[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by cal828

Thanks RQ. I may need that $8 considering just about everybody here except the new guys beat me about $2000 last year. Early prognostications are indicating that Don Guido may be a force to be reckoned with this year and of course we know from past experience that Roamin and Ruffian are capable of suddenly ambushing us all with bombastic scores.

Cal, there's not crystal ball or Ouija bord in my bag, thus smaller return are my rule. The hit last week may be the biggest one I've ever had in many years. I'll take a small leap of faith based on my somewhat nubile approach to the ROI. I hit many races last year, which made me happy and reinforced that my simple, yet boring, exacta key approach works . . . if you pick the right race allowing me to hit the wagering board more times than the last 11-12 contest rolled together.

The points contest is typically my strength and like you and JB and others, success comes in spurts.Whoeever can put more spurts together typically takes the trophy. I'll say that Ruffian was very consistent last yeart and has honed her Points game . . . which she ued to an also ran most of the time. Keep an eye on me in the Points Contest but I'm really no threat in the often whacky ROI wagers. You might say I use a 9MM pistol versus some here that throw out hand grenades moreoften than not.

A new handicapping year begins to the keen attention of many of us, some times too much so. Like I used ot tell my youth baseball players years after year after year . . . "Don't worry about the scoreboard, just play ball like you know you can and focus on every pitch, the score will take care of itself".