FORNATALE'S CORNER
Daily Saratoga Diary and Analysis
By HorsePlayer contributor Peter T. Fornatale
Peter Thomas Fornatale is a horse racing enthusiast who has spent the last several summers as the handicapper for The Saratoga Special and the stage manager for the Daily Racing Form Seminars at Siro's. He has co-written a well-regarded handicapping book, Six Secrets of Successful Bettors (with Frank R. Scatoni, editor of HorsePlayer Magazine and is the co-author of Harvey Pack's May The Horse Be With You. He has also written about racing on the op-ed page of The New York Times. |
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Monday, September 7, 2009 - Day 36 of 36
It's getaway day but we already went.
After the Sunday nightcap, we packed into the car with Mugs and most of our worldly possessions and made our way down the thruway and back to Brooklyn.
This morning I discovered my router is dead so I'm sending this final diary from the blackberry. So no bells or whistles today.
Instead, I've saved the best for last. I want to use this opportunity to send out a special thank you to Susan. Having her in Saratoga this year meant so much to me and I'll cherish the memories forever: cooking lambburgers in the backyard and relaxing by the fire pit, reading to each other, her picking out that Gary Con filly in the paddock to put on a salve on a tough day, shouting our hearts out for Rachel as she held on bravely down the lane. What a summer!
I can't wait to do it again -- with Susan by my side -- come next year.
Monday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
The Forego is a corker of a race and we'll take a little shot there. Eddie Keneally on the stretchout is an angle we cashed on the other day, we'll work it again here.
RACE 10: $50 win and place on 3 ASPIRE
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$1,112.50
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Sunday, September 6, 2009 - Day 35 of 36
We�ve all seen it, but some of us didn't get a chance to hear the call, which was truly awesome, so here it is.
One of my first thoughts was how the weight helped her there at the end (it surely it did), but as I think about it, I believe that overlooks how good a race this was. Given the tactics of two of her rivals and where they ended up, I can pretty much guarantee this will be a major upgrade when the racing flow numbers (www.racingflow.com) come out on Tuesday. Put another way: imagine how much she wins by if Take The Points and Da Tara run their usual first quarters? And as it was, even with what must have been a brutal pace number, she still ran a 109 Beyer Speed Figure.
A few other observations:
I was sitting at the 8th pole with Susan and my friends John and Ellen and in front of us, you'd have taken a very short price on Macho Again in running. My heart sunk to the point where I stopped rooting for a second as it seemed obvious he would blow by. I believe she dug even deeper than it looked to hold him off.
Even though the crowd was less than I anticipated, I have never heard a Spa crowd so loud, even for a Travers.
Walking back along the track after the race heading to her barn, the filly looked tired to me (understandably, of course, but still moreso than I expected even). After seeing that, I�m going to guess that the Beldame will not be on her dancecard.
All in all, the most exciting race I have seen in my time at Saratoga. Here's another take I like a lot. one last cool slideshow from a friend of mine, the brilliant Tod Marks.
Sunday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
Rules for next year's play of the day: bet only jumps, turf routes, and maiden races longer than 6 furlongs. Unless i'ts Banrock (or maybe any Tom Bush trainees), absolutely no New York Breds (I�m looking at you, Quiet On The Tee). I probably won't stick to that and I�m not going to bother with the math, but if you�ve been following you know what I mean.
I like three separate horses today. Protesting will like the stretchout in the 2nd. Left Unsaid, a multiple jumps winner facing maidens on the flat, should crush the 4th, and I think Reservoir (Sky Classic on Saratoga sod) is worth a squeak in the 9th).
Race 2: $10 to win and place on 8 PROTESTING ($20)
Race 4: $30 to win and place on 7 LEFT UNSAID ($60)
Race 9: $10 win and place on 3 RESERVOIR ($20)
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $407.50
Meet to date Results: +$1,212.50
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Saturday, September 5, 2009 - Day 34 of 36
Saratoga Racecourse looks good in the moonlight.
The second late post Friday of the meet worked out much better than the first weather-wise, even if it was a debacle at the windows. But the day was cool. Susan and I met up with DVP and assorted alumni from the old Racing Form seminars (no plug for the old hosts this time), including Dean Keppler, Brian Pochman and Noel Michaels.
After the last, we sat in our camping chairs by the paddock and just enjoyed the gorgeous twilight and anticipatory atmosphere. Then we walked towards the car and saw the big old full moon hanging over Oklahoma. A very memorable scene.
