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LOOK OUT FOR THE UPCOMING DRAIN THE CLOCK 2YO OF 2026 !!!

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS $1.1 MILLION DRAIN THE CLOCK COLT THIS SUMMER!


The OBS March 2026 Two-Year-Old In-Training Sale


The unquestioned king of the under-tack shows this year (2026) was Gainesway's first-crop stallion Drain the Clock, who saw his offspring post the fastest times at their respective distances for three straight days.

Those strong showings on the track are translating into top results in the ring as Hip 132, a chestnut colt by Drain the Clock who worked in :9 4/5, sold to Pedro Lanz, agent for KAS Stables for $1.1 million.

The colt is out of the Freud mare Making a Point and showcased the same fluid movement during his breeze that is quickly becoming a trademark of the sire.

"I've been here since the prep and I've noticed (the Drain the Clocks) are fast and can sustain speed," Lanz said.

"They are athletes, they are incredible athletes. When you see them, they look sharp. And I think they can go the distance. These horses' strides are very long and they sustain their speed. I have three-four that I like in this sale."

Lanz added the colt would head to the barn of trainer Brad Cox.

"This colt is a beautiful physical," Lanz said.

"If we wanted this horse, we knew we were going to have to fight for him."



"FIGHT?"

Sounds like Drain the Clock in races.



Yes, Drain the Clock was a fighter with his signature win in the 2021 Woody Stephens (G1) over an even faster and sprint champion Jackie's Warrior in a fast time of 1:22.27 for seven furlongs, earning Drain the Clock of Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

Running Beyer Speed Figure of 95 or higher is very hard to do in sprint races and Drain the Clock did it against a world-class champion in Jackie's Warrior in the 2021 Woody Stehpens Stakes (G1).

He won other stakes races as well and most of them were very fast.

As for this particular high-price two-year-old son, the sky is the limit, and I can't wait to see him on the racetracks -- especially having trainer Brad Cox as his trainer.

OH, BOY! -- IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN SUMMER!

BRING IT ON!!!

News Headline!!!

Hedge fund manager predicts Bitcoin to $50M


Tuesday February 17, 2026

Hedge fund manager’s wild Bitcoin prediction

In an interview with Phil Rosen, EMJ Capital CEO Eric Jackson has projected that Bitcoin could reach $50 million per coin by 2041.

At current prices, that would represent roughly a 74,527% increase.

His thesis is based on what he describes as a long-term collateral transformation in global finance. He argued that Bitcoin could evolve into what he calls “neutral global collateral.”

“This isn’t just digital gold, this isn’t some Beanie Babies,” Jackson said.

“It is actually going to be a dominant way that we borrow against to do things.”

Rather than replacing existing systems outright, Jackson believes Bitcoin could operate beneath them, serving as a foundational asset that global markets borrow against.

However, he stressed that this vision depends on Bitcoin maintaining its apolitical character and functioning as a neutral reserve asset.

To illustrate the concept, he pointed to gold’s historical role in global finance.

“The thing that you hear most about is, ‘oh it’s digital gold,’ ‘is this going to be like the new version of gold?’,” Jackson said.

“And you can say, ‘well how big is gold today? How many central banks around the world own it? How many sovereigns own it?’ So, could Bitcoin be as big as gold one day? That seems like a safe assumption.”


Bitcoin's journey to $50 million

Jackson’s $50 million forecast is tied to what he calls “Vision 2041,” a long-term framework built around the size and structure of global sovereign debt markets.

He explains that global finance has historically evolved through different forms of collateral, and the next shift could center on Bitcoin.


He traced the evolution of financial systems from gold-backed monetary regimes to offshore dollar markets that expanded in the 1960s.

According to Jackson, the Eurodollar system, which is a network of U.S. dollar deposits held outside the United States, played a key role in shaping modern global liquidity and today’s debt-driven structure.

The Eurodollar market consists of U.S. dollar-denominated deposits held in banks outside the United States, originally in Europe but now globally. These deposits are not subject to U.S. banking regulations or Federal Reserve oversight.

Over time, the Eurodollar market became a major source of offshore dollar liquidity, supporting international lending, trade finance, and capital flows.

Jackson believes Bitcoin could eventually take on a similar role, replacing the Eurodollar as a neutral collateral asset underpinning global borrowing.


He described Bitcoin as “much superior” collateral because it is digital, scarce, "apolitical" and operates outside central bank control.

However, he clarified that this shift would not necessarily displace the U.S. dollar or Treasuries directly.

Instead, Bitcoin could function alongside existing systems, as a foundational reserve asset in a future global financial architecture.

[End of Article]


I could've told Eric Jackson way back in 2009 when I first discovered Bitcoin and wrote about it in great detail.

Great! -- Eric Jackson and I share the same belief on Bitcoin's future.

Long Live Bitcoin!

Long Live Bitcoin!

Long Live Bitcoin!




Here is a related article that seems to think that Bitcoin will reach $1 million (not $50 million) mark in 10 years from 2026:


Bitwise CIO says Bitcoin could hit $1M in $38T store-of-value market


March 10, 2026


[Preface: Hougan says the total "store-of-value market" could reach $121 trillion (from its current $38T) over the next 10 years if the store-of-value market continues to expand at the same pace, and Bitcoin would need to capture only about 17% to reach $1 million.]




Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, Matt Hougan, said Bitcoin's price could reach $1 million if it captures a sizable share of the $38 trillion global store-of-value market.

In a recent memo, Hougan said the market has expanded significantly over time, yet investors still assume the store-of-value market will remain static.


Matt Hougan says Bitcoin competes with Gold in the store-of-value market


Hougan explains that investors have always turned to gold to protect their wealth, and many now see Bitcoin as a suitable alternative because it is scarce, durable, and well-known worldwide.


