Remember the feeling after your first college party, or what it felt like when the guys (or girls) took you out for your big night out before you tied the knot ? Me too. – I like to call it horse-hangover. – There was so much action, and the two days lived up to the hype. Many would have thought the gem of central Kentucky wouldn’t have been able to pull off such a feat, as they are known for 15 days of racing in April and October. Oh, and I would make the naughty list if not to mention the world-class horse sales that take place. – But the tried and true racing fan who doubted the “Saratoga of Kentucky” could measure up and put on the big stage event. – Just hold the presses. Dewey did not defeat Truman; the Jets covered the 19 point underdog spread for the 1969 Super Bowl, and Keeneland exceeded all expectations for holding the Breeders’ Cup.

I had some nice wins for the weekend, and thanks to Winning Ponies. The planned out spot plays had everything coming up roses. – Day #1 – It was Race #5 in the (G-2) Fayette where I had $50 to win on the top tier selection #3 – Race Day with John Velasquez in the saddle for Todd Pletcher. – There was the handicapping icons of “Monster Work, Dropping in Class,” and owned the best Last Race Rating of 59 for a tandem known for winning more races than not. – He won and paid $10.60, for a nice $265 return ! – Then on to Race #8 on the BC Juvenile Filly Turf. I made a $5 exacta box with the top three tier selections, and the top two ran first and second. – I also had $20 to win on the top tier selection #4 Catch a Glimpse with the red-hot Florent Geroux. That brought me $148 on the win bet with a runner that owned the top Turf Class Rating of 35.5, and top Last Race and Composite Ratings with a pair of 64’s. – The exacta brought in $203, and the win bet added came up to $351. – Not a bad start for day #1 !

Day #2 was what the world waited to see, and it did not disappoint as we saw a runner that will go down in history as one of the all-time-greats. – My betting was sparse early on, as I was waiting for the final pick-four and $3 million guaranteed pot.  Here is a glimpse of the day. – Race #2 was the Juvenile Sprint / $100,000 and I was focused in on Wesley Ward and his Sheikh of Sheikhs. I made a $5 exacta box with the top three selections, and made a $50 win bet on “Sheikh.” – The exacta with the top three tier selections paid = $31 for a total of $77.50, and #4 – Sheikh of Sheikhs was an AE on a Breeders’ Cup race. Wesley Ward is top-notch horseman and he won and paid $5.40 under Frankie Dettori for $135. – Then the big ticket came into play for races 8-11. – In Race #8 I decided to take the top two selections, and the second tier selection of #7 Tepin for the hot barn of Mark Casse scored to pay $11.80. – Race #9 was very tough, and I pushed the ALL button, and that always makes me sweat. – The race was won by #13 – Nyquist to pay $11.40. – Race #10 had me stretching out once again using the top four tier selections, and I decided to go to four because #9 Found ran second to Golden Horn in the Arc in game fashion. #9 Found, bested Golden Horn ( who may not have cared for the good turf) to get up by a half length to pay $14.80. – Race #11 brought about the Classic and American Pharaoh was the talk of the week, but I kept seeking value. I used the top four tier selections, and the ticket was 2 X 14 X 4 X 4 = $448 for $1, and $224 for a 50-cent ticket. My bankroll had me seeking the 50-cent variety and some of the will-pays were blockbuster payouts that would have covered me until spring. – When American Pharaoh broke on top and romped into the pages of history as the first Triple Crown winner to nail the “Grand-Slam” winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic, all was right with the world. If you didn’t have a tear in your eye, or a smile on your face. You may have to see the doctor in the morning. As Victor Espinoza gave a once-in-a-lifetime ride as the happiest passenger in history, you had to feel the day was well meant. – Keeneland put on a show that proved there is another venue who can step up and put on the greatest racing show on earth. – By the way, my $224 / 50-cent ticket came home with the chalk and paid $765.00 – Not a bad weekend overall, and many thanks to Winning Ponies for allowing me to spot play a super weekend. – Be sure to check-in and let us know how you did. Was it the WP Internet Show that enlightened your inner-horse player ? The blogs with video proof showing the readiness of the runners, or was it the one-of-a-kind E-Z Win Forms which allowed you more time deciding how to put the data to work. Any way you chose, the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup did not disappoint. Congrats to all of the connections, Keeneland for a top-notch show, and hopefully you for a big time winning weekend !