Riding the jocks to success

For the first two weeks of a meet, I spend more time watching than wagering. My goal is to identify who among the new jocks have more riding skill than the public immediately recognizes. There is always at least one. And, he or she is often the key to excellent profits.

The most celebrated of this season's new crop at NYRA, is David Cohen. He has been immediately embraced by the more prolific training operations and is listed near the top of leading riders..

But don't sleep Angel Serpa and Anna Naprovnik. I give a second look to any horse they ride. It has already been key to major winning wagers. Simply the fact, that either of this talented duo is aboard, is enough.

Conversely, no matter how hot Tony Dutrow is out of town, when he legs up NYRA's worst rider on a horse (you know who you are), I immediately throw the nag out. And, rightly so.

$500 'monster' exacta on Big A IDT

Two Monster-movers in the second race on Aqueduct's inner-dirt-track finished first and second to return a humongous $514 in the exacta. Move trainer Ubilo Rodrigo hoisted apprentice Jackie Davis aboard winner Northern Warrior to pay $71.5. $19. $8.6. An unusually inept Eddie Castro, aboard 11-1 Landlash, could have won but finished second. Borderline mover My Lucky Way finished third to complete a $6,458 trifecta. What's up, Eddie?

Paying the price for success

Handicapping horses is a tough task. There's always a trade-off for success. I am now paying the price for my in-depth study of the monster move. I spent so much time proving that the system works (it still does) that I have lost my successful approaches to other potential winners. Back to square one on them. You can't begin to imagine my frustration.

The only benefit is that I dislike Big A racing in the fall. So, its been relatively easy to suspend betting activities there. But my success at Churchill has also suffered. I have slowed all wagering to a crawl.

I am, however, continuing to refine the move strategy. Recent winners include Pollard Babe $62 and On the Beat., $35.2.

Never fear. As is typical with this 'game' I'll be back. No doubt.!

Breaking the silence, finally

If silence is golden then this site has been a veritable Fort Knox of blogs. As is typical for this Belmont-Aqueduct transition time of year, I am doing a lot of thinking and re-thinking about the handicapping game.

My objective is to develop one standard approach to the game, that serves me well during highs and lows. A fantasy? Perhaps. But I am armed with a few proven strategies that have documented success (including the monster move). Stay tuned, I'll be back soon.

Move lives East and West

Well no doubt I am back at the track. Capped off the day hitting the final pick three at Belmont Park (for a buck). Then tested the move waters at Santa Anita where 85-1 Sombre gave 3-5 shot all she could handle before yielding in the final yards. Surprisingly, Sombre paid $41 to place. Naturally had the $55 exacta.

The move, apparently, works West coast, too!.

Back to work; Serling joke, move winner

After a much-needed and relaxing two week vacation in Columbia and Aruba (where I only wager at the Aruba Holiday Inn Race Book), I return to New York to find Andy Serling has become a comedian.

Granted he was extolling the few virtues of long-shot Judge's Pride in Belmont's 9th race when he said there was a positive jockey switch to Rudy Rodriguez. "A positive switch to Rodriguez?" Am I being punked? The jock's 2009 record of 19-for-330-is an improvement. But have you ever seen this guy ride?

That I immediately dismiss the chances of any horse this jock is on hasn't cost me one red-cent. And, never will.

Superb jockey John Velasquez on He Ain't Easy ($33), patiently sat behind two other battling movers to score the first successful system winner since my return. He capped a nice $117, pick-three.

Move ins and wins at Belmont

Movers won both ends of the first double on the second day of the Belmont Park fall meet. Laysh Laysh Laysh ($10) connected with Lion's Lair ($17.4) for a double pay out of $75. Automatic win and place bets on both.

In an effort to tighten my wagering, it is the only double I played. Welcome back to Belmont.
I will be on sabbatical for the next two weeks. Nice way to come in--go out.

Not smug; Convinced!