The CIO estimated that gold accounts for about $36 trillion of the $38 trillion store-of-value market, while Bitcoin holds about $1.4 trillion (less than 4% market share). From this point, Hougan says many analysts compare Bitcoin to gold because it also allows investors to store wealth outside of traditional financial systems and has a scarce supply of only 21 million coins.


But unlike Gold, Bitcoin exists digitally and can be broken down into extremely small units, allowing investors to move it quickly and easily across the internet.


Yet even with these qualities, people struggle to believe in $1 million per Bitcoin because it would take a miracle for the coin to capture more than half of the store-of-value market anytime in the near future.


However, Hougan says the store-of-value market will not remain the same, as global wealth continues to expand and more people seek ways to protect their money.




Bitcoin price could reach $1 million as more people use it to store wealth



In his memo, Matt Hougan said markets that preserve wealth can expand faster than investors expect, citing that gold's total value rose from $2.5 trillion in 2004 to about $40 trillion today (March 10, 2026). This means the value compounded at 13% year after year as demand worldwide grew.


For the past two decades, investors have poured more money into store-of-value assets because government debt has increased in many parts of the world, wars have broken out, and central banks have introduced loose monetary policies that have kept interest rates low.


Hougan says the total market could reach $121 trillion over the next 10 years if the store-of-value market continues to expand at the same pace, and Bitcoin would need to capture only about 17% to reach $1 million.


Hougan says investors will only accept that Bitcoin can move from its current 4% to 17% if they focus on how quickly adoption has increased in recent years.


More institutional investors have brought new money into Bitcoin over the past few years, and the coin's long-term volatility has declined when compared to its initial years.


Trends in portfolio allocation also reflect changing attitudes. For instance, in previous years, even a 1% allocation to Bitcoin by professional investors was viewed as aggressive. However, there is now an increasing trend of institutions allocating 5% to Bitcoin in diversified portfolios. Even a small increase in overall allocation levels can generate high demand.


Nevertheless, Hougan identifies some risks that may affect these predictions.

First, the store-of-value market may not continue to rise at the pace it has over the last 20 years.

Secondly, the economic factors that contributed to gold's rise in value may not recur.


Another possibility is that Bitcoin may not reach the market share necessary to hit these price targets. Adoption may not be rapid enough, or investors may prefer traditional store-of-value assets like gold rather than traditional alternatives.


At the same time, however, Hougan also warns that these projections may not even be conservative enough. If there is growing concern about government debt or currency stability in the future, investors may require even higher returns from assets known to hold up well in the long run. Then, the growth of the global store-of-value market could accelerate even faster.


If such a scenario comes to pass, Bitcoin's market share will exceed the expected 17% and its value will be further elevated. For Hougan, the important factor is not the price target but how the market's framework changes with the possibility of further market growth.


In that context, Hougan explains that analysts who use a fixed market size to determine Bitcoin's value may miss an important part of the picture. If the store-of-value market continues to grow and Bitcoin continues to increase its share of that market, it becomes clear how it is possible to reach $1 million per Bitcoin [in 10 years from now].




Here is another related article that seems to think that Bitcoin will reach $1 million mark by 2032:


Monday March 23, 2026

Anthony Scaramucci sets $1 million Bitcoin target by 2032, explains why he's buying now: “You can't be in the market like me for 38 years and ....”



The $1 Million BTC Target


Appearing on The Wolf Of All Streets Podcast with Scott Melker, Scaramucci stated that Skybridge Capital has set a $1 million price target for Bitcoin by 2032, factoring in the 2028 halving event and the 4-year cycle.


“So if you get the opportunity to buy it here, then buy it,” Scaramucci added.


Scaramucci maintains that Bitcoin's 4-year cycle remains very much intact, with the current pullback driven by long-term holders, those who've held BTC for 15 years or so, finally cashing out after it hit the $100,000 milestone.


Scaramucci Admitted Getting It Wrong Last Year 2025


Scaramucci stayed bullish on Bitcoin for most of last year (2025), maintaining his $150,000 year-end price target right up until September (2025).


He later conceded in a Benzinga interview that he got it wrong, overlooking the “massive” sell-off by Bitcoin whales.


The former White House Communications Director revealed previously that 70% of his wealth is tied up in the leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

LAST TIME TO ENJOY THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS!

DID I PROCLAIM THAT 2025 IS THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS?


YES, THAT IS CORRECT: 2025 IS THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS, BOTH THOROUGHBRED AND HARNESS!


THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS -- OH BOY, IS IT EVER?


With that said, let's close out the two-year-old year "early" with a "BANG!"


I KNOW THERE ARE STILL TWO-YEAR-OLD RACES TO COME BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR WITH RACES LIKE:

The Remsen at Aqueduct next week December 6 (2025) and then there are two-year-old races out west in California at Los Alamitos Racecourse beginning Friday, Dec. 5 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 14 to close out the outstanding YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS!

The last two two-year-old stakes races are the G2, $200,000-guaranteed Starlet for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on Saturday, Dec. 6 (2025) and one week later – Saturday, Dec. 13 - the G2, $200,000-guaraneed Los Alamitos Futurity at 1 1/16 miles for 2-year-old colts.


THAT IS IT!!!


SO LONG THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS 2025!


HAPPY THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS, EVERYBODY!




BUT PERSONALLY, I DON'T THINK THOSE THREE RACES WILL GENERATE OUTSTANDING TWO-YEAR-OLDS OF 2025 (in my opinion).


SO WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT THE REAL TWO-YEAR-OLDS OF 2025 ARE RUNNING THIS WEEKEND AT CHURCHILL DOWNS!

AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE THEM RUN THIS WEEKEND!


Oh, grief! -- I have to wait until next summer for two-year-old races to kick in full gear!


IT'S A BUMMER!


Anyhow, let's use the parlay betting strategy and call it as:


THE YEAR-END TWO-YEAR-OLD YEAR PARLAY SPECIAL!


