Saturday Seminar

[FrankD.]

On a picture perfect day more than 31,000 came out to the Old Spa and the total handle was more than 23 million. The orphaned deck of the former Carolina BBQ had the buzz like it did a few years ago as an array of T-generates came through over the course of the day. Steve Byk put up a canopy to cover the long table, with a too short table cloth and the candelabra was missing but it worked!

TGJB was in fine form going on a well deserved rant per nasal strips, lasix, transparency and how the talking heads that run the racing game do not treat it like a business. For our die heart pool watchers Friday and Saturday saw some very interesting plunges to say the least with \"smart money\" bombing the win pool.
Rocky\'s (mathcaper) computer was burning up race after race as his double vs odds numbers continually showed big moves race after race.

Roll Call: Mathcapper, Richiebee, Shanahan, Michael D., North Carolina Tony, Sean our non posting CT regular, Uncle Bill of course turning heads with his tales as a 150 lbs exercise rider, our regular fixture Chuck Simon Sr and a few assorted guests that came and went through the day. The tip of the day was on Manny Franco in the jockey\'s foot race but he was upset by a long striding Louie Saez who pulled away in the final yards.

TGJB had a big opinion in the 2nd race on Ocala Jim & Hidden Vow as a fairly cold number. The Bruce Brown runners have been taking money big time and Hidden Vow was as dead as dead could be on the board he changed up a little and spread out catching the 1,5,7 number a bit. Ocala Jim was my play of the day and TGJB\'s blessing added a bit to my wager; not a great start here as way too late of a run killed 3 parlays from the rip. Vecino and Sir Maurice made the 4th a 2 horse race by the numbers in horizontals and a puzzling ride by UN Abel Lezcano killed a lot of verticals. TGAB did the analysis and posted Away Game in the 5th at $ 58.00.
State Flag was a major play in the 6th, not JJ\'s finest moment for sure 3W, 3W, 5W in a 3 turn race. Wicked Strong was Jerry\'s choice in the Jim Dandy and the blinkers made him a sharp horse for sure. Interesting commentary by Maggie that Tonalist was turned out after the Belmont and well looking great in the paddock she did not feel he was fit. Sounds like Clement has Travers on his mind and with Rajiv\'s 4W 1st turn here makes you think the tables can be easily turned in the Travers?

Saturday\'s version of the fastest Pletcher horse in the world was spot on as the $750,000 Competitive Edge won very easily and impressively as he was bombed at the windows. The million dollar Aldrin rumored to be the fastest horse in the world yesterday went off 5/2 despite being 7/5 per Rocky in the double pool and did not run but a few steps.

Another terrible day at the windows here; after a great opening day I\'m still only a bet away from level, hows that for optimism.

A great day seeing some TG friends, beautiful weather, great racing, nothing better for yours truly.

Frank D.

[Silver Charm]

Thanks for the report Frank. Wish I was there. Was BLITZED myself but today is another day. Wicked Strong could be a Wickedly Strong fall runner with the Blinkers and better tactical speed and solid racing bottom he has under him now. Clement better put the foot down on the pedal a little more but that doesn\'t seem to be his style. Haskell Day is always one of my favorite days in racing. Love that Track/Park.....31,000 people a $23M handle and good times with good TG friends. American racing is far from dead. Good Luck today everyone!!!

[FrankD.]

I\'m hoping Monmouth can get through their full card today; pretty nasty stuff coming in after 500 PM, gusty winds, heavy rain and hail.

Hit or miss this afternoon at the Spa, raining this morning and T-storms on and off all day depending on where you are. I\'m on the fence for a rare Sunday appearance but leaning north towards the Spa.

I forgot to mention a very conspicuous Spa absence yesterday. Magic night; where are you? Is \'back porch\" downs that cozy we can\'t lure you out of the Hudson valley weekend retreat! Richiebee was missing you big time.

Frank D.

[magicnight]

Hi Frank. It killed me to miss Jim Dandy Day. It\'s the best day of the meet for hanging out with you and Richie and Shanny and any number of T/Generates, and always lots of great racing. Happy to hear that all the familiar faces were once again gathered around the old Carolina BBQ grounds. I was hoping to make it up there today, what with a Rising Graph and a Covello horse both entered, but I\'m scratching out again.

My excuse? It\'s not the back porch calling, it\'s ... the \"Turf Club\". I\'ve spent Friday and yesterday (and will spend today and Monday) working on my version of a \"man cave\". So, I\'ve been moving things around and taping and painting and painting some more. But when I\'m done, the magicnight race and sports book will be a great upstate place for watching and playing the races, done up in Mellon Turf Course Green (actually, \"Bonsai\", from Benjamin Moore), with comfy leather seating, a flat TV screen, reliable wifi, portable bar, and no \"no-smoking\" signs.

I am suffering this weekend, so that future racing weekends (outside of the Saratoga season) may be spent mostly upstairs, where the dogs and the spouse don\'t roam, and I can lose myself in the thoroughbred world of grace and charm and ease and leisure.

While the day job will prevent me from making the TG Open, I will be there next Saturday, and then lots of Saturdays and Mondays (for the relative peace and quiet) after that. Looking forward to making the Saturday seminars, and seeing all the T/Generates once again. Good luck to JB and Michael and David (et al) of the Rising Graph crew, and to Covello in the 8th, and to T/Generates everywhere.