Shout Out to Shanahan for hosting a Mizzou Frat Party for FOY! He organized a dinner at Matteo's Friday evening, organized the Flamingo table at Gulfstream yesterday, and even nailed a table on the glass at the finish line. While I wasn't part of the Mizzou frat life in the 1970s, we all got along well with his pals singing Frank Sinatra at Matteo's after stealing the mic, trying to commandeer the DJ table at Gulfstream, hitting the Gulfstream slots hard, chasing the Gulfstream analyst for a photo he reported, and on and on LOLOL. What a blast with your guys! You guys were at Mizzou before I was born but still party like rock stars at your age. Very impressive.

Shout out to Johnny M who had a spot in the Tiki Bar area like always. I spent the first few races in the paddock as I did all day Thursday and Friday. I enjoy it out there, I really do. Those first few races in the paddock were with a Fairmount friend who lives on the west side of FLA in the winter now. Then, most of the day after that I handicapped and gambled in the Flamingo Room with 3 trips outside to check in with Johnny M, who was gracious enough to let me sit at his table coming and going at my leisure to the chagrin of his friends. FOY, I was in the paddock until horses exited and watched the race out near the starting gate/finish line.

Not a profitable day on the gambling end due to some mistakes on my end. If Chief Wallabee wins, it was a winning three days. Without it, I had a loss on the weekend. I wasted some good information, some good handicapping, and some inside information. Side Note: Brad Cox has four wins at Oaklawn this meet. None of them in stakes race through 6 races today with 2 still to make me look bad. I guess Brad went to Florida for a presence starting last year b/c of the purses there instead of Oaklawn (Checks notes . . . wait a second). Maybe he went for the sunshine (He didn't look very tan in the paddock). Maybe he prefers where the ownership of Gulfstream is taking horse racing more so than the owners of Oaklawn and wants to support Belinda's program (checks notes. . . wait a second)

Whatever the reason, he won the Fla Derby last year and the Fountain of Youth this year among other stakes races with several wins along the way. Phil Bauer must have wanted that Florida sunshine also I've noticed.

Suffice it to say, my Thursday sizeable finale double to the 4 horse at 12-1 that makes for a winning weekend right off the bat was nailed from far back by Cox-Irad with the favorite. A closer who took them all down including the 4 on a speed biased turf course. On Saturday evening, my late pick 3 to make for a still very profitable ROI on the three days was right there at TOS (Chief Wallabee) on 1x2x1 structured p3 only to be nailed by the Cox magic being best again. Brad is just a good trainer. Irad in the irons. What's with that gallopout for those that have or haven't seen it. (check it out)

Spent some time Friday morning with trainer Jose Pinchin watching horses work. What a terrific man. Meanwhile, his colleague Ron Spatz is whatever the opposite of that would be! I'm amazed at the lack of social skills among people who have clients to satisfy across a multitude of fields. Pinchin was so kind to me and forthcoming with learning all about his ideas on training and horse racing. He had some interesting takes on the current state of affairs at Gulfstream and its future. For here, I'll just say he wasn't as negative about racing ending there as quickly as he thought last year.

Made it to the beach twice on my morning runs and saw that Sat morning sun rise from the darkness to high in the sky above the horizon clouds.

I look forward to the FOY again next year! And hope Gulfstream is running longer than is currently predicted by most out there. Derby season '26 is officially upon us from my perspective.

Last, I heard a barn tip for those that see this in time. In the finale today, I'm told Just In Touch is well thought of by the folks involved. Good Luck if you swing!