Since it is a two-year-old year-end special, I will make an exception to the three-leg rule and make it as a four-leg parlay special.


1st leg:


6 1/2 Furlongs Open 2 Year Olds Ed Brown Stakes
PURSE: $225,000


Date: Saturday November 29, 2025
Track: Churchill Downs
Race: 4
Surface: Dirt

Horse: Boyd (ML 1-1 favorite)


Bet Boyd to win.



2nd leg:


1 Mile Open 2 Year Olds ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING : $100,000

PURSE: $127,000

Date: Saturday November 29, 2025
Track: Churchill Downs
Race: 5
Surface: dirt

Horse: It's Our Time (ML 1-1 favorite)


Bet It's Our Time to win.






3rd leg:


1 1/16 Miles Open 2 Year Olds G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
PURSE: $400,000

Date: Saturday November 29, 2025
Track: Churchill Downs
Race: 10
Surface: dirt


Horse: Further Ado (ML 7-5 favorite)



Bet Further Ado (ML 7-5) to win.


Put all of the accumulated money on him because he is going to win this race in a romp, in my opinion.




4th and final leg:


7 Furlongs Open 2 Year Olds MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT
PURSE: $120,000

Date: Saturday November 29, 2025
Track: Churchill Downs
Race: 10
Surface: dirt


Horse: Dragones (ML 3-1 second choice behind 5-2 favorite Cannoneer)



Bet Dragones (ML 3-1) to win, place using double down betting strategy.


Put all of the accumulated money on him because I think he has a very good chance to be at least 2nd (if not win).


Note: I broke the "parlay rule" by picking a longshot in the last leg, the 4th leg.

Well, not really a longshot but a second choice in the morning line.

But still I broke the "parlay rule", nonetheless.


I am breaking the "parlay rule" because I think Dragones qualifies as a "cinch" horse based on my handicapping prowess and expertise.

This is one of my rare occasions that I break the last leg "parlay rule."

You should never break the last-leg parlay rule because it is very dangerous as longshots like Dragones might well run like a longshot horse causing our accumulated money to go down the drain.

You won't see me breaking the last-leg parlay rule very often and this one is the rare exception one.

With that said, I think Dragones will win this race like a "cinch" horse would; and therefore, I feel very confident in using Dragones as the last leg of this parlay special year-end play.


HAPPY THE YEAR OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS, EVERYBODY!

HOUSTON! -- WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

PANICKING TIME -- IT'S TIME TO PANIC!



Entries for the upcoming week/weekend are out at both Churchill Downs and Aqueduct as both tracks are the likely venues for Phnom Penh to end up racing at the present time.

However, Phnom Penh was not entered in any of the entries for either track, particularly the one at Aqueduct where Phnom Penh is known to be based at recently.

There is a suitable race condition for Phnom Penh at Aqueduct on Saturday November 15, 2025, scheduled as the fourth race on turf for 1 1/16 Miles Open 2 Year Olds MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT PURSE: $85,000, but he was not entered in that race.


NOW IT IS REALLY PANICKING TIME -- for me anyway!


There is a race on the condition book on dirt (not turf) at Aqueduct on Sunday November 16, 2025, for 1 1/16 Miles Open 2 Year Olds MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT PURSE: $85,000, but the entry for that race hasn't been out yet.

However, Phnom Penh is a turf racehorse and that race is on dirt which is not what his connections are aiming him for.

Bottom line:

Phnom Penh is unlikely to show up in any race any time soon, perhaps due to soundness issue -- that is my opinion!


PANICKING TIME!!!

HARNESS RACING HEADLINE!

MUSIC TO MY EARS!



Churchill launches big-money races at Kentucky harness track


Two new races at Oak Grove Racing will be among the biggest harness races in Kentucky when Churchill Downs Inc. launches the Oak Grove Festival of Racing at its racino just north of Fort Campbell near the Tennessee border.

Track officials hope the new $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks serve as key preps for the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks, respectively. Those prestigious races are like the Kentucky Derby and Oaks for standardbreds.




"The growth and excitement around Kentucky harness racing has been a bright spot for the entire sport," CDI president Bill Mudd said in a news release. "Establishing this signature event further stamps Oak Grove as a premier racing and entertainment destination. With steady growth in purses and race days and our focus on delivering exceptional fan experiences, the Oak Grove Festival of Racing is an exciting next step."

The finals for the new races will be Saturday, May 16, with the eliminations on Monday, May 4. Traditionally, the Monday after the Kentucky Derby has been a strong handle day for Oak Grove.

Unlike Thoroughbred races, which limit the number of starters, most harness stakes allow all nominated horses to enter, with eliminations to determine the final field. Each race among both eliminations and finals will have a maximum of nine starters.

Churchill has taken the added step to create roads to the Trotting Derby and Oaks, guaranteeing entry and covering fees for winners of certain prep races.

"Harness racing in Kentucky has seen a spectacular resurgence, fueled by the dynamic and unifying partnership with the teams at Oak Grove and Churchill Downs," Kenny Jackson of the Kentucky Harness Association said in the release. "This alliance has allowed us to reclaim our title as the harness capital of the world. We expect this exciting new event will become the annual kickoff for the sport across North America and beyond and position us to attract new fans and participants to the exciting world of harness racing."

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL JUNE 2026 WHEN THE PREP RACES ARE IN FULL SWING!

MY EYES ARE ON TWO-YEAR-OLD TURF RACE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2025

WELL, SORT OF! -- NOT QUITE!



PHNOM PENH verses THAILAND in the making!!!
(I hope it happens -- it would be very exciting -- for me anyway!)



Churchill Downs race 10 is a 1 1/16 Miles turf race for Open 2 Year Olds MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT PURSE: $120,000.

Looking at the bloated/overflow field of 16 horses, I see a two-year-old named Thailand (ML 5-2 favorite) and immediately I scanned down the field to see if Phnom Penh is in the field, but to my disappointment, Phnom Penh was not entered in that race.