As the Saratoga meet comes to an end, it's difficult not to be smug about the success of the Monster Move system. Day in and out , I watch the experts (Much respect for them.) analyze each race at whatever track--giving detailed reasons for this or that selection. Inevitably, they overlook horses like Moontune Missy ($36), Inca King ($14.80), Belle of Camden ($39.60) and today's Dean Henry ($19), as even contenders. And, every day, I profit from their misunderstanding of a simple running line.
During August, the longest drought between such winners has been two days.

I am, by no means, a pro. I still haven't mastered the finite points of the system. Yet, I wouldn't trade it for the world. If there is one secret to long-shots winners at the track, I've got to believe this is it. I am, truly, blessed!

20/20 Hindsight

Ah, what could have been. Two of the early pick-four winners at Saratoga (Mel's Gold, $21.4; and Straight Romance, $32.4) were Monster Movers. Congrats to Andy Serling for picking the latter ("Welcome to the party, pal!"). Third race winner was one of only two previous starters and trained by Steve Asmussen--Shaun up! The 'all' button would have sufficed for the long shot winner in the six-horse steeplechase race. Pick-four payout: $$78, 316, roughly half of the pool.

This is not an exotic that I, typically, bet. And, I never play steeples. Might have to reconsider. Whew!

Stewards' blind eyes, surprising

I know it's a thankless job. But, much of this country is out of work and would gladly accept. Why is it, then, that NYRA stewards had to wait for an objection, by jock Sebastian Morales, to review such an obvious foul in the last race at Saratoga? Pink Tights was making, what might have been, a winning move. Not one of them saw her get slammed? Can't imagine who or what were they watching.

Couldn' t be that they were in a hurry to finish the day. Let's hope not!

Option, Brother Nick ($19) Keep it 'Moving"

The streak continues, thanks to the two movers mentioned above. Compensated for low odds on Option via multiple exotics. Additional across bets on Nick, make it a winning day. Scary! No try from mover 'Book' in race 4.

Taking stock of success

Nothing lasts forever. Thanks to the system, I am currently enjoying my most profitable period, ever. My overall handicapping has improved to the point where I am making ingenious decisions, seeing trainer strategies clear as a bell--and wagering 'brilliantly.' This is Heaven.

Realistically, it can't continue. For my own sanity, I am accepting that, today--in writing! In guarded optimistic terms this simply means slow down. By bridling my nature, I won't take this success for granted.

Three of the last four days I have had to follow my own rule about limiting wagering after a big-score day. My newest rule 'NO' (no opinion) has served well. I will be a winner at Saratoga for the first time in 12 years. Overall, I plan to be more selective. Slow doesn't mean stop.

Never fear. I still have the Monster Move.

Jockey ups and downs

It's time to adjust my ratings for jockeys riding at Saratoga and Monmouth.
Can't call this an upgrade; merely a welcome back for Norberto Arroyo, who has developed into one of the most successful riders in the country--long-shot or not. (See Prince Dubai $56, in race 7 at Saratoga). Your recognition is coming!

Upgrades; Jose Lezcano has shown he can ride with the best of them. After recent performances, I will now consider Jean Luc Samyn in sprint races. Solid performances by Sebastian Morales. Jose Vega, at Delaware, is sneaky good. Long-shot trainers are using him.

Suspect: Edgar Prado has been slow to score at Saratoga. What's happened to Mike Luzzi? Former fav Jose Espinoza needs to find his timing. He's lost too many close ones. (Of course, after I wrote this he wins with a meaningful ride, aboard 13-1 Sky Fever for trainer Juan Ortiz. I knew you could do it Jose! Congrats)

Auto-Mott-ic Whisked Away pays $22.8

Ditto! See earlier post dated August 3rd. Nuff said.

Mover, 9th Client, seals $22,000 pick-three

Wayne Lukas' monster mover, Ninth Client, paid $18.8 in Saratoga's eighth race to complete a $22,000 pick-three for $1. He was a single. Naturally, across the board wagers and key in the following $110 double. Great ride Mr. Maragh. THANKS!
Ha, cha, cha!

