After planning to go out yesterday, and then missing out on the big day, I considered going today. The weather was CRISP - the 50's and low 60's. So I thought I'd enjoy being out in the weather, wearing my leather jacket and watching a Todd Pletcher debuting super star sophomore as my "Bet of the Day." My first bet was in the first and I made it online as it ran while I was in the car. He was never in it after breaking poorly and being steadied at the start. I was there ahead of time and asked some questions about my Florida Derby tickets (found out our box seats from last year would be available but for $70 instead of the $50 for "our seats" in Section 101). My first live bet of the day came in the 4th where I liked La Chuchi who was a Gulfstream 40% Club play for trainer Peter Walder and jockey Joel Rosario. He was sent off at 3/5, glided to the front on the turn and looked home free .... then a long shot ran right by him.....second. Next up, the "Bet of the Day!"
The fifth was a Maiden Special for 3-year-olds and Todd Pletcher had two horses. With Luis Saez listed on the 8-Againsome and top rider Javier Castellano on the 7-Hartford, he was my play. As a $700K Keeneland purchase for top owners Stonestreet Stables, I thought he looked MUCH the best. My plan was to make him a prime-time investment. I considered maybe upping the bet, so I went into the paddock. It was really interesting that Pletcher talked at length with Castellano and merely gave Saez a pat on the shoulder. If I could read lips I'd swear he said to Saez, "Good luck, have a safe trip." Then turned away and went back to Castellano. His assistant gave Saez a leg up while Pletcher helped Castellano. And finally, the crowd had bet Hartford down to 1-5. That seals it, I doubled my prime time investment. As they broke from the gate Hartford was right off the front runner and stayed glued to him as they hit the far turn the two separated themselves from the field and it appeared they would decide it. Once heads had turned for home Castellano merely shook the reins and he was LONG GONE! He rolled home most impressively. WHOOO HOOO.....I think he's next seen in stakes action. 
Right back in the 6th was a two-lifetime claiming event. I thought I might get a good price on Paraguana who was 4/1 in the program. In her first two starts she dueled in MSW company before giving way late to be third, beaten a length. Next out she drew off impressively as the 6/5 favorite. Then she (a) moved from Calder to Gulfstream, (b) stretched out from 5 1/2 furlongs to 7 furlongs, (c) faced winners - in allowance company no less! AND the winner from that spot came back in her next race to win the Grade 2 Davona Dale! Off for eleven months she caught a sloppy track in her last on Opening Weekend. With her price tag cut in half today, and dropping into restricted company I thought there was a good chance she would run back to her opening two races. The crowd agreed and sent her of at 3/2. She was TONS the best and ran away from the field to win. Only had the minimum, so I got about $15 back. 
Then came the second big highlight of the day. After successfully upping the bet on Hartford I just had this "feeling" that I was pushing my luck by tripling the bet on Longhunter in the 7th. Three (maybe four) years ago he'd won a one-mile state-bred turf stakes here as my best. I put him on my DRF "Watch List" and he struggled to win for months. I pretty much stopped following him and then about a year ago he began winning. He had turned into a quality turf sprinter and had rattled off multiple wins, including stakes races. Two back he had been the favorite in the Grade 1 Nearctic at Woodbine, but disappointed. He was off for six weeks and ran dully last time out. Here was the interesting part....the 8th today was a five furlong turf sprint in allowance company that was a perfect fit for him, but trainer Michael Maker - for owners Ken & Sarah Ramsey - had entered him in the SEVENTH, a high priced Optional Claiming event going ONE MILE on the turf. Now, I've followed Maker and the Ramseys and they don't put their horses in "prep" spots. They enter them where they figure to win. Still.......I just had this "feeling." Again, I went to the paddock.
Out came top North American owner Ken Ramsey and while he is always smiling and confident, he was high-fiving and hugging everyone. This does NOT look like a guy about to see his horse run in prep race for conditioning. I looked at the board and my second choice was the 6/5 favorite on the board. I thought, "You'll be so sorry if Longhunter wins at a price and you backed off. What did you say after last weekend when Lea won? That you'd bet with confidence on your price horses!" So I went with my original bet, tripled it. As I walked up to my seat in the box seats on the finish line I thought how on Wednesday my longshot had wired the field from the outside post.....and Longhunter was breaking from post 11. Sure enough, right to the front! He was quickly in front my daylight and running easily. They turned for home, he accelerated and was MUCH the best! YES! He paid a generous $6.80 and I cashed for over $50! No matter what happens with the last two minimum bets I have had a big day!
Indeed they both did not win. Still, for the day, I was 3-for-6 - an AMAZING 50%! I'd cashed on both my "big" bets; and I had a profit of nearly $50! WOW, I'm on a roll!
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