Alternate Blog
You may also see Racetrack Lenny's alternate blog at the following:
http://prognosticationsonthesportofkings.blogspot.com/We'll see how the spirit moves me.
Thanks to Bluegrass Mama for being much more of a tekkie!
Racetrack Lenny
Let The Games Begin
It's that time of year again, the "run up" to the Run For The Roses. We begin the season with a $20 loss on the Fountain of Youth (Gr. 2) run at a mile and an eighth at Gulfstream Park.
Since one never knows who is going to be serious about winning Derby prep races, I decided to just put my toes in the water. I bet a $2 exacta box using NoBiz Like ShoBiz, Scat Daddy and Adore The Gold. I then went $2 WPS on Adore The Gold. I anticipated NoBiz and Scat Daddy getting into a speed duel and Adore The Gold making a run from mid-pack to run them both down. I still have a bad habit of betting a race very early and not letting the odds affect my thought process. I will have to do better to get this habit out of the way.
NoBiz Like ShoBiz, the expected favorite, was sent off at 3/5. I hate betting very short priced favorites, especially at this time of year. However, my bet was in and that was that. Scat Daddy went off at a very generous 5-1 and Adore The Gold got off at a juicy 9-1. The end result was Scat Daddy winning by a nose over Stormello who ran a super race. I threw Stormello out since I didn't think he could get the distance and because I have never been a big fan of Kent Desormeoux. Well, Stormello nearly pulled it off. Scat Daddy improved off his 3rd place finish in his last race and looked good doing it. NoBiz Like ShoBiz ran an even race and just didn't look as sharp as he did his last time out. His halo has been knocked off. As for Adore The Gold, he stalked in 2nd place most of the way, took the lead between calls and then tired in the stretch to miss by a length. Don't know if it was the distance or if he wasn't kept far enough off the pace. He deserves a second chance.
While the Derby prep races are fun to watch, they are tough to bet. You need to figure out who is going to really compete and who is really out for a glorified public workout. You also have to contend with several horses in a race trained by the same trainer and running uncoupled in the wagering. I hate to see that because you need to decide which one the trainer is really going to send. The game is tough enough. I know racetracks like to run as many betting interests as possible in order to maximize their revenue on exotic bets; however, horses trained by the same trainer should run as an entry- period.
So, at this time of the year, I just try to determine who I think can spring an upset--even if a modest one.
That's all for now. May the horse be with you!
Racetrack Lenny