VERY DISAPPOINTING!



Phnom Penh was last seen in action on Thursday October 2, 2025, running in a maiden special weight turf race at Aqueduct where he finished 9th -- that is five weeks ago this Sunday November 9, 2025.

Phnom Penh (Medaglia d'Oro - Cambodia, by War Front) is trained by Tom Proctor.

Phnom Penh is a homebred whose breeders/owners tried to sell in auction but was an RNA $150,000.

Thailand was last seen in action on October 12, 2025, at Keeneland, race 2, in a Maiden Special Weight turf race where he finished third of twelve horses -- a very good showing.

Thailand (Not This Time - Queen Bee To You, by Old Topper) is trained by Wesley A. Ward.

Thailand is a $900,000 yearling purchase. He is a 5-2 morning line favorite in this race, and my money is definitely on Thailand comes Sunday November 9, 2025.


As for Phnom Penh, I'm very disappointed that Phnom Penh is not scheduled to run anywhere this weekend, particularly in the 10th race at Churchill Downs where he would face Thailand.

That would be a race of the century, for me anyway.

Is he experiencing soundness issue, perhaps?

I hope not, given what happened to Theravada lately and I don't think I can stomach another soundness issue with Phnom Penh this time around.

Let's hope that Phnom Penh is fine and be showing up in a race soon, perhaps next week.

If he stays healthy and Thailand stays healthy -- LOOK OUT -- they are both going to cross path and face each other in the near future as they both are two-year-olds bred for turf with Phnom Penh's dam was a superb turf racehorse and Thailand's dam was also a superb turf racehorse.

As a matter of fact, Cambodia is two years older than Thailand's dam Queen Bee To You.


Yes, you couldn't make this thing up: Queen vs. Cambodia.

Queen is Queen Bee To You -- get it?

Competition through their offsprings is the next best thing due to the mothers themselves never had any chance of competing against each other.

The closest the mothers came to competing against each other was in August 2018, when Queen Bee To You ran 2nd in the 1-mile Solana Beach Stakes (on turf) at Del Mar on August 10, 2018; while one week earlier (8/4/2018), Cambodia won the 1 1/4 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G2) -- also at Del Mar (on turf) -- beating a stellar group of grass horses.

Queen Bee To You was 3yo in 2018 while Cambodia was 5yo -- so the two-year difference in age may have played a role in the two not having any chance of competing against one another -- as Cambodia retired to the breeding shed at the end of 2018 as a 5yo while Queen Bee To You also continued to race until she was 5yo when she won the 1 1/16 miles La Canada Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita on dirt on January 11, 2020.

Queen Bee To You was a versatile racehorse who can compete on dirt and turf, but her affinity for turf racing makes her offsprings as turf racehorses. Her versatility as a racehorse will definitely pass on to her offsprings.

She retired to the breeding shed for the 2020 breeding season of January and February (2020) after winning the La Canada Stakes (G3) on January 11, 2020.


Now let's hope that their offsprings have better luck and end up competing against each other this time.


That is something I'm looking forward to in the near future as these two-year-olds are heading on a collision course at some point in their career.

Hope both horses stay healthy and improving at similar levels in order for them to compete against one another, but that is a very longshot in horse racing as horses develop into different levels all the time.

Looking at high-price horses recently and you'll see why it is unpredictable to count chickens before the eggs hatched, and two-year-old horses are in the same boat.

Nonetheless, I couldn't help but dream of a matchup between Phnom Penh and Thailand in the [near] future.

Now I have two two-year-olds to root for in Phnom Penh and Thailand -- and hoping both can join the 2025 elite group of two-year-olds of the likes of Ted Noffey, It's Our Time, Englishman, Further Ado, Luoa Dipa (harness), etc., comes December 31.

If it comes down to between Phnom Penh and Thailand, you can guess who I'm rooting for.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to both horses to show up in races to come.

HAPPY BREEDERS' CUP, EVERYBODY!


LET'S START THE BREEDERS' CUP SATURDAY OFF WITH A BANG!




Using the parlay guideline outlined earlier this week, we're going to use two parlays (two parlay sets) for this Breeders' Cup Saturday with Nysos and Fierceness as our main third-leg anchors.





FIRST SET:



You know I love two-year-old races and this one should start us off with a "BANG!"



1st leg:


1 Mile Open 2 Year Olds Nashua Stakes PURSE: $150,000


Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Track: Belmont At BigA
Race: 4
Surface: Dirt

Horse: My World (ML 6-5)


Bet My World to win (He will win in a "ROMP" at a very low odd in my opinion -- hey, a win is a win!).



2nd leg:


I couldn't help it but to choose this race as the 2nd leg after seeing Tagermeen in entry at Churchill Downs race 6 of a two-year-old race and this one should continue us with a "BANG!" as well -- albeit at low odd.

Remember that the parlay rule says that you can choose to have any tracks available to you to play the parlay, and this one fits the parlay rule perfectly.



7 Furlongs Open 2 Year Olds MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT PURSE: $120,000

Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Track: Churchill Downs
Race: 6
Surface: dirt

Horse: Tagermeen (ML 2-1 but I think he will be 4/5 or lower at post time)


Bet Tagermeen to win (and don't even bother to waste your money by betting it to place also because Tagermeen is going to win this race at low odd).


Tagermeen made his debut Saturday July 12th (2025), in Race 1 at Saratoga in a 6f maiden sp wt race. Morning line odds 7/2. He finished 2nd to a very good 2yo named Curtain Call.

He then ran into a buzzsaw Ted Noffey on August 2, 2025, and he finished 4th in that 6 1/2 furlongs maiden sp wt race (at Saratoga).

Most recently, he ran into another monster named Englishman on September 19, 2025, in the 7f maiden sp wt race when he finished 3rd (at Churchill Downs).

