Fast and firm for the Sunday card — decided yesterday that I was the worst handicapper in America since it felt like I couldn’t pick a winner even if my life depended on it.  But, a glimmer of hope picking the last two winners on top.  Not sure I am back yet, but I have to believe that the great handicapper in me will return soon, so let’s see how I do today!

In race 8, Partisan Politics (#6) comes back off long layoff for great turf trainer and has tremendous upside to become a good one — key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 6 and 4.

In race 6, Hail Cornell (#4) needed last faces softer on the cutback for crafty turf trainer — key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 9 and 7.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 3, 7 and 2

Race 2: 1 and 2

Race 3: 4, 7 an 5

Race 4: 7, 5 and 3

Race 5: 7 with 5 and 3

Race 6: 4 (Best Bet) with 9 and 7

Race 7: 2, 4 and 5

Race 8: 6 (Best Bet) with 5 and 4

Race 9: 2, 5 and 12

Fast and firm for the Saturday card — not been too hot lately here (especially on Belmont Day), so I will try and do better today!

In race 5, The Grade 3 Poker, All Included (#1) gets the acid test here, but is in great form stepping up and should sit a nice cozy trip from the rail — key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 2 and 4.

In race 6, Flamingo Lane (#8) comes back off long layoff, but has the figures to beat these if ready and will be a decent price.  Key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 5 and 3.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 3, 10 and 2

Race 2: 2 and 3

Race 3: 4, 2 and 5

Race 4: 9, 3 and 4

Race 5: 1 (Best Bet) with 2 and 4

Race 6: 8 (Best Bet) with 5 and 3

Race 7: 3 with 6 and 5

Race 8: 9 with 4 and 1

Race 9: 7 with 5 and 3

Race 10: 1 with 11 and 9

Fast and firm for the Saturday card — always a competitive one on the weekends in the Summer at Monmouth, so let’s see how I do today!

In race 11, Starship Wildcat (#7) should get a perfect stalking trip with all the speed lined up in this turf sprint and run them down late — key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 3 and 2.

In race 9, Taty’s Gold (#7) needed last and should get a much slower pace to track in here and hold off the closers – key in all doubles and pick 3′s and play an exacta box with #’s 6 an 8.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 5, 1 and 7

Race 2: 2, 6 and 1

Race 3: 5 and 3

Race 4: 2, 1 and 7

Race 5: 10, 7 and 5

Race 6: 7 and 5

Race 7: 3 (Best Bet) with 2 and 1

Race 8: 6, 3 and 7

Race 9: 7 (Best Bet) with 6 and 8

Race 10: 3 with 7 and 4

Race 11: 7 (Best Bet) with 3 and 2

Race 12: 9, 7 and 8

Ok — from a handicapping standpoint, it was not my finest hour. But as a fan of racing since I was a small boy, it was a remarkable day to remember.  When was the last time NY racing felt this relevant?  To all the detractors who said don’t move all those grade 1′s to the Belmont undercard, I wonder how many people would have seen Honor Code’s remarkable stretch run to win the Met Mile.  My mouth is still open!  To all those who felt they would never see another triple crown winner in their lifetime and that the trail to the Belmont is just too taxing, remember American Pharoah toying with the field and winning under wraps, like it was a public workout!  Yes he went a 48.4 half, but the final time put a stamp on his greatness for all to see!

As a handicapper, it was a humbling experience.  My best bets ran terrible and I had only 1 winner on top.  But there is always tomorrow!  For the sport of racing, days like this are critical so we can have endless tomorrows.  This shouldn’t be a dying sport — it is truly American!

By the way, if Tonalist stays healthy, he will win the BC Classic at Keeneland.  Two great starts at a mile this year and two great performances at a distance that is way too short for him!  Sorry, the handicapper in me keeps coming out!