Near Bush-whack, then nostril loss at Saratoga

Trainer Thomas Bush and jock Cornelio Velasquez nearly pulled off the coup of the 2009 Saratoga meet, when monster mover High Cry rallied on the rail (brilliant ride) mid-stretch to miss winning the sixth race at odds of 33-1. Exclusive Scheme ran her down just before the wire.

The all-important 'move' running line lead to further review of High Cry's record which showed that her best turf performances were at Saratoga. The odds were a gift.

Ah, what could have been! No real tears, though. Cry paid $30 to place, $12 to show. We made out just fine. Next time, guys!

Update: Eibar Coa broke my heart, again in the next race with Gold Vendetta's nostril win over mover Bestowed at 7-1. No faults, here. Just two excellent rides. You can''t win them all.

Mott Strikes Again at 6-1

Few things in this game of horse racing are automatic. Mott on turf, especially off of a move win, comes pretty close. This is particularly true at Saratoga. I am always befuddled--and amused-- by the generous prices his runners pay. Today, it was Strike Again at 6-1. How does a gimmee like Quality Road match up with Strike for a $34 daily double? None of the public or TV handicappers even mentioned the colt. Guess we're not playing the same game.

An 'Affair' to remember

"…and Our Royal Affair takes the lead from Nikkosi Reign and draws off to win it and at 14-1," with apologies to Larry Collmus, Monmouth Park track announcer. Another satisfying victory for the monster move system. This is getting to be a habit.

Also, NYRA owes me the price of $5 win bet on 10-1 Sugar Trade, as it's machines went down as I was making the bet. Granted, I would have missed the exacta (sic). Mott mover Bird Run qualified completely, save the odds. Won, easily, at 8-5.

$93 'Buck' completes monster payoff dance

There simply are no words to describe the feeling: the overwhelming exuberance of watching the wire approach as 46-1 Dance for a Buck battles back against 1-9 Nicole's Song after leading the whole 1.70 mile at Delaware. The win is so much more satisfying because it completes a double with monster mover Debbie's A Trip ($16.6) in the first; validates an additional win and place bet on Buck; pays off a $185 exacta with the 1-9 favorite--and guarantees a pick three win with all in the third.

I've said before 'connecting movers race to race are deadly.' Thank you trainer Thom Walsh, jockey J Vega. Apologies to Armando for my excessive celebration.

All of this from recognizing, understanding and respecting a simple running line before the first race was run. This kind of return on a $35 wager. In fact, Buck's running line could have been overlooked by a lesser move zealot. But it had to be respected.

Sometimes I know how Columbus felt living with the flat-worlders,

Monster hits build Saratoga bank

Since my losing visit to Belmont on Thursday, the race gods have been lining up in my favor. Monster movers, everywhere..

Friday:
• At Monmouth, Dance for Joy by open lengths at paltry 5-1 setting off a $116 early double.
• At Belmont: Benlayla, and Insightful connected for a $77 first double and set up the win for the $701 pick three.

Saturday:
• At Belmont: Beneath the Crown (off a completed move) paid $17.4 with a repeat win, then coupled with mover 9-1 Japengo for a healthy $176 double. Across the boards on both, naturally. (Fregata at 21-1 just missed by a head to complete an enormous monster-move exacta.) Singled Japengo in the following pick three, which came back $284

In the eighth mover Misslinglisalewis ran a good second to odds on at 15-1.

•At Monmouth: Becky's Exchange with strong rally paid $22.4

My Saratoga bankroll is set.

'Contender' that should have been placer at 60-1

One of my main considerations when it comes to qualifying the validity of a Monster mover is the jockey. Who is going to ride can make all the difference between success and failure.

