October 16 - 17

We're Off To Boston To Start Our Cruise!

Friday afternoon we flew out of Ft. Lauderdale International bound for Boston and a weekend stay there before boarding the Brilliance of the Seas for a week-long cruise northward through New England and into Canada to see the Fall Leaves.  It's a trip we've talked about for a L-O-N-G time and finally we are taking it.  I was able to complete handicapping for the entire weekend on Thursday, including Canadian Pattison Day on Sunday.  So before Kim came home Friday I made my picks online for Friday's card.  Our flights were smooth and on time if not a little early.  We landed in Boston by 7:30 pm and were at the hotel by 8:30 pm.  Checked in immediately and then had dinner at the hotel.  We returned to our room I watched the replays - and nothing.  I was 4th at 8/5 in the first bet, third at even money in the fourth.  Way too far back in the fifth, finish 6th at 9/5.  Led into the lane in the 6th at 2/1, faded to fourth; and in my last bet I led into the stretch at 3/1, wilted to be third on the wire.  Two of my "other choices" won races.  Oh well, turn the page to Saturday........

 

We were downstairs around 8:15 and our trolley took us downtown to Boston where we boarded a Gray Line all-day tour bus.  The day was great on the whole.  The fall leaves were in full Technicolor and the temperatures never left the low fifties.  Loved it.  The only snag on the day was, as you can see above, about two hours into the day our bus broke down and we were stranded for an hour and a half.  Finally got back under way - have to mention how cool it was that everyone on the bus was of the "things happen" attitude and everyone was very positive and happy.  Saw all the cool things of the area and were delighted with the day.  The only thing we'd have changed was the last hour of the bus ride we rode around the block, literally down one street and back up the other, through traffic just so we could ride by the shopping area and then cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  Could have done without that.  We had eaten on the tour so once we were back in the room I watched the replays.  In the 2nd Karibu Gardens was the 7/5 favorite.  He tracked the leader, moved in tandem with the second choice at the head of the lane and dueled the length of the stretch.....PHOTO FINISH, but I knew I was second.  In the fourth Rocco Point went right to the front out of the gate and literally was dueling from the first stride to inside the furlong marker where he weakened to be third at 9/5.  In the fifth I scored with Flirtin for Certin.  Right to the front at 3/5 and I was thinking, WHY!  Why are my riders going to the front when nearly every day front runners are gobbled up through the length of the long Woodbine stretch.  But this time Flirtin for Certin was clearly best. 

 

I'd doubled the bet so I cashed for over $15.  Though I knew it was unlikely to make a profit on the day, the day would be a success for me if I had the winner in the featured Ruling Angle Stakes.  Southern Ring had debuted with a huge 95 Beyer and the horse that exited that race confirmed the number when she won the Etobicoke Stakes.  Southern Ring ran away with her maiden last time out as my best of the day.  Today I thought in spite of facing first time winners, AND in a stakes race she would be best.  She pressed a scorching pace of :22 flat, :44.2, and 1:09.2 going 6 1/2 furlongs.  She caught the leader at the furlong pole and edged clear by daylight under a vigorous hand ride!  WHOOOO HOOOOO! 

 

My prime time investment netted over $30.  For the day I was two-for-four, I'll take it.  I'll make my bets for Pattison Invitational Day tomorrow before we head out for the cruise ship and watch the replays once we are underway.  Even though I have booked the Internet for the cruise I'll be taking the week off from handicapping and point towards the Breeders' Cup the following weekend!