Big Start to Week 2
Today I was fortunate enough to meet with one of my very favorite former student, Christie Shade for lunch. She was in my sophomore World History class the first year that Cypress Bay High was open, and we stayed close through her entire high school career, topped off by my being her mentor her senior year in the WISE program. We've stayed in touch since her graduation nearly ten years ago, and she still rates as one of my all-time favorite students. As you can tell from her photo, she is sweet "eye-candy" and I am always delighted to be seen with her :) We had agreed to meet for lunch (which she generously paid for, such a sweetie!) in Pembroke Pines, which is of interest because it is only about ten minutes from Calder. I had winning tickets worth over $50 at home and wanted to cash them out to add to the bankroll for the big racing day on Saturday. So after lunch I headed there. When I had handicapped the races for today I had a selection in the second if it was off the turf, but the weather was gorgeous - 80's and sunny - and the races were on the grass. So my next pick was in the third, where I had tabbed Sweet N Discreet to win. She was returning off a short break which made her a Gulfstream Handicapper 40% Club play, as top trainer Todd Pletcher wins at a 45% rate with runners off such a break. Further, 'Sweet was two for three here in Hallandale. My only hesitation was the fact that with Gulfstream running all summer it's been difficult to determine just when the "live" runners from the big stables were starting to run. Normally when Gulfstream opens it is after the Tropical meet at Calder and you know the runners are live, especially for Pletcher. But he's run several horses in the last few weeks and two disappointed for me last weekend on Opening Day. I considered adding a live bet when I got to Calder (along with the double investment I'd made on line), but with the results from last week I was hesitant. As I walked into Calder (with seven minutes to post), however I saw that Sweet N Discreet was the odds-on favorite and that erased all my doubts. I doubled my original bet from the winnings on the Fall tickets and watched them load into the gate. The frontrunner seemed cruising along easily at a big price while 'Sweet was struggling to keep up as they spun out of the turn. But as heads turned for home the leader began to shorten stride and my filly began to gain momentum. I thought the rider had her measured, but it was close.......but a WIN! I cashed in for nearly $40 and I was guaranteed to be a winner on the day. I was back in the car less than fifteen minutes from when I arrived. WHOOO HOOOO! 
I passed on both the 4th and 5th races, and after I arrived home I turned on Twin Spires on the computer to watch the rest of the races as I finished handicapping Saturday's races. As I watched I checked the results from earlier in the day......I had listed the winner of the first AND the second race as my top choice, but had not bet them. Then in the fourth my second choice won and paid over $10! None of my picks showed up in the fifth. In the sixth we were on the turf in a non-winners of two lifetime. My top choice was One Golden Road who was being sent out by Michael Maker for top owners Ken & Sarah Ramsey. Joel Rosario was listed to ride, and this trio has had phenomenal success throughout 2013. A late change put top rider Javier Castellano on board, which was no problem for me, since Michael Maker runners at Gulfstream entered for less than $40K have won at greater than 40%, making this another Gulfstream Handicapper 40% Club play. I was delighted when his odds floated up to 3/1, but she settled in at 5/2 as they left the gate. She was in mid pack through the far turn and I didn't think she was looking too good, but then she burst from the pack and drew off by open lengths, WHOOO HOOO! Then the announcement came, "Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a steward's inquiry into the stretch run involving the unofficial winner." NO WAY! When I watched it my opinion was that it didn't look good, but that I really didn't think his actions had affected the chances of the also ran who was not in contention at the time and never was. After several looks the stewards decided NOT to change the order of finish and I had my second winner! 
In the 7th my top pick scratched and my second choice was the even money favorite. My brother-in-law Jason texted to ask what I was doing. I told him I often went with my second choice in a case like this where the top one scratched, especially when they were heavily bet. But in this case I was against Grand Jester as the program favorite, so I passed. She was up in time in the final strides, the fifth top selection to win from the first seven races. In the eighth I was a dismal 10th as the 7/2 second choice. In the ninth I thought I had the upset pick of the day when Freewest was in front by open lengths turning for home in a turf sprint at huge 7/1 odds......nailed in the final strides :( And in the finale I was 8th at 7/2. Still, for the day I was 2-for-5, a big 40% and a profit of more than $15 to start the week. I have picks in every race tomorrow on the Claiming Crown program which features eight stakes races worth over $1 million!
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