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.

Props to Mr. Serling

Respect to NYRA handicapper Andy Serling for reminding viewers of today's third race at Saratoga that "the way to make money at the track is to search for hidden form." Props, again to Mr. Serling for pointing out the less than obvious value of long-shots Gotta Go Round and Who's Willie Fitz against a 1-5 shot in the race. He made me take a second and third look at both horses. Hope he had the $619 exacta, as I did.