“Let’s get small.” – Steve Martin
The contest track for Week 15 in the Road to Kentucky contest was Keeneland, but there was no double point bonus race as all the final prep races for the Kentucky Derby are complete. Scores will reflect this, as the maximum points available of 1,799 should translate to a winning score in the 1,200 – 1,300 range.
There weren’t any “must-have” horses this week. The top scoring horse was in Race 1, as Cheray prevailed as a 10-1 longshot and was worth 338 contest points. Other than that, most of the top point horses fell in the 150-250 point range per week. No fireworks anywhere, just a steady stream of logic. That’s no fun. Give me chaos and volatility!
I got really small this week with a score of 52, a seriously awful effort. The only real chance I had to hit anything of consequence was in the featured Race 9 when A Red Tie Day led into the stretch on a soft pace at 17-1, but he faded to fourth. Everything else was a Michael Jackson moonwalk impression. I wouldn’t expect much movement near the top of the leaderboard with so few points available, but the weekly prizes are still paying the same!
This Saturday the contest track is Gulfstream Park. Once again, no bonus race as all the Derby hopefuls are registering their final workouts and getting their bath photos taken. Never underestimate the power of a good bath photo!
Hope to see you Saturday at Canterbury Park! Kentucky Derby, May 7, is moving day for contest players as the Derby itself offers triple points. In 2005, Ron White selected longshot Giacomo and jumped from page 18 to the top of the leaderboard to win it all. It ain’t over ’til it’s over!
The Oracle
