5/29/21 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 2 Ice Or Fire (Final Odds 4.50) - "B" Selection

Race 7 - # 6 Proof of Jazz (4.30) - "A" Selection

Race 8 - # 4 Family Trips (2.80) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - # 3 Princess Alma (19.50) - "C" Selection

I had considered punching the "ALL" button in Saturday's nightcap at Golden Gate when putting together my play; but doing so without making any other changes to my selections would have meant investing over a hundred dollars into a wager that seemed quite likely to pay less than half that amount.  So had I gone "ALL" in the finale I almost certainly would have dropped a runner or two from one of the other legs, meaning that there would have been a good chance that I would have missed one of the earlier winners in the sequence.  The bottom line is that sometimes you just aren't meant to catch 'em all; and so it was Saturday, which ultimately became a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well, onto the next race.

For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the six runners to which I would have cashed in the final leg:

# 1 Nijah (3.30) - $239.65 Finish: 2nd

# 2 Itainteasybeingray (1.90*) - $187.15 Finish: 9th

# 4 Quick Time (GB) (5.10) - $323.80 Finish: 3rd

# 9 You’re All Talk (41.00) - $4,415.35 Finish: 10th

# 10 Grazen Deb (6.00) - $338.55 Finish: 4th

# 11 Running Luck (12.40) - $624.95 Finish: 7th

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  2 / 6 / 4 / 3  were rewarded with a payout of $2,696.65 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

5/29/21 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Preview

"I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration [Memorial] Day.  I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it.  We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did." - Benjamin Harrison

It's Memorial Day (formerly Decoration Day) weekend in the USA, and the celebration includes a plethora of stakes being run over the next three days at Santa Anita.  Unfortunately, the Southern California stakes did not draw well; therefore I will be trying my luck today in the northern part of the state.  So with that let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 6 - Clm $4k B - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 6 Mister Mojo (Morning Line 2-1)

B's

# 1 Olseau de Guerre (ML 8-5)

# 2 Ice Or Fire (ML 4-1)

C's

# 3 Gobsmack (ML 5-1)

# 4 Cash Limit (ML 20-1)

# 5 Manitou (ML 20-1)

# 7 Imperator (ML 10-1)

This contest is restricted to runners which have either:

1) Not won a race since March 1; OR

2) Which have never won four races.

So as long as an entrant has fewer than four career Wins, then they're eligible to run in this race.  If a runner has four career Wins or more, then none of those Wins could have come after the initial two months of 2021.  For the record Ice Or Fire, Manitou, and Imperator are the three entrants in this field with fewer than four career Wins.

Mister Mojo found his way back into the Winner's Circle last time out after a long absence, and a repeat of that performance should be enough to for Mister Mojo to get his picture taken again today (note that Mister Mojo's victory last time out was for a claiming price of under $3.5k, which is why it does not affect his eligibility to compete in this contest).  Olseau de Guerre could move up with the drop in class.

Ice Or Fire fits well at this class level, though Ice Or Fire does seem to settle for too many minor awards.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - Clm $12.5k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Proof of Jazz (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 1 Cold Brew Kelly (ML 6-1)

# 5 Northern Gem (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Malibu Jewel (ML 8-1)

# 3 Handcuffed (ML 20-1)

# 4 Made in Karoo (ML 2-1)

# 7 Where's Frankie (ML 8-1)

Proof of Jazz is the only run in this field that has multiple victories.  Cold Brew Kelly could be the one running best late.

Northern Gem took the Show at this class level last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 8 - (F) Alw 4000s - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 6 Whoa Nessie (ML 8-5)

B’s

# 4 Family Trips (ML 2-1)

C's

# 1 Back Beauty (ML 20-1)

# 2 Lady Chrome (ML 7-2)

# 5 Circulodeganadoras (ML 10-1)

# 7 Amba (ML 10-1)

Scratch # 3 Real Keeper (ML 8-1)

This is a pretty straight forward Starter Allowance, as far as conditions go, as any distaff runner that has started for a claiming price of $4k or less in 2018 or since is eligible to run here.

