Contest Results - The Classic Speed and Fade

Then first NHC Handicapping Contest was Sunday. I showed speed from the gate and was close up for the first five races with 4 wins which put me in a tie for 11th place.  Exciting to see your name  up there out of over 1500 players. But then, reality set in. The 9th at Fairgrounds was a MSW affair, with some nicely bred firsters. I decided to focus on them. I did my usual ; looked at workouts, breeding, and trainer stats with first time starters. Also waited to get a glimpse of them in the post parade. I knew that Neil Howard's horse had two sharp works going 5/8's and the dam was a runner. But this was her first foal. I then looked at the Asmussen trainee, out of a SW mare who was a 100% producer of 3 to race, all winners at two.
I decided to go with the Asmussen horse just because of  his statistics with first time starters. Though I love Neil Howard as a trainer, I could not come up with one horse I could remember that he won with first time out .
Um... so statistics don't always tell the whole story, as Machen, by Distorted Humor out of SW Ready's Gal, won off like a good thing. Neil Howard could have a very nice horse on his hands.
And that was the beginning of my downward spiral to end up 219th in the first NHC Handicapping contest of 2011.
But, if weather permits, I will venture to Boston this weekend for a contest at Suffolk Downs. Practice makes perfect, right?
I was excited to get a workout alert that Well Armed is back on the worktab. He had an easy 3/8s in 38 at Hollywood Park on Tuesday.

And it was very sad to learn that Edward Evans has passed. I have always loved following his horses. I have a good feeling about Quality Road in the breeding shed and his success will contribute in keeping Mr. Evans' memory alive for a long time to come. I will never forget that wonderful picture ( by Douglas Lees) of him with a Jack Russell puppy  in each jacket pocket. RIP Mr. Evans. There are lots of Jack Russells to enjoy up where you have gone.