First Post: Friday, July 12, 2013

From Billie Jakesbeer to ALF A. ALF. Of course! Who couldn’t see that seamless transition coming?!

Thank you, Thad Mumford & Laurie Gelman for injecting credible racing dialogue into this episode. We are probably not going to be friends with whoever posted this clip originally; however, we do salute their act of doing so, and their fine taste in sitcoms. The rest of this original poster’s stuff, though, probably shouldn’t be on the Internetsz.

Free ones: Rundown…

Belmont 9
Calder 2, 5
BFHollyPark 5

Pay-side: Today…

Arlington 2, 7, 9
Colonial 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
Ellis Park 4, 7
Louisiana 5, 6, 8
Monmouth 4, 7
Woodbine 5, 6, 7

Today’s Stakes Pageantry: None today. Check back tomorrow for the last weekend of summer racing ever at the BFHollyPark (thanks, BF!), plus many more.

Yesterday’s Activity: As always, Welcome to The Home of The Runner-Up Finish.

The frustration began in Race 9 at the Belmont. Poster Girl was the sole tout, 15-1 on the morning line and 16-1 on the toteboard. With a LifeLiner array of 66-68-91, she figured to close OK, which she did well enough to finish in front of seven of her eight rivals. Fortunately for the LifeLiner playas, the 6-1 winner (sporting a rally-heavy LifeLiner array of 67-70-93) was a solid qualifier, and the insurance exacta paid a hefty claim: $294! Better prices at Elmont than at Stanton! Yow!

Over at the Inglewood, Race 2 had the singularly touted Always the Same, 20-1 on the morning line and 53-1 in real life. Most 53-1 shots do not make any difference in the mutuels, but here was Always the Same beating home all but one of the other entrants. The winner was the 2-1 second choice in the public wagering, and a clear LifeLiner contender. The insurance again was worth the premium: $181! Better prices at Inglewood than at Stanton! Delpark is home to the exotics sharpies! Beware!

Weirder yet at Inglewood, the trifecta with the 53-1 interloper sandwiched between the winning public second-choice and the third-placed favorite, odds of 2-1 on top of 53-1 on top of 13-10, paid $872 (for $2). As always, Welcome to The Home of The Runner-Up Finish! Sometimes.

Speaking of Stanton, a nearly-was to report in Race 3 there. Firster Grace Is a Beauty was 8-1 on the morning line and 10-1 at the off. She was a game second, beaten less than a length. The winner was the 8-5 fave, the only LifeLiner qualifier among the exerpienceds. The exacta was $48.

“Nocturnal Submission” came close, too, in EvD 9. In that one, Social Misfit (!), 10-1 morning line and 21-1 when the bell rang, was second of 11 runners, beaten by the 2-1 fave. That fave was OK on LifeLiner, and the insurance exacta paid $106.

To these hard-luck bridesmaids and all the many others to come, next time!

WMF Report:

Early
Assiniboia 6f
Canterbury 6f
Emerald 6f, 1m
Finger 5½f
Indiana 5½f
Louisiana 5½f
Marquis 6f
Monmouth 6f
Northlands 6f
PennNat 1m
Prairie 1m
Thistle 1m

Nocturnal Submission: Night off…

Thank you. Best wishes. Goodbye. Bye-bye.