With that in mind, today, I made a relatively small wager on Dear Contender at 60-1 in the fourth race at Belmont. Despite the long odds, the mare qualified on all the important criteria. The new 7 furlong turf distance figured to fit Dear Contender perfectly--except. My enthusiasm for the nag was tempered by an overall impression about jockey Raymond Fuentes. He hasn't exactly set the world on fire since joining he New York riding colony.

Automatically, I exacta boxed the horse with favored Mne or Who's.

Halfway through the race, I nearly broke my companion's arm once I saw the mare make the necessary move on the stretch turn. The favorite had the race won. I was sure to finish second. Then, there was the slightest hesitation, followed by a final lunge. Contender--and Fuentes--lost the place photo by the smallest lip. A $9 show price was little consolation. Even at small prices NYRA, the exacta would have come back nearly $300 or more. I won't even discuss the potential place price.

Geez. I cudda been a.....

Talk about a stranger in the race?! $97 to win

At some point I'm going to examine why I do better at the end of a racing day than the beginning. Heeding my own practice of taking it slow the day after a huge score, today, I was getting bored. Every contender I selected at Belmont and Monmouth was a wagering stand-out that won. No movers, no bets.

In desperation, I closely examined the final race at Belmont, looking for some clue to at least give me a jolt of excitement. It was a 7 furlong grass race. Again, the obvious horses, on paper, looked unbeatable. Both were 2-1.

Then, I noticed a stranger. Slick Wheelie showed no starts on turf, with three-rained-out attempts to do so. Importantly, he was being ridden by one of my top favorite jocks: Rajiv Maragh. What was going on?

Closer examination of the jock's success with respectable trainer Bruce Brown, showed the two score at 29% this year and a 19% rate in 2008. Additionally, Brown has a stellar rate with first timers on the turf, and dirt to turf starters. (This info is available in the Daily Racing Form pps). The evidence was mounting.

All in all, Maragh/ Brown deserved a stab. At 14-1, I bet $5 win and place. For good measure, I confidently wagered $10 to show--certain that the team would be trying.

Wheelie won, going away at a 47-1. I guess patience really is a virtue

Fire Marshal ignites 'monster' profits

My first major score, since adopting the no opinion strategy has paid off in spades. Move horse, Fire Marshal in the 5th at Belmont, today, paid $34.2, 12, 5.2. The horse completed a $1,189 pick three and a $210 double. Ha, cha, cha!

Autobetting strategy: Second favorites

For me, handicapping is an ever-evolving journey. In an effort to maintain consistency, I am constantly fine-tuning small pieces of the process. It's no secret that my main approach involves mastering the Monster Move. Yet, when those running lines don't show up for days at a time, I've had to develop an automatic strategy. Still testing, but it's simple and reduces wagering exposure when one doesn't have the time, energy or means to do more in-depth research.

Here it is, in a nutshell: Bet the second favorite

1-Bet one unit ($2) to win on the second favorite in the race.
2-Bet a $2 exacta box on the second and third faves in the race. That's it!

The cost per-race is $6. And, the returns are surprisingly satisfying for doing absolutely no handicapping. It's a nice addition to my, previously mentioned, 'no opinion (NO)' approach.

The reasoning is sound. Historically, 50% of the races are won by either the first or second betting favorite. Most favorites are significantly overbet. Second faves are often overlays.

Try it. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Just say NO!

One of the benefits of blogging about racing is the fact that I have to write things down. In turn, the notes I make help me analyze my strengths and, importantly, my weaknesses in the game.

Without doubt, wagering is a major weakness. Because of my devotion to the Monster Move, I am wise enough to make straight wagers. Imagine not cashing $22 place, $14 show.

But, in pursuit of the BIG SCORE, I am still making far too many exotic wagers. It's a basic rule of the system to box a mover with the favorite in exactas. Fine! Until, I have more distinct indicators isolating weaker and stronger movers, I am reducing the wheels, boxes and pick-whatevers.