Whoa Nessie and Family Trips filled out the bottom two rungs of the Trifecta versus slightly more expensive stock last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 9 - (F) Md $20k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 1 Nijah (ML 3-1)

B's

# 2 Itainteasybeingray (ML 2-1)

# 4 Quick Time (GB) (ML 4-1)

# 9 You're All Talk (ML 20-1)

# 10 Grazen Deb (ML 5-1)

# 11 Running Luck (ML 12-1)

C's

# 3 Princess Alma (ML 15-1)

# 5 Passionate Road (ML 10-1)

# 6 Life in Paradise (ML 20-1)

# 7 Wikolia (ML 50-1)

# 8 Clear Win (ML 20-1)

Nijah took the Place at this class level last time out.  Itainteasybeingray could move up with the drop in class as well as the return to the turf.  Quick Time (GB) is another that can be expected to improve with the class relief that she is receiving today.

You're All Talk took the Show at this class level two starts back.  Grazen Deb seems to have the breeding to do well when going around two turns.

Running Luck is trained by Jose Bautista, whose runners seem to do well when trying the turf for the first time.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 6 with 6 with 1 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,2,6 with 1,5,6 with 4,6 with 1,2,4,9,10,11 $54.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3,4,5,7 with 6 with 6 with 1 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 2,3,4,7 with 6 with 1 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 6 with 1,2,5,7 with 1 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 6 with 6 with 6 with 3,5,6,7,8 $2.50

Total: $63.50

Post Time for Race 6 is 7:04 EDT / 4:04 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

5/23/21 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 5 Silver Claim (Final Odds 1.80) - "B" Selection

Race 7 - # 8 Mr. Stang (0.90*) - "A" Selection & "C" Selection*

Race 8 - The Alcatraz - # 8 None Above the Law (1.90*) - "B" Selection

Race 9 - # 2 Let's Rejoyce (2.20*) - "B" Selection

* # 6 Big Evo, a "C" Selection, was a late scratch from Race 7; I therefore received Post Time Favorite Mr. Stang in his place.

They don't run much more formful than they did Sunday at Golden Gate.  Just one of those days where pretty much everyone knew what was coming, as the entrants ran just about as the Past Performances said that they would.

For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other four runners to which I would have cashed in the nightcap:

# 1 Papapifas (12.30) - $220.35 Finish: 6th

# 3 Italiano (10.20) - $107.90 Finish: 3rd

# 4 Clem Labine (3.50) - $46.45 Finish: 4th

# 9 Sunrise Journey (6.30) - $75.75 Finish: 2nd

But that's what might have been.  What actually came to be was a correct Late Pick Four sequence of  5 / 8 / 8 / 2  which paid $48.55 for a fifty cent wager; an amount which is less than my initial investment of $55.00.  And while cashing at a loss definitely beats not cashing at all, it's certainly not what I had in mind when I placed my bets.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

5/23/21 Golden Gate Fields Late Pick Four - Preview

"Preparation can only take you so far. After that, you have to take a few leaps of faith." - Michael Scofield (Prison Break)

The Alcatraz, a one mile turf contest for three year olds, is Sunday's featured race at Golden Gate Fields.  Interestingly enough, the Alcatraz is the only race of the Final Four on the card that is not being run at a distance of five and a half furlongs.  With that as background let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at The Bay's Best Bet.

RACE 6 - Clm $5k N2X - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 3 Hot Socks (Morning Line 9-5)

B’s

# 5 Silver Claim (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Gentleman's Secret (ML 15-1)
# 4 Wise River Ray (ML 6-1)

# 6 Leadville (ML 15-1)
# 7 Jungle Boy (ML 5-2)

Scratch # 1 Jedi Knight (ML 8-1)

Hot Socks missed victory by a neck last time out at this class level while disappointing as the Post Time Favorite.  It's been over two years since Silver Claim has competed in a race involving a turn, but Trainer Steve Myadi tends to do well with runners coming off an extended layoff, and if Silver Claim runs as he did in his debut then he'll be the one getting his picture taken when this race is over.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 7 - [S] MSW - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A’s

# 8 Mr. Stang (ML 9-5)

B's

# 1 Lessons of Autism (ML 5-2)

# 2 Riversky (ML 20-1)

C's

# 3 Ommaney Bay (ML 20-1)

# 4 Elusive Virtue (ML 6-1)

# 5 Talisker Bay (ML 6-1)
# 6 Big Evo (ML 20-1)
# 7 Nickel Nickel Nine (ML 4-1)

Mr. Stang took the Place in his debut at this class level last time out.  Lessons of Autism took the Place against open company non-Claiming Maidens two starts back.  Riversky looks best among the first time starters in a field where none of the experienced runners has ever left the gate as the Post Time Favorite.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 8 - The Alcatraz $75k - Eight Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 9 Stalking Shadow (ML 9-2)

