They don't all pay monster prices

Here are two recent 'move' winners that paid small boxcars.  They win, too. Nuff said.

Best laid plans...nope!

You don't always have to win to decide that your game is still intact. In the midst of miserable day at the races, I was faced with solving the nondescript 9th at Aqueduct.  Big Creek was an obvious move.  But, even with the change to 'Blinkers On' seemed incapable of winning the
 1 1/6 turf event.  

Parachute Chutney appeared an automatic winner, Balance the Budget  a logical second choice. Seeking 'move' clarity, I continued to investigate. Then I noticed super-longhot Jackin my Style was entered for the fourth time this month by Trainer Randi Persuad--as an uncoupled entry mate for 'Creek.'

The strategy became clear.  Style would push the lead, attempting to set up Big Creek.  That's what happened.  Big Creek came flying down the lane to run third at 17-1.  Horse could have run second had app Lezcano not gotten off to a slow start.

Small profit, observation skills intact.  

Slow down after a banner day

I'm only human, so I have to resist natural urges.

After ' big' winning days, experience has taught me  to reduce my involvement at the track.  I have to.  Otherwise,  I find myself giving the ducats back too quickly. 

There is nothing more frustrating, for me,  than realizing I wasted a fortune today merely because I won, yesterday.

Let's say I've had a $1000 profit day.   The most I will wager, totally the next day is $200.  Additionally, my selection process is more stringent and my betting strategy changes.  Lots more straight bets; and few exotics.  I can't tell you how often I used to have to pry my foot out of a place it didn't belong.  Slow and safe. 

It's easier to do if the slow day is a Sunday, traditionally the worst race card day of the week.

Garcia proves the right app for close win

NYRA apprentice Wilmer Garcia has proven his value as a long-shot rider to several move trainers.  His ride on Mr. Rosenthal ('move' trainer Greg DiPalma) is a remarkable example.  

After leading wire to wire, much of the time hounded by the second 'move' horse in the race, Garcia somehow got the nag's head down to just defeat fast closing Sleepy Freud.

Monster payoffs on win, place, show and exacta wagers made the remainder of the card--a spectator's day for me.  How relaxing.

I now give a second-look to anything Mr. Garcia rides. Note: Three-of-five posts have involved the 'prolific' apprentice.

FYI: Later in the day, movers Abilio and Alcolite finished second at healthy prices.

The Power of 'All'

Sometimes, wagering is an easy game.

I  don't make many pick-3 wagers.  But, as far as I was concerned, today there were two singles in legs one and two beginning  in the fourth race at Aqueduct. 

As usual, it all started with 'the Monster Move." Ruthless Alley in the fourth was my only possible play--a mover, best turf figure, etc.  The horse won by a nose-hair.  

'Mover' Ruthless got the ball rolling

Readers of this blog are familiar with my raves about trainer Mike Hushion--almost, always--an automatic bet, for me. His horse, PJ's Magical Wink repeated its huge previous performance.  After Wink's win, i was guaranteed a minimum return of $239--with a Hushion fav in race 6.  

Turns out, no one was beating the $38 winner. Thank goodness for the 'all button.' 

The $12 bet returned $1435. 

  

Brush Creek Honey wanted the win

Rider Suarez on  'mover' Brush Creek Honey  in the fifth race at Parx, was so convinced of a win that he  rolled the Stewards' dice. 'Brush' finished second at 22-1 to an odds-on that drifted four lanes in the stretch. I guess Suarez figured 'why not?'  As much as I would have relished a win payoff, the claim was obviously fictional-- and not allowed.  Guess the barn placed a win wager. 

I was quite satisfied collecting balloons for place and show and a healthy exacta.  A well-meant effort.  Somebody knew.

You 'gotta believe

Ever go to a doctor for an annoying ailment that immediately disappears when you are admitted into the examining room?

In the process of reworking my website to promote the second edition of the Monster Move Method, my recent wagering adventures had been completely without success. 

Why now? Had I less documented evidence of the system's value, I would have begun to doubt the offering .  No chance of that. Maybe, I wasn't  doing the work, or paying enough attention.  I poured over results and running lines--slim pickings. The few movers I identified never lifted a hoof.

But faith is a wonderful thing.  The slump came to an end, today, at Churchill Downs, when a 92-1 selection ran second for a $56 place, $18 show payoff.  

And, then there was Discreet Lady in the 9th at Aqueduct. Granted, NYRA tracks are difficult to score with the move.  But as I read the horse's running lines, the evidence became overwhelming.  'Lady'  is trained by the distinguished John Kimmel  who sports a 25% win rate; was dropping to an all-time low in class; had disputed a remarkably fast pace in her most recent race--and qualified with 'move.'   Seemed like 'a wheel' to me.

I hit the 'all' button with Discreet Lady in  the final daily double.  Then, I played an additional  double with the eventual winner of the eighth  race.  And, naturally, a small across-the-board wager. Headed in late stretch, after a race-long pitched duel, Discreet Lady buckled down to win by a lip, paying $48 and completing a--twice as nice--$349 double. (Note the place and show prices).

Excellent ride, Mr. Garcia!

Back with a bang!

Turns out this is the perfect day to return to posting information about my horse playing experiences. 

I started the wagering day in a funk. First of all, my Monster Move method is inconsistent at NYRA tracks.  Then, it  is particularly unreliable with two-year-old races--of which there were nine (Yep, a full card).  With little hope, and lots of caution, I decided to examine the races, anyway. 

In early races, I spotted two moves at monstrous odds who were worth $2 across the board bets, if only to fight the boredom. They ran up the track. Finally, in the seventh race I saw my 'rescue' horse.  It was an automatic bet--because of trainer Mike Hushion. I have extolled the virtues of this marvelous trainer on my handicapping blog (9.25/10).  He is the only trainer I bet blind; that's right without question.  The prices are always generous and win or lose the horses always compete. Additionally, Horsin' Around showed some semblance of 'the move.

Seeking a score, I back-wheeled the horse in doubles.  Then, singled with the odds-on Todd Fletcher horse in the first part of the pick-3.  The third-leg, I reached for the all button.  Total wager: $30.  Hit $45 dd and like magic, a pick-3 payoff of  $332.

And that's not even the good part. 

Admittedly, only an advanced move player could have even bet one dime on Lightning Stone in the final race.  But, after all, that is what I am.  The horse won by a block. Out of respect for the system my across the board bet was $5.  Return?  $190. Satisfying and profitable day.  The move is a monster!!

(It occurred to me later that I actually selected the $7000 pick-four. I am not a multi-bet player. No spilt milk.)