A group of about two dozen including a handful of new faces were on hand for TGJB's 2016 Spa debut.This was probably the best turnout we've had since being moved off the BBQ deck. There is a rumor that the weekend seminar's may be moving to Siro's where Jerry & Alan will be required to wear Harvey Pack's line of red sport coats or did Harvey wear the same one for 20 years?

There were no opinions on the first two maiden races although several T-generates could not resist the allure of the day's version of the worlds fastest horse in Brooklyn Bobby by investing in the pick 5 with a single. The olde race track and mariner line of from Maine to Spain could never have been more true. Mjellish who lives in Minnesota messaged me to discuss a horse with an introduction of its not the one in the first race who six different people have touted me on!

Race 3 JB liked the 4,7,9

Race 4 The 3,6,7 was given out cold for a $21 exacta and $71 triple

Race 5 The 2 Chads 1,2 and 6,7 were the plays with a strong opinion on the Michael Stidhman 6 horse who ran dead last. This was the 8th starter for Stidham at the meet, half of them looked very good on paper, half of them have been bet to some degree and not one has run a step. The Chad selections were put forth with the obvious "everything Chad Brown runs at this meet will run a new top." If you've noticed the close one's he has also won every photo and bob to date.

Race 6 Pass

Race 7 Shinning Copper from the rail was the most likely winner the 2 was the exacta filler. The real opinion in the race was on the scratched March.

The Test: Paola Queen was everyone's best bet of the day and the first time in 44 years of attending Saratoga that I've ever seen a trainer in Grade 1 not wear a sport coat in the winners circle. Note to Gustavo you're not at Gulfsteam on a Thursday afternoon.
Kareena was given out as the most likely winner until JJ and Jose Ortiz ran eyeball to eyeball in what might be the fastest 1/2 mile in Saratoga's 148 year history. Lightstream and Lewis Bay were the exacta fillers. Paola's picking up the pieces run crushed some very nice pick 3 and 4 plays for many with Lightstream.

The Waya: More Chad, more tops the 1,7 were the exacta choices.

The Whitney: No Opinion
An impressive run by Frosted probably in the 3- range per JB after the race pending speedway breakdown.

The De La Rose: The first 4 were nailed with the 1,4 given as most likely winners

What a surprise NYRA announced an attendance figure of 39,405 and per Steve Byk's and my assessments they were close as it was very crowded and probably 38,000 of their count were actually there. A very disappointing handle of just over 22 million, less than last Saturday and down significantly from last years Whitney Day but you won't see that in a NYRA press release now will you? Four maiden races in the first 6 could not have helped the churn.

The slow bleeding continues for most, not many in the black for this meet so far.
A fun social couple of days at the seminar and in the back yard. Jerry's friend Pat was up for the weekend as well as a special TG house guest named Christian Hellmers who was treated to 2 days of Uncle Bill stories before being rescued!
Yearly regulars Steve and David were up all week, Rezlegal, Mooseplam fresh off his stellar TG open performance, topcat, magicnight, mathcapper, Steve Byk, trackjohn who will get the quote of the week on Tuesday.

A vet scratch of the ML favorite Sean in the TG open due to emergency gall bladder surgery. Per JB who could not get ahold of him until yesterday he is doing well and a public work out will be required before he is allowed in the back yard.
Get well soon.

Good luck,

Frank D.