An Unexpected Late Scratch

As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

My excitement in the buildup to Sunday's handicapping contest at Monmouth and strong preparation for the Woodbine races in advance was all for naught, as my son ran a fever and eliminated any chance of me getting to Oceanport in time to register.

Homebound until my wife returned from her afternoon outing around 430p (would you believe that, yes, a FLOWER SHOW took priority over whittling away some money at the track), I decided to simulate contest picks from home and, sure as can be, would have hit two of three top Woodbine calls with 11-to-1 Riding the River in Race 2 (paid $25.70) and 4-to-1 Benestar in Race 6 (paid $10.90) -- certainly some ammunition for at least a decent run at the contest leaderboard, but to no avail.

Who knows what would have happened, but the outcome was likely moot, with the leaderboard (I ran over to Monmouth around 5p to lend much-needed support to a wilting Red Rock or Bust) showing the first-place contestant over $4,000 from a $100 starting bankroll.  I can only speculate, based on the drastic move late in the contest, that this contestant had 31-to-1 Padraig in the Woodbine finale. 

Meanwhile, back to my misery...I otherwise would have bet Classy Zip in Race 4 to win (Zip finished 3rd), and was dead wrong on Action Plan in Race 7.  I did not handicap the full Monmouth card outside of the Survival at the Shore contest plays -- races 6, 8 and 11 (the only one I nailed was chalky 3-to-2 Tastefully Smart in the 11th) -- in advance, fully expecting to wing it from the home track.

Ah, the joys of parenthood, and the frustration of identifying live horses for a handicapping contest and not being a part of the action.  But, hey, my boy is healthy again, and there'll be other contest opportunities ahead (when is simply the major question for an over-obligated NHC Tour player).