Thanks to everybody for the kind compliments. I got lucky obviously as that photo was as tight as could be. Franklly, I feel like I got one back after the excruciating Mambo in Seattle loss 2 years ago. The payoff wasn't as hefty as I was looking for with the style of the structure ($422.50), and it probably doesn't justify the the gambit's moderate probability for success, but I'll take it after wandering around blind without a cane for the first two thirds of the card Saturday.
More than anything, Travers Day was a testimony for staying on despite early losses. I was get slaughtered through the 8th race before starting to find the range when Rapport logically took the Victory Ride. It would have been nice to get any bigger price on the P4 tick with the 'all' button Ballerina, and perhaps Warbling could have reeled in Rightly So on a fairer track. And similarly, Bank Merger ($9.70) seemed to have dead aim on Discreetly Mine ($1.05) in the King's Bishop, but could not make up the length or so margin in the latest stages. When Latigo Shore ($44.70) and Hurricane Ike ($7.30) rounded out the $138 tri and $563 super in the the G1 test for sophs, I at least started to take the edge of the pounding I was taken up to that point.
Travers generated another thrilling and unforgettable stretch duel in its' 141st edition, the third such breath-taker in the last four runnings as Afleet Express and Fly Down battled gamely for 200 yards. And to say Jimmy Jerkens was a popular training winner may be the season's greatest understatement. The taciturn son of a legend had through the previous year experienced client setbacks that would have crippled many a conditioner. The loss of Ned Evans and the Moores as owners drained more than 20 horses from Jerkens' shedrow, and winning a race like the Travers has to come as welcome affirmation for a man who doesn't let many people get to know him.
It was a remarkably beautiful day at the Old Spa, and the 45,000+ that were on hand had to have had as good a time as a racetrack is capable of offering. Another 30,000 have a similar opportunity today... Hope you did well Saturday!
__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine
Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984.
Last edited by Kasept : 08-29-2010 at 06:36 AM.
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