Good Morning from Red Rock
 

It's 6:50 AM PST and we're only two and a half hours away from the first contest race. The skies are cloudy and there's a bit of rain in the area, but who cares, none of us are going outside!

Last night's cocktail reception was fun though the NHC participants and the associated NTRA staff filled up the Pavilion Ballroom at Red Rock rather quickly. Mike Watchmaker filled in for Steve Crist in welcoming the players on behalf of the DRF. Red Rock Race & Sports Book Director Jason McCormick also offered a free trip to the Kentucky Derby to anyone who breaks Rich Goodall's record score from 2008.

Here are the mandatory races for today, for those of you who'd like to follow along:

GP Race 4 PT: 2:42 PM EST
GP Race 5 PT: 3:12 PM EST
Aqu Race 8 PT: 3:49 PM EST
Tam Race 9 PT: 4:08 PM EST
FG Race 8 PT: 4:55 PM EST
GG Race 4 PT: 5:15 PM EST
OP Race 9 PT: 6:11 PM EST
SA Race 7 PT: 7:07 PM EST

Jill Byrne is on-site and will be reporting for twinspires.com and HRTV, so go to the site and check it out.

Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone and I'll be back for an update after the racing ends today!

Good luck all!

NT

The GGF race sucks, all the rest are solid toughies.

Question for you, are they waiving the no-laptop rule? I know how many of the contest circuit people use them.

Going by M/L odds, which is precarious at best with Tampa, I'd take a long hard look at the 2 - Message of Myth at 12-1.

My $.02.

Scav's Mandatory plays
 

GP Race 4 PT: 2:42 PM EST = #9 Its a Ladies Life
GP Race 5 PT: 3:12 PM EST = #1 More Memories
Aqu Race 8 PT: 3:49 PM EST = #1 Run with the Lark
Tam Race 9 PT: 4:08 PM EST = #9 Arealhotlover
FG Race 8 PT: 4:55 PM EST = #1 Cactus Kitty
GG Race 4 PT: 5:15 PM EST = #5 Golden Pursuit
OP Race 9 PT: 6:11 PM EST = #5 Jack's Lil Bit
SA Race 7 PT: 7:07 PM EST = ?? Between #9 Omega Code and #3 Mensa Heat

Arealhotlover is 3-1 M/L. Nobody bets 3-1 with any regularity and wins a contest.

Come on Scav, find a price.

Dude, it is about winners at the mandatories. I also like Tip Along in that race.

If Arealhotlover is 7/5, well I am obviously wouldn't be playing it, but I think she is 3/1 or 5/2 and since I would HAVE to play the race, when not pick the winner :)

Bah. I wouldn't say she's the winner here.

This race is too wide open to go with anything less than 5-1. I'm using damn near all of them in my Pick 4...but given my track record over the last week or so, that doesn't mean anything.

I agree about the race, just thought the turf to dirt was a postive for her and she looked speed of the speed.

This was one of the good mandatories. Picking the 4th at Golden Gate is a travesty for the people in the DRF/NTRA.

I'll give it a try. I agree with most these are some poor races.

GP Race 4 PT: 2:42 PM EST Sail Free 6-1
GP Race 5 PT: 3:12 PM EST Rich Citizen 4-1
Aqu Race 8 PT: 3:49 PM EST Run with the Lark 10-1
Tam Race 9 PT: 4:08 PM EST Money Card 6-1
FG Race 8 PT: 4:55 PM EST Martin’s Bay 5/2
GG Race 4 PT: 5:15 PM EST Willie Katchem 8-1
OP Race 9 PT: 6:11 PM EST Streak Girl 6-1
SA Race 7 PT: 7:07 PM EST Liturgical 10-1

For the GGF race I'd go with #4 Joshua's Dream at 10-1, this is exactly the kind of race that the trainer, Genaro Vallejo, wins.

Because she is 9/5 and probably lower, I would be playing Tip Along here.....

Now you're getting with the program.

I know the damn program.

It is my goal to qualify for this damn this in 2009. What do you think about that NHCQualify.com thing? didn't you played through there?

Check your PM

Race was too short for her and too long for my 2.

Yeah, it was an interesting run race, think jock panic'ed a bit thinking he was too far behind...**** happens I guess....

Nice call Derby Cat- pd 18.80 :tro:

Thanks, GGF is my track and there are some plays that are easy to figure. Trainers get really streaky or win certain types of races and there are times when specific trainer/jockey combos are money. Vallejo has been :$: with Figueroa on route horse with double digit M/L.

Right now, trainer Steve Sherman is on fire with every type of horse/race. He's won 8 of his last 9 :eek:

Update after day 1:

Nick T is looking VERY strong in 19th place, with $100 (an outstanding score in this format.)

Paul & Bob in the middle of the pack with $52 and $43 respectively, still in it with a huge day tomorrow.


Good luck tomorrow guys.

If third place paid...sigh..

Nick kicking butt and great to meet him as well...Good guy