So Tagermeen ran into three buzzsaws in his three races thus far and I don't see any monster or buzzsaw in this race.


So I will say this:

This is the easiest money you'll ever going to get on Breeders' Cup Saturday November 1, 2025.


Tagermeen is a young, bay Thoroughbred racehorse who commanded a $1.4 million price tag at a 2025 auction.

The colt is owned by Tagermeen Racing, a Libyan-based partnership that made a splash at several high-profile sales in 2025.

Key details about the horse:

Birth: Foaled on May 8, 2023.

Lineage: He is sired by the renowned stallion Into Mischief and is a full brother to the undefeated, but tragically deceased, stakes winner Taraz. His dam is Silk Route.

Sale: Tagermeen was purchased as a 2-year-old in April 2025 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale. The buyers, represented by agent Mahmud Mouni, paid $1.4 million.

Training: He was put under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.



3rd leg:


1 Mile Open 3 Year Olds And Up G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile PURSE: $1,000,000

Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 11
Surface: dirt


Horse: Nysos (ML 8-5 favorite)



Bet Nysos (ML 8-5) to win, place using double down betting strategy.


Put all of the accumulated money on him because I think he has a very good chance to be at least 2nd (if not win).

I think Nysos will win this race, even though it looks like a wide open race.





SECOND SET:




1st leg:

7 Furlongs Fillies and Mares 3 Year Olds And Up G1 PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint PURSE: $1,000,000

Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 4
Surface: Dirt

Horse: Richi (CHI) (ML 5-1 fourth choice behind the 2-1 favorite Sweet Azteca, 7-2 second choice Tamara, 4-1 third choice Hope Rode)

Bet Richi (CHI) to win, place using double down betting strategy.



2nd leg:

1 1/8 Miles Fillies and Mares 3 Year Olds And Up G1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff PURSE: $2,000,000


Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 7
Surface: Dirt

Horse: Scottish Lassie (ML 12-1)

Bet Scottish Lassie to win, place, show using double down betting strategy.


Yes, this qualifies as my Breeders' Cup Saturday longshot play and Scottish Lassie (ML 12-1) is a "live" longshot despite the enormous presence of the likely 6/5 or 4/5 heavy favorite Seismic Beauty in this race.



3rd leg:


1 1/4 Miles Open 3 Year Olds And Up G1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic PURSE: $7,000,000


Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 9
Surface: Dirt

Horse: Fierceness (ML 5-2 favorite because as of this writing there is a report that Sovereignty is likely to be scratched due to illness; this makes Fierceness as the likely 9-5 post time favorite, in my opinion. Even if Sovereignty is still in this race I will still pick Fierceness to win as a third-leg "cinch" horse.)

Bet Fierceness (ML 5-2) to win and put all of the accumulated money on him because I think he is going to win this race.



B.S. CRYSTAL BALL BONUS:


I like the likely favorite Fierceness (5-2) as the key horse on top of the exacta (bonus) play and I will use Sovereignty (6-5 favorite if he is not scratched) as the hedging horse, but if he is scratched I will use Journalism as the hedging horse; while in either cases, I will use Nevada Beach (20-1 longshot) and Contrary Thinking (50-1) as the "for profit" exacta plays.


YES, YOU ARE SEEING IT RIGHT: I'm using Contrary Thinking, a 50-1 longest odd in the field, as a "for profit" play.

More about Contrary Thinking a little bit later.


Using the hypothetical "bonus" amount of $60, we have:


The hedge using exacta (straight):


$10 Fierceness / Sovereignty

OR if Sovereignty is scratched:

$10 Fierceness / Journalism




Now $60 - $10 = $50

That leaves $50 for the potential for profit plays.

Now the "for profit" plays using exacta (straight):


Note: NEVER play the exacta with equal amounts if you have multiple horses on the bottom of a key horse.

Looking at the two horses' odds Nevada Beach (20-1 longshot) and Contrary Thinking (50-1 longest odd) as the "for profit" exacta plays, we can say that Contrary Thinking is more than twice larger than the odd of Nevada Beach, so we'll use $20 for Contrary Thinking and $30 for Nevada Beach and that is totalled to $50.


$20 exacta Fierceness / Contrary Thinking

$30 exacta Fierceness / Nevada Beach

That is it!



Fierceness is the class of the field and a standout and probably a 2-1 favorite.


With that said, let's examine in dept about Contrary Thinking and see why I chose to use him as my for-profit play.

Contrary Thinking is a lightly raced 5yo gelding with only six races to his resume.

The fact that he has only six races is not by accident nor intentional but rather due to some soundness issues prior to and during his brief racing career.

Contrary Thinking was a $280,000 yearling purchase and he is by Into Mischief out of a Curlin mare Valadorna -- so he is a well-bred horse but soundness issues prevented him from racing in his early years.

Contrary Thinking didn't start his racing career until his four-year-old year which was 2024.

He won his debut race in April 2024, running six furlongs at Aqueduct; he then finished 5th at Saratoga in June 2024, running 6 1/2 furlongs in an allowance race.

After two races he was done for the year due to soundness issues.

He showed up in March the following year (2025) in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race and he finished 6th (at Aqueduct).

One month later in April 2025 he finished 4th in a six-furlong allowance race (also at Aqueduct).

Two months later he won a one-mile allowance race in June 2025 (also at Aqueduct).

Then two months later his stable mate Sierra Leone came calling, "I need you to run a rabbit race for me in the Whitney," which was on August 2, 2025, in which, Sierra Leone won the race -- "Job well done, Contrary Thinking!"

And then one month later (8/31/25) he was called to do a dirty job again for his stable mate Sierra Leone in the Jockey Gold Cup at Saratoga where he set a very fast pace and finished last.


Now the reason that Contrary Thinking is in this race, in my opinion, is not to make a rabbit race for Sierra Leone, but to win this race outright -- in my opinion!

Yes, you are seeing it right: Contrary Thinking is capable of winning this race outright.

