Friday April 14
Garvan Woodland Gardens / Apple Blossom Day
Today was the first of the big race days, but we first started the day off with coffee on the porch overlooking the lake; we walked down by the water's edge and took a few pictures and then headed up for breakfast.....delicious as always!
Then it was off to Garvan Woodlands Gardens where we walked for about three miles all through the woods. We'd done this two years ago and it was so gorgeous that we had to do it again.
One new thing we had not seen last time was the chapel - the glass and woodwork.....wow.
Oaklawn Park: Apple Blossom Day
Keith arrived just as we were returning from the Garvan excursion and later that afternoon he and I headed out for the two graded stakes of the afternoon - the Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes for 3yo fillies hoping to punch their ticket to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in three weeks, and the featured Grade 1 $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap. Kim decided to stay at the Inn with Keith's dog, Gracie so just Keith and I headed out to Oaklawn. There was a good crowd, though tomorrow it will be absolutely packed - the local paper suggested as many as 60,000 plus!
I only had two selections for the day. In the Grade 3 Fantasy my pick Vexatious came with a strong bid, but had a little trouble and had to settle for third behind a 15/1 winner. But the race I came for this weekend was to see multiple Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom. When she was a 3yo she was one of my very favorites and I scored several times with her - she had even been my bet in the Gr 1 Kentucky Oaks when third that day. Today she looked much the best with her last five Beyer speed figures better than any LIFETIME best figure earned by her five rivals. She hovered at 1-2 odds until three minutes to post time and I told Keith that was stealing! But she dropped down to 2/5 as they broke from the gate - I had figured 1/5 odds were likely so I was delighted. The race went nearly exactly as it had looked on paper as the 2nd choice in the betting, a filly who was 5-for-6 over the track was the lone speed and went right to the front. Stellar Wind tracked her under Hall of Fame rider Victor Espinoza to the far turn. He slid the favorite off the rail and collared the leader. But she was determined and a stretch duel ensued to inside the 16th pole when the champion drew off late under a confident ride. WHOOO HOOOO!
I'd won the BET of the Day and finished with a profit on the abbreviated race day adventure! Later that evening Kim, Keith and I went out for a late Italian dinner and tomorrow we'll be at Oaklawn nearly the entire day for the Arkansas Derby!
I only had two selections for the day. In the Grade 3 Fantasy my pick Vexatious came with a strong bid, but had a little trouble and had to settle for third behind a 15/1 winner. But the race I came for this weekend was to see multiple Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom. When she was a 3yo she was one of my very favorites and I scored several times with her - she had even been my bet in the Gr 1 Kentucky Oaks when third that day. Today she looked much the best with her last five Beyer speed figures better than any LIFETIME best figure earned by her five rivals. She hovered at 1-2 odds until three minutes to post time and I told Keith that was stealing! But she dropped down to 2/5 as they broke from the gate - I had figured 1/5 odds were likely so I was delighted. The race went nearly exactly as it had looked on paper as the 2nd choice in the betting, a filly who was 5-for-6 over the track was the lone speed and went right to the front. Stellar Wind tracked her under Hall of Fame rider Victor Espinoza to the far turn. He slid the favorite off the rail and collared the leader. But she was determined and a stretch duel ensued to inside the 16th pole when the champion drew off late under a confident ride. WHOOO HOOOO!
I'd won the BET of the Day and finished with a profit on the abbreviated race day adventure! Later that evening Kim, Keith and I went out for a late Italian dinner and tomorrow we'll be at Oaklawn nearly the entire day for the Arkansas Derby!
No comments:
Post a Comment