California racing always catches my eye. I guess it is that I am finally getting used to the synthetic surface, and the turf is in excellent shape. With that in mind, here are a few that may need a second look before making your way to the windows.

Santa Anita – Wednesday Mar 17th

Race #2 – #5 Entabeni (5-2).

Joe Talamo in the irons for John Sadler. they win at 23%, and 38% ITM as a team.  Making a turf-synthetic change, and has not raced for 10 months. Dropping down two classes, and Sadler is ITM 53% on this move. I would look for an up close or stalking trip and watch for the pounce about the 1/8th pole…..

Race #3 – #5 Simply Put (5-2).

Joel Rosario in the saddle for Sadler. They win 22% and 41% ITM. It looks like Sadler’s numbers speak for themselves. 1/2 at Santa Anita, and was a beaten favorite last out where the barn comes back to win 28%. Makes a huge drop in class, and was bumped out of the gate last race. Bejarano opts for the favorite who may win, but to me he looks like a professional maiden. Simply Put, I’ll pass the favorite and head in this direction…..

Race #6 – #1 Bring It Home (12-1).

Alex Solis aboard for Paco Gonzalez. They are traveling one mile on the weeds, and the trainer is 42% ITM, and Solis does pretty well winning 16% and 46% ITM. 2nd time off a layoff, and should enjoy the cutback in distance. The rail is a bonus, and allows for a nice ground saving trip. Her dam had 3 turf winners, and that is a good sign. 1/1 at the mile, and the price is very live. I would try and make the best, and see where it belongs with the tier levels and fire when ready.

Good luck!

I was wanting to know how my employees were handling business day-to-day. It didn’t matter how many times I watched, I employed “secret shoppers” who approached them and made transactions. After which, they would meet with me. I would call a meeting with each of them separately, and reward them, or offer constructive advice for bettering themselves.

It was when I was watching the hit show “Undercover Boss,” and how neat it was watching the C.O.O.  from Churchill Downs, that I wanted to take him a little further.

How about let’s take an exec from a different track, and have them switch with our president. They could stay a couple of days at the others track and play a role as the most important person: The Patron….

They could dress down and walk from the back of the parking lot. Did they like paying? Was the staff helpful?  Then, as they made their way in, they could monitor how the experience was for purchasing a high priced program… They don’t have a suit and tie, but just sweats and a pal just coming with them. Did they get good directions? How could they find seats?  Was it clean?  How did the employees treat him?  All important questions, but the biggie was yet to come.

As a track makes daily money from the wagering, did the clerks treat them with kindness? If you had a question, did they offer advice or direct you to a first time customer window? This interaction will be the factor that makes the decision for many to come back, or just stay home and wager. If it was poor, they will never be seen. If they are treated fairly, they will feel welcome.

While they are there, grab a dog and a beer and sit with the regulars. Introduce yourself if you like, but listen to what is going on around you… Is the video quality good? Are your seats free, or are they worth the cash? Were the restrooms clean?  When you made a wager, did anyone wish you “good luck”?  All of these little factors make a player’s experience. Some managers forget when they get their office, and tend to overlook the player. Funny thing. They are the most important people at the track. Without them, there would be no game.

So, as I watched this great show and felt good at the end, I wondered what it would be like to have an “Average Joe” who would report a day at the track. A detailed report that would be addressed just as I used to do the secret shopper. Well, the show is over and I guess we’ll never know if this information will ever be gathered. Or, could it be happening right now as tracks are looking for any way to stay afloat in the face of competition?

I would have loved to have seen two of the best females get back on the track and square up for $5 million. It would have had the feeling of Seabiscuit and War Admiral. But, I guess we’ll just have to wonder what would have been.

It was confirmed that Rachel Alexandra would not run in the Apple Blossom. The race was bumped up to a swelled $5 million purse, if both showed up to run. But, it looks like it will be back to the original $500,000.

