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!