In which we revisit some of last week’s top stories…
- Our collection of handicappers had mixed success on Belmont day. Ted Black (here) picked three races — the Woody Stephens, the Manhattan, and the Belmont — and the winner came from his top three selections in two of those. His top three in the Stephens ran one-two-four, though his top selection, Declan’s Warrior, finished a hard-luck second. His top selection, Point of Entry, won the Manhattan, with his third choice, Optimizer, in second. In the Belmont, though, his pick three came acropper, with his top choice, Revolutionary, finishing fifth. Orb was the best finisher among his selections, earning third.
- Speaking of the Belmont, we turned our experts — nine of ’em — loose on the big race. The group choice was Revolutionary (finished fifth), followed by Orb (third) and then Unlimited Budget (sixth). Only Jeff Krulik put Palace Malice in the top spot.
- Frank Carulli’s — our recent profile is here — 11-year career as Maryland Jockey Club linemaker and on-air handicapper concluded on Saturday; the festivities included a mid-card ceremony; in which MJC president Tom Chuckas presented Carulli with framed photos and a gift certificate, and a series of between-races reminiscences, dubbed “Frank Says Thanks,” in which he said thanks to some of the people he’s been closest to in Maryland. In his final race, a maiden claiming event on the turf with four horses making their career debut, Carulli’s tepid morning line favorite, Cross Town Rival (3-1 morning line), went off as the tepid post-time favorite (2.40-1). Another job well done.
- Colonial Downs opened its 2013 season, and a crowd of 2,255 made the journey to New Kent for the lid-lifter. Longshots were the order of the day, as every winner but one was at least 4-1. Rank outsider Inti, 23-1 at post time, won the Grade 3 David L. (Zeke) Ferguson Memorial Hurdle to highlight opening night, traveling 2 1/4 miles in 4:24 1/5 to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
(Featured image is of Pimlico following the Preakness. Photo by Vas.)
