I believe in giving credit where credit is due.

Congratulations to Irad Ortiz and his agent for consistent success. I'm wondering if brother Jose is now using the same agent?

Cudos to the TAP/Repole Team for the entire day's efforts. I especially liked taking down the $52,250 winner's share of the $100k claimer in the third race as well as getting the horse (ouchy with a ??? future) claimed.

In the 4th race, correcting PINPOINT's inability to get started in his first race was apparent as that trainee burst from the starting gate and never looked back. No telling how good this one will be, but I like the sire's (NOT THIS TIME) profile for age and distance improvements. By the way, I would have missed this one had TAP's other entry in the race not been scratched.

In the 5th, LIFE'S CHANGING was apparently no surprise even before the TAP buzz got started. This filly impressed and clocked a good time. Notice the winners were not all due to Irad; they ran for whoever climbed aboard.

In the 7th, TAP proved he could win for owners other than Repole by sending out SASSMASTER with Prat up this time to beat older campaigners. Way to go, TG, for the analysis touts in both the 6th and 7th races.

In the 8th, Mark Casse and Jose Ortiz continued their winning ways with HEAT MISSILE (from down under) for which TG had no data but noted trainer Casse was running hot.

By now TAP's star was shining bright, and if you couldn't see it you'd probably heard about it. The day's feature race was the Jim Dandy Stakes, a prep for the Travers. A few high-profile entries, which could be considered a two-horse affair between COMMANDMENT (Prat) and RENEGADE (Irad) based on publicity but not speed ratings. TG picked the 10/1 SILENT TACTIC (Casse) as an obvious pick to many. But the race played out with what I thought of as drama and questions. CHIP HONCHO gets the lead and the inside path (how good is he really? thoughts popped up), COMMANDMENT hits the gate but gets position early before going all over the place later in the race. Meanwhile, RENEGADE drops so far back; thoughts of Is he OK? What's Irad doin? Pop up. In the end, RENEGADE wins late in what many (including TAP) call a terrific ride while COMMANDMENT kind of staggered home second. I find it visually obvious when COX trainees are right vs not right. Seems to me the zero affected him, and more R&R is needed. His going in The Travers seems iffy to me; maybe c/b more than 1+1/8 isn't his advantage. Blah Blah. Sorry. CHIEF HONCHO tires badly and SILENT TACTIC probably pairs his top when a new one was needed.

All in all, I think 8/1/2026 was a good day for racing. Congrats to all who contributed to that. Owners, Trainers, Jockeys, Media, and support personnel.

The Biggest thanks to TG for their continued excellence in all phases!

My apologies for a lack of editing; just trying to get my thoughts down before I forget them. You other seniors out there can probably relate.