Andrew’s Play of the Day: 1/13/20


Racing’s nightmare is now next door to your fearless scribe. I’m joking, but only partially.

Golden Gate Fields, located a half-hour away from the Champagne compound, has started taking Runhappy money, and it’s starting to sound similar to what’s happening at Santa Anita, where the video feed is, at times, completely unwatchable due to the over-the-top graphics and things those on air have to read.

This makes me wonder what the endgame is. Those in the breeding business know Runhappy is out there as a sire and standing at Claiborne. What money is there to be made from slapping his name on every track and major stakes race that exists in this country? It’s getting to where I’m convinced someone at Team Runhappy is exercising some sort of tax break by pumping tons of money in every possible direction.

Additionally, at some point the notoriously grumpy horse racing fanbase is going to revolt. When do we start hearing talks of big players betting tracks simply because their video feeds don’t feature non-stop sponsorship reads and provide a more pleasant viewing experience? Boycotts have been organized on far less in the past. Don’t rule this out.

SUNDAY’S RESULT: Like everyone else who had the Chiefs giving points, I was shellshocked when Houston jumped out to a big lead early. However, the Chiefs turned the tide and wound up covering the 9.5-point spread with room to spare.

MONDAY’S PLAY: Tonight’s my last chance to give out a college football play until August, so I’m taking full advantage of it. LSU locks up with Clemson for the national championship, and the representatives of the bayou look awfully tough to beat. They’re 5.5-point favorites, and I think they’re a better team than that, so I’ll take LSU to cover the spread.

Andrew’s Play of the Day: 1/5/20


As you may have read yesterday, a friend challenged me to handicap a two-day Pick Five carryover at Turf Paradise Saturday. I did just that, came up with a $60 ticket, and promptly ripped it up as my opening-leg single finished off the board as a heavy favorite.

That’s not really the story, though. Those who were alive to #4 Ficety Lady in the finale saw her come up the rail, engulf tiring pace-setter #10 Baby Rose, and get nailed at the wire by #2 Faith in Excess, who went off at 32-1 and, for my money, should’ve been double that.

Those horseplayers were nosed out of $16,000 and some change on a 50-cent bet. If you’re one of them and you feel like quitting gambling, I can’t say I blame you. On the other hand, if anyone out there fits this description and wants to talk about it, by all means shoot me a tweet or an email.

SATURDAY’S RESULT: The Texans and Bills made me sweat by going to overtime, but when Ka’imi Fairbairn’s chip shot field goal split the uprights to make it a 22-19 final, the number snuck in under the 43.5-point total.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: Oddsmakers who installed the Eagles as three-point favorites over the Seahawks last week have to be sweating. Money has poured in on Seattle, and the spread has shifted so much that the Seahawks are now a one-point favorite. Philadelphia’s a great story considering how many Eagles have gotten banged up this year, but I think the ride ends here. I’ll take Seattle giving a point.

Andrew’s Play of the Day: 1/4/20




