May 26

Memorial Day Racing

After a week that saw me go 13-for-27 through the first four days and profit nearly $100 I was hopeful for a big day at the races.  But, that was not the case today.....it was, let's be honest, a struggle.  After winning two of the first six, cashing for $65 and going into the black I went through a 1-for-13 streak.  I finished with eight wins, but lost with four of five "prime time, best" bets on the day.....the lone winner of which paid a whopping $2.80 when Grand Contender won the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap loose on the lead. 

The recap video has the stories on the wins, but there are two worth telling here.  First, I had handicapped the Lone Star card and at about 2:00 - with first post at 2:35 - I could not find a monitor with Lone Star.  I walked the length of the facility at Gulfstream and then asked. I was told, we show a 2:35 start, it will be up shortly.  With ten minutes to post I made my bet, and sure enough they were taking bets on Lone Star, and again  walked the length of the facility, even going in the casino to look at their monitors....still no Lone Star.  I asked again and was offered a seat with a TV monitor for free, but I declined assuming that the TV Dept would surely put the races up somewhere.  No.  But, ah the wonder of technology, I was able to watch all the races via my phone.....first on the Lone Star site with their replays and then with my Horse Racing app.... 

The other story came on the last "prime time" play of the day.  Of all days this month, where I've had such great success, my oldest son Jeff said he wanted to play with my "Best" bets for the rest of the summer.  And I've gone 1-for-4 so far, only getting back $28 back on his $100 investment. But, as I told him, in the Grade 1 Gamely, win or lose, this was the time and the right bet.....$20 to win on Emollient who was the only Grade 1 winner in the field (two of them, including one over the Santa Anita course).  And I thought you could excuse her last three starts.  Today she was going to be a fair price and indeed she was, as she was 3/1 as they left the gate.  Our $20 win bet would cash for at least $80 and Jeff would be a profitable winner for the day.  She stalked the pace to the head of the lane and opened up!  I was certain we were a winner......

But on the outside here came a 16/1 outsider.....PHOTO FINISH........

JUST nipped on the wire......arrrgggghhhhh.  Topped off a dismal day where I was winless at Churchill (0-for-6), but as I told Jeff later, for me it's the long haul.  I am sure next weekend when I look at the month of June it will prove to have been one of the best months I have had in a long time, and even for he week at Churchill it was a strong week:

 

27 Selections - 11 WINS (40.7%) .... +$40

Memorial Day Recap Video