B's

# 1 Seattle Bold (ML 6-1)

# 8 None Above the Law (ML 5-2)

C's

# 2 J T's Watch (ML 15-1)
# 3 Chief Jackson (ML 15-1)

# 4 Que Sera Sir Ralph (ML 20-1)
# 5 Top Executive (ML 12-1)
# 6 Jungle Cry (ML 7-2)
# 7 Ida Claire (ML 10-1)

# 10 Top Harbor (ML 8-1)

Stalking Shadow, winner of the $100k California Derby over the main track here last time, appears to have sufficient turf breeding to repeat that effort here on the grass.  Seattle Bold took the Place behind Stalking Shadow two starts back, and Seattle Bold was also the Place finisher behind None Above the Law last time out.  Perhaps the change of surface will allow Seattle Bold to turn the tables on those two foes today.

None Above the Law, trained by Peter Miller, won the state bred restricted $75k Silky Sullivan Stakes last time out; a contest which had been scheduled for the turf but which was moved to the main track.  Anyway, it's hard to leave a horse named None Above the Law off your tickets in a race named the Alcatraz.  The rest of the field comprises the backup "C" Selections.

RACE 9 - ALW N1X - Five and a Half Furlongs Synthetic

A's

# 9 Sunrise Journey (ML 6-1)

B's

# 1 Papapifas (ML 10-1)

# 2 Let's Rejoyce (ML 3-1)

# 3 Italiano (ML 6-1)

# 4 Clem Labine (ML 4-1)

C's

# 5 Appreciated (ML 6-1)

# 8 Lord Brancusi (ML 5-1)

Scratch # 6 Terry's Boy (ML 12-1) and # 7 War Games (ML 12-1)

Sunrise Journey and Clem Labine, both now trained by Isidro Tamayo, filled out the Exacta against $16k Claimers over this main track last time out, and both appear capable of winning at this class level.  Papapifas has finished in the Trifecta at this class level in each of his last two starts.

Let's Rejoyce, a winner at this class level last time out, runs for Trainer Jonathan Wong, who tends to do well when placing his last out winners.  Italiano goes first off the claim for Trainer Victor Trujillo, who tends to do well with such.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 3 with 8 with 9 with 9 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 3,5 with 1,2,8 with 1,8,9 with 1,2,3,4,9 $45.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,4,6,7 with 8 with 9 with 9 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 3 with 3,4,5,6,7 with 9 with 9 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 3 with 8 with 2,3,4,5,6,7,10 with 9 $3.50

$0.50 P4: 3 with 8 with 9 with 5,8 $1.00

Total: $55.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 7:04 EDT / 4:04 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

5/15/21 Pimlico Preakness Pick 4 - Results

Race 10 - The Jim McKay Turf Sprint - # 11 Firecrow (Final Odds 9.80) - "C" Selection

Race 11 - The Maryland Sprint - # 8 Special Reserve (3.90) - "C" Selection

Race 12 - The Dinner Party - # 1 Somelikeithotbrown (2.80) - "B" Selection

Race 13 - The Preakness - # 6 Rombauer (11.80) - "C" Selection

Congrats to Rombauer and his connections on a convincing victory in Saturday's running of the Preakness Stakes.  A special shout out to Trainer Mike McCarthy, as Rombauer gives McCarthy his first US classic victory.  As for my play, having my "A" Selection take the Place in each of the first two legs means that at least I was in the ballpark, despite being nowhere near where I needed to be if I wanted to cash instead of contribute.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Preakness Pick Four sequence of  11 / 8 / 1 / 6  were rewarded with a payout of $2,797.60 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

5/15/21 Pimlico Preakness Pick 4 - Preview

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars." - Og Mandino

And we're back.

I won't bore you all with yet another recounting of the health issues that I've been facing recently; but I do hope you'll allow me to once again express my gratitude for all the kind words, thoughts, and prayers that so many of you have expressed on my behalf.  I also want to take a moment to give a word of praise to all the care givers who have been working to make me well; both at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Franklin.  There are no words that can adequately express how truly thankful I am to each and every one of those that I encountered in this latest journey; but please know that all you mean so very much to me, and I will forever cherish the memory of all that each of you did on my behalf.

