Get A Hunch, Bet A Bunch
November dawns and we’re still searching for the old value play, waiting for the big hit at Playfair.
It hasn’t come.
Some of Spokane’s top local trainers, overdue to start scoring with regularity, have noticed.
One put it to me this way Sunday night over prime rib.
You stink.
Hey, we’ve still got half a season left. I’ll get ready for it this weekend by checking out the racebooks in Las Vegas. At least there, I won’t be the only big loser.
Tonight’s card marks the debut of Millennium Stables, the lucky group of local Playfair patrons whose names were drawn on opening weekend to share ownership of a race horse.
Track officials were a little late setting it up, but the horse they came up with - Nanabonanafefifana - seems worth the wait.
The 4-year-old gelding from Rex Keeton’s barn has scored twice at this meeting, and has an outside shot to make it three wins in tonight’s second race.
The new owners share in any winnings the horse generates to the end of the meeting. Tonight, I think Clear Knight, with its speed on the rail and and leading rider Lorenzo Lopez up, will be too much for him.
Looking ahead, Playfair is part of racing’s premier event, Saturday’s Breeders Cup. Eight championship races from Churchill Downs and six local races are on the card. Watch for the rare late-morning start.
Tonight’s flings:
SECOND: $10 win, $15 to place on CLEAR KNIGHT. $2 exacta box CLEAR KNIGHT with COUNT ON HANSEL. $1 trifecta wheel those two for first and second to ALL for third. $1 pick 3: Those two with PRADO’S COUNTESS, PEACH’S ADVENTURE and SKIPHOFF in the third with EASTBOUNDROCKET in the fourth.
THIRD: $2 exacta box PRADO’S COUNTESS, PEACH’S ADVENTURE and SKIPHOFF. $2 trifecta wheel same three.
FOURTH: $5 across on PROMISE KEEPER. $1 trifecta wheel PROMISE KEEPER and COLD WIN to same two for second to ALL for third.
SEVENTH: $10 to win, $25 to place on REALLY ORR NOT.
Last time out (Sunday): Lost $94.
Bottom line: Down $991.10 for the meet.