Steve Asmussen was taking this really heavy. I spoke to a friend of mine who was on-track doing newspaper notes work.  He thought it was going to be the best racing weekend of his life. But when they were turning for home, he knew things were about to get tense.

Mr. Asmussen said he would never have sent out a runner who was not ready. When Calvin Borel was interviewed during the day, you would have thought the day was going to be all downhill running for the gal. It looked too easy… There was plenty of time off, and who knows? Maybe she did need one….

The good part was that she came back in good order. I think they will drop back and re-think her course in racing. It is so hard to keep a finely tuned blade to that level of sharpness. Even Zenyatta didn’t have the cleanest of trips, but she looked so good, it was hard to believe that she missed a day.

Racing sure could have used this race. The fans were coming back, and the gals were being mentioned with the all-time greats. Oaklawn Park and surrounding areas were worried about accommodating the crowds. But that is all gone. The race will still be great, but it won’t have that needed boost of star power. The game sure could have used a boost. It would have been nice to have witnessed this event. It would have been great to bring new faces to our sport. It would have been many things, but not anymore. I guess racing will just have to wait…

The games will be starting, and the bevy of action is non-stop. It was kinda’ like this past Saturday. But, we all have the Monday hangover with not many of the marquee tracks to play. I like to find value where I can, and start thinking about going to a handicapping contest on Friday. I am counting the days, and in the meantime. I will try and score a few bucks.

Beulah Park

Race #1 – #6 – Pure Stimulus (5-2).

Yuri Yaranga is the pilot for Doug O. Neill. They are winning 22% and 40%, respectively. They make a duo record at 50%, and 100% ITM at Beulah. Shipper from Penn National, and O’Neill wins 18% with his shippers. Maiden claiming to maiden special weight yields a 41% ITM move. The rider is 22% going 6 panels, and 52% ITM. They say the numbers don’t lie, and here they are in black and white. I think 5/2 would be a square price, and you may want to watch the tote board for others that would fit in exotics.

Race #5 – #3 – Lord Carmen (7-2).

Edgar Paucar (18%) up for Charlie Lawson (20%). Jeff Perrin, Paucar’s agent, has been booking his mounts from Australia, as he has been visiting family down under. The runner makes a 2nd start for Lawson and he wins 19%. Was beaten favorite last out, and that is a players’ angle. Lawson wins 26% and 62% ITM. He is 4/6 ITM, if the track comes up gooey, as expected. 2nd start after shipping in from Hawthorne. Last out, he was 5-wide and rolling, and the trip over should benefit him well. Go with confidence as Lawson has been a major player on the Ohio circuit forever.

What are ya’ waiting for?  I see two solid plays that you may want to measure up against the tier levels to see where they lay. I find value to be had on some small circuits, and as players, we have to take whatever we find. This makes for a g0od start to the week.

Good luck!

Every team has one, and there is only one on a ship. All sports teams have them, and any organization that looks to a leader needs one. I knew one. He was one of the last of his kind, and I don’t think they make them like him anymore.

“They don’t teach it in night school, and you can’t catch up late.” That would have been a line from one of the smoothest characters that I have ever met at the track. You have heard my tales of colorful people. But this guy was smooth. He dressed to the nines, and walked like he owned the track. He sat at the table of the biggest player at the track, and was his personal advisor on when, who, and what to bet. He kept the wheels moving. This was how he made his living. He was the guy you saw to get things done. But, he only did it for the biggies at the track. When he left, he did it for everyone. He was an enigma. He is known as “Spivey.”

Do you remember how “The Rat Pack” had their own lingo? Well, so did the Spive…. He could talk you into spotting him a hundo and in about a half an hour, he would bring you back two, or he would tell you that it’s the breaks of the game kid.  He was smooth personified. He could get millionaires to make a huge pick-six, and then they would want to give him an equal share. That was Spive… He made things happen.

