I'm kinda stupid!

[dougie]

As I left Saratoga, a guy along side of me muttered " How can I not have bet Sovereignty?. I'm a moron! "Then in hindsight, he told me he'd bet $500 to win on Journalism and he forgot the three biggest "tenets" of handicapping.
1) He already beat the best in the field.
2) He had 5 weeks to come in "fresh".
3) He was a big overlay at 5/2
He grumbled something like "Tomorrows another day". I've said that often enough!
But like him I picked the wrong horse. Like him. I kinda feel stupid too! LOL!

[darnoldrocks]

4th and 5th biggest tenets  ....

Winners are much easier to pick with a 16th to go.

Hindsight is genius. 

[dougie]

I agree. But in the end, the winner is just a much better horse.

[Papillon]

As I left Saratoga, a guy along side of me muttered " How can I not have bet Sovereignty?. I'm a moron! "Then in hindsight, he told me he'd bet $500 to win on Journalism and he forgot the three biggest "tenets" of handicapping.
1) He already beat the best in the field.
2) He had 5 weeks to come in "fresh".
3) He was a big overlay at 5/2
He grumbled something like "Tomorrows another day". I've said that often enough!
But like him I picked the wrong horse. Like him. I kinda feel stupid too! LOL!

I don't think there is a right or wrong in this situation

some feel racing more recent is better than 5 weeks rest and having "freshness"--Sovereignty ran by Journalism 2x now, I doubt "freshness" was a factor--more like having a better horse was the reason for the win

as far as odds-.. they were appropriate--Journalism was favored off his Preakness win where he had trouble--combine that with the fact Journalism was Ky Derby favorite , way lower than Sovereignty was--on top of that-California horses usually are way over bet--those Cali bettors always feel like they have the best 3yo--every year

Sovereignty wasn't a big overlay--he was 5/2 and that's where he should have been

Hope you had a good time Dougie--Saratoga is a special place, and rain is a part of Saratoga history

great call on The Met Mile --you easily should have made a ton more cash on that race--your place price was crushed by Fierceness finishing 2nd--i assume you don't play exactas-White Abario was an auto toss

great day of racing even including the 50 scratches and 2 races cancelled

[Calhoun]

I'm not inclined to ignore the freshness factor.

Three races for Journalism in 5 weeks.

I think it matters.

I'm more inclined to give weight to Mott > McCarthy.

I also think it's fair to say Journalism had the easier trip and, arguably, far easier trip.

I hope they both run back in the Travers.

Hope you enjoyed Saratoga, dougie.

[dougie]

Thanks Calhoun.....The rain sucked early, but the day wound up pretty nice. I agree that 3 races is tough in 5 weeks. Most of the crowd bet early in the day and many felt Journalism was "a lock". But there was an "underbelly" of players who just weren't buying in. I'd say with about 30 minutes to post, many were thinking the winner would score again.

[dougie]

Thanks Papillon! I wound up making about $750 for the day. It would have been over a grand but I dropped $250 in the Belmont. I bet $100WP on Baeza and used him for 1st and 2nd in tri's. The crowd seemed to hate the weather early on, but perked up as it got better. Price for food and drinks are outrageous. LOL! But we considered it a vacation so we spend like drunken sailors. LOL! It's still a beautiful area. I'm heading to Monticello for a couple of days, then home to Maine.

[JT]

It sounds like you had a great day at Saratoga Dougie.. both at the windows and the atmosphere of being there. The Spa is definitely on my bucket list. I hit the trifecta, but it paid peanuts. Im sure the prices are high for concessions, but sometimes you got to treat yourself to a good time. I go all out for myself and my family during LBJ week.

[Papillon]

Thanks Papillon! I wound up making about $750 for the day. It would have been over a grand but I dropped $250 in the Belmont. I bet $100WP on Baeza and used him for 1st and 2nd in tri's. The crowd seemed to hate the weather early on, but perked up as it got better. Price for food and drinks are outrageous. LOL! But we considered it a vacation so we spend like drunken sailors. LOL! It's still a beautiful area. I'm heading to Monticello for a couple of days, then home to Maine.

that is a serious drop in class

[JT]

that is a serious drop in class

That's funny . You better believe it is! Have fun and win some more Dougie.

[dougie]

Papillon, Jt.....LOL! you're right, it's a big drop in class. But I spent my first 23 summers there and have great memories. Still got a great bagel shop and Italian food and i'll sit outside and try and catch a winner.

[BoKnows]

It sounds like you had a great day at Saratoga Dougie.. both at the windows and the atmosphere of being there. The Spa is definitely on my bucket list. I hit the trifecta, but it paid peanuts. Im sure the prices are high for concessions, but sometimes you got to treat yourself to a good time. I go all out for myself and my family during LBJ week.

You can bring your own cooler with food and drink and set up in the picnic area if you are worried about the concessions. Beats the hell out of paying $14 for a beer.

[Papillon]

You can bring your own cooler with food and drink and set up in the picnic area if you are worried about the concessions. Beats the hell out of paying $14 for a beer.

coolers are allowed during the main "summer meet"

for this past weekend--they were not allowed

admission was $25 also

[RR70s]

Thanks Papillon! I wound up making about $750 for the day. It would have been over a grand but I dropped $250 in the Belmont. I bet $100WP on Baeza and used him for 1st and 2nd in tri's. The crowd seemed to hate the weather early on, but perked up as it got better. Price for food and drinks are outrageous. LOL! But we considered it a vacation so we spend like drunken sailors. LOL! It's still a beautiful area. I'm heading to Monticello for a couple of days, then home to Maine.

Sounds like a dream trip, glad you won money and had a great time 

[BoKnows]

coolers are allowed during the main "summer meet"

for this past weekend--they were not allowed

admission was $25 also

Coolers were allowed, they had to be 12x18 or smaller. General admission for Saturday was $75, horsemen could buy a maximum of 2 tickets early for $37.50

https://nytha.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-BSRF-Guide.pdf