Bourbon and Ginger, please....

Tweet Thank you, bartender, for that sweet tasting exacta.

Robert Summers, Buffalo News handicapper, nailed it in his Friday's pick column on the Queen's Plate, up in Toronto yesterday, and wrote a nice race summary this morning. The self-proclaimed Happy Handicapper, was right on writing "....the Handicapper’s selection of Not Bourbon isn’t entirely based on sentiment. This is a pretty good colt who might go off higher than his 5-2 morning-line odds. " And he sure did, going off as a 5-1 overlay with a ton of money going on the filly Ginger Brew, running back after her victory two weeks ago in the Woodbine Oaks, who he overtook by a head at the wire.

Sweet news for one of my faves, Sweet Vendetta, who was sold to WinStar Farms and is pointed at the Alabama (woo hoo). The David Cassidy-bred daughter of Steven Got Even, was last seen winning the Black Eyed Susan (G2) in May.

Congrats to the undefeated Finger Lakes (scheduled to be my next track visit in nearby Canandaigua) shipper Tin Cup Chalice winning the Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont yesterday, returning $11 as the third choice of eight. It is also the first leg of The Big Apple Triple, with the next leg, The New York Derby, at his home track in July with the anchor race in August at Saratoga called the Albany Stakes. Last year, Chief's Lake took the first two legs only to falter at Saratoga in the Albany, as did Ferocious Won in 2006 and Image Maker in 2000. The Big Apple Triple series for NY breds began in 1999, the winner taking home an additional $250K bonus plus the purse total of $400K.

Who says English teachers can't handicap? The latest NHC winner at Belmont Park, Joe Lods, was busy quoting J. Paul Getty after his victory saying "There are one hundred men seeking security to one able man who is willing to risk his fortune. This weekend, my strategy was to be that one able man." Well said. I will try my fortunes in a NHC qualifier on September 11th while in Vegas at the Sunset Station Casino, while the Space Gal is tending to a toy show. Viva.

Bella Cavello's star mare, La Chica Rica, is entered in a $42K allowance on Friday night in the feature at Mountaineer, stay tuned for more on our favorite stable to watch.

Ohhh Canada...

Tweet Hard to believe I've lived in Western New York for over 23 years, but today was my first foray over the bridge to beautiful Fort Erie Racetrack. After the Space Gal decided to go see "Sex and the City" for the tenth time, it was the easy choice between doing a little yard work, writing a proposal for work (tomorrow's another day), or going downtown to watch the Gus Macker 3-on-3 (close second), so it was onward to the True North.

Don't let the fact that it was Queen's Plate Day at Woodbine escape you, as that also factored into the equation of checking out the race while in Canada. I had planned several weeks ago to drive up to Toronto, but once Harlem Rocker decided last weekend to skip the race, I did too. After a successful border crossing (no jokes here, serious business crossing the border these days...more on that later), the track is literally two minutes from downtown Buffalo. After buying a Canadian Form (Woodbine, Ft. Erie, Belmont, Hollywood and Arlington...sweet), I meandered over to the paddock before the opener to check out the surroundings. Here's a couple of photos of the paddock area which is nicely shaded and has a number of picnic benches to handicap or smoke a cigar (check, check).

They even had Bob the Bugler (Canada's version of Sam the Bugler) playing right there in the paddock. Film guy in the background was filming the daily handicapping show by James Hoser, Ft. Erie track handicapper. So off I went to attempt my American handicapping skills on $5K Ontario-bred claimers and mile and 70 yarders. I was sure to count all of the horses in the paddock before the race, as I heard sometimes they disappear off the tote board!! A spent some time in the paddock to watch the horses more closely than I usually do, say at Saratoga or Belmont, and spotted a horse acting up that I really liked on paper. I threw him out and replaced him with Athenais (5-1), and immediately and hit my first exactor of the day with Athenais (7 horse) over the favorite Piece of the Pie (1 horse) for a nice $25 winner. Here's a shot of the finish and the winner getting ready to pose for the winner's photo:

I decided to sit out the 4th, a $10K maiden claimer and smoke a Fuentes on one of the aforementioned picnic benches and take in the sights. I had some Canadian change in my pocket and just glanced at the form lazily. Since it was a sprint, I noticed a Storm cat filly Princess Roarcat, that was creeping up in the odds, so I decided to throw the Canadian change ($3) that was in my pocket at him for fun. Doesn't he win and pay $10.60!! I'm starting to like this place. (Note to self: dangerous situation, racetrack 20 minutes from work and home). I hit my second exactor of the day in the 6th (another $5K claimer for f&m) with Lastchancehitter (#4) over Strathmore (#1) for a nice pickup. I got a great shot of her closing on Strathmore at the wire. Funny these were the only two wire photos I took all day, both winners!

Here's a photo of the other 75 people who were at the track with me.

So, all in all, it was a really fun day at a really nice, clean, pleasant, comfortable race track. I was able to bet in US dollars all day long, and the people working were very friendly. It was an extremely relaxing day and a nice breeze blew through the simulcasting facility as I started to handicap the Plate. I threw my token $2 on D Flutie (what Bills fan wouldn't?) and then really started to watch the tote and see what looked interesting. Some very nice prices on the board and I was extremely surprised at the Plate Trial winner Not Bourbon being around 6-1 with 9 MTP (he went off at 9-2). He appeared to be excellent value, so I keyed him on top of a triactor with Flutie (24-1), Palmers (24-1), Ginger Brew (2-1 fav), Jungle Brew (10-1) and Solitaire (3-1). It was a fantastic race and a fantastic finish as Not Bourbon held off the late closing filly Ginger Brew (Javier Castellano up) by a head for a sweet $33 exactor! A terrific way to wrap up the day. Solitaire finished third 4 1/2 back. Flutie led early but burned out after setting fast early fractions.

The day ended with only a half hour wait at the Peace Bridge, which is totally my bad, as I know better to get behind 1) a van, 2) out of state plates, and 3) said van loaded to the gill with recreation stuff. Did I mention I love the Canadian national anthem too? We stand on guard for thee.....