Every once in a while, you would see that wry little grin. You saw a rare glimpse of the man. When he was at the track, he was at the office. It was business time, and there was no time for lunch. Only coffee, and he would bring the guys back a round of java….

I was bitching up a storm one day, and he looked at me and said: “save your breath kid, you’ll live ten years longer.” He was right… It was time to shut up…. When the crew of whales would lose a lump of cash, Spive felt the blow harder than any of them…. It was like a firm having a downward turn on the market. Nothing personal, this was his business, and he was good……

I sometimes called him “The Captain.” He probably hated it, but he would have never bitched. He never let you see him sweat. He had business to tend. Spive was the last of his kind. He enjoyed what he did, and cared about all. He could get the private room cheering about one horse, and when he would win…. Well, Spive had the floor……

I once saw him in the plush private room where guests were invited. The biggest players only, and Spive had all-access to everywhere. It went without saying… One day, he talked about this horse who was 10-1 at California. He had a friend who was a big time trainer, and Spive brought the message to the boys… The room was electric as he turned for home five in front, and he never looked back… It was at that time, Spive hit the door as he grabbed his coat and said, “that’s what I do boys.”  It was the perfect exit, as he put on his leather coat and grabbed the DRF for the next day. This day had come to an end, and tomorrow was a new day…. I have never met a man like Spive, and I doubt I ever will. There was only one, and they broke the mold after he made the scene.

I was sitting in the same spot on the couch, ALL DAY. With all of the races, and a nasty little cold to boot, there was no better place to be. Here are a few observations. Respond if you wish, because they are not law or scientific facts.

The Tampa Bay Derby showed me a gutty throw down. Can you believe that Odysseus won? I can’t either, and I bet him… He was so tough, after throwing in the towel and finding more down the lane. I either have him in my Derby runners, or he will be relegated to G-3 action at best. Either way, I thought it would be his day, and you can bet that Super Saver will be in the gate at Churchill….

The Rebel gave me chills. Gomez was not only stopped, but he almost came out of the saddle at the half, after being cut off.  Looking At Lucky is the real deal. Gomez gave us all a show, and that is the reason he is the money man. He was beaten, and dug in like a wild man. He looked possessed, and put on a show. Note to all riders: If you wonder what it looks like to be whipped and find the best in your horse, watch this race 100 times…. Lucky is as tough as a nickel steak.

San Felipe

All that I have to say is congrats to Sydney’s Candy, and man did that finish line show up in time. Interactif is coming along at the right time. My feelings have deepened, and I can’t wait to play him back, as they get better with time. Also, the Mr. Atkinson experiment is over. Caracortado is good. It is time to put on a big time rider, who will get his best. Atkinson has done well, but he cost them the race by floating a little wide and getting lost down the lane.

Rachel Alexandra will come back, if all is well. I think she got more out of the race at Fair Grounds. R.A is a big gal. She will come back and deliver a beating at Oaklawn.  Asmussen knows she needed one, and today was a good barometer. Zenyatta was just the best. Plain and simple, she outclassed the field. I told many folks that I thought Zenyatta might need one, and R.A. would roll. I was just a little backwards. Zenyatta is a beautiful animal, and I hope they install a synthetic surface before the race. Right at this time, they are starting to talk about the big race not happening. I sure hope Mr. Cella gets them there. He has worked so hard, and this is the stage. Asmussen is beating himself up pretty good, and it is not his fault. Borel didn’t give an interview. I am starting to have doubts in a big way. R.A did not know what to make of the spaceship that flew into her fly-zone, and her reaction led me to wonder. But, I still think after many thoughts and talks, the show will go on…..

By the way, I was watching two racing television shows. I switched back between the two. Here comes the winner: HRTV was great. TVG was a little lacking. When the great Rachel was running, they were announcing their own call in studio. I know they like to keep it fun, but not on the big weekend race. John G. Dooley does just fine. They made a poor showing, and HRTV was informative and didn’t get caught up in a looking good contest. TVG is for the beautiful people, and HRTV is for fans of the sport. I guess it all depends on what you want to watch….