Though not as memorable as today. Finally, after a meet's worth of anticipation, it's Rachel time. I am as excited to see this race as any I've ever witnessed in person. I'll admit to even tossing and turning a bit last night, just thinking about how it's going to play out. I want this filly to continue her march to Horse of the Year. Simply put: she's one of the best looking horses I've ever laid eyes upon.
From a betting point of view, I�m confused. My gut is that she's special, the rest of the field is not, and she crushes. Adding to this idea is that according to my informal research, it seems that every handicapper (even some known for their affinity for chalk), are just going crazy trying to beat her. In a sense, this is an easy way out to me. And usually, when everybody is going one way like that, you want to go the other.
Saturday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
Quiet On The Tee doesn't want to run that far. I may now have to give him *one more chance* on the cutback. But that's yesterday's news.
For today's play I�ll return to an angle we discussed earlier in the meet. If you recall, I liked the look of the field in Liston's maiden win. Chief Counsel, who was favored in there, came back and didn't win but had plenty of trouble (brushed at the break, wide, ran on anyway). CALLIDE VALLEY took a good amount of money into the teeth of the favorites in that race, tried to set the pace and faded. He stretches out today and I like the look of that last work. Should be at least a decent number as he's 8-1 on the line.
Race 2: $50 to win and place on 10 CALLIDE VALLEY
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$805
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Friday, September 4, 2009 - Day 33 of 36
Mark Hennig hadn't had the easiest meet until this week -- he'd had just one winner even though a bunch of his horses had run well. Then the other night, he and his wife Rose went to a dinner party and ate a meal that changed their luck. I made a contribution to this meal. They've won a race each day since. Coincidence? I don't think so. I think it was the salsa.
That's the joke we've shared anyway the last two days after their winners: Success Fee on Wednesday and Datt Echo on Thursday (both move-ups according to the data from www.racingflow.com, by the way).
"It must be the salsa."
Here, to the best of the ability, is a recreation of the magic salsa:
1 white onion chopped (I used two little cippolini)
1 jalapeno chopped
1 medium tomato chopped
2 not too ripe peaches chopped
A few handfuls of chopped cilantro
Salt to taste
Perhaps I'll hire Esperenza away from Graham Motion, brush up on my Spanish, and open up shop on the backstretch.
Friday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
I had hoped to put a small Pick Six play in this space today, given the massive carryover but i'ts really tough and I ran out of time. Instead, I'll go another direction: but this guy could be a Pick Six single for me.
We tried QUIET ON THE TEE earlier in the meet and he once again had a tough set up, attempting to rally into an impossibly slow pace. Once more unto the breach.
Race 9: $50 to win and place on 6 QUIET ON THE TEE
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $27.50
Meet to date Results: +$905
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Thursday, September 3, 2009 - Day 32 of 36
Z-Z-Z-Zilva!
My fears about being overbet yesterday were not justified. We went off at a generous price and got the win thanks to a heady ride and a brave, well-prepared filly who wasn't afraid to inside another horse in the lane. The maniac yelling, �Get up the wood, filly!� for the whole length of the stretch under the big screen? That was me.
I was a little worried after the paddock. Not that Zilva looked bad at all, she looked great. But Senada, a Barclay Tagg filly out of the terrific grass mare Owsley, was a specimen. She ought to win next time and will probably be a stakes horse in due time. Of course, so might Zilva...
I watched the race with my friend John Panagot, who works for Graham Motion. After the races we walked back to the barn and hung out for a bit with the grooms: Esperenza, Eliseo and Memo. They were in a great mood, of course, and we chatted in a mix of English, Spanish, and my tortured Italian as the early evening God-light spread over the track and cut through the backstretch trees. The linguistic high point for me was saying that Zilva had run, �como il viento...,� which I�m not sure is correct grammar in any language but did seem to get the point across.
They had the hot plate going and the meal was simple and really impressive. Tortillas with refried beans, steak, and pico de gallo. Esperenza was making the pico with a knife out of her hand straight into the bowl. If you�re not a cook, you probably don't understand just how impressive this feat is!
We enjoyed a few delicious tortillas together right outside the shedrow lined with various horses I'd bet on during the meet. I went to have a close up look at Bullsbay.
He appeared in fine fettle: big, gorgeous and full of attitude: he tried to bite me twice! It was almost like he knew who I rooting for in The Big One on Saturday
After a few minutes I bugged John for a ride back to the Little House on the Eastside. I left my new friends with the promise that at some point in the near future, the morning doughnuts will be on me.
Thursday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
If it ain't broke, yadda yadda yadda.
I�m going to stay with the Motion barn today with the full knowledge that today's price won't be as generous as yesterday's. Still, I really like Smart Seattle and am going to bet her in the 3rd. Apologies for not giving her out when she broke her maiden last time. But I don't think this is a wedding/funeral deal -- she could easily improve here and win again right back. And if you�re curious, I think Dynaski gallops at a short price in the jumper.
