Monthly Archives: January 2008

Sloppy Track?

Of course I didn’t bother to check the track condition before I placed my wagers, which where:

Big Truck boxed with Smooth Air, Notgivinmyloveaway & Golden Spikes

WPS on Notgivinmyloveaway

Dime Super on Big Truck, Smooth Air, Notgivinmyloveaway & Golden Spikes

I had a note on Smooth Air for sloppy track (he broke his maiden first out on a sloppy track at Calder)… damn!

It looked like Big Truck came in dead last (update: 5th)… it was hard to tell what was was going on without the split screen. I’d hate to dismiss him to state bred company without one more shot on a non-sloppy track.

Oh well, I guess now is as good a time as any to start that spreadsheet to track my winnings/losings in 2008!

Let the Games Begin!

Well, dear readers, I started my day with what I can only conclude was a stomach virus. Thankfully it was not even of the 24 hour variety. I did not let it keep me from handicapping the Hutcheson this morning, waves of stomach cramps and all.

I passed out not too long after finishing and just now woke up in time A) post my selections and B) watch and wager!

I like value as a rule and this race is no different for me. There’s also a lot of speed of in this race so I’m looking for someone who can rate. After the Remsen Rodeo I think many have written off Big Truck as best suited for state bred company, but I’m willing to give him one more shot, particularly on a cutback, freshening and jock change. I also like his work pattern, building up is speed and then putting in some endurance and improving as well.

I also like Notgivinmyloveaway. While his Beyers are subpar for the group, he can rate and his last out he won from the 9th post position… experience that will serve him well today breaking from 8. He also gets a big jock upgrade to Prado. And who doesn’t love a trainer who shows chickens? He also won the Pennsylvania Nursery last out, a race that Hard Spun won last year.

I’ll definitely box them and perhaps do a win on each as well. We’ll see what the odds do… if Gulfstream has dime supers I’ll definitely do a dime super box and include Golden Spikes & Smooth Air, two interesting locals.

Best of luck to all.

Go Thorn Song!

One of my favs, Thorn Song, runs tomorrow at Gulfstream in the Canadian Turf Handicap. [NTRA]

You may remember that Thorn Song beat Cosmonaut last time out in the River City Handicap.

Close readers of GbG might also remember that, in addition to holding him close to my heart because I really liked him before he blossomed, he taught me a valuable lesson about handicapping/note making and the importance of a game plan (that’s flexible!).

Go Thorn Song!

New Year, New Poll

Finally! It was neck and neck there for awhile between DRF & Bris Ultimate but DRF pulled away in the stretch getting 16 votes to Bris Ultimate’s 11.

I’ve been thinking about Empire Maker filly’s lately… we all know Mushka & Country Star, but what about that cute Miss Red Delicious and her crazy fuzzy ears? She broke her maiden impressively [Thoroughbred Times] but didn’t fare too well in the Matron. [NTRA] And we’re about to find out more about Turn Away [DRF].

At least one of my respected colleagues has a wait and see approach to Empire Maker offspring (and was berated by someone who didn’t really bother to read her comment!), while yet another respected colleague likes what she sees.

What do you think?