That's a nice story. Somewhat humiliating, and a warning that I should make an appointment with my optometrist soon, but a nice story anyway. I managed to lose money on Saturday; not a lot (and I'm a minnow anyway), but I lost.

Been playing sporadically, and poorly, over the last couple of months. Things have been crazy at work, crazy at home, I got bronchitis a couple of weeks ago...THESE factors seems to affect my bottom line as much as whatever numbers I'm using. I first bought TG for last year's Breeder's Cup and have used them here and there since; I like the numbers, but then, they're only as good as the person using them, and right now, I guess I'm not so good.

Anyway, I played the P4, singled on Smarty Jones, thinking that enough people would try to beat him to make the wager the best way to play him (was still surprised the thing paid $1500). Had Mr. O and Gators and Bears in there as well (used three in the turf race and four in the G&B race), but missed the Zito piece in the front leg despite using three there. I liked Tap Dancer in that one; don't have the sheets in front of me but if memory serves he paired up 6's off the layoff and my admittedly limited understanding of these numbers led me to believe he'd move forward off the pair-up. My buddy talked me into using the Prado horse, even though in my gut I knew this was a tough spot for the horse to be making his two-turn debut, and I used the #6 horse as well, taking a chance at a big price that he might make another forward move. And so much for that.

In the meantime I made a last second bet on Literacy in a Belmont turf race and though she got clear in upper stretch she got tagged by the fave late. I got up to bet B.A. Way in another Belmont grass event, but sat back down and watched it win at about $12.00. By the time the Dixie came around my confidence was out with the tide and I scaled back the bet enough to ensure that the profit on the race wouldn't be enough to get me out for the day, unless I skipped the Preakness...and who's gonna skip the Preakness, that's un-American! Played Smarty over Borrego in an exacta and backed it up small, and went home. That was a smart play...and a great way to end another losing day.

On the bright side, my son is only five years old, and I don't have to worry about participating in "buy yor kid some Thorograph sheets" day for a few years. Plenty of time to clear my head between now and then....