The horses aren’t the only one prepping for the BC you know, I’m trying to make sure I’m in top form as well! So far so good too. A dear friend of mine is town from half way around the world and he wanted to go to Belmont with me. Since he had a flight later on tonight we decided to go “The Office” (OTB restaurant) in midtown instead.

Our day started with the 3rd at Belmont, yes the Monkey’s second start. I liked the Monkey, Joppa Flats ($3.60) & Giant Deputy ($25.40) and picked the wrong exacta of Giant Deputy & the Monkey. Damn… although I was pleased with myself for liking Giant Deputy.

While the Monkey’s race was clearly disappointing and I have to admit I picked him somewhat sentimentally. I wouldn’t dismiss him totally based on his price tag and performance so far. The circumstances under which any horse could actually make back that cost are so unlikely. As I’ve said before (still haven’t gotten all my old posts over here yet), it’s my opinion that his price is purely a function of oneupmanship rather than perceived worth. Playing armchair trainer for a moment, I might give him some endurance building works, cut him back to 6F and change the jock.

Annoyingly all the horses I liked in the 4th scratched and my pick came in last. Moving on to the 5th, I had the exacta ($49.80) of Dr. D.F.C ($12.60 – W) (great name) and Sky Dragon ($4.20 – P)! Of Dr. D.F.C’s last 6 starts at Belmont on the turf, 5 of them were in the money + he was loosing the blinkers (something I usually love). Sky Dragon got a jock upgrade to Johnny V, placed by a head in his last race at the dist on the turf at Belmont and his last 3 starts were in the money.

I had the exacta of Bizzy Trick & Running Dog in the 6th, but Running Dog was DQed to 3rd, and I’m still not sure why. I really couldn’t see it in the replay and if they didn’t change the order of finish in Desormeaux’s ride of Be Bullish, why would they change the order here? On another note, the winning jock was C Cedeno, a lady jock! I wasn’t able to find any info on her, but she put in a nice ride on Bizzy Trick ($11.60). At least I have the satisfaction of knowing I had the exacta of actual race order, although what I would have won would have been nice too.

Another note on the 6th, Appealing Speed’s last race was won by none other than Valerie’s current equine crush, Southwestern Heat! It was a 6F at Laurel on September 12th. Southwestern Heat won by 6 and half lengths while Appealing Speed came in 6th finishing 8 and quarter behind him.

I stunk up the joint on the 7th & 8th but I was very happy for Helene’s Dream ($31.80), the winner of the 8th. Prior to today, of his 45 lifetime starts, he had only won once, placed 4 times and showed 9. He came on strong today running wide and pulling away to a 2 length victory… bravo!

And finally, I had the exacta again in the Athenia… I feel like someone sprinkled exacta fairy dust on me! In addition to Dance Away Capote, who finished 3rd, I really liked Criminologist and I’m in Love.

Criminologist’s last race was a nice 100 Beyer and his variant was 104, but there was no figure for how the track was playing. He had won his last 2, was 3 for 4 at the distance and coming off a month’s freshening. Last time he was freshened in Feb, he came back with a win as well.

I’m in Love had 2 wins and 2 places out of 5 starts at the distance, improving speed figures and won her last at the distance. I definitely was feeling good things for her. I wasn’t sold on Fantastic Shirl at the distance but her last bullet work out concerned me a little. Sure enough, she came on strong at the top of the stretch and couldn’t hold the distance. Criminologist’s ($6.20) 4 and half length win was visually impressive.

The late Pick 4 payout was $18,726.00!! It was a longshot end of the day with Mondo Diverso ($28.80) in the 7th, Helene’s Dream ($31.80) in the 8th and Zip By You ($15.40) in the 10th. Damn! Best of all there’s $124,790 carryover on the Pick 6 for tomorrow!!

All and all it was a great day… great to see my overseas pal and doubling my money wasn’t bad either.