Tuesday Thoughts

• Not only does Friday mark the first program on that day this season, it also means the first two-year-old race of the season. A field of six two-year-old fillies will go 4 1/2 furlongs in the opener. Those races are fun to watch, but essentially impossible to bet. It's the price you pay, I suppose.
• I didn't have time to give him credit pre-race, as I didn't handicap Sunday's card, but here's a shoutout to Pasta Lover, the Jersey-bred veteran who won his 2015 Monmouth debut Sunday. He ran an extremely game race in Sunday's fifth, taking the field all the way around the track while holding off numerous closing threats to win. He's not a world beater, but a fun horse to watch. Here's hoping he sticks around for a little bit longer, and eventually retires safe and sound.
• I know I already talked about rail settings, but looking at Friday's card, and seeing how many horses are stuck on the also-eligible list, it baffles me. I don't know how much handle Monmouth costs themselves with these settings, but I'm "shore" it's a lot.
• Another thing about the Monmouth grass course: it was pointed out to me a few days ago that Monmouth got rid of the hedge they used to have on the grass a few years back. I mean, I've watched every grass race this year, and somehow I never noticed that. I, for one, miss it. #bringbackthehedge
• It was great to see former Monmouth announcer Larry Collmus on Bruce Beck's show on NBC last night, discussing the Belmont. Of course, as someone who grew up listening to Larry announce the Monmouth races, I wish him nothing but the best calling the entire Belmont card this Saturday.
• And, of course, this will be the first Triple Crown bid since 1989 without Tom Durkin. Larry's great, but nobody could tell a story during a race like Tom. He'll be missed.
• Monmouth's first race on Fridays is at 12:50 PM, which I've never understood. By starting their races earlier in the day, they make it difficult for working people to go to the races, and shut their early races out from West Coast bettors.
  If their races began at, say, 4:00 PM, with the last race ending around 8:00, attendance and handle would almost "shorely" see a spike. People could come out after work for a Friday twilight card. Bettors in the west could bet the entire program. If you had Friday specials--such as discounted programs, food, admission, and drinks-- and you pumped it up locally ("start the weekend on a winning note, with twilight racing at Monmouth Park!") you may be able to start something there.
• Eddie Plesa finally won a race, winning with Scatter Joy in Sunday's third race. Despite his 1-for-37 record, he is fourth on the earnings list.
• Of note this weekend: Saturday is Belmont day, which means that there will be a Belmont Stakes viewing party at the William Hill Sports Bar. It's limited to 100 people, costs $40, and includes admission, a program, and a lunch buffet. Contact Brian Skirka at bskirka@monmouthpark.com for more information.
  Sunday is the first Monmouth Park Kid's Club, sponsored by Thorofan. It's a great way to get kids more involved in racing, and should be done more frequently than every six weeks.
  There will also be the eighth running of the G2, $200,000 Monmouth Stakes, going 1 1/8 miles on the grass. 38 horses were nominated, so hopefully that will result in a nice, big field.
• Finally, I will answer the question everyone has been asking: how have my picks been doing?
  $188 Bet
  $177.80 Returned
  -0.054% ROI
  So it hasn't been a terrific season with my picks so far, but it's close to even. We'll see if it improves...hopefully, it will.