And so now as we begin our return to normality let's get to it, as I take a run at The Pick Four at Pimlico ending with the Preakness Stakes.

RACE 10 - The Jim McKay Turf Sprint $100k - Five Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 The Critical Way (Morning Line 5-2)

B's

# 1 Boldor (ML 6-1)

# 5 Hollis (ML 6-1)

# 13 Completed Pass (ML 7-2)

C's

# 2 The Connector (ML 8-1)

# 3 Grab the Gold (ML 30-1)
# 6 Jammer (ML 50-1)

# 7 Dubini (ML 15-1)

# 8 Love You Much (ML 20-1)

# 9 Robey's Boy (ML 30-1)
# 10 Push to Start (ML 30-1)
# 11 Firecrow (ML 10-1)
# 12 So Street (ML 15-1)

The Critical Way, Show finisher in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland last time out, should appreciate the class relief he is getting here.  Boldor looks capable of pressing and passing the pacesetters, though the rail draw did Boldor no favors.

Hollis is the defending champ for this event, having won last October's running at final odds of 11-1, getting under the wire a neck in front of Place finisher Completed Pass.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - The Maryland Sprint (Grade 3) - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Strike Power (ML 7-2)

B's

# 1 Laki (ML 6-1)

# 2 Yodel E. A. Who (ML 8-1)

# 4 Frosted Grace (ML 15-1)

# 7 Breezy Gust (ML 6-1)

C's

# 3 Mucho (ML 15-1)

# 6 Threes Over Deuces (ML 20-1)

# 8 Special Reserve (ML 9-2)

# 9 War Tocsin (ML 30-1)
# 10 Lebda (ML 12-1)
# 11 Seven Nation Army (ML 5-1)

Strike Power is trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr, the combo that has won the last two runnings of the this event (Santana has actually been onboard the winner each of the last three runnings, having crossed under the wire first with Whitmore in 2017 for Trainer Ron Moquett).

Laki, winner of the Frank Frank Whiteley last time out, tends to run well over this main track, though the fact that Laki has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite in six of his last nine contests is a little disconcerting.  Yodel E. A. Who can win from anywhere on the track.

Frosted Grace and Breezy Gust are two that could move up with the cutback in distance.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 12 - The Dinner Party (Grade 2) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 5 Sacred Life (Fr) (ML 7-5)

B's

# 1 Somelikeithotbrown (ML 4-1)

# 2 English Bee (ML 8-1)

C's

# 3 Kuramata (Ire) (ML 6-1)

# 4 Midnight Tea Time (ML 10-1)

# 6 Talk Or Listen (Ire) (ML 8-1)
# 7 Flying Scotsman (ML 15-1)
# 8 Bye Bye Melvin (ML 10-1)

Sacred Life (Fr), Show finisher in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile last time out, looks classiest here.  Somelikeithotbrown took the Place in last year's running of this event.

English Bee could improve off the layoff.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 13 - The Preakness (Grade 1) - Nine and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Medina Spirit (ML 9-5)

B's

# 4 Crowded Trade (ML 10-1)

# 10 Concert Tour (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Ram (ML 30-1)
# 2 Keepmeinmind (ML 15-1)
# 5 Midnight Bourbon (ML 5-1)
# 6 Rombauer (ML 12-1)
# 7 France Go de Ina (ML 20-1)
# 8 Unbridled Honor (ML 15-1)

# 9 Risk Taking (ML 15-1)

Medina Spirit, winner of this year's running of the Kentucky Derby (at least, for now) and stablemate Concert Tour look best here.  Expect both to be forwardly placed early.  Should it all fall apart on the front end, Crowded Trade could be the one running best late.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 4 with 5 with 5 with 3 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,4,5,13 with 1,2,4,5,7 with 1,2,5 with 3,4,10 $90.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 with 5 with 5 with 3 $4.50

$0.50 P4: 4 with 3,6,8,9,10,11 with 5 with 3 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 4 with 5 with 3,4,6,7,8 with 3 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 4 with 5 with 5 with 1,2,5,6,7,8,9 $3.50

Total: $104.50

Post Time for Race 10 is 4:05 EDT / 1:05 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo