The Monday card has made the year for a track like Beulah. Being one of the only tracks running, it has made a nice handle run. But, it does offer some nice action at the beginning of the week.

Race #2 – #5 Sinus Rhythm (5-2).

Edgar Paucar is in the saddle for David Ashcraft. They are winning 21%, and 20% respectively. Not a bad deal of action in Columbus. 1/1 at Beulah, and is dropping into conditioned company. The drop at Beulah can make all of the difference in the world. Paucar can get the job done on a three-legged donkey. Makes the move from poly track at Turfway, and if you go back two races ago, you will see a win in his name. I think they are spotting their horses right, and today should be no change in action.

Race #4 – #2 – Hail Victory (15-1).

Octavio Reyes is up for Cenaro Garcia. 1/1 at Beulah is a nice start. Goes from 1 mile to 1 1/16th on the main. Go back three times in his history, and you will see he shipped in from Chicago. That has been the route where more winners have been found the next effort out. He grabbed his win, and then went off to poly track land. This is a speedy gelding and can be tough to reel in if he gets loose. If he does, you will get handsomely rewarded. That part is what you are seeking, and if you go this route, you will want to hook this price up with other predictions.

Race #5 – #5 – Kulka (5-2).

Yuri Yuranga for Joe Woodard. They should call these guys the “cash machine” as they win at a 25% clip. Last out was at Turfway, and now finds himself in lesser company. Woodard knows his game, and Yuranga is his man in the North. He rides Rex Stokes in Kentucky, and they all make a nice team. Ohio looks to fit this mare much better, and she should stand up and be counted today. The middle move last out shows me she is on the right path. I like the combo, and the teamwork is great.

Get yourself some Beulah. This little oval can surprise you and give you some nice early week action.

Best of luck!

Isn’t it hard to believe it is the last of the month already? Have you quit your resolution yet? Are you looking towards the Derby? Have you started making your charts yet? My answers are simple, they are all YES……

Well, let us leave the month with hopes for the spring, and a great day to end the beginning month for 2010. We shall head back to New York where racing will resume.

Race #5 – #2 Raffie’s Dear (7-5).

After that little four plus month vacation, this gelding looks in swing. C.C. Lopez for Steve Asmussen should make the board light up. Going from a sprint to a route, Asmussen wins at a 21% clip. Two races back had a bad spill under Ramon Dominguez.  Going two turns may be refreshing, and can make the race for this guy. I hope the price gets better, and you will want to examine all tier levels to zero in on price plays.

Race #8 – #1 Nite Light (8-5).

Dominguez has the call for Pletcher, and they make a dangerous combo. He was rating very nicely and the rider lost the stick down the lane. This can be the difference between winning and losing. In my opinion, it cost him the race. Exits as a beaten favorite, and this angle yields Pletcher a 28% winner right back. He is 3/3 at The Big “A,” and is making a second start off a break. I like the speed from the rail routine, and you can bet your boots Dominguez will hang on to the whip at the wire. Catch him if you can…..

Race #9 – #10 Authentic Shot (9-5).

Early speed under the handling of the red-hot bug rider. Angel Serpa will make his mark in due time, and trainer David Duggan gives the green light after making the second start off a break. The #11 hole last out did not hurt his chances, and I think the post will not be a factor in here. Second time off a layoff, this barn wins 15%. I would like to find a nice tier level runner that I can pair up a superfecta. This may be the answer as New York gets back in the swing of things. The weather, the abbreviated schedule, and the way the year is flying away. I would look for a score anywhere you can get it.

The prices may not be all-out barn burners. But, I can put down some 40-1 plays that will still be running a week later. I would use these involved with others from your data, and have a walk off January. So take them, and make hay while you can.

Best of luck!

The night is cold. It is only 15 degrees and the wind chill is 5…. It is windy, and the sky is darkening from snow on the way. Most have gone home for dinner, to watch the big game, or play with the kids. For some, it is time to get to work.

The next time I hear a player yell at a rider, or curse the daylights out of some bug-boy, we are going to take them to the jocks room to saddle up… They can wear the silks that John Candy wore in that movie when he came into the paddock to mount up a talking horse… That should shut up the tough guys.

Here are a few of the good folks that I have spoke to on an average day. All names will be held back except one. His name is Justin Vitek. He just left our world the other day to ride legendary horses in heaven. He had leukemia, and passed away at the young age of 26-years-old. The riders all knew him, and just last Valentine’s Day, he rode a mount at Turfway Park. He was tough, kindhearted, and will be missed; most of all by his daughter Bree…

The room was warm as the riders played pool, and watched TV… I spoke to a man wh0 is young and cannot speak but 8-10 words of English. He kept calling me “papi.” He was tough and hard, and ready to brave the cold in a crowded jocks room, where mounts are tough. He is on top of his game, and his future looks bright. Trust me, you’ll hear his name someday when he wins the Derby. By then, he will speak better English.

In the corner, smoking a cigar, was an older rider who is a fixture on the circuit. I don’t think they could open the doors without him. It just wouldn’t be the same. I guess I am showing my age, as I start remembering more riders who have hung it up and watch new faces hang their tack. He wins enough to live a comfortable life. Each year, he wins a few less.  He will battle the cold and ride two mounts. “Tough game. I remember when things were better.” So do I, and he was that young guy in the corner as tough as they come.

There is an older rider who walks around the room. He doesn’t have any mounts, and the track pays him two mount fees to stay the card in case nobody wants to pick up that old mount in the last. They call this position “The House-Jock.”  He is optimistic all of the time, as he buys candy for all of the riders. He buys every rider a gift at Christmas, and for any auction that benefits a disabled rider, he donates art, and other racing memories. He is the greatest. His voice is scratchy from smoking two packs a day for thirty years. I asked him how he was doing, and he told me things weren’t so good… This guy wouldn’t complain if an elephant were sitting on his chest. I knew that things were bad. I asked him if he wanted to grab a bite, and he changed the subject quickly to how good things will be next week. Some people just brighten up the darkness just by being in the room. I listened, and smiled, and wished him all of the luck in the world… As I walked out, I saw him sit down and light up a smoke in a far away corner. It looked as if he couldn’t get far enough away. I sure hope he gets a mount tonight.

On the way out, I saw another young gun ready for the post call in the cold. “What’s up my man? He just said I am just running around in circles dude.” Thank God for that, huh?

The bell rang, and I watched many riders walking toward the door with lightweight silks on. I had a big coat and could feel the cold to my bones. But this is what they do. Some call it work, and others just run around in circles.

Everyone has them, and for those that do not, kick back and take it all in. You will have time to get back to work, write your novel, or make dinner. Take a moment and reflect.

Today I was asked by a friend, who is going to be on a panel, if I had any thoughts on racing issues. My first was to do something for the players. Cut back the % for IRS tickets. It is 300-1, and it cuts into the handle by taking away money for taxes. The takeout is high enough, and players need a breath. I would make it 1000-1, and only tax players wh0 win over $2002.00 for a $2 wager. This will keep the pools up, and allow players to have a fighter’s chance to stay away from the taxman. Think about it… We never take the player into thought, and we want them to come back… Give them what they want. A fair deal ……

I have a few friends who are going to play in the NTRA contest in Vegas. Most have gone before, but one is making his maiden voyage. He asked me for any advice, as I had been lucky enough to make it out there. I told him to arrive one day early, get your room set, learn the lay of the land, and know the rules and get your handicapping materials. You will be rested, and will have a jump on over 100 of the 301 players who arrive hours before the event. He called me today after winning $3,000 in the racebook, and eating at a nice steakhouse. He is off to his room to do his homework. I think he is going to have a great time, win or lose….

Mike Gill. He has been asked not to enter horses anymore. The racing community is seeing something out of the norm and is kindly asking him to step back. He has been a money machine that wins like rain. But, at what cost is winning worth risking? His runners have been called into question about breakdowns, and many feel he is running too much. How can everyone be wrong on this issue? No digs against Mr. Gill, as he sounds like a savvy businessman. I have never heard such a public outcry for anyone to leave. If he leaves, it should make many happier and his horses safe. If he stays, some state will allow him to run, and at what cost will all this be worth it? He has plenty of money, won an Eclipse Award, and etched his name in history. The wagons are circled, and his best bet is to walk away for good. Winning is not worth putting it all on the line. Many riders want to go home at the end of an evening, and other owners don’t want to see more breakdowns. In the time of Thoroughbred racing today, we are doing a much better job of policing ourselves than waiting for a judgment to come down. Just do the right thing……

A fairly new American saying describes Santa Anita Park: What goes around comes around.

Is it really a case of justice served? I believe the more accurate interpretation is the status of Santa Anita’s main track is returning to its original surface after completing some sort of synthetic cycle.

The startling announcement came from track president Ron Charles during a barrage of heavy rains that began Jan. 17 and forced cancellation of three racing days during that week.

The Pro-Ride synthetic surface will be removed at the conclusion of the winter meeting, April 18, and a return to a dirt surface is “very seriously being considered.”

What other surface is there? Can you spell conventional dirt?

I recall when South Florida tracks endured rain aplenty, especially after a tropical storm.

During the 1990s, Gulfstream Park and Calder Race Course survived monster rainstorms in the spring and fall, some when I was in attendance.

Calder was forced to close on a couple of Saturdays when hurricanes hit the area, but opened right after they passed – Sunday or Monday.

What did both main tracks have in common? They were conventional dirt that included a liberal amount of sand. They drained exceptional well – and still do.

A downpour could hit several hours before post time and linger until the first or second race, but a sloppy surface soon would be upgraded to good. By the feature race, the track often was fast.

But Santa Anita’s all-weather track, replaced a couple of times the last several years after dumping dirt, hasn’t been able to handle gully washers.

Actually, drainage hasn’t been good since the switch to the original Cushion Track in 2007 when 11 days of racing were canceled that winter.

That prompted officials to overhaul the surface with Pro-Ride material in February 2008 and more extensively that summer. Less than two years later, synthetics will be gone.

The California Horse Racing Board has already signaled it wouldn’t block the change to its statewide mandate four years ago that dirt surfaces must be replaced with synthetics of each track’s choice.

A growing number of trainers have lost confidence in synthetic surfaces, which were supposed to be all weather, consistent and safe, according to the early proponents.

The main thoroughbred tracks in California spent nearly $40 million to make the change. Santa Anita’s bill could be $8 million when it finalizes its new track surface.

Gulfstream and Santa Anita were considered speed tracks when both had dirt. Even after Gulfstream extended its main track to 1 1/8 miles while refurbishing the surface, but stuck to dirt, it continues to favor speed. Not so at Santa Anita during the synthetic years.

Horses with early speed are doing well on Gulfstream’s main track, while the dominating running style is closing at Santa Anita.

For example, 38 percent of the 32 winners at six furlongs from Jan. 3 through Jan. 23 at Gulfstream led at every call, according to Brisnet.com. The number for 112 races last season was 35 percent.

However, Santa Anita’s wire-to-wire jobs in 31 races at six furlongs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 24 were 19 percent. Last year, 21 percent of the 47 winners leading up to the ‘09 Breeders’ Cup were in front all the way.

Even at a mile at Gulfstream, 26 percent of 34 runners went wire-to-wire through Jan. 20 compared to last season’s 21 percent of 143 winners.

So far, 19 percent of 16 winners were in front from the start of mile races at Santa Anita. That’s way lower than the 37 percent in 19 contests before the Nov. 6-7 BC races.

Looks like Mike Gill has been kicked out of the racing club. The jockeys at Penn National took a vote on Saturday night and refused to ride in any race that has a Gill horse entered.

This is no “hate club,” but the riders have seen the breakdowns associated with his runners. He agreed to leave the game in 2006, but decided to come back. He was the leading owner with wins and money won in 2009. This looks good on the surface, but the riders feel different.

The horsemen at Penn claim that his horses are breaking down at an alarming rate. According to a close friend of mine who works the track, he feels that they are being run too much. The toll is catching up with him. If he does not change his ways, the racing world will turn their backs on him. Now those are tough words.

According to Ray Paulick of The Paulick Report, he feels there would be happier people and more horses who have not been put down.  You have to love Paulick. He tells it the way it is, and doesn’t care if he ruffles any feathers. I like to read the truth….

Gill has about 40-50 stalls at Penn. He stables off of the grounds and ships in to run. Gill has even compared himself to the owner of Seabiscuit. Funny thing, I remember the movie role showing how they gave the horse time. This was like a fat man in a thong. It just doesn’t fit….

I sure hope he leaves the game for good. He has won an Eclipse Award, and plenty of money. Time has come, and the people have spoke. How can everybody be wrong? Have a “going out of business sale” and call it a career. The game does not need anymore black-eyes.

I went over to the track today, and for the short time that I was there, I saw some displays of childish behavior. I know that losing can be tough, but nobody cries when they win the big one…

I was always told to win with grace, and to lose with face. Long story sh0rt…. Don’t laugh too hard when you win, and don’t cry too loud when you lose.

There have been weeks and months where everything I have done was wrong… Call it snake bit or doing the wrong things. Either way, it can be a tough run. This has happened to every player, writer, and tipsheet artist. We all go through low spots…. But they do come to an end..

I was watching a well-dressed man walking back in from watching a race. He had this bitter-beer look on his face, and he threw his papers against the wall as they flew everywhere. I wish security could have kept a copy of this and showed it to him after he signs an IRS ticket. I think he would be embarrassed about his actions. Bad loser… The game is meant for those who know how to conduct themselves. Today was not his best day…

When I am going to make some wagers, I have a partner. She loves to gamble, but is a horrible loser. She acts as if gambling is an exact science. She lost a great deal of money in the market, but still gambling should be an ATM… This is a prescription for losing. No matter what, she thinks she should win. I like the confident thought process, but the weight of carrying the negativity is strong. She can’t figure it out, and I doubt she ever will. Gambling takes money, patience, and the optimism of a church lady. Mojo can bite you in the ass, no matter how hard you play, or no matter how much you know. It takes the ability to receive plenty of shots in the ribs before you can deliver a knockout punch. I like to say it takes: “a long distance runner, and an all day hunter.” Rule of thumb: Never give up…. The time you let go, you can bet the outcome for sure….. This is not an ATM.