Race 3: $50 to win and place on 9 SMART SEATTLE
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $302.50
Meet to date Results: +$932.50
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009 - Day 31 of 36
I felt like I was making a typo as I wrote in the date for this column � how can it be September already? But the good news is that there is still a week to go up here, though it may be more like 5 days for me, as my lease ends a day early and it didn't sound like there was too much wiggle room. So I'll either be watching the Forego from Brooklyn or living out of my car for a day.
Yesterday was a fun, empty day over there with gorgeous weather. I set up a chair by the paddock but ended up spending the day in the bottom floor of the clubhouse under the big screen. My buddies Colin, John and Brian from the Saratoga Special were around and it was fun to be away from the computer and at the track for a whole day. It was also an excellent reminder how fun it is to spend a day just hanging out with serious race fans. I love hanging out with friends and family up here -- wouldn't trade that for anything � but once in a while it's fun to have all the conversation of the day concern the minutiae of handicapping and various racetrack gossip. That was the vibe yesterday. It was also great to get to do some real paddock handicapping -- especial since my paper opinions were pretty much worthless. Side note: Jimmy Jerkens' 3-year old filly Platinum is one impressive specimen. One of these meets I want to do every single race live from the track. Maybe next year?
Today's dark day was mostly spent wandering around the North Woods up at Skidmore, an activity a highly recommend, especially for dog owners. I was feeling very outdoorsy, me and my lab, hoofing it around the trails. Then Mugs and I got lost at one point and I called Susan to ask her to send a pdf trail map to my blackberry so I could figure out where the heck we were. On second thought, I think the track might be outdoorsy enough for me.
Wednesday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
First off, apologies for Blazing Dynamo on Monday. He didn't look as good as some of his competition visually and then we got treated to a vintage Evil Kent ride -- I thought the horse was beaten a few strides out of the gate, being last behind the expected slow pace. But I think I still have enough positive feeling about Good Ken'ts ride on Summer Bird to drop the issue rather quickly.
As for today, le'ts try and turn it around with Zilva. Unfortunately, a lot of Graham Motion trainees have been overbet this meet, but this one looks too good to ignore. She should have the perfect foundation for the stretchout and perhaps Dominguez ending up on rival Senada will help our price.
Race 7: $50 win and place on 5 ZILVA
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$630
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Monday, August 31, 2009 - Day 30 of 36
On the Sunday after the Travers, it seems like the whole town is in the midst of a collective hangover. Despite gorgeous weather and a solid card, the place felt more empty than some of the Mondays this meet.
In some years the post Travers lag extends through this whole week -- even in recent years with the Woodward being held up here on closing weekend. The vibe is still more mellow, more local, dare I say more like upstate Belmont than Saratoga. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing. The gorgeous fall weather and more manageable feel make this last week one of my favorites under any circumstances. I always make it a point to really drink in this last week, focus a little less on work and more on just having fun and really experiencing Saratoga for what it is -- after all, even if there is a letdown, I still won't see a live race here for a long 46 weeks after next weekend.
This year, of course, is different. There is no letdown. The excitement is still building and will continue to do so through early Saturday evening.
One of my day-after-the-big-one traditions is to go and check out the new framed shots of the newly minted Travers hero along the artists' stalls that line the western entrance along Union Ave. I was checking out Summer Bird ($40 for the print; $60 with a Desormeaux signature) and a guy says to me, "What a good horse. That was some race yesterday."
I replied, "Absolutely. He's awesome. And a nice little form boost for that filly, too."
Welcome to RachelWeek here at the Spa.
Monday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
You can't underestimate the drop from open 50k claimers to restricted N3L 35k claimers. And that's not the only angle Blazing Dynamo has. He's had a run over the course where he closed OK despite a rough trip and a speed-favoring flow (according to the amazing data from www.racingflow.com).
Race 8: Bet 50 win and place on 3 BLAZING DYNAMO
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$730
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Sunday, August 30, 2009 - Day 29 of 36
There are moments of transformation in horse racing, where the karma changes, where old wrongs are righted and you are at peace with the racing gods.
