Racetrack Diaries Page 2

On June 19, 2004 I decided to take a road trip with my soon to be wife, Melissa and we headed up to Boston, Mass and to Suffolk Downs for their big race, The Mass Cap. We stayed in Providence, Rhode Island and we got lost going to the track, but managed to make it to the track about 15 minutes before post
time. After filling out a form and getting my free hat I briefly walked around the track before heading outside to the paddock area.

Me and jockey Joanne McDaid.

The track reminded me a lot of Monmouth Park in the way it was shaped. The track is a 1 mile surface with a turf course. There was over 17,000 people here on this gorgeous day and it was the perfect day for racing. Race #1 was a claiming race going 1 mile with a purse of $6,250. I played a $2 exacta straight 6/1 & 6/4. The 3 horse with Josiah Hampshire jr stalked the leader and in the stretch took the lead and never looked back and I lost ha ha. After the race I did get my picture with yet another female rider (ha ha). This time the victim was apprentice rider Joanne Mcdaid. Hopefully we can interview her for the female jockey website I do with Jim.

Race #2 was another 1 mile affair with another purse of $6,200. I play $4 to win on the #4 as I like jockey Headley Betancourt and he is a closer. The #4 is nowhere to be found as Orlando Bocachica wins going away. Things aren't looking good, but I find another female jockey victim, this time it's Tamay Alpander. She was nice enough to smile and put her thumb up too ha ha. Race #3 is a $40,000 minor stakes race and the race is going 6 furlongs. I play Tammi Piermarini on top as she easily has the best horse and I play her on top and she goes wire to wire and I hit the trifecta. I get back $30, which was cool as it is the 1st race I hit at Suffolk. Was cool watching Tammi get her picture in the winner's circle too.

Me and jockey Tamay Alpander up at Suffolk Downs.

Me and jockey Tammi Piermarini.

Race #4 is on the turf going 7 1/2 furlongs and looking at the program #6 looks like the best horse and I throw $5 to win on him and also a $3 exacta with the #4 horse, who is a semi long shot. The #6 stalks and then takes the lead in the final strides to pull away from a stubborn #4 horse. I collect a win and exacta bet. After the race I call Tammi Piermarini over and get her to sign my picture I brought with me of me and her and we also take a new one and I tell her congrads on her stakes win and she wishes me well and she goes on her way. Race #5 is a 5 1/2 furlong claiming race with a purse of $10,000. I play a $4 exacta straight 5/1 & 5/2. The 5 is up there, but quits and my 1 & 2 are nowhere to be found and the #3 with Edwin Molinari wins the race and I lose ha ha. Race #6 is a 6 furlong claiming race with a purse of $14,000. I play a $2 trifecta 3/5 with 3/5 with 2. The 5 wins with Josiah Hampshire Jr. going away and my 3 horses finish right behind him and I don't collect.

Race #7 is a $22,000 allowance race going 6 furlongs on the main track. I decide to play another trifecta looking for the big payout ha ha. I play the 5 on top as he on paper is the horse to beat with a 1/2 behind him. The #3 horse, which usually takes the lead and fades, doesn't fade this time and he wins and I lose ha ha. Race #8 is on the turf, The Old Ironside Stakes for $40,000 going 1 mile and 70 yards. An Argentinia horse is in this race and I don't play him and he comes off the pace and goes past a hard charging #10 and wins at 10-1.

Race #9 is the $200,000 James B Mosley Breeders Cup going 6 furlongs. I see Chuck C Lopez is up riding in just this one race. I throw $5 to win on him. I also play a few different trifecta combinations. I also see Trainer Scott Lake is up here and he has a horse in this race and I go over and talk to him briefly and then go and watch the race. Chuck C Lopez stalks the front running #7 with local jock Dyn Panell and blows past him for an easy win. The #3 finishes 2nd and the #5 is 3rd and Scott Lake finishes 4th and I only hit the win bet.

Race #10 is the 64th running of the Massachusetts Handicap Grade II with a purse of $500,000. 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide is in this race as well as Evening Attire. I think Funny Cide is on the downside of his career, but I throw him in a trifecta. My girlfriend asks me about the one horse, Offlee
Lild who was 15-1 and I tell her Edgar Prado should have stayed home he has no shot. I throw him out of the race completely. It ends up being a great race and there is a 3 way photo and the lo and behold the #1 with Edgar Prado wins and somebody knew something he was 15-1 morning line and he was bet down to 3-1.
Funny Cide ended up 2nd. It was a great race and we decided to head out out back to Rhode Island.

All in all I had a great time at the track and I cashed a few tickets, got a free t-shirt and hat, hung out with my friend Scott and spent an incredible weekend with my future wife Melissa. See ya next time in the winner's circle.