He is a lightly race but the talent is there, and with everybody [i.e., opposing trainers/jockeys] are thinking that Contrary Thinking is just in this race to do a rabbit race, so they will leave him alone -- and lo and behold, surprise, surprise -- Contrary Thinking steals the race and wins it outright.

However, as soon as the horses crossed the finish line the stewards lit up the "Inquiry" sign looking into the stretch run involving Contrary Thinking, Sierra Leone, Fierceness, and a few other horses -- when Sierra Leone was moving like a freight train looking like he was going to win the race really easily at the 8th pole when Contrary Thinking got legs-wary and drifted out to the outside and into a group of on-rushing horses' path, including Sierra Leone's.

Sierra Leone lost all momentum and continued willingly thereafter while Contrary Thinking sprinted clear toward home when Fierceness and Nevada Beach emerged from the trouble group just a moment earlier and collared Contrary Thinking approaching the 16th pole.

Fierceness and Contrary Thinking battled each other shoulder-to-shoulder through the stretch and appeared to exchange bumps with each other several times while Fierceness took the worse of the bumping from Contrary Thinking.

Contrary Thinking surged ahead over Fierceness approaching the wire to win going away by a widening two lengths over Fierceness.

After a long inquiry the stewards disqualified Contrary Thinking and placed him second behind Fierceness, followed by the running order with Nevada Beach in third, Sierra Leone in fourth.

Soon thereafter it became official.

The stewards' explanation saying even though Contrary Thinking started the chain reaction in the stretch run, Contrary Thinking was a length and a half in front, and therefore, he was not subjected/warranted for a disqualification to be fifth behind the trouble-trip Sierra Leone.

However, the stewards took the later incident involving Contrary Thinking and Fierceness seriously and ended up disqualifying Contrary Thinking to second behind Fierceness due to the bumping incident inside the 16th pole that, in stewarts' perspective, effected the outcome of the race and denied Fierceness a fair chance of winning the race.


THANKS TO MY "B.S. CRYSTAL BALL!"

We get the win and exacta bets!

SWEET!
SWEET!
SWEET!


That's how I see it!


That is my handicapping angle for this Breeders' Cup Weekend, THANKS TO MY "B.S. CRYSTAL BALL!"


ENJOY THE BREEDERS' CUP EVERYBODY!

SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!

BREEDERS' CUP WEEKEND IS HERE!

HAPPY BREEDERS' CUP, EVERYBODY!


DID I SAY I LOVE TWO-YEAR-OLD RACES?

OH, BOY!, DO I EVER?

AND BREEDERS' CUP FRIDAY IS MY FAVORITE BREEDERS' CUP DAY!



LET'S SPEND THE BREEDERS' CUP FRIDAY BETTING RACES USING PARLAY BETTING!


THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO USE A BETTING STRATEGY CALLED PARLAY BETTING!


LET'S START THE BREEDERS' CUP WEEKEND OFF WITH A BANG!

According to the parlay rule it says each parlay contains only three legs and we'll adhere to the three-leg rule.


Using the parlay guideline outlined earlier this week, we're going to use two parlays (two parlay sets) with Blackout Time and Gstaad as our main third-leg anchors.

Yes, you're seeing it correctly: Blackout Time (and it's not a typo! -- more about Blackout Time in a little bit!)



FIRST SET:



1st leg:

1 Mile Open 2 Year Olds Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes PURSE: $200,000

Date: Friday October 31, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 2
Surface: Turf

Horse: Plutarch (ML 2-1)


Bet Plutarch to win (He will win in a "ROMP" despite Baffert is not known for training turf horses).

Yes, Plutarch should start our Breeders' Cup Day (Friday) off with a "BANG!"




2nd leg:

1 1/16 Miles Fillies 2 Year Olds G1 NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies PURSE: $2,000,000

Date: Friday October 31, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 7
Surface: dirt

Horse: Percy's Bar (ML 9-2)


Bet Percy's Bar to win, place using double down betting strategy.





3rd leg:

1 1/16 Miles Open 2 Year Olds G1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance PURSE: $2,000,000


Date: Friday October 31, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 9
Surface: dirt


Horse: Blackout Time (ML 5-1 3rd choice -- and kind of a cinch horse, in my opinion, despite the presence of popular opinion morning line 4/5 favorite Ted Noffey and 5-2 second choice Brant)


It seems that my parlay layout is in reverse if you go by their odds with Plutarch is 2-1, Percy's Bar is at 9-2 and Blackout Time is at 5-1 3rd choice.

According to the parlay rule it should be the other way around, but that is how they scheduled the races, and I have to work with what I am given.



So bet Blackout Time (ML 5-1) to win, place using double down betting strategy.


Put all of the accumulated money on him because I think he has a very good chance to be at least 2nd (if not win).

I think Blackout Time will turn the tables on his arch rival Ted Noffey and then holds the others at bay in the stretch.

I know Ted Noffey is the likely winner of this race, according to popular opinion, but according to my opinion, it will contradict popular opinion and I think Blackout Time will win this race at a very good odd.

Again, Ted Noffey is the likely winner of this race and he is towering over the field; however, I'm going with my long time "Watch Horse" who is primed for a huge upset of the likely 3/5 or 1/2 favorite Ted Noffey.


Note: I broke the "parlay rule" by picking a longshot in the third leg because based on my handicapping prowess and expertise I see Blackout Time as a "cinch" horse instead of Ted Noffey, even though Ted Noffey qualifies as a "cinch" horse in the public's opinion [but not with my opinion].

This is one of my rare occasions that I break the third-leg "parlay rule."

You should never break the third-leg parlay rule because it is very dangerous as the public opinion usually prevail in the end [most of the time anyway].

You won't see me breaking the third-leg parlay rule very often and this one is the rare exception one.