At this moment, I am watching Gulfstream Park run in a quagmire. Now, that is likely to change by the morning, and now more than ever, I would advise you to check the weather and change the track condition tab if needed. But, I digress… I do like some plays on the Saturday card.  Funny thing happens on the way to window. When the big races come out, we make our way to windows.

Tampa Bay

Race #11 – The Tampa Bay Derby

This race is a burrito of options. At first glance, you would love #6 Super Saver, who will offer low odds. That is fine, and he has been bred to enjoy the off-going. I see him to be vulnerable. I don’t want the small odds here. I will wait until he runs at Churchill, and I should do better at the window.

Go one more post out, and I think you have the winner. #7 Odysseus looks very good to me.  Rajiv Maragh is in the saddle for Thom Albertrani. He is winning at 20% at TBD, and Maragh is 1/1 with wins as a ship-in rider. Triple Crown nominated, and was purchased for $250,000 at the Ocala sale. Third time off a layoff, and getting better with each effort. OC – 75,000 is a very tough level. He romped by 15, and had more in the tank. On the morning line he is 7-2, and I see this or more when the gates break. Super Saver looks the real deal, and I think if all goes well, we will be seeing him the first Saturday in May.

Maragh is an underrated rider, and he just had a milestone victory of win number 1,000. Give him time, and you will see a fine career. He sits very well in the saddle, and you will always get your money’s worth when he rides.

This is not the biggest upset in the history of racing if he wins, but he looks good. I think many stables do not want to open up peak too soon. S.S. is a nice animal, but I am hoping to see another strut his stuff to get his picture taken.

I would have had a few Gulfstream runners for you, but after they canceled, I am waiting and watching. Be sure to utilize the change of track condition tab before you download your data. The track crew is the best in the world, and who knows what Mother Nature holds. I would watch and wait, and be sure to check your scratches as WinningPonies is a one-stop shop for all of your information.

Proceed with caution, and enjoy the day of races. Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are running, and you will want to download data to make your multi-race exotics one-step smaller. It would be plain bad if you rooted against the gals. I want to see them hook-up for $5 million in the Apple Blossom, and Saturday kicks it all off. So, buckle up and get ready. A big day is heading your way.

Good luck!

We have heard the old saying. I guess it holds true, and for everyone that has worked in a field where they love the what they do, it is true….

For me, I started pitching pennies in the boys’ room. It wasn’t about the big gamble, but for the action… It came, and it never left….

When I started in high school, I used to save my lunch money and walk home during lunch and eat whatever was there. I wanted to keep that $2 a day my dad would give me, and I would have $10 on Saturday to go out and play the feature race. He had a few rules: make good grades, don’t get in trouble with the law, and don’t ever get involved with drugs. Well, they were easy. For this slam dunk, I would get a $20 a week allowance to go play the races. I had a beat-up car, and the option to go see the races. Life was good…..

All of my first dates went to the races. Well, if not all, make that 90%. If they would win a couple of bucks, you could bet I was 6-5 at a second date. If they lost, I was a big loser long-shot… I guess this was test to see if the gal really liked me…. Hell, I just wanted to go….

I began my work in the parking lot. I was a young lad, and I started with many fellas. Three are doctors, one judge, and one coaches a MAJOR D-1 basketball program. You call them the Bearcats… I stayed as others came and went, and worked my way up during college. I graduated with a degree in education, but my masters came in the way of loving racing.

I have held practically every job at the track. I have never sold mutuel tickets, and that is probably a good thing. I would have been broke… I feel this has given me a full perspective on the business. Some are born with mom and dad holding the big job and they sneak in the back door. I went the long way, and I am better off for putting my time in the old fashioned way. I know marketing, admissions, customer service, parking cars, printing, and how to do radio and TV. I have to say that I am lucky. I just hope my luck holds out. I have met every possible person in the game that has a title. Sometimes, I parked their car, and years later, sat in meetings exchanging ideas.

