June 12

We Are In Houston!

We flew into Houston on Tuesday and it has been such a great visit so far!  Today was the first day of racing while "on the road," and I made my bets online this morning.  Later after a full day here I was able to watch the replays with both Jeff and Cameron.  It was so fun to have Cameron watching the replays with us; Jeff had told me he enjoyed watching the races on TV or on the Internet, and I was just amazed (though, I don't know why, he's so smart and aware of everything) that he watched the races with an understanding of what was happening.  He was excited, when I was, clutched on to me and cheered as our horses took the lead and crossed the finish line.  So adorable. 

In the second I had tapped Metro Dreamer, who was a solid 9/2 in non-winners of two lifetime.  He set the pace into the lane before giving way to finish fourth.  In the 4th it was my "BEST" of the day - Magical Moon in a five furlong turf sprint.  Trainer Al Stall had dropped four runners in class over the last two years and all had won.....I've already scored with two of these at the meet.  She was a ten length winner for Rosie Napravnik, who was riding today, when graduating over the Saratoga turf.  Today Magical Moon left the gate at 3/5, but broke a step slowly.  That cost her because he horse immediately to the inside and the one immediately to the outside came together and shut her off, costing her more lengths.  She moved to the outside and rallied, but the damage was done and she had too much ground to make up going just five furlongs......second.  But I cashed on my first winner of the week in the next race when Steel Cut dueled to the top of the stretch, put away that rival, then had to hold on late.  Another favorite, but I'll take the nearly $20 payoff! 

In the next race I came right back to score at a nice price.  I was a 5 1/2 furlong two-year-old Maiden Special event.  I liked Tapitsphere.  He had good works, but what pointed him out most to me was that it was the same owner, trainer, jockey - and family bloodlines - of Untapable, who was my "BET of the MEET" when she won the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks with my $200 WIN bet.  He was tracking the leaders into the turn, some three off the lead - and that is typically not good in a juvenile sprint at this abbreviated distance.  But as they turned for home he swung out off the rail and had all the momentum.  As I told Jeff, at the 1/8th pole I would have gladly sold you my ticket; at the 16th pole I probably still would have given you the ticket, but in the final strides he caught the tiring leader. 

The $7.40 payoff meant I would be cashing for nearly $40!  In the finale I was mid-pack going two turns on the turf.  Made a move three wide, but was blocked AND steadied in midstretch;  too late....fourth.  Still for the day, I'll take the 40% win rate - lost all of ONE dollar for the day :)