Been there, still haven't done that, but at least I'm making progress. If Jean-Luc gives 17-1 Lutay Lay one of the worst rides in history in Aqu4, instead of the worst ride in history, & doesn't lose 2nd by a neck, or if 5-1 Rich Fantasy, the shortest price I took in the contest, wins the head-bob in OP9, or if... A list of the ways I could have come out on top is pretty long, but I had one heck of a ride & an even better time. And at least I remembered to bet all of the mandatory races. The air traffic controller who edged me out of second by a dollar forgot about one.

They announced at the Awards Dinner that the top prize next yr will probably be increased to $500k, but what I was really hoping to hear was that more than the winner would get an automatic bid to next yr's event. This has to be the only contest in the world that's harder to get into than it is to win. This yr only 62 from last yr made it, including the ever dangerous Jamie, who I was more concerned about when he had that 45-1 cap horse on Sat than I was about the very classy gal who was still leading going into the very last race of the day. Enjoyed it as always Jamie.

One of the guys who didn't make it this yr was The Maven, which left him available for the telecast, which I'm pretty sure will be vastly superior to last yr.

The MC at the Awards Dinner made a crack or two that may have left the impression that I'm obsessed with winning an Eclipse Award. I can't for the life of me figure out where that came from, unless maybe he overheard Ira Schwartz & I in the bar mapping out a contest schedule for 2006 if the 17-1 shot which won the last wasn't enough to win me the big prize.

Anyway, thanks for the complimentary sheets, thanks to everyone for encouragement & kind words, & thanks especially to the guys who worked so hard to support & help me before & during the contest.