Yesterday was one of those days. But before I get to that, let's take a spin in the way-back machine to the year 2000. Horseplayer editor Frank Scatoni was living in Saratoga Springs. Pat Day was one of those jockeys who invariably did whatever we didn't want him to do. If we wanted a win, he rode like he was thinking up his next sermon and not concentrating on the task at hand. If we needed anyone else to win, he rode like a magical combination of George Woolfe, the Shoe and Angel, always making the right tactical decision and getting to the wire first. The nadir or our relationship with Day occurred earlier that summer, in the Belmont Stakes. We�re sitting 4 of 4 in the Pick 6, with Aptitude, Postponed and Unshaded, the only three who can win, in the big one. But not so fast. Here comes Pat Day to get the job done on top of tepid fractions with Commendable, a horse I wouldn't have bet with your money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCo9Fdvy3qw
Our single in the last, Ruthian (dam of Rutherienne), won well to rub salt in the wound.
But that summer, Frank had a chance to change the course of history. One day during the meet, Day was part of a group of riders who bravely made themselves available in a dunking booth for an equine charity. This was it. Frank waited in line for 45 minutes to get his opportunity. As an old ballplayer, he was pretty confident he could do the business and soak our enemy. Three balls for $5. But wait! The first sails high. Frank was too keyed up, like Gate Dancer before the earmuffs. His second throw was a laser, but it somehow grazed the button and didn't quite send Day diving. Now it was do or die. But Frank reached back, deep into the recesses of talent, and calmly threw another bullet. Down went the holy man into the water.
After that, Day was our man. We tossed the ones he dropped out the back and forgot about and backed all the ones he made that characteristic �break well, settle, fly home� move with. The pinnacle of this all being the 2003 Travers when we made a fortune on Ten Most Wanted in the Travers.
Ah, the Travers. This is supposed to be a column about the Travers. And it is. Because yesterday, I made peace with another nemesis: Birdstone. Like Pat Day, Birdstone once cost me the Pick Six. I was 5 of 5, singled to Smarty Jones, when Birdstone came flying in the 2004 Belmont. He didn't run again until the Travers and I staked my whole profit for the meet against the thing. I hated the layoff and was convinced that his success in the Belmont was more a case of every other rider in the race riding Smarty than it was anything to do with his talent. But I'll be damned if the tough little guy didn't get me again, there in the dark at Old Saratoga.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg-TQS12M3c It got worse: his sons started crushing me. Mine That Bird's Derby was a bankroll disaster, and I somehow missed Summer Bird in the Belmont. Something had to be done. It turns out it was simple. On paper yesterday, I liked Summer Bird and Warrior's Reward equally, relative to their prices. When Warrior's Reward came out looking gorgeous and Summer Bird looked kind of small and OK (Birdstone-like, really), I nearly made a mistake. With Warrior's Reward at a number and Summer Bird knocked into 5/2, I nearly tilted the play almost 80% over to Warrior's Reward. But something stopped me. I calmly dug back in to the recesses of my mind, the way Frank had done years earlier at the dunk tank. �I can change this,� I thought to myself.
And there was no dunk tank necessary. All I needed to do was load up on Summer Bird.
Sunday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
I like Miss Isella's chances of moving up in her second start off the bench, as she did last time, and capturing the Personal Ensign today.
Race 10: Bet 50 win and place on 4 MISS ISELLA
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $145
Meet to date Results: +$830
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Saturday, August 29, 2009 - Day 28 of 36
It's a rainy Travers morning here in Saratoga. I have seen some nasty weather Travers before -- 100 degree heat, chilly winds, etc. But the overall sogginess and cool of today might take the cake. So much so that I think I am going to play in an online handicapping contest from home rather than wander over there to battle the elements.
Yesterday was a blast at the Battle. A new set up this year with an expanded area and more new breweries than ever. People were generally pretty responsible. With the exception of a couple of lunkheads who were so plastered by the last that they took turns pounding the TV with their programs!
My favorite beers from yesterday were many, but I'll call out in particular the Switchback IPA, Ommegang Abbey, and the Sierra Nevada ESB -- which showed really well amongst the crowd.
Saturday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
The weather throws a wrench into today's betting. I was originally planning to do a whole Pick 4 using DRF's awesome Ticketmaker. For now, just the 1st, 5th, and 13th are off the turf but I still don't want to chance it.
Instead, we'll play a double win bet in the Travers, using two I think will move up after showing uncharacteristic speed in their last starts. Not to mention their awesome Travers pedigrees.
Race 12: $50 to win on 3 WARRIOR'S REWARD and 6 SUMMER BIRD
And let's take a moment to hope we don't have another beat like last year
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$685
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Friday, August 28, 2009 - Day 27 of 36
In attempting to compare and contrast the good people of upstate New York and the good people of downstate New York, I think I have found the key. I have no opinion as to which is better, but herein lies the difference:
People up here rock their mullets with enthusiasm ...
Instead of irony...
But today is the first day of the meet I'll be fully ensconced with the locals in the backyard. In past years, I have spent entire meets in the back, when I didn't have so many deadlines, or a dog or so many friends to watch with beneath the big screen in the clubhouse. But today is different, my absolute favorite day of the meet, The Battle of the Brews.
You can find a whole rundown here
The Turf Writers yesterday was a weird race and I think the less I say, the better. But if you see my stumbling around at the Battle today, ask me about it and I'll probably go on for a good 45 minutes or so.
I have races to handicap and beer to drink so that's it for today.
Friday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
I usually try to limit my wagering action on this day for obvious reasons, but there are actually a few interesting bets to make today. I'm going to go with one of my few 'automatic' angles here, Smart Strike first time on the turf.
Race 5: $50 to win and place on 4 REBELLIOUS CHIC
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $7.50
Meet to date Results: +$785
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Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Day 26 of 36
I finally got over to Bunbury's Pub yesterday in the backyard and it's a fun place to watch the races. Really it's just a tent with a plastic tiled floor and better beer. But I appreciated the actual sit down bar space, the little tables, and the flat screen TVs. The bartender was also very accommodating -- she happily switched over one of the TVs to Del Mar upon request. Brett and I drank a few beers and hung out there for part of the day yesterday. I will try and get there to watch and write about some UK simulcasting one of these days, but it isn't looking good.
We walked over to the winner's circle to watch the 8th race, a starter allowance on the turf. It was a crazy finish, with the seemingly beaten Classical Fashion re-rallying to get Bella Attrice near the wire, with my girl Sonic Sound flying late on the outside to make it a photo finish. Now I�ve watched enough races from near the line to know that you never watch the wire live. You watch the actual moment of finish on TV -- there is an optical illusion because of the angle of the track. But the dude next to me, who apparently had the mortgage on Classical Fashion didn't realize this. It was a tight photo to be sure, but I was pretty certain that Sonic Sound had lost and said so. "No way," the other guy proclaimed in a nasty tone, "It was the 7 by half a length." I asked him if he watched live or on TV, hoping that I was just wrong and had won. He cursed under his breath and stomped away. Well, I was right, he had won and I had lost.
He comes back over after Imbriale makes the announcement and proclaims, "I get all the money!!"
If there's one thing I hate in this game, it's a sore winner.
Thursday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
I have to keep on the jumper train and have a bet in the New York Turf Writers, a Grade 1 Steeplechase going 2 3/8ths. SERMON OF LOVE looked great in his prep for this, a straight maiden win on the flat. He's been beaten by a couple of these so despite being in career best form, we can eke out the tiniest bit of a price on him. Word is that his stablemate, the would-have-been 6/5 favorite Mixed Up, is not going to run. But I like Sermon Of Love even if he does.
Race 4: $50 to win and place 2 SERMON OF LOVE
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$792.50
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - Day 25 of 36
This one's for Mike.
Back in the 80s, I had two musical gods: Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. There were others, of course, but those two held a special place at the top of the pantheon. Last year around this time I went to see Bob Dylan in Prospect Park and I can think of many words to describe Bob's performance that night but rather than dredge up terms like �cat filth,� let's just say it wasn't exactly awe-inspiring. Last night I went to see Bruce at SPAC and had the opposite experience: I can hardly find the words to describe how awesome it was.
My friend Brett and I went with two hardened concert veterans, guys who write and edit for < a href="http://www.backstreets.com">www.backstreets.com. They seemed a little bla's about the whole concert going experience going in, saying Bruce was playing more of a �Greatest Hits tour� this time around. I asked how many times they'd seen the show. The guy in the passenger seat, who bore a passing resemblance to Daniel Stern, replied, 'twenty-five times this tour.� The two had seen him more than 500 times all told.
I was soon to discover that the quality of these Bruce shows was clearly a question of perspective. I was blown away by the interesting setlist, and the all around intensity of the performance. He left it all out there. For those curious, here's a taste of what I�m talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmYtZxDPJQ0
As for the veterans seeming lack of enthusiasm, it occurred to me that maybe if you watched Secretariat gallop every day, you might get to a point where you just said, �He went OK,� after a work that would have made your or my eyes pop out.
Wednesday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
We'll try and end our mini-slump with Guam Typhoon in the Pleasant Colony. I think he'll move up after showing speed last time over the course.
Race 4: $100 to win on 2 GUAM TYPHOON
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$892.50
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Monday, August 24, 2009 - Day 24 of 36
For those who haven't heard, Rachel Alexandra will be making her next start in the Woodward
This makes me feel like the smartest guy in the room because I have been holding off on paying up for seats for the Travers but secured my Woodward tix long ago. Now we just have to hope that somehow we get to see Rachel win there and come out well and go on to face the other superfilly in the Beldame. A man can dream, can't he?