What does the next year hold? We used to talk about the future, but now we just talk about the next year. Some tracks go week to week… We used to be “Kings of the Hill” and won as we were the only game in town. But, it will take mucho work and trying new things that have never been tossed around. I think we will make it. Many of us will lose our jobs before we land on our feet. But just hang in there if you love the sport. It is the sport of kings, and it will make a comeback.

Take it from the guy who parked your car and got to know you better each and every time you came in. I know a bit about the game. It will live. It is only getting a standing eight count right now…..

No, the big race is already on. Just take a look at which station will cover the action. I am talking about the reality based “Undercover Boss.”

I love this show. Forget about islands that don’t exist, where a bunch of guys like me sweat it out and live on monkey island with a trainer, chef, and doctor. Hell, if I had all of that, I may drop a few lbs… But this show is brilliant….

Not because we are going to focus on racing, but because we all love to see the boss sweating it out. getting an earful. It is like “Boxing Day” on screen. Go ahead, and just look it up on the calendar for a full explanation, if you have not heard of that last one.

Bill Carstanjen from Churchill Downs Inc. is getting the inside look at racing. He holds down the chief operating office in this mega business, and for a spell, he will get a taste of what many face daily. I think it not only gives perspective, it gives you ideas when you make it back to the desk in your suit.

He worked for 10 days at Calder and Arlington Park. He mucked stalls, worked for a trainer, wrote press releases, and saddled horses in the paddock. A far cry from the two-hour lunch world, and a little messier.  The show has given the boss and the rest of the world an inner look at what they will really know.

My optimism gives me thoughts that they will go back and think about the industry a little differently. I can only hope that insight rules out, and they grow from this experience. The other side of the coin will be that they won’t get the real taste. What about when they get canned by one trainer, and ship out with another? What about when they put in 10 years and are followed by a pink slip in their mailbox? Will they do a better job so that these many will not know this fate? Will they pull back the curtain and share the knowledge with all racing execs about what is really happening?  We can only hope so, and so do many fans. The game can go on.  It all depends on how far we are willing to change. But, this is a great start to show the truth.

How many times have we heard this? If we don’t bring it, we can’t sing it. The praises of winning that is … Hopefully, you can take these few observations and parlay them into a sweet Sunday.

Aqueduct

Race #1 – #5 – Wicked Diva (7-5).

Ramon Dominguez is in the saddle, and that answers many questions. Mike Hushion is the trainer, and they roll at a staggering 67% win clip, and a hot 83% ITM. Impressive winner at 5 1/2 f, and it was against state-bred maidens. Ramon wins 25% with his sprinters, and looks to be in a perfect spot. I could go on and on, but if you need to be talked into Dominguez outside of the details, you will get beat more times than not. He is really special, and history will be kind to him as his career goes forward.

Race #4 – #5 – Tomorrows Roses (5-1).

Luzzi is in the irons, and Richard Violette in the role of conditioner. 2nd off of the layoff is a great player’s angle, and 3/6 ITM at the “Big A.” A nice stalker, who was roused down the lane last out. Jock change from Gabe Saez to Mike Luzzi, and he rode this mount many times in the past. I like the price, and Luzzi always gives a solid effort.

Race #8 – #6 – Understatement (8-5).

David Cohen is between the ears, and Todd Pletcher is the trainer. He is heading for the year that people tend to talk about for years to come. 1/1 ITM at the distance. Uncontested last out, and looks to enjoy the oval. Been working well in the morning, and that is a very good sign of being regular. Cohen is very underrated, and Pletcher needs no pitch. I think this may be his year in a big way.  Add them together, and they win 23%, and 54% ITM.  I would look for a repeat.

Enjoy the sunshine, and know that spring is coming quickly.

Good luck!