I believe this might be becoming a a habit, but we’re going to break our self-imposed handicapping rule by taking a first-time turfer vs. proven grass runners.
And that’s because not only does Bourbon War (7-2) actually have the better company lines, with turf on both sides of his pedigree, but his late-kick style fits the dynamics of turf racing very well.
There is no question that the two favorites will be very tough to beat. Bulletin (5-2), given connections and prevailing trends, likely will go favorite, followed very closely by the faster Front Run the Fed (2-1).
But Bourbon War needs his confidence restored and his recent brief freshening. He has a two-sided turf pedigree and has worked brilliantly on grass upstate.
For a listed stakes, this is a very good one.
Taking Bourbon War to win, no less that 5-2 for straight betting, key boxing exactas and trifectas with both favorites, and adding Regally Irish (15-1) to the bottom of trifectas.
YESTERDAY: Code of Honor ($10.80) finally got the Grade 1 he deserved, winning Travers 150 as much the best. And it was as good of the supporting horses to oblige, with Tacitus and Mucho Gusto, second and third, and preferred price play fourth to complete a Dime Super worth $117. And I probably was one of the few that knows at the load, Endorsed was 30-1, as he was throughout the betting, even higher at times. He was a strong-finish fourth, running over the top of the runners-up late–at 23-1!
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Mike Smith’s trip across the country was worthwhile as he won the Personal Ensign with a Purse of $700,000. then he hoped on the second longest shot in the Travers and managed to get the horse to finish eight returning $25,000 to the owner (that’s right Alice) who had to pony up $20,000 to get into the race.
Well, it was a rarity, but the three favorites in the Travers finished one, two, three which means that a high percentage of patrons at the track managed to cash a ticket, along with thousands throughout the country. But none made the guaranteed profit that just about all of the owners of the entrants made in the seven stake races.
Forego S: The owner of an entrant had to put up $11,100, but got back $17,000 minimum if the horse finished last.
Jerkins S: The owner of an entrant paid $8,000 to get into the race and got back $10,000 if last in the race.
Travers S: Entry fees totaled $20,000 and the owner received $25,000 if the blue blood finished eighth.
Ballston Spa S: No fees to start, but if the owner’s horse finished last he was paid $2,666.
Ballerina S: No fees, and the last finisher’s owner got $15,000.
Personal Ensign S: Ready for this one. If the owner finished fifth he was paid $30,000 and no entry fees necessary.
Sword Dancer S: No fees. Just finish eighth and the owner gets $20,000.
Now, how much did ya’all win?
As to the amount, that’s between me and Uncle Sam. But if you don’t recognize that $10.80 was good value on the winner, I won’t be asking you to make a betting line for me anytime soon.
BTW, $117 on the Dime Super was excellent, especially for bettors were fortunate enough to nail it cold.
And I still don’t get why you feel the need to count owner’s money, especially since nine of every 10 lose money by year’s end.
If some guy playing the slots in Queens somehow makes racing better by helping to attract the best horses, I think a simple thank you would be nice.
I have made no comment on the $10.80 Code Of Honor paid; it is a damn good price to get on any plater. I thought $5.40 on ‘money Mike’s blue blood was exceptional.
Count the dimes on future super bets. You will blow thru $117 before you manage to cobble another super bet winning ticket.
Just pointing out how cash from outside racing operations is used to fuel purses. I don’t know where you learned that nine of every ten owners lose money. I’m sure the thousands of owners at lower level racetracks aren’t rich, but they are all surviving; it’s probably the extremely wealthy owners who are losing money, the result of their paying ridiculous prices for blue bloods. Still perplexed as to why I can’t bet a horse to ‘not hit the board’; seems like a reasonable betting option to me since owners get paid handsomely when their horse finishes ‘up the track’.
Not finished ‘capping Monmouth. Will render my expert opinion on the Better Talk Now Stakes if I can toss a few. I know ya’all are waiting.
Indeed, I was referring to the 1% who spend huge amounts to acquire bloodstock; for every one, not a peep about those who fall by the wayside.
As for small owners at small tracks, it’s a huge struggle to make it work. They probably make less an hour than I do and trust, me, that’s next to nothing.
Sometimes, as hard as it is for a majority of Americans to believe, it’s not always about the money; they are commonly referred to as fans.
And, again, what do I care about other people’s money unless they are taking it out of my pocket, like the late-bet computer boys. I bet less and less dollars every day and trust me, I am not alone.
Better Talk Now Stake: I’ve tossed all entrants who have not yet tried turf. Regally Irish seems outclassed to me. Front Run The Fed is going up to stake company; will probably win for fun. Bulletin stretching out for first time. Only one left, Swamp Rat, rough trip last.
Got several stakes under belt. Was slaughtered by Uncle Benny, a horse I am waiting for. With Johnny up, I got the itch to catch a nice price with Swamp Rat.
Psst! Keep it quiet.
As they say in my set, saus-each his own. But don’t overlook my “plater” completely…