Yesterday was one of the weirder weather days of the meet, shifting from oppressively humid to thunderstorm threatening to genuinely nice and back again every 15 minutes or so. The rain held off until just after the Yaddo, and didn't do much to put it a damper on the very fun Saratoga Special porch party I was lucky to attend along with various racing folks including trainers Roger Horgan, Tom Voss and Graham Motion, as well as owners including Sovereign Stable's Rich Cristiano and West Point boss Terry Finley. The parmesan and pepper panzanella was particularly good.
The weather looks gorgeous today, thank goodness. Word is that the 4th and 6th are off the turf, probably smart as we did get a ton of rain over the weekend and the weather for the rest of the week looks OK
Maybe, just maybe, we can get a full week of turf in from Wednesday on for Travers week, God willing.
Monday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
One I've been waiting for appears today. Dirge goes out for trainer Jonathan Sheppard and he really impressed in the local work. His PPs alone are pretty impressive; throw in how good he's feeling and the 8-1 of the morning line would be a gift. .
Race 7: $50 to win and place on 3 DIRGE
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$992.50
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Sunday, August 23, 2009 - Day 23 of 36
I usually spend Alabama Day triangulating between the paddock, the chili cookoff, and the betting windows. But not this year. Some friends from Brooklyn were up getting married in the Lake George area so Susan and I decided to go there instead of staying here in Saratoga. I put some bets on through my twinspires account and we hit the road.
To be honest -- and I have a feeling that a few degenerate horseplayers out there can relate -- despite the happy occasion, it was not without some sadness that I headed up I-87 and away from the track. I mean, c'mon. Triple Crown Saturdays, Breeders- Cup Days, and Saratoga Saturdays. These are our secular holidays. To a horseplayer, you might as well get married on Christmas.
I'm really just kidding around. I have come to realize over the past couple of years that -- gasp! -- there are things in life that are more important than playing the horses. Celebrating with family and friends comes first. And besides, isn't this what they invented ADW's for anyway?
In all seriousness, it was an awesome, fun wedding. Great people, great setting, and the best food I've ever had at a wedding: proper barbecue with all the trimmings. Susan and I had a blast. Like all good weddings, it made for a really fun date, too. David and Vanessa, I wish you the best! (And I hope you never read that second paragraph).
Sunday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
I miss the good old days when I first coming up here when all you needed to do to pick the winner of the Yaddo was bet on Leo O'Brien (making sure not to ignore the longer half of his uncoupled entry).
This year I like Chestoria. She oozes class to me in the way she's run well against open company and in how she closed to win last time despite a superduper speed favoring race flow.
Race 9: $50 to win and place on 5 CHESTORIA
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $2.50
Meet to date Results: +$1,092.50
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Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Day 22 of 36
"And it is Sapphire Sky who comes home first in the first regatta at Saratoga."
That was how Tom Durkin called home the winner of the Biogio's Rose on Friday and that just about captures it all. When it comes to racecallers, sure Trevor is the best at spotting that horse who is stuck behind a wall full of run, but nobody beats The Durk when it comes to capturing the drama and humor that keep us coming back to the track day after day.
The weather improved a little after that, though not before a sustained thunderclap that even had Mugs hiding under the table -- and she's supposed to be a gun dog.
I didn't do much betting. Though I did throw a tenner on Sal Paradise in the 2nd for my man Jay Atkinson. Jay just completed an excellent book called Paradise Roadin which he recreates the journeys of the title character from Kerouac's On the Road.
Things went a little sideways with the Play of the Day, and typically, the one I waffled with picking got the money. But with some of the luck I've been having with these picks, I can't really complain.
One other funny Durkin note. Some very familiar looking dude proposed to his girlfriend in the winner's circle after the last. She accepted. Durkin, "I hope you hit the Pick Six so you can pay for that engagement ring."
Saturday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
We'll try and get back on the good foot in the Alabama. I'm taking a negative view of the ones coming out of the CCA Oaks and going to try the outside filly, MILWAUKEE APPEAL, who ran well against the boys going long in two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown. If anything near the 9/2 of the morning line materializes, this is worth a bet.
Race 10: $50 to win and place on 8 MILWAUKEE APPEAL
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: - $100
Meet to date Results: +$1,095
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Friday, August 21, 2009 - Day 21 of 36
I don't play the Pick Six anymore.