Truth be told, in most of those wilder exotics I really don't have a strong opinion about the horses I am tying to my selections. Unknowingly, I have made wagering itself almost as important as the selection process. Where is it written that a player is supposed to have an opinion about every race on a card? No opinion is not a sin.

NO (no opinion) has just become a significant character to be added to my DRF markup.

Desormeaux wins 4 at Belmont

I only became a fan of jockey Kent Desormeaux once he hooked up with hall of fame trainer Bill Mott. Not that I had anything against the rider; merely no particular opinion. Overtime, I have learned to appreciate him as one of the best in the business.
He proved it, yesterday, at Belmont Park winning four of the 13-race Belmont Stakes card. Only Convocation in the 3rd was odds on.

Noticeably, Desormeaux displayed his skill against New York's best riders in the fourth on turf at 1 1/16 by lulling them all to sleep aboard Pennington (a move horse) walking through fractions of :26, :51 and 1:15.4 to win at a $23 mutuel.

And, of course, he guided 12-1 Summer Bird to victory in the featured Belmont Stakes. Helluva day, Mr. Desormeaux. Congrats!

Once a mover....

It's accepted that humans are creatures of habit. Does the same thng translate to the horses they train? Realistically, the move is a human creaion. It is designed to work a horse into shape, assure it is ready for the winner's circle photo–at a price well above it's chances.

Eldaafer is such a horse. I have caught trainer Diane Alvarado's move tactics on this horse at nearly 8-1 in April. She pulled it again at Belmont, yesterday, at a much better price. This time, El paid $36.2, 12.8, 5.4 and capped off a $233 daily double.

Even though I was having a less than spectacular day, to that point, I wheeled Eldaafer to every horse in the previous race. Just so happens that it connected to another mover Despite the Odds, $17.2 . So I had the double twice.

"Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out. Who was left?"

If something works, don't fix it!

Working sabbatical

There seem to be less hours in a day than there used to be. Another pressing family matter has caused me to suspend wagering activities--and therefore, frequent posts to this blog.

At the same time, I am working on a second edition of Monster Movers. This time I no longer feel the need to prove that the system works. i have done so in spades. My major initiative in this version is to explore the individual factors--class, pace, distance, etc.--that separate 'real' monsters from pretenders. What makes a trainer say go with the longshot?

Some trainer intentions have easily become obvious, but there is still work to be done. I can comfortably state that I have about 65% of the system mastered. There are, however, too many misleading indicators that aren't worth one cent of wagering. When I can rid myself of the false leads, I should be able to increase the size of my bets on--a lot--fewer races. Stay tuned

Castro combo conquers again--at 16-1

Don't say I didn't warn you. Trainer Rodrigo Ubilo and jock Eddie Castro are on a tear on the grass. Today at Belmont it was Kutais striding away in the stretch to easily beat a field of 12, at a more than generous, 16-1. If you read this blog, I recently touted the merits of following this combo. Not even a mention on NYRA's handicapping show. What are you looking at gents? The jock/trainer percentage is merely .38 with a return on investment of $10.05. Read your form.

Paco bats .1000 at Belmont on 5/6

There's a new sheriff in town. His name is Paco Lopez. After riding his first professional race, less than two years ago, the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice is now a successful journeyman and has moved his tack to New York.

On May 6, at Belmont Park, Lopez went 3-for-3 in the winner's circle.

If the ride he gave Drift King to beat odds on favorite in Belmont's the 3rd is any indication, Lopez is going to make his presence felt for a long time. Don't overlook him. It will cost you money.

Listening to my own advice

The last post on this space ranted about how--with trainers--jock popularity seemed more important than riding skills. it's unfair to the less favored with ability. My point was proven today, in spades and with dollars, as jockey Orlando Bocachica, overcame a stumbling start on Inside Zone to score at 18-1 over favorite Bulara on the Big A turf. What a ride.

