First Post: Thursday, November 7, 2013

At the bottom, Hollywood Blvd. At the top, Woodrow Wilson

David Hockney. Ever heard of him? Still alive at 76 these days, Hockney is considered by some as the greatest colorist since Matisse. Here’s his depiction of a place near and dear to us here at the Home Office: Nichols Canyon, from 1980. It’s pretty much unchanged. The tall Italian Cypresses really do appear that frequently in the local landscape.

Nowadays, Hockney is working his artistic magic on a new medium: the iPad. Talent will out. Genius will out. Anyway, regarding Southern California and Los Angeles in specific, he recently said: “The light there is 10 times brighter than anywhere else. It’s why Hollywood started there. Natural light was essential in 1910 for film.” And now you know!

Fear not, La-La Land haters. Today is likely the last day of high temps in the 80s (°F) in Studio City for your 2013.

Free ones: Rundown…

Aqueduct 1, 8, 9
BetFail 3, 4, 6, 7, 8

Pay-side: Today…

Churchill 3, 5, 7, 10
Hawthorne 3
Laurel 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
Remington 1, 4, 5, 7, 9

Today’s Stakes Pageantry: None today, but look at this collegiate American Gridiron Throwball schedule this evening, highlighted by the Big O v. the Leland Stanford Jr. University Band.

Yesterday’s Activity: As threatened in yesterday’s editions, we intended to illuminate, elucidate and edify, and we shall do so now, sooner than later.

Over at the Aqueduct, two touted races, two touted horseys, two longshot winners.

In Race 7, it was Birchwood Road rallying to pull clear, winning by just over 3 lengths. This in a turf race, mind you.

Birchwood Road, third-top on the Betting Line in a contentious race with Fair Odds of 5-1, was 12-1 on the morning line and sent away at 10½-1 in real life. He upheld his end of the deal by running to his 95 LifeLiner Speed Column score, best in this field by some measure.

Then in the nightcap, we are pleased to report, it was yet one more of ’em King of the NetCapper Bulliesz specials, courtesy of Bargaining Table. Bargaining Table, 8-1 on the morning line and the recipient of much more activity than that to close at 4½-1, was third on the Betting Line in a contentious race, no Fair Odds. But Bargaining Table was one of two LifeLiner Speed Column qualifiers in the race, and she ended up ahead at the wire by three parts of a length. The other LifeLiner Speed Column qualifier, 70¢ to the dollar, completed the exacta, which paid $21.80. Oh, well. Bargaining Table paid $11.80 to win.

As always, welcome to The Home of The Runner-Up Finish, this time led by the crazy Dubaele, 12-1 in Race 5 at Churchill. The winner was the &frac;12-1 fave, top LifeLiner in the field. The saver exacta paid $23. Oh, well.

Glory in the next race, however, with top-touted Union Prayer, 10¢ shy of 17-1, getting the win at $35.80. Union Prayer was top of the Betting Line and top LifeLiner and farthest-out ‘X’ on the Pace Graph. And you know what that means. Yup, one of ’em vaunted Triple Threat Horseys.

Another King of the NetCapper Bulliesz special in the closer at Churchill, thanks to Jazil Bell. Jazil Bell was third on the Betting Line, Fair Odds of 6-1, and top LifeLiner in the field. Result: $16.80 win mutuel on Jazil Bell, the latest in a long line of King of the NetCapper Bulliesz Specialsz.

Over to Chicagoland now, for Race 6 at Hawthorne and a $35.40 win mutuel on Burnt Tree. Burnt Tree was dead-last on the Betting Line. Yet Burnt Tree paradoxically had the best LifeLiner Speed Column score in the field, a qualifying 81. He made it by a dirty nose. Dirty!

To remain humble, we insert another runner-up finish, this time Race 7 over at the Laurel. Our lone-touted horse was 40-1 Subtle Signal, and she ran second, ahead of eight others. Subtle Signal was 15-1 on the morning line, top of the Betting Line and with a good-enough LifeLiner Speed score. The even-money fave won, good on LifeLiner, and the exacta paid $147, even-money over 40-1 in a 10-horse field. All top-four finishers were LifeLiner Speed-eligible: $644 for the $2 trizacta, $1,995 for the $1 super-duper.

For extra humility, another runner-up finish. Bonkersmate Compadre’s Time came second in the NetCapper Bulliesz race at Woodbine. This was at 33-1. The 4½-1 second-choice won, LifeLiner Speed-eligible, and the hedge exacta paid $266. This was for 4½-1 on top of 33-1 in a 12-horse field. The trifecta was completed by the 13-10 fave, LifeLiner Speed OK, and that triactor returned $981.60, for $2.

WMF Report:

Early
Churchill 6f
Chas. Town 4½f
Laurel 6f
PennNat 6f

Nocturnal Submission: Night off…

Thank you. Best wishes. Goodbye. Next time!