It’s Cigar Mile Day, last Grade 1 of the year, a couple of 2’s and a 3.....
Richiebee will even be on hand, one of maybe 3,000? A far cry from the 1966 Remsen post of Damascus with 50K plus live. That was the Saturday norm back in the day. There won’t be 50,000 live at The Big A between tomorrow and Gotham Day on March 10th.
Popping the cork on the 2nd bottle of red, licking today’s what if wounds while capping NYRA and opening day at rainbow land. Wondering why I’m not live at Gulf tomorrow like I was last year? I’ve stated my frustration with the game we love and old habits die very hard.The label of horse player has pretty much defined my misguided youth into semi adulthood. My 26 yr old son has called me his younger brother since he was about 10...... My boycott has been watered down to Friday and Saturday’s betting very little but still stopping in either Albany or Saratoga to see the boys and have a beverage or two. Today’s late pick 4 was ABSOLUTELY there for the taking for 15K. In race 6 the 1,4,8 were my must uses, keying the 1 and pressing the Javier part of the entry. There were 2 bombs you could make a valid TG argument for, the 3 & 7. The analysis picked the 7, rock head that I am didn’t want to use 5 horses. The 3 wins followed by 1,8,4 for a $6800 Super, the TG analysis has 2x1x3 cold as cold can be following for a $284 pick 3, $58 late double and $114 tri in the finale. So pissed off leaving the 3 off a $108 ticket for a buck, another $27 to include him, didn’t play on and left it ALL ON THE TABLE.......
In true old school die hard horse player fashion, lets get onto the last late pick 5 of the NYRA year with a mandatory pay out......
The Go For Wand: loved that fillie, had a 2K ex her over Bayakoa on that Ill fated day.
Chad, Chad, Jameson’n Ginger looks the part, Going for Broke worked with her step for step and highly touted ouchie could have her 4yr old breakout? Highway Star spots too much weight and her BC Sprint was down right UGLY.
MSW: Throwing darts here! Summer Squeeze bred for the turf sprint and last 2 works are sharp. Stonefactor speed from the outside, hate the 3 week gap in the works, probable favorite but not too many opportunities in the heat.Dilger had a run away dirt winner here yesterday. The reach of reaches Dark Tricks, trainer o for the year, jock 0 for the meet,50/1 first out, flashed a quick 4W half and faded, bullet work, if Johnny V gets lost on the outside? Speed from the rail in a turf sprint.
Demoisel: Daisy & Wonder Gadot are logical, I’m against Maurer Powers big Parx # off a layoff. Delacour has been hot and becoming a major Saturday player up and down the east coast. 2 off the turfers and a soft turf against Rushing Falls in 4 trips to the gate with some tough journeys. Price is TOO juicy to pass up.
Remsen: Catholic Boy is bred better for brown than green, horror trip in BC and moving forward, my key. Biblical is heading in the correct direction as well. Triple Dog Dare , it’s the Rudy season and I’ll take JJ saving ground in any 2 turn heat. Chad could have a monster, can’t leave out. I’m anti Avery Island spotting weight.
Cigar Mile: Sharp Azteca ran the best race of BC weekend, dead rail, pushed, better 1 turn than 2 turn horse, spots weight BUT I could never let this warrior beat me, he always shows up. Practial Joke is 4 for 4 going around one turn, Rosario saved ground in BC, too bad it was on a X..... Americanize is moving forward, gets 9 lbs from SA, didn’t come east for the weather or the Macy’s Parade. Seymourdini is an ouchie who ran big fresh and Tom’s Ready will bounce to the moon, IMHO......
2 x 3 x 3 x 4 x 3 = $216 for a buck
Let’s press Catholic Boy in the Remsen and Americanize in the Cigar should Bejarano make 116?
Catholic Boy may be bred for brown, but wouldn\'t know it from his dirt works. Most of these young\'uns move forward after their first start, which makes Alky the play.
Seymour was an ouchy, but lots of time off before a decent showing last out. Anything approaching those early year figs gives him a great shot with the weight break.
Will take a flier with the A.P. Indy fillies, hoping the added distance brings out their best at a price. Noor gets a look, though.
While I usually consult Frank D on these matters, I will not be attending the
festivities live at Park Ozone Saturday, what with a terrific card of college
football on TV throughout the day, and the bad taste left in my mouth from last
Saturday\'s AQ proceedings. Part of the bad taste came from Equestris, which
seems to have hired a chef whose full time job is preparing meals at a New York
City public school cafeteria; my digestion was not aided by watching a Brad Cox
trainee in the finale lead every step except the one that counts, costing me
what Frank would call a \"three zero\" payout.
Speaking of football, NFL style, two streaks of a sort come to an end Sunday:
Eli Manning\'s consecutive start streak, and at the same time the NY Football
Giants will no longer be the only NFL team never to have had an African
American start at QB.
Best of luck to all, and if I make a decent score I will be sure to thank TG
after the race.
Good call on Catholic Boy. Galloped out well too. That time though....
Edit: time actually looks good compared the filly race.
Mr. Bee, I always enjoy your musings and your comment on after the race. I do prefer the 200-1 shots after the fact, but there is a medium price nag with speed and a circle pattern in the 4th at Charlie tonight, so we’ll see. Happy Holidays from your old pal Al B. Tross