Just have fun. Take it easy, or you can make a date with the ATM to withdraw money. Gambling is not for the faint of heart. It can be fun, and possibly lucrative. Just don’t give up, and start each day with a new attitude…. You can’t win it, unless you get in it.

We all like to beat the man…. The only constant is death and taxes.. One has to be for sure, but the other can be beaten.

I love the dime super. It is a cool way around the tax man. I remember my first, which made me a believer. It was at Keeneland, and I had the dime super ten times and it paid $200 for a dime payoff. If it had been for a $1, well, he would have gotten me..

I told my boss that I loved the fifty cent trifecta bet. Same concept, and the same game… He felt that people would bet less. Not the case at all. When I hit my big super at Keeneland, I didn’t stop after I punched out a copy. I punched out ten. Actually, it would have been more than I would have bet….

He didn’t buy it, and he still thinks people will stop betting when they get in at a short price. If you survey the crowd, maybe 1 out of 20 would pull this.. The end result is letting people into a new wager at a lower price. It also allows them control. Add in the ability to smack the man, and it gets that much sweeter.

Many believe that tracks have casino philosophy. Not true.. They take all of your money and like it. The track gets a takeout of every bet. We want you to win every day, and hopefully we can get another visit or two out of you each month. Factor that in, and the handle goes up…

Just think about it. Keep the wager located to two or three windows with clerks, and on all of the self bet machines. This won’t cause a log jam, and raise the handle. And in the end, you won’t get a nasty gram from Uncle Sam claiming you owe him money.

It is time to head up to Columbus, Ohio and make the best of the action. There was a big weekend, and from here on out, they will all have meaning. But, Tuesday afternoon also offers a chance to bankroll. So take where you can get it….Also, we will make a stop in the city of brotherly love for a little change maker. So download your data and get in the mix.

Beulah Park – Race #1 – #1 Rum N Ting (5-1)

Yuri Yaranga is in the saddle for Eric Reed. They have teamed up to win 67%, and that is no laughing matter. Speed from the rail today, and goes from poly to the dirt oval. You can add in the beaten favorite angle last out, and Reed knows where to spot the runners. He is 33% a winner with maiden claimers, and he will make the best of his chances. That you can always count on.

Beulah Park – Race #6 – #6 M S Roxie (3-1)

Victor Urieta Moran is in the irons for Doug Cowans. Cowans is probably the best trainer on the grounds, and he does his talking with his horses. I like his style, and no matter what the price, he always tries with his runners. He brings them on their “A” game. Faced open company last out, and drops back in class into Ohio company. Look for a stalking speed trip, and is 2/2 at Beulah lifetime. Also, don’t ever leave Cowans out of any exotics.

Philly Park – Race #6 – #3 Put it in Writing (9-5)

Trainer Juan Carlos is winning at 45% at Philly. 2nd time off a layoff, and 4/7 ITM. Add in 4/5 at the distance, and that makes it more attractive. He won by 7 3/4 last out, and starter 5 is going to look good on him. The turf to dirt move, and I would look for more of a positive move to the winner’s circle.

Long ago, the method was to run horses into shape. The last few years have had a reversal in mindset about this method.  Things are taking a different course.

Fusaichi Pegasus made four starts as a three-year-old before wearing the roses. Since that time, many have changed their mind about old time theories.

Here are some examples:

2000 -Fu Peg ran 4 times and went 3 weeks into the Derby.

2001 – Monarchos ran 4 times before going three weeks in the Louisville.

2002 – War Emblem ran 4 times before going on a 3 week rest.

2003 -Funny Cide 3 times, and ran in the Wood before taking 3 weeks going to the Derby.

2004 – Smarty Jones – 4 times, and then rested for three weeks before getting the Derby.

2005 – Giacomo – 3 times, and 4 weeks off before scoring in the Derby.

2006 – Barbaro - 3 times, and off for 5 weeks going to Louisville.

2007 – Street Sense – 2 times, and then going 3 weeks off the poly into the Derby.

2008 – Big Brown – 2 times, and then goes on vacation for 5 weeks.

2009 - Mine That Bird – 2 times, and gets 5 weeks to rest.

Are you seeing a method? A new way? The old ways thrown out the door? Yep, you bet ….

Thing have changed. Distances, date changes, surface creations, and graded purse amounts. Add in all the factors, and you are seeing a new day. The rules have changed, and we now have to take this into account as we are on the Derby Trail.