SECOND SET:




1st leg:

5 Furlongs Fillies and Mares 3 Year Olds And Up Senator Ken Maddy S. Presented by Breeders' Cup Charities PURSE: $200,000

Date: Friday October 31, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 4
Surface: Turf

Horse: Shoot It True (ML 3-1 second choice behind the 5-2 favorite Queen Maxima)

Bet Shoot It True to win, place using double down betting strategy.



2nd leg:

1 Mile Fillies 2 Year Olds G1 John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf PURSE: $1,000,000


Date: Friday October 31, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 8
Surface: Turf

Horse: Infinite Sky (ML 20-1)

Bet Infinite Sky to win, place, show using double down betting strategy.


Yes, this qualifies as my Breeders' Cup Friday longshot play and Infinite Sky (ML 20-1) is a "live" longshot despite the enormous presence of the likely 3/5 or 1/2 heavy favorite Precise in this race.



3rd leg:

1 Mile Open 2 Year Olds G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf PURSE: $1,000,000


Date: Friday October 31, 2025
Track: Del Mar
Race: 10
Surface: Turf

Horse: Gstaad (ML 9-5 favorite)

Bet Gstaad (ML 9-5) to win and put all of the accumulated money on him because he is going to win this race.


Gstaad is towering over the field, and he is the likely winner of this race, according to popular opinion [and my opinion as well].


I will say this:

This is the easiest money you'll ever going to get on Breeders' Cup Friday October 31, 2025.



ENJOY THE BREEDERS' CUP FRIDAY EVERYBODY!

HAPPY BREEDERS' CUP WEEK EVERYONE!

EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR AS THE BREEDERS' CUP WEEKEND IS ALMOST HERE!


It looks to be a very good betting weekend with lots of betting opportunities.

Good betting opportunities like this weekend you need to use betting strategies in order to be effective in these high quality races, and one of the most effective betting strategies is called "parlay betting".

I'm going to layout the description of the "parlay betting" strategy so that you can use it this weekend or check out my picks [in a seperate post] that I incorporate using this same betting strategy.





Parlay Betting Strategy



Here is a very good betting strategy that is suitable for certain situations.

The strategy is called parlay betting.

This strategy is suitable for certain situations only.

The word parlay means continuously, and in this case, betting race after race continuously.

But for this betting strategy, we do not keep betting race after race continuously non-stop.

We bet only on three races continuously and that is all.

The three races are called legs: 1st leg, 2nd leg, and 3rd leg.

The three races are chosen by you -- the horse player.

You choose which three races to play as your parlay play.

Do not choose more than three races.

The idea of a "parlay" betting is to build up and accumulate as much money as we can in the first two legs so that we can use all of the money generated from those two legs -- 1st leg and 2nd leg -- to bet on the last leg, third leg.

For example, if you bet $10 to win, place, show on a horse in the 1st leg and generated a return of more or less than the original bet amount ($30), you have to put all of that return amount in the 2nd leg.


This is called "parlay betting".


Again, the idea is to build up and accumulate as much money as we can in the first two legs so that we can use all of that money to bet in the last leg, third leg, since the last leg is a (cinch) bread-and-butter leg -- meaning, the horse in the last leg is a short-price favorite and is likely to win the race.

Since the last leg contains a cinch horse -- why not put all of the accumulated money on this horse?

So it makes sense to put all of the accumulated money on the last leg: third leg.

This three-leg betting is called "parlay betting".


To use parlay betting strategy, use the following criteria:


1. Handicapping.

This is where your handicapping skills take over.

You have to be able to handicap races on your own.

This angle won't show you how to come up with the races to play parlay.

You have to be able to come up on your own with the races to play parlay.

If you cannot come up with the races, stop!

Don't play the parlay -- pass up the parlay strategy and sit on the sideline!




2. You must choose three races of your choice.

Choose three races from tracks of your preference and desire.

It can be one race from one racetrack and another from another racetrack and another race from another racetrack -- or the three races can be from a single racetrack.

It's your choice to choose which three races from which racetracks available to you to play.

It doesn't matter which three races you choose as long as you like them.

Again, this is where your handicapping skills take over.



3. 3rd Leg: The horse must be a very heavy favorite -- a sort of a cinch that is very likely to win the race.

We only want to put all of our winnings up to this point (3rd leg) on a horse that is likely to win the race; hence, a cinch.

This means that when you're handicapping the races, first look for the 3rd leg horse first and then look for the other two legs that come before the 3rd leg.

Again, you must like the two races that go off before the 3rd leg because that is the only way to play the parlay betting strategy.

If you found the 3rd leg horse but you can't seem to find good horses to bet that go off before the 3rd leg, don't play the parlay -- pass up the parlay strategy and sit on the sideline!



4. Don't force yourself to play the parlay even if you found a good third leg horse but found the preceding legs horses a little shaky.

Again, you have to like all three horses, especially the 3rd leg horse.



5. Bet to win, place, or show only -- no exotic bets.

This means that you can choose to bet on any leg (or all legs) WIN, PLACE, or SHOW only, including the 3rd leg horse.

For example, bet $10 to win on the 1st leg; bet to win on the 2nd leg; and bet to win on the 3rd leg horse.

Or bet $10 to win, place, show on the 1st leg; bet to place on the 2nd leg; and bet to win on the 3rd leg horse.

Or bet $10 to win, place, show on the 1st leg; bet to place and show on the 2nd leg; and bet to win on the 3rd leg horse.

Or bet $10 to win, place, show on the 1st leg; bet to show on the 2nd leg; and bet to win on the 3rd leg horse.




6. Again, you have to feel comfortable betting on all three horses and bet them accordingly -- meaning how much amount of money to win, place, or show in any of the leg are based on your comfort level.



7. The amount of money to win, place, or show in any of the leg don't have to be equivalent to one another.

Two other very good betting strategies are double down and triple down betting strategies.

So make sure to use those two betting strategies in conjunction with parlay betting strategy.




