June 1

One-for-Five.....LEPAROUX- Grrrrr

On the Sunday card I had only five plays.  No prime time bets.  I had a win in my fist bet of the day when Overton square drew off impressively at 8/5.  But then ran second twice and third once.  I had two what I thought were winners but jockey Julian Leparoux, as he always does, did not deliver.  In the eighth he looked to be the speed on the rail going 8 1/2 furlongs.  And he easily cruised in front through a very pokey :25 and change opening quarter.  But then Leparoux wrangled him back to fourth!  What the......tried to rally into that soft pace, why?  Why give up the lead?  And was no better than third.  And in the ninth he moved SEVEN wide on the turf course into the stretch with dead aim on the leader.  I knew I was about to score at 5/2 with a double investment and finish 2-for-5 with a profit.  But, and maybe it's my own personal bias, but in the final 16th as he approached the lead it looked to me that he simply hand rode Shift Colors like he was five in front, and finished a close 2nd without ever going by the leader.  No whip, no riding with passion or enthusiasm, just gliding his hands back and forth.....wow.  But I calculated my June numbers and they were the best I've ever had in ten years of handicapping!