In a fit of creative brilliance and originality Hank Wesch has chosen “change” as the byword for his '08 Del Mar fantasy betting campaign. Change from the widely misperceived “trend” of nine losing seasons (some narrow) in 10 years at the gig. Or, failing that, a few bucks and change remaining at the end of the meeting from the original imaginary $2,000 stake. No change in the format. One selection on semi-serious handicapping, one on pure hunch.
Handicap: Moral Compass (9th, $30W) narrowly lost a division of the Oceanside, has a style that fits and is 2-for-3 at the distance. Plus a $1 tri key with Moral Compass to win over Tizwest, Madeo and Liberian Fighter.
Hunch: The Olympics have begun, the Chargers preseason starts tonight, but though we know we're Preachintothechoir (4th, $30W), our opinion is that the best sporting event of the summer is what's going on right here.
Yesterday's Handicap: Cheroot (2nd, $30W) set the pace as we expected, but couldn't hold on and finished third. The $2EBX was reduced to $4 by the scratch of Vega's Lord and missed when Dilemma won, leaving our pair of Mr. Napper Tandy and Cheroot second and third.
Yesterday's Hunch: The $10 win bets on all the No. 8 horses from races 3-through-8 in accordance with the 8-8-08 date wasn't a total loss. Lethal Heat ($6.20) won the featured stake from No. 8 reducing the damage by $21.
Yesterday's loss: $73. Bankroll: $1,804.
