Summer 2013

April 12

Two-for-Three / Both "BEST" Bets!

I had been looking forward to today for most of the week because today in Keeneland's feature race 2012 Horse-of-the-Year Wise Dan made his return to the races to kick off his 2013 season.  He wasn't running in a "prep" or "gimme" spot either, he was in the Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile which featured multiple stakes winners.  Granted, if he ran his race he was the best.  But considering he had not run since his championship / record-setting victory in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile in November AND that he was only about 90% cranked up there was some concern.  Especially with the defending champion of this race, Data Link, in the field and he had run and won two graded stakes at Gulfstream this winter.  Wise Dan was 1/5 when then went into the gate and that was the price he deserved to be I thought.  But when they hit the far turn he clicked up to 2/5, which I thought was giving away money.  He moved easily to the lead while three wide and cleared into the stretch.  But then here came Data Link on his outside with all the momentum.  Jockey Jose Lezcano (substituting for injured John Velazquez) asked him to run and Wise Dan easily spurted clear and held him safe by over two lengths!  I had debated for two days about betting a little, or betting a lot, or betting in between.  But when I made the bet I went "all-in" - $50 to WIN!  I was handsomely rewarded for my confidence!  WHOOO HOOO!  

I also was looking forward to seeing Grace Hall run in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom today.  But I had much less confidence in her.  I agreed with the TV analysts that while I did not expect her to beat Royal Delta in the Grade 3 Sabin earlier at Gulfstream I was disappointed in her lack of punch.  I waited until five minutes to post time debating about bet-no bet, little bet-no bet.  And I told myself that if I still was unsure at this point I should just watch.  But I decided to bet.....shouldn't have....she ran flat :(  But I was excited to learn this past Wednesday that in the middle of the night (3:30 am EST) the unbeaten mare Black Caviar would put her 24 race unbeaten streak on the line in the $1 Million Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes in Sydney, Australia.  We were just there a year ago!  

And according to all accounts this was the toughest field she had ever faced.  But I also read that trainer Peter Moody said he was nearly certain she was "lengths" better than any of her rivals and that she was training as well, or better than she'd ever run.  I couldn't decide, again, how deep to go in on her.  But I finally decided since I wasn't watching live (though I can't tell why this would matter, but it did!) I would go "prime time" but not "all in."  $30 to win.  And she was rated in fourth until they straightened for home, and then with a burst that was electric to watch she blew by them in a hand ride!  WHOOO HOOO!  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  

So for the week I went three-for-four in selective stakes action :)

Wise Dan's Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile WIN

 

Black Caviar Wins 25th In A Row in $1 Million Group 1 T.J. Smith