, but that was in 2011. Her "A" game would win here handily, and she produced that today.
The last win of the day came in the very next selection, my final on the day, a maiden-special at the Fair Grounds when Skinny was easily best - I had tripled the bet :) The weather had been great, the racing exciting, and I had 33% winners....can't ask for much more!
I wasn't surprised when Shanghai Bobby lost in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes; he was for sure the juvenile champion, but now it's time to go long against horses that are far better bred for the classic distances. Still, he was only 3/5 of a second off the track record, but he was second best to the Calder runner, Itsmyluckyday - who had won the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year's Day. I closed out the day by winning the co-feature at Santa Anita, the Grade 2 Santa Monica with Teddy's Promise. She'd won at this 7 furlong distance in a Grade 1 here, but that was in 2011. Her "A" game would win here handily, and she produced that today. 
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