Weekend Review

Weekend Overview: It's a little late to be reviewing the weekend but I'm still on vacation so everyday feels like the weekend somewhat and it's hard to find time just to sit at the computer. Horse racing is great but life is better.

Performance of the Week: It's between Istan and Numaany. Istan was powerful and dominant in what looked like a true breakout performance while Numaany was a most entertaining maiden winner who bolted and was nearly pulled up so the rider could get control then he recovered and blasted past his competition. You don't see performances like that everyday but I'm going to side with Istan. He was not beating a bunch of horses who can't or haven't won (Sun King excepted). It was a decent quality stakes race and he may just be up to giving Midnight Lute a race if both decide to show for the Cigar Mile.

Race of the Week: I did not watch very much racing so I wouldn't have a great opinion on the most pulsating race of the week. Perhaps others can nominate good candidates for this.

Flop of the Weekend: I'm going to give this to Fasig-Tipton for the whole Octave auction fiasco. Maybe O'Byrne put his hand up, maybe not. You would have to think though that given Coolmore and Godolphin's heavy involvement in the sales they would have bid spotters looking solely at them. At any rate, how archaic is the auction system? Create handheld wireless devices that you can pick up at the door and use to instantly register a bid. Surely there is the technology to create such a device. Given the fact that Coolmore never bought another horse at the sale after the fiasco it would probably be a good move to pay whatever it costs to eliminate this problem in the future.

TCR Mover’s and Shakers: The TCR standings are on a little hiatus. It's too much work to calculate them while I'm away. Next Monday we'll have a full update and review.

Tip O’the Cap: While some are piling the abuse on Lava Man for his flop in the California Cup Classic I prefer to tip my cap to a horse that has had a great career and has thrilled many fans. It's a shame that Lava Man is in such poor form recently because he is quite a neat horse. His dominance in California hearkens back to the days of Native Diver, Best Pal and even Swaps. Sweeping the top three G-1 in California in 2006 was mammoth. As was winning three straight Hollywood Gold Cups. I don't know what his connections will decide to do with him but if he never comes back to form at least we still have some great memories of him.

KC Handicapping: Istan was a standout and offered great value when the public oddly favored Sun King. I said in the analysis that Istan was the horse to use and only take alternatives if the price is too short. Turns out he was excellent value when Sun King was backed to 7/5. Never back a money burning loser like Sun King in the top spot. He is fool's gold. Unfortunately Change Up turned out to be a lump of coal. Her 4th place finish was none too inspiring. Celtic Dreamin ran hard but couldn't get up in the Cal Cup Classic so my picks lose money yet again. When I get back I'm going to have to put some effort into leading a revival

Cumulative record of selected horses: 5(3)-1-1-0 (-$3.20 -32.00% ROI)
Overall record: 406(182)-73-71-58 (-$38.40 -4.47% ROI)