Turn around needed

One of the best uses of my wit growing up occurred at my after prom party. I'm not happy about peaking at 17, but at least I peaked, right? Some people never reach their full potential.

Anyway, our party was set up as some sort of Vegas night motif. Three happy couples were playing blackjack when a classmate's father came up behind us and surveyed the landscape. Once we were paying attention to him he said, "So, who's the big loser here."

"Well, it appears you are," I said.

Rip-roarious laughter ensued, as the dad just smirked, shook his head, walked away, and commented that I wouldn't be receiving any extra chips that night.

I tell this story because now I'm the loser, and I feel I need to exorcise some demons. I'm down 79% at Saratoga, and you don't need to be a mathegenius to know that I'm not even close to beating the takeout let alone the game. I haven't picked a winner in the Huddie contest. I'm 16-0-2-2 through the first four-ninths of the meet. That's not getting it done no matter how you slice it.

So, maybe today will be the day things turn around. I have a college friend visiting for brunch, and I think #4 Deputy's Citizen is live in today's eighth race, a maiden special weight for fillies and mares going one mile on the turf. Deputy Citizen ran well in her debut when in for a tag back in April. Dominguez returns, and the hot Billy Badgett trains. Her last work on the turf was snappy, and showing a little bit of speed wouldn't be so bad given the way the course has been playing (sans the Sword Dancer). 10-to-1 morning is more than fair.

To quote Jack from Sideways, "Let's ratchet this up a notch."