Offtopic Thursday…
Housekeeping Items
1. Regarding the CheckRayz Poker Pub Blog, I think I’m going to follow the following format regarding my posting habits, to keep some sort of consistency to my blog postings.
Monday – Poker News
Tuesday – Strategy
Wednesday – Strategy
Thursday – off-topic posts
Friday – Thoughts on the week that was and the ever so popular Friday night mailbag
Saturday-Sunday – Whatever I feel like posting, with hopes of doing a regular… or semi-regular guest spot.
That being said, I’m going to begin today and go off topic, continuing endgame strategy on Tuesday. Eventually, I’ll get around to reworking the archives so that each topic will be appropriately archived.
Upcoming Kentucky Derby
I’ve been somewhat of a fan of the month of March. Not just because of the March Madness either. I’ve had quite the string of luck in betting the ponies over the past few years, specifically at the Kentucky Derby. I got “lucky” and nailed the trifecta two years ago, getting behind a relatively unknown Smarty Jones before it was fashionable to do so. I also got behind Giacomo for the derby last year, in addition to Closing Argument, both of which I lost interest in as the triple crown progressed.
I have a “formula” I use to pick my Derby favorites. I’ve not yet even begun to crunch numbers, and do not dabble in the futures pools that are out there, however, I’m taking a liking to two of the contenders of the derby field, First Samurai is really standing out in my mind – especially if he makes it to the Derby and the track is sloppy. I’m also liking a horse named Sweetnorthernsaint as a value play. Additionally, I’m digging a horse running a bit below the radar right now called Point Determined.
The field will become more clear this weekend where their will be several big prep races, which will show us who the pretenders are. It should be noted that I’ve got no valid reason to not like the favored Brother Derek, however, he seems like yet another one of those horses who are hyped going into the derby that do not pan out.
These are not my “picks,” just my observations with the untrained eye. I’ll begin crunching stats and offering thoughts and commentary in the near future.
Football Notes…
You just knew I’d have to find a way to bring football into off topic thursday, given that my Steelers are once again… Your Super Bowl Champions.
It seems there is going to be Chaos in the NFL in the upcoming years, (read, pissing contest between the owners and the NFLPA). This is going to make life difficult going forward for the smaller market clubs, in my mind. I’m not sure I’m liking what I see. Additionally, Cutler is a cut above the rest (of the universe not named Leinart going into the draft), and Vince Young is nothing more than an “also ran.” Though, I see Vince landing in Oakland, as big Al loves speed (wouldn’t be surprised to see Marcus Vick go there as either a very late round pick or an undrafted free agent either).
Thoughts and the mailbag tomorrow…
Ok, Horses are fun, I’ll give ya that. Ever tried dogs? I was looking for something to do in South Daytona about 15 years ago and I found my way to the dog track. I had 4 tickets for the 5th race. #7 was the favorite and I love boxing favorites with some 50-1 shot in a value play. I think the line was about 20-1 on the 2-7, a nice payoff for my $5 bet if they finished one and two, either order.
The race went off and sure enough 2-7 in order! I was stoked! I also had a ticket for 7-3 which I double checked right before throwing on the ground, loser! They had the photo finish light on for third place, but I didn’t care. I had a $2 bet on #2 to win and I waited for the final payouts so I could show my buddies my score, hey $50-$100 is alot of money at spring break when yer 18!
Some late money must have come in on the 2-7 exacta as it paid only about $40. My win ticket was about $15.
As I read the board I noticed they put all dogs up in order of finish and something sounded familar, I forgot to check my last ticket. I had a ticket picking the top 4 dogs and by some miracle I guessed right! I hit the SUPERFECTA!
While I waited for my fortune to be displayed on the jumdo-tron they announced there was only one winner. OMG! ALL MINE! lol. Earlier that day someone won the superfecta and hit it for $26,000. I could hardly contain my excitement! I asked my buddies what the top four dogs were and asked if it was, pretended to read it off my ticket, 2-4-1-6? We just about crapped our pants!!
Turns out the $26k was a progressive that wasn’t hit for over a month and all I got was the wagering from one race, $550. Oh, well…that’s still a fortune to a 18 year old on spring break…we partied like rock stars that night, lol.
Never bet the puppies, only the ponies, and usually only three times a year (kentucky derby, preakness, and belmont). I generally don’t become “actively interested” until right around the week or two prior to the derby.
Progressive or not, nailing down a superfecta is no easy feat! Any takedown when one is 18, a starving college studen on spring break sportin’ a fixed income tryin to make ends meet is like striking gold, hitting the lottery, or getting action on yer set of aces.