The selection of Inside Zone was bolstered by my affinity for move trainer Patricia Farro, one of the sharpest in the game. Apparently she had no hesitation about jock Orlando. I already had Zone alive in the previous double (also as a pick-six single, by the way) and nearly hesitated to bet it across the board--because Boca is not a preferred jock with a high win percentage.

Then, I remembered my own counsel. I immediately doubled my straight wagers and wheeled the horse in the next double. Boom! Can't lose. My wagering day is done.

Thanks, Orlando!

Ride unpopular jocks to profits

Ramon Dominguez, top jock of the recent Big A meet is good; Yet no better than a handful of less respected riders on the NYRA circuit. The difference is that when those riders win their mounts pay more than they should. Dominguez is so overbet that it is difficult to make a profit on his winners.

As in most professions, a jockey's ability seems less important for success than his or her connections. The NY training poobahs have finally gotten wise to the extraordinary riding skills of jock Rajiv Maragh--so he's getting more mounts. They continue to ignore capable jocks like Eddie Castro, Victor Santiago, Victor Morales, Pablo Morales, and Anne Naprovinick. They are a longshot player's dream. I elevate the chances of any horse ridden by the previously mentioned riders. Castro, yesterday had two winners paying $51, and $18.

Perhaps the best evidence of a successful connection is the journey of jock Cornelio Velasquez. For months, he was quietly feeding my pocket with excellent rides at enormous prices. Then, trainer Bill Mott made him his go-to guy. The rest is history.

Ask former leading Suffolk jocks Winston Thompson and Orlando Bocachica about becoming small fish in a big pond. Did they really leave their skills in Boston?

Ditto in Big A 9th at 7-1

(see previous post) Rodrigo Ubilo and Eddie Castro (a monstrous 50% with a $6.50 roi) in the 9th race. This time at 7-1. Nuff, said!

Selective reading costs $

For obvious reasons, horse race handicappers are likened to weathermen. What other professions are there that can claim expertise at predicting a future that is all too often incorrect.

What puzzles me, is that the television touts, while encouraging followers to look at the new Daily Racing Formulator-stats, concentrate only on areas that appeal to their handicapping methods. Being a long-shot player, I can't afford to make these errors.

Today, for instance, in Aqueduct's 4th race, I made a nice $51 score on Wheels Up, a first time turf-starter (At this writing I have the horse covered with four others in the daily double). The 'experts' admitted that the race was filled with improbable contenders. Yet, none of them looked at the trainer jockey stats of Rodrigo Ubilo and Eddie Castro. (a monstrous 50% with a $6.50 roi). Granted, it was a stab. But it was a stab in a stab race. And, I hated the favorite. That's all I needed to at least make win and place bets (and, of course, the pending doubles).

Immediately after collecting on Wheels, I bet a $1 double wheel (with all, cost $10) on the fourth at Keeneland--another impossible 4 1/2 furlong event. And, although it wasn't easy, Kinsolving won the race at an 8-1 mutuel. Key to my wagering decision? The horse was trained by leading trainer Steve Asmussen, and ridden by his sidekick Shaun Bridgemohan. They are winning at a phenomenal clip. As mentioned here, months ago, Asmussen is killing them wherever he sends his stock. When do you get 8-1 on Asmussen?

Winners guaranteed. Now, all I've got to do is wait.

Read the form, folks!

ps: Second favorite won the next race giving me a $198 double and a $65 consolation for a scratched horse. Keeneland's up next. Can't lose!

Hachacha!

Jock Clocks Off

It's a popular concept that jocks have a clock in their head. The ability is used to 'guesstimate' the pace times during a race that will leave their nags enough energy for a solid finish.

