Welcome home!  That’s what I was thinking at the end of the card at Belmont on Saturday.  Listed 5 winners, 3 on top, and had a $9 return on investment.  Picking winners on top was difficult upstate — maybe I can do better closer to home.

I also listed the late pick 3 for $507 and had the last two doubles.  Had the cold exacta in race 3 for $22 and listed the exacta box in race 9 for $32.20.  Let’s assume we are keeping the $1 double bet on all races, $1 pick 3 on all races and $5 exacta box on all races where I listed 3 horses.  If you did that today, you won $195.50 on a $179 investment.  There’s no place like home!

Greetings from rainy and wet New York as we start the Fall Championship Meet at Belmont with a muddy sealed track and a soft turf course (only race 8 on the turf).  Just want to thank everyone who encouraged me during my Saratoga quest and I want to congratulate my friend Brian Ancona for winning our personal handicapping challenge.  Can’t wait until next year!

For today, you may find some decent priced horses in the races rained off the turf if you focus on the “Main Track Only” entrants.  In race 9, Papa Jerry (#13) can stay close to the pace and likes an off track — I’m playing him in an exacta box with Brecciate (#11) and Puregoodness (#9) and using him in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 5, Greece (#12) is a firster from David Donk with superior mud breeding — doesn’t have to be much to beat these.  I’m playing an exacta box with Midnight Mass (#3) and Cayo Hueso (#6) and using in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck

Race 1: 6 and 11

Race 2: 3 and 6

Race 3: 9 and 7

Race 4: 1

Race 5: 12 (Best Bet), 3 and 6

Race 6: 4, 6 and 8

Race 7: 6, 3 and 1

Race 8: 1 and 4

Race 9: 13 (Best Bet), 11 and 9

Race 10: 14 and 11