Coast-to-coast

Three winners on top in the eight events (Aqueduct, $2.80; Laurel, $4.40; Gulfstream, $3.60). Plus a cold exacta at Laurel and our top four completed two supers at Gulfstream -- but again, there was little value.

The "DOH!" play of the day happened in Gulfstream's Honey Fox. As we handicapped that one we originally put Mott's Delmonico Cat in the fourth spot -- but on a closer look we traded that one out in favor of Mott's other entry, Delta Princess. Typically when we're looking at two so closely matched we just add one in as a fifth pick and add the "sub next if scratch" remark. Well, inexplcably we didn't do that this time -- and yep, Delta Princess scratched while Delmonico Cat went on to win -- finishing ahead of two others we picks, completing a $65.60/$2 exacta and a $281.20/$2 tri. Easily enough to have put us over the top to begin 2004. Doh!

WAGERED: $258.00
COLLECTED: $160.70

Smarty Jones 2-5
Risky Trick 28-1
Mr Spock 9-1

Wager: $5 W on Smarty Jones.
Collected $7.00 on the W ($2.80).
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-6-7.

Smarty Jones...Has put together two big wins at Philly. Gets tested today but could be a budding star.
Mr Spock...Has been improving in each start for Anthony Dutrow. Ships up from Maryland and should go well in stakes debut.
Distressed Debt...Super win in MSW at Saratoga then was overmatched in a G1 stake. Went well in a NW1 last time and should fit against these.
One Tough Dude.

Among My Souvenirs 6-5
Forestier 8-5
Ask Queenie 9-1
Fast Laner scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Among My Souvenirs.
Collected $17.00 on the WP ($4.40, 2.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $9.20 on the ex box ($9.20/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $4.60 on the ex box.
...$1 tri key Among My Souvenirs over next three.
Ran 1/2-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-5.

Among My Souvenirs...Dutrow filly was impressive in debut. Any improvement in second start should put her right there.
Forestier...Pletcher trainee also had a nice first-out win. Also should be tough with any move forward.
Fast Laner...4-2-1-1 so far. Experience counts.
Saltster.

Puzzlement 5-2
Bowman's Band 2-1
Stockholder 2-1
Note: Gander ran 4th completing the $84.40/$2 super.

Wager: $5 WP on Bowman's Band.
Collected $8.50 on the WP (xxx, 3.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $10.60 on the ex box ($21.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $27.80 on the tri box.

Bowman's Band...Likes the track, loves the trip and put together a solid fall campaign for Jerkens.
Gander...Newly turned 8YO is 13-7-2-2 at 8.5 furlongs. Comes out of a just-miss effort in G3 at Aqueduct.
Puzzlement...Might rate higher but come-from-behind style isn't particularly suited to this strip.
Stockholder.

Cajun Beat 4-5
Gygistar 2-1
Deer Lake 10-1
Note: Voodoo ran 4th completing the $53.80/$2 super.

Wager: $5 W on Cajun Beat.
Collected $9.00 on the W ($3.60).
...$4 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.

Cajun Beat...Always iffy playing a runner coming out of a Breeders' Cup win but this guy has had over two months to recuperate and has been training well at Palm Meadows.
Deer Lake...Beyers were kind of light for last two at Churchill -- but we'll assume that was the strip... And besides,, he won both of those!Let's look for him to be competitive with return to Gulfstream where he's won two of three.
Voodoo...Brilliant when he wants to be. Let's hope this is one of those days.
Gygistar.

Delmonico Cat 9-2
Coney Kitty 5-1
Madeira Mist 3-1
Delta Princess scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Something Ventured.
Ran 5th at 2-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-5.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 2-3-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-3-5.

Something Ventured...Kind of a concern that she hasn't won in last six -- but is always in the hunt and just missed last time. 2-2 at Gulfstream.
Madiera Mist...Threw in a little bit of a clunker two back but otherwise was very competitive in 2003 campaign.
Coney Kitty...Seemed to put things together this fall and should be rolling late.
Delta Princess.

Movant 3-2
Sister Swank 3-2
Turn to Lass 7-2
Steady Course scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Sister Swank.
Collected $6.00 on the WP (xxx, 2.40).
...$3 exacta box top two.
Scratched.
...$1 tri key Sister Swank over next three.
Ran 2/1-3.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $19.00 on the tri box ($38.00/$2).

Sister Swank...Asmussen filly seems to be rounding to form nicely after three starts. Should go well in stakes debut.
Steady Course...Put together a nice string of races in NY and KY. Finally broke maiden last time and looks ready to go on.
Turn to Lass...Experience counts and this filly already has two nice stakes races under belt.
Movant.

Skate Away 9-1
Warleigh 6-5
Great Bloom 7-1
Classic Par scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on Warleigh.
Collected $8.00 on the WP (xxx, 3.20).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $34.00 on the ex box ($68.00/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-4.

Warleigh...Has gone well racing on the front-end in three tries for Asmussen. Should be leading them as far as he can go -- and it might well be all the way.
Freefourinternet...Graded stakes performer should do well in this company.
Skate Away...Likes the track and the trip and will appreciate the return to turf.
Classic Par.

Star Cross 8-1
Nose The Trade 7-2
Olmodavor 3-2

Wager: $5 WP on Olmodavor.
Ran 3rd.
...$5 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-3.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-5.

Olmodavor...Nice win in the G3 Native Diver last time. Should be set for another good effort in third start off of layoff.
Nose The Trade...Frankel trainee was just behind top pick in latest.
Total Impact...Might have needed last. Likes the Santa Anita surface.
Gift of the Eagle.

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