Just back from a horseplayer's fantasy - two days of live racing at Belmont, watching races from the exclusive Belmont Room in the second floor clubhouse and in box seats directly in front of the dining area, lunch with Steve Crist and Mike Watchmaker, breakfast and a tour of the backside, and two nights at the first class Garden City Hotel. Travel and lunch were courtesy of the Daily Racing Form.  To explain: my #1 gambling buddy and fellow economist Randy won the trip in a drawing he was entered in through his purchase of "Bet with the Best II: Longshots." His wife stepped aside, realizing that the trip would be more enjoyed by his gambling cronies, and I was lucky enough that Randy invited me along. I wish I could have helped us to more winners at the track and earned my keep. Randy was a 673 to 1 shot to win the drawing, so we were well ahead before we ever stepped foot in New York.

Randy had his choice of Hollywood Park or Belmont Park and it was a no-brainer for him. He detests the artificial surfaces as much as I do and is willing to give up horseplaying should all tracks go synthetic. Right now with NYRA, Churchill Downs, the Fair Grounds, and Gulfstream he has enough action to keep him happy. Keeneland was a blood bath and we've vowed off the stuff ever since. The choice of Belmont was cinched by Steve Crist, whose work we both admire.  The Daily Racing Form's prize just included Saturday at the races, but we worked it out such that we arrived early and so independently took in Friday's card. We were hosted by Francis, one of Randy's former students. Francis is a mover and shaker. He was a professional golfer and is currently a golf coach, but he has also dabbled in training and currently owns horses based at Philadelphia Park.

Thanks to Francis we were able to secure a table in the Belmont Room and were right at the finish line. We could watch the races inside but generally chose to go outside to sit in NYRA box seats to soak it all in. House handicapper Andy Serling was a few boxes away and carried on an animated dialogue with horseplayers and fans that would come by and chat with him. My guess is that it was a tough few days for Mr. Serling because it was an absolute chalkfest. In the 19 races only one winner paid in excess of $12.

The card was tough for me and my handicapping buddy. Randy specializes in claimers on the dirt. The card was full of turf races. I like turf and dirt routes and dislike claimers and statebreds. NY racing these days seems all about turf sprints and statebreds. I had allocated decent bankroll for the trip but treaded lightly both days. I was beaten up badly on Belmont Stakes day and still have a trip to Vegas before the month ends so I couldn't empty my wallet. I bet $274 on Friday and finished down $49.70. I hit the exacta on race 3rd, 7th, and 8th, and had the late double and Senior Rita Lady in the 8th. Randy and I split a $92 play on the late Pick 4 which was eliminated in the first leg. Saturday I ran $414.40 through the machines and finished down $45.40. Randy and I played an early Pick 4 alive to half the field including Mike Watchmaker's upset special Cherokee Speed (which would've paid $900). He gave us good run for our money but came up just short. Despite covering half the field (including another longshot - T. Boone) we left off winner Big Al. I recouped by catching the exacta ($206). If I ever run into Mr. Watchmaker again I'll buy him a drink. Our late Pick 4 went down in flames when Mucho Macho failed to match his big debut Beyer of 106 and finished second to Goldsville in the 8th. I had played against Sammarco in the 2nd, not trusting the figure from the May 17th race where Mucho Macho edged Sammarco. But when Sammarco had an easy time with the maiden field that Mr. Crist said was stronger than Mucho Macho's competition, we singled him. My only other ticket cashed on the day was Lady Digby ($10.20) in the All Along (now if she had only won last time on Preakness Day …). Watchmaker and Crist tipped us to Sailor's Cap ($9.20) in the Virginia Derby but I stubbornly stuck with Adriano and Randy didn't get his bet down on Sailor's Cap in time. James Toner was in the Belmont Room and said that he knew once it started pouring that Sailor's Cap was a lock. Asked if he had a bet down, he replied that he didn't bet. I guess the trainer's share of $360,000 was satisfactory.

Two days of betting: $688.40 through the machines for a loss of $95.10. Would've been nice to come away a winner, but I can't complain.

As for lunch with the celebrities, Mike Watchmaker and Steve Crist could not have been nicer. It was clear when they showed up that they had not been given much of an idea what was happening or why they were supposed to be there, but they spent the afternoon answering our questions, listening to us vent about the game, and throwing us some good plays. Steve tried to talk me off Better Than Swiss in the 3rd which I unwisely ignored. I am not sure why I did not take more of Crist's and Watchmaker's advice on the card. I guess everyone thinks of themselves as an expert handicapper (just like everyone thinks they know everything about the economy). These guys are everyday players, I'm a weekend duffer with a double digit handicap. If I had listened more perhaps I'd have walked away a winner. It is crucial in this game to know when to stick with your convictions and when to change your play. This weekend I stuck to my guns a bit too much.

Saturday morning we went to the backside, stopping at Barn 52 to see Steve Asmussen trained multiple stakes winner J Be K. J Be K has a special place in my heart and Randy's since we cashed on him in the Bay Shore and Woody Stephens.  We have followed him since he broke the track record at Saratoga in his maiden win. J Be K went to the track Saturday and we saw him washed down and cooled out. He has had recent work on his left front ankle but hopefully will get back to the track for the 3yo sprints at Saratoga.  

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