Much Ado About … Something

First, a big snow storm hit the East Coast cancelling Laurel and Aqueduct; thus the first Magna five of the season – Magna’s bad 2009 is carrying over into 2010. These cancellations also played havoc with the 2010 NHC Championship, but more on that later.

Today started like last week, just more of the same ol’ 2nd place.

JW’s pick Angel Cove 3-1 broke smartly, but faded as my pick 10-1 Pretty B made her move to power past Angel Cover. The only problem was 80-1 Dreamed to Dream made her move first and beat Pretty B to the wire. Yes, 2nd place.

Next was Santa Anita’s first race and Jon had Kazroad at 2-1 while my favorite Yodelady O was 7/2. Yodelady stalked, drew away, and was run down by a head by a perfectly timed run from Carnival Queen at 7/2. Uh huh, 2nd again.

The 3rd of 8 races on the Beat the Host card was SA’s #2, and Jon White picking on his home turf took Tamarak Smarty at 6/5 while I felt good with closer Renegade Storm 6-1. I was feeling really good as Renegade was hunting down Tamarak with every bounding stride down the lane; alas, Tamarak was tough and won by ½ length. This is oh so familiar, 3 starts and 3 seconds while Jon While has scored first on a 6/5 favorite.

Bingo Baby – It happens! Next up is the 6th at Gulfstream. Jon takes 2-1 Gothics Peak while I take the third choice of the betting public – First Dude. It is a maiden race, First Dude has two strong starts and Dale Romans is shipping him in from Kentucky after 63 days off – hmm shipping in for a $45K maiden – this horse must be fit and the post parade proves it, he looks ready to fire and does, cruising to a 3 length victory at 3-1.

Here's the action:


GP Race 6 Chart

It is done. I immediately cover JW’s picks in the four remaining races; thus guaranteeing a place in the BTH finals. It takes 5 weeks, sadly, but I now find myself in the strange position of cheering for JW’s remaining picks as it’s a live bankroll tourney.

Also of note, this is the hottest day I’ve ever had wagering – even winning by accident in one race. As well as the BTH contest, I was playing the Sunshine Millions day, and after those 2nds in the first three races, I posted 7 straight wins. That’s 7 wins and 3 places in 10 races with full 8 to 12 horse fields. I’ve never been close to doing that before.

As I said my sixth win was accidental as I was checking BTH results and played the 5 horse in the wrong race at SA. I was skipping the current SA race and playing the following race, but forgot to change the race number and sure enough the #5 wins at 4-1. Now That’s Hot, to borrow a phrase.

Here are the results:
Saturday, January 30th
Track Race Post
(ET) Host Pick Host Results Winning Runner Winner Payout
Gulfstream Park 3 2:03pm #3 Angel's Cove $0.00 #6 DREAMED TO DREAM $105.00
Santa Anita 1 2:30pm #2 Kazroad $0.00 #1 CARNIVAL QUEEN $29.00
Santa Anita 2 3:00pm #5 Tamarack Smarty $11.50 #5 TAMARACK SMARTY $11.50
Gulfstream Park 6 3:25pm #7 Gothics Peak $0.00 #6 FIRST DUDE $18.50
Santa Anita 4 4:10pm #2 Canonize $0.00 #3 GATO GO WIN $42.00
Gulfstream Park 8 4:33pm #6 This Ones for Phil $10.00 #6 THIS ONES FOR PHIL $10.00
Santa Anita 5 4:43pm #11 Locksley Hall $0.00 #4 KURO $25.50
Gulfstream Park 10 5:43pm #8 Soldier's Dancer $0.00 #11 JET PROPULSION $20.00
Host's Total: $21.50

BTH Results and Standings

The next three Saturdays, I’ll be back looking for high odd scores, but for now, just happy to have a shot in the finals ……. Along with about 600 others.

“You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.” ~ Charlie Parker.