OK, well, sometimes I do. But yesterday was proof once again of how vexing that bet can be. But don't get me wrong � it is a TON of fun, some of the most fun our sport has to offer its fans really. You get that playing-in-a-tournament excitement any day you wan't especially if you're dealing with a double carryover like yesterday.
I have been off the Pick Six for a few years after having a modicum of success playing the bet regularly with small tickets from 1998-2005 (I hit it twice, with partners, no life-changing scores). I stopped playing because I found it too engrossing. I'd spend all day sweating the Six and not do enough to capitalize on my best opinions outside that one wager. Despite the fun, I ended up going back to basics because I felt that the thrills were just costing too much in money not made, day in, day out, by playing horses straight.
But when my friends from The Saratoga Special called and told me they were putting a ticket together, I offered to help. I have to say, it is really fun sitting around with a bunch of people who love racing and dissecting a card. We gathered in Brian Nadeau's office, two other partners and me in the room, another linked in via conference call. As Steve Crist suggests in his excellent book Exotic Betting, we divided our contenders into As, Bs and Cs. There was some healthy debate but in the end enough consensus to proceed as partners. Then we used the incredibly cool new tool that's part of Formulator Web called TicketMaker to come up with the actual play.
Our first draft was just too expensive and Brian and I lobbied the rest of the group to stand alone with Smooth Transition as a pure single in the 7th. This was a decision that we would come to regret. But as we explained at the time, "You gotta take a stand somewhere."
Here is what we came up with in the end: 
We hit the first two legs, though it was so chalky we'd have been alive on a $24 ticket. Still, it was still fun to be sitting 2 of 2, especially when Smooth Transition opened up short and was backed throughout like a good thing. The thrill didn't last -- he ran poorly and lost. And while we did end up with 5 of 6, the measly one conso of $48 was not even enough to buy the partners a round of drinks at the Jim Dandy Bar.
As for yesterday's Play of the Day, I barely remember him winning easily for us at 5/2 way back in the first race of the day. See why I don't play the Pick Six?
I've gone a bit back and forth on my opinion in the Lake George but have decided to apply the principle of �first thought, best thought.� With that in mind, I'm going to play Consequence, who was unfortunate when the Lake Placid was taken off turf earlier in the meet.
But perhaps she got something out of that race and can run back to her Arlington form here � and I did tab her as a star in the making in this space last year after she impressively broke her maiden at first asking. Might as well put my money where my mouth is.
Race 8: $50 to win and place on 3 CONSEQUENCE
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $172.50
Meet to date Results: +$1,195
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Thursday, August 20, 2009 - Day 20 of 36
Yesterday's races proved it once again. What Lucky Gomez
said is true: I'd rather be lucky than good.
And lucky we were in yesterday's 6th race. Redreamit went out and set a slow pace while our hero Miss World sat in comfortably behind, drumming an easy beat and saving every pica of ground the whole way. The closers were going to be out of luck in this spot. Turning for home I wasn't sure we'd be able to run down the winner but sure enough, Redreamit got just tired enough for the rail to open like heaven itself and Miss World was just game enough to go through and do the business, finally giving us a decent priced winner for the column. Pleasing scenes at Saratoga. But run the race a hundred times and I�m not too sure how many of them it would go like that for us.
I meant to get over there today but the combination of steamy weather, a balky back, and lots of handicapping to do kept me bound to the little house by the East Side Rec. In place of actual human interaction I spent the day texting about the races with various friends including my buddy Brian Nadeau, who is the lead handicapper for the Saratoga Special (a position I held for many years) and also gambling author David Apostolico, whose new book you should order from Amazon. One caveat though: I'm not sure how good it really is since I'm one of the people he interviewed in his research. But the word is that he overcame that handicap and produced a winner.
Thursday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
LEFT UNSAID ran well earlier in the meet and the extra ground should help his cause. Jockey Buchanan nearly gave me a heart attack with the ride he gave Dynaski last week but here he's hoping he can find a way to save a little ground and make one run with the best horse in the race. Perhaps in the end the tough post just adds some juice to the price.
Race 1: $50 win and place on 12 LEFT UNSAID
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $490
Meet to date Results: +$1,022.50
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - Day 19 of 36
On Monday night after the races, Mugs and I headed down to one of our favorite spots in town, the Old Saratoga Brewery. We filled a growler with their new IPA and chatted with some of the assembled folks doing a little tasting at the bar. The conversation -- already in progress when we arrived -- centered on the two things I've spent the last month talking about: Woodstock and horse racing.
