Know what you know. I like Mike!

There are few reliable factors in thoroughbred handicapping. When a player finds one, it's like the 'all-in' call in hold-em poker. NYRA trainer Mike Hushion has long been one of my reliable favorites. He is also a prolific Monster Move trainer.

Good ol' Mike sent out Quality Council, in the fifth race at Belmont today, off of a qualifying move in it's first race at Monmouth Park. That day the colt had to break from the rail for a considerably higher Maiden Special Weight purse. Today, Council was to be ridden by M. Garcia, a better than average jock from another circuit--but relatively unknown in New York. Need I say more? The colt went off at 12-1 and romped to an easy win to pay $26.2, 11, 6.8.

Council completed a $696 pick-three for me, a $139 daily double and finished ahead of the favorite for a $113 exacta. At this writing the colt is a single on my small pick-six ticket.