From time to time, though, nobody turns their clocks on. Such was the case in Friday's sixth race at Aqueduct. It was a non-speedy event run at a mile in 1:42 by My Dinah, a horse who has trouble finding the winner's circle. The pace times tell the true story (25.2, 50.2, 115.1, 1:41.3)

Recognizing that the inner-dirt track has been favoring speed, apprentice Sheldon Russell sent Charming Mandate to the lead. That, in itself, should have been a clue to the other jocks riding in the race. On paper, three of them could have run a second quarter in the 47's. Mandate, at best, does 49. Yet, they waited...and, waited...and waited. Having loafed six furlongs in 1:15, Dinah had more than enough left to hold off Wyatt's Women (my 17-1 mover).

Kudos to jockey Victor Santiago for his belated attempt at the win. My guess is he could have won, easily, with an earlier move. But. we'll never know.

More BOOM for the buck$

You never get used to it. Although, you find yourself screaming the celebratory "BOOM" several times a week. The feeling is Indescribable; watching your long shot 'monster move' selection pull away in the stretch for a convincing victory at unbelievably generous odds. Especially, at the Big A (home of the 1-5 shot).

This time it was Kat's Mystery at 14-1 completing a $148 double and never really threatened by a the 3-2 favorite that rallied for second-money. Automatically, I bet the mover across the board, as well, for $32.6, 11.6, 6.2. But this was merely an appetizer.

Kat was the second leg of an early pick three ticket with four horses, including Future Prospect, my highest rated horse in race three Prospect wasn't a mover, but he went off at 8-1.

Masterful jockey Rajiv Maragh dragged every inch of heart out of the horse to complete a consecutive daily double at $295--and my $960 pick-three ticket.

ADDENDUM TO MARCH 19. The Es El You singled pick-three, came back $739.80! (mover Witch Doctor X, at 47-1, nearly won the race and would have guaranteed me a larger payoff since I had him connect wheeled. However, he was disaqualified from second-by a nose-and place fourth. Whew!)

Movers make a wheel to remember

After all the agonizing; when the re-reviews of the past performances is done for the sixth time; a horse player has only completed one-half of the handicapping equation. The second, and often, most important part of finding a decent selection is knowing how and when to bet it for maximum return.

Because move horses typically pay 9-1 and up, I choose to focus on straight betting. However, when the clues seem to indicate my mover is strong, I concentrate my win pool betting with a double-wheel. Move horses in both double races require an extra linking double bet.

Such was the case today in the first at Fairgrounds. Geaux Midey Mike was an instant qualifier. The favorite in the race was going off at 3-5, so no show bet was possible. I bet win and place then wheeled Geaux in the double. The horse paid $15.2, $5.2 and combined wth Ess El You (another stand out move in the second race, who won by 5) to complete a $332 dd payoff ( I had it twice). Ess returned $54.4, $25.5, $12.2. As of this writing the $54 horse is a single in the next pick three.

My wagering is over for the day.

Imagine what I'll do when I completely master the system.

Odds solve pleasant dilemma

One of the nicer wagering dilemmas a move player can have is when two horses qualify with the proper running line. In Monday's fourth race at Philly Park, both Stilts and Meadow Blue showed the required move. The drf stats on the success of Cynthia Reese and jock Kyle Carmouche are outstanding and weighed heavily in Stilt's behalf. The horse had four wins at the track a decent best 82 Beyer for the distance and was dropping by two-thirds in claiming price. Odds were 9-2.
Meadow, on the other hand, was 0 for 6 at the track, yet still boasted a 100 best Beyer at the distance. I knew AC Cortez to be a decent rider; Had very little info on trainer Hamer who had recently claimed this horse and was keeping it at the same level. Odds were 25-1

What to do?

The odds did it for me. The move is designed to hide a horse's true form for the barn to cash a large mutuel. An across the board wager on Meadow, and an exacta with my third-rated horse, returned more than $500.

Stilts, who ended up the favorite, is still running. Word to the wise!

'Sassi' $100 mover at Big A

There's nothing like it in the world: The excitement of watching the wheel horse in your double open up a four length-lead in the stretch assuring it will never be caught. A quick glance at the tote board shows the nag is 49-1. You're even more gratified that you made an additional across the board wager on the horse. The one thing that could make it better is if your second rated horse beats the favorite for place. That doesn't happen.

