The Field of dreams

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: All signs point to Hyperbaric (7th, $30W) notching a second straight win over the course, and being a heavy favorite in the Harry F. Brubaker Handicap. We're giving Worldly a chance at a price, however, and also going with a $5EBX of Hyperbaric and Worldly.

Hunch: Dinner plans last night called for The Field, downtown, home of beautiful-voiced Carly Smithson, whose departure when clearly the best on “American Idol” forever destroyed that show's Credibility (2nd, $30W) with us.

Monday's Handicap: Vulcan (5th, $30W) won as a 1-2 favorite should, generating a $15 profit. But we lost that, and $3 more, when the $3 tri key with Vulcan to win over Magnifique, China Bank and Tension Mounts wasn't close.

Monday's Hunch: The $20 win bets on jockey Joel Rosario's mounts amounted to $80 when he added to the three scheduled with a pick-up for Aaron Gryder on Outlaw Jones in the fourth race. A victory on the last of the four, Blues Singer ($8.00) in last race, made it a break-even package.

Monday's loss: $3  Bankroll: $1,973.50