I met a guy who shares the same name as a famed racing historian, Ed Bowen. This Ed Bowen has been coming up to the Spa every year since 1953 and it was his birthday Monday (I didn't ask which one). He and I bonded instantly because 1) he's a fan of Horseplayer Magazine and 2) his other favorite day of racing than Saratoga is the Fair Hill Races, which I also love and 3) he's just a super nice guy. He regaled me with tales of Manny Ycaza, who was one of his all time favorite jocks.
He told me that the IPA we were sipping very much resembled the old Ballantine Ale. Ballantine, along with a certain brand of cigarettes I don't want to plug and the New York Yankees (who I also don't want to plug but what the heck) were his father's favorite things back in the day.
I'll look for you over there today, Ed. Here's hoping it's a winning day.
Wednesday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
It rained overnight last night and there are some possible showers in the forecast but I'm hoping that they leave the 6th, a first level allowance for fillies and mares, on the grass. It doesn't look like a strong field for this level -- none of the ones signed on have ever run the figure par -- so I'm going to take a shot with a filly trying the level for the first time, MISS WORLD. On dirt, I tend to bet against horses first time against winners but on turf, it can be a different story. In Miss World's case, I'm going to respect the improvement she showed in her first attempt at routing and guess that this is what she really wants to do with her life. At 5-1 on the line, I'll take a shot.
Race 6: $50 win and place on 3 MISS WORLD
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $15
Meet to date Results: +$532.50
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Monday, August 17, 2009 - Day 18 of 36 (Posted after race ran due to technical difficulties)
In another echo of Woodstock weekend from 40 years ago, the rain came last night.
Fortunately, the last had already gone and the horses were back in the barn. Susan and I were out on the road, looking for this new pizza place that DVP told me about where they supposedly have good beer on draft. We couldn't find it. The rain began and we pulled in to a place on the corner of 9 and 9P, parked in the lower lot around back and went inside to grab a bite. Outside it poured and poured -- a violent thunderstorm.
Halfway through the meal, the waitress came by the table and asked us if we owned a yellow Volkswagen Beatle. My first thought was someone must have smashed us. But that wasn't it at all. There had been a flash flood in the lower lot, and our car was under water!
I waded out there, like Vandevelde at Carnoustie. 
Amazingly, the old car started up and I drove to higher ground. It took about 20 minutes of bailing with ice buckets and a couple rolls of paper towels to get the car dry. The GPS had been lying on the ground and I don't imagine that will be working again. But that was pretty much the only casualty in the end.
The day had been another scorcher and I have to admit that I wasn't up for dealing with a Sunday crowd in the 90 degree heat. We cranked up the AC and watched on the computer instead and had a very good day betting -- a welcome change after the carnage of Saturday -- all capped by Banrock's game win in the West Point.
Monday's Plays of the Day - $100 Daily Bankroll
For today's play I'm going to bust an old angle out of the mothballs. It used to be true that sons of Sky Classic ran particularly well in their first turf starts at Saratoga. I wish I had a database to prove this, but all I have are my own frayed synapses and the memories they contain of long ago cashed tickets.
In today's featured Troy, we have a horse whose dam was Sky Classic trying turf for the first time, Sixthirteen. He also looks like he could be the speed of the speed in here, and with the crowd falling all over itself to bet Linda Rice, maybe we eke out a decent price.
Race 8: $50 win and place on 4 SIXTHIRTEEN
Total Cost = $100
Previous Day Results: + $71
Meet to date Results: +$517.50
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Sunday, August 16, 2009 - Day 17 of 36
Remember those Future Stars baseball cards that Topps used to make? 
Well, yesterday'ss 2nd race may turn out to be the racing equivalent. Liston was a horse who the word had been out on for a while, but for some reason, he was incredibly cold on the board for a Kiaran McLaughlin colt who people had already been talking about. A big, strong, willful Storm Cat, perhaps it was assumed he'd need a race or wouldn't break well. Now don't get me wrong -- he was still bet to 2-1 but well-regarded juvies from this outfit are typically odds on.
Part of the issue also might have been that there were a couple of other horses with tips out on them. CHIEF COUNSEL is out of a stakes winning sprint dam -- a quality I love to see in a firster -- and is by Officer, whose offspring are tending towards precocity (16% with firsters). This is the one I bet yesterday.
The other horse who took a ton of cash is one I took a bold stand against in the top spot. BROTHER BIRD is a half to Mine That Bird who was re-sold after the Derby for a whopping $2.1 million. He's by Yonaguska (10% with firsters) and I was guessing that he'd just be getting going at 6 furlongs and be a hard charging third.
So what happened in the race? I'll let you watch for yourselves.
Let's just say I think we'll be hearing from all three of these colts again, and I'd give an extra squeak to any of the also-rans coming back in a normal maiden race --
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