Who cares? Sassification in the fourth race at the Big A paid, a whopping, $100.50, $28.4, $14.8. The double, with the odds on favorite in the third, paid $183. Of course it was a monster move horse.

Additional movers, today: At Aqueduct, Ah Day, $16.8, $7.8, $5.3; At Fairgrounds, Alligator Bayou $12, $7.2, $4.6 and Gold Wonder $46. $16.8, $9.

Back to Back Movers at Big A

Just when you think it's time to give up this folly called handicapping—Boom! Clarity hits you in the face with back to back $200+ daily doubles, linking two logical monster move horses. At Aqueduct, One Luck Date paid the standard 8-1 and took advantage of the overwhelming rail-speed bias to win by four (The all button registered a $225 double). In the fifth, Seventeen Love, left at the gate, came charging down the middle of the track at 17-1 under a brilliant ride by bug-boy Erick Lopez. Watch this kid. Moreover, watch this horse. He looks like a repeater .

New move starts and stops

Because of pressing family issues I have been forced to discontinue my horse racing activities for some time. Hence, the few posts to this blog.

Realizing the impact a break can have on one's skills, I cautiously returned to the game, today--holding the same convictions about the value of the 'monster move.' I was rewarded in the first at the big A with a gutsy second place finish by 18-1 Masala T (a double wheel). Only to be followed by a similar performance in race two by 33-1 Country Trick, who pushed the odds-on favorite to the limit but wound up a 'magnificent' second. Welcome back, to me!

At the same time, I have decided to withdraw sales of the "Monster Move" system until I can refine it further. It continues to score miraculous results. I already have another eighty examples. Stay tuned.

Follow that move!

I've learned from experience to follow the fortunes of a move winner after the win.That practice paid off today with winner A Flying Jet, $52 in Aqueduct's third race.

Two other factors gave me enough encouragement to bet the horse in today's win pool and daily doubles. Despite what NYRA's official handicappers believe, the inner-dirt track is playing to inside speed. The leader at the top of the stretch usually opens up major lengths on the turn for home.

Additionally, the comment line of Jet's move win said he was rated until asked. Maybe there was something in reserve and the Beyer number was cloudy. Also, the second place finisher in that race came back to win. And, the coup de grace--CC Lopez to ride--noted for his front running exploits. Jet lead wire-to-wire.

Enough evidence for me. The double returned $324.50 with the second favorite

A NYRA Bone to pick

Happened across Andy Serling at Aqueduct, Sunday, who was befuddled at the idea of receiving a copy of the Monster Move Method that I left for him or Donovan at customer service. Naturally, no one in customer service knows anything.
I'm sure Andy would have been interested in my selected 55-1 second place finisher in the 9th that day. Where is my book?

Movers connect for pick-three bomb at Big A

I''ve been saying it since the beginning:' It's bound to happen.' Sooner or later two monster moves would connect to provide me with a certified large pick-3 payoff. Well, folks, today was the day at the Big A. Thank you messrs. Parker and Thompson, Jerkens and Samyn.

They are the trainers and jockeys responsible for my windfall. A brilliant ride by WA Thompson in the sixth race on Edashor at 16-1 started the feast. Naturally, I had him across the board and hooked up in the double with the 9-1 Saint Daimon in the seventh for $277. But the main course was yet to come. A $1 pick three wheel--with all--yielded a $1 version of the $829 payout.–with the odds-on favorite winning by a nose. Had the place horse won, payoff was more than $2,000.

Hopefully, this is the first of money, uh, many.

Don't say I didn't tell you: Steve Asmussen continues to make mincemeat of the Fairground training colony, sending out 6 of the 9 winners on today's card. Talk about hot! Partner jock Shaun Bridgemohan is stuffing his pockets as a result.