Gulfstream 2012-13

New Week - WINNING DAY!

Thursday January 24

I almost missed it!  On Wednesday Churchill Downs announced their spring stakes schedule, which included Grade 1 Stephen Foster night on June 15th.  That's significant because when I was at the Kentucky Derby last spring I told all my Louisville relatives that I would be back for a "Downs After Dark" program this year, probably the Foster program.  Kim and I have just booked the Alaskan trip and that comes a week after the Foster date so I was getting ticket information, emailing everyone, etc.  I sat down and happened to look at the time on the computer - 1:09 pm.....uh oh, I've missed the opener at Gulfstream and the 2nd race is about to go off.  AND, I had not looked at my selections, but I was fairly certain I had an early pick.  I quickly opened up twinspires.com and printed my picks - indeed, my "BEST" of the Day was in the second and it was now two minutes to post time!  Just as they were loading into the gate I got the bet down!  My top selection was Todd Pletcher's first time starter in the Maiden Special Weight sprint, the second race on the card.  But here's what was unique about the race.....typically Pletcher's debut runners are sophomores.  But today it was a MSW for four-year-olds and up!  I stuck with my pick because of the Gulfstream Handicapper 40% Club angles (dirt sprints-40%, John Velazquez-43%); and the fact that in spite of the late debut, it seemed to me that Pletcher had some confidence in this $300K purchase by running him in special weight conditions.  As they hit the far turn it was my pick, Cross Traffic dueling on the lead, and the rest of the field at least half a dozen lengths back.  Their heads turned for home and it was the moment of truth.....this is where the Pletcher runners always find another gear if they are going to win - and Cross Traffic drew off!  With my triple investment I collected over $25!  A great start to the day and week!  

I had picks in the next two races as well.  In the 3rd I backed New Englander again - he had lost in the closest of photo finishes two Saturdays back and was a Jamie Ness 40% GP Club play.  He went off as the co-favorite at 2/1, was right there turning for home and then had no late punch....4th.  The last selection in the three race sequence was in a sophomore maiden claimer on the turf.  It looked like there wasn't anyone who would want the lead, so I selected #3-Zane.  This was largely a selection based on the jockey, as on Saturday in the Sunshine Millions Turf there had been no pace setter and Johnny V went right to the front and stole it.  I thought he'd do the same today.  But as they left the gate and headed into the first turn Velazquez had Zane sitting off the slow pace.  But when they turned for home he pushed to the lead.  At the 16th pole he was joined by a runner up the rail and one on the outside, both of which looked to have momentum, but Velazquez wasn't done.  He worked hard on Zane and the response was immediate as he battled to the wire and edged clear to score.  And, the best part......9/2 on the board, and paid $11.40!  I collected nearly $30 and was guaranteed to profit for the day.  

The last two selections on the day were right there - Chee was 2/1 and was fighting for the lead through the far turn, but faded.  He re-rallied through the stretch but was no match for the winner, who was my second choice at a price - 2nd.  And in my last bet, I had Chosen Empire to steal the turf race in the 9th.  He was clear by four lengths heading into the far turn under Joe Bravo but couldn't last, 4th at 5/1.  For the day, a solid 40% and in the black for the bottom line!