Hint On Handicapping


1. Look for the 3rd Leg horse first and then look for the other preceding legs horses.

2. The 3rd Leg horse must be a very heavy favorite -- a sort of a cinch that is very likely to win the race.

3. Morning Line Odd On 3rd Leg Horse: The morning line odd on the third leg horse must indicate that the horse is the favorite in today's race.

A 6/5 or less in the morning line odd is a good start of your handicapping process.

4. Again, this is where your handicapping skills take over.



What happens if you lose the first leg and there is no money left in the parlay bankroll ?

Just like any other betting you don't stop betting just because you lose one bet -- you put up more money on the second leg and continue the parlay process as if nothing bad had happened.

What happens if you lose the second leg and there is no money left in the parlay bankroll ?

Again, just like any other betting you don't stop betting just because you lose one or two bets -- you put up more money on the third and last leg and continue the parlay process as if nothing bad had happened.

The third leg is the bread-and-butter leg and you should put up more money on this leg to make it worthwhile and justified playing parlay betting strategy.




EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR FOR THIS WEEKEND!


IF YOU HAVE A GROUP THAT'S EVEN MORE EXTRA EXCITEMENT!!!




Group Betting Strategy for Fun and Profit



Parlay betting strategy is a very good betting strategy for large and small groups, particularly large groups where you have a diverse of opinions on horse picks and handicapping expertise.

On special days (or events) like the Triple Crown (the Derby, Preakness, Belmont) or the Breeders' Cup, there are so many good races all over the country to be had for fun and profit for your groups.

Using the parlay betting strategy your group can devise a plan for your group to have fun and profit for the whole day.




1. As a group:

Have your group come up with one or more 3rd leg horses.

This 3rd leg must be later in the card so to make room for the 1st and 2nd legs.


2. The 3rd-leg horse(s) must be short-price favorite, "cinch" horse(s) -- horses that are likely to win the race.

A 6/5 or less in the morning line odd is a good start of your handicapping process.


3. Have your group come up with one or more 1st and 2nd leg horses.

4. Again, this is where your handicapping skills take over.


5. Have your group put to vote and decide which 3rd leg horses to use, if more than one horse. If more than one horse, your group can decide to have more than one parlay set -- up to 3 parlays.


6. No more than three parlay sets per day.


7. Pool the money to bankroll your group's expenditure for the day.

This pooled money will be your playing bankroll and entertainment expenditure (i.e., food and beverages) for the day.


8. Plan and budget your pool money accordingly by putting 20% of the pool money toward food and beverages.

9. Divide the remaining 80% of the pool money toward the parlay plays, accordingly.

10. For examples:

(a) If you have only one parlay, put all of the remaining 80% of pool money toward one parlay play.

(b) If you have two parlays, divide the remaining 80% of pool money by 2 and allocate the amounts accordingly toward the two parlays.

In other words, both parlays should have equal amount to play.

(c) If you have three parlays, divide the remaining 80% of pool money by 3 and allocate the amounts accordingly toward the three parlays.

In other words, each of the three parlays should have equal amount to play.


11. Have fun!
(Who says horse racing isn't fun? It is even more fun if you have a large group with a diverse of opinions and handicapping expertise.)





ENJOY THE BREEDERS' CUP THIS WEEKEND EVERYONE!

BREEDERS' CUP WEEK THIS WEEK!

HAPPY BREEDERS' CUP WEEK, EVERYBODY!


It should be lots of good betting opportunities this weekend and I'm looking forward to it this weekend, particularly Friday where two-year-olds are on the spotlight.


Meanwhile, here is a story by Chelsea Hackbarth



Chelsea Hackbarth is an avid equestrian with experience ranging from ponying on the racetrack to jumping her own off-track Thoroughbred around the Kentucky Horse Park. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program, and has an MBA from Indiana University. She is passionate about equine advocacy and bettering the human-equine relationship.




'He Really Loves His Job': Canterbury Hall Of Fame Trainer Gets First Shot At Breeders' Cup


David VanWinkle would much rather talk about his horses than himself.

Yet the 63-year-old horseman is dealing with a new degree of media attention this week at Del Mar as he prepares to have his first starter in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

"My dad is really quiet, and a hard worker; he rarely ever misses days at work, said Taylor VanWinkle, the trainer's daughter and assistant. "He really loves his job. Not a lot of people can say that, but he does.

That love for the sport of horse racing is never more evident than when the elder VanWinkle talks about his stable star, Mad House. The 3-year-old son of Vekoma pulled a 23-1 upset in the Grade 2 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 20, giving the trainer the first graded stakes win of his 36-year career.

"I've been training for years, and having a horse like that is definitely exciting, VanWinkle said. "I thought he'd run well, but I can't say I expected him to win. It was a tough race; we'd have been happy even if he got a piece of it.

It took Mad House some time to figure out how to be a racehorse, VanWinkle explained. Owner James Thares purchased Mad House for $47,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training, but the colt didn't break his maiden until his sixth start.

After his first race, VanWinkle thought he had something as Mad House had finished second to a highly-touted Brad Cox-trained horse at Tampa Bay Downs, but things didn't seem to click.

"He was a little bit tough to teach anything to when he first came to the track, because he almost had too much talent for the company that I had lined up for him, the trainer said. "They couldn't keep up with him, and he just wants to run, so it was a little bit challenging teaching him the basics of being a racehorse.

After several failed attempts to rate the colt and an unsuccessful stretch-out in distance, VanWinkle concluded that sprinting was the way to go.

That elusive first win came in a maiden special weight at Canterbury Park on June 29, 2025. It was like a lightbulb came on for the colt when he dominated the field by 11 ½ lengths.

After Mad House compiled two more allowance wins at Canterbury, the Minnesota track where VanWinkle was a three-time leading trainer and is now a Hall of Fame member, it was time to start chasing bigger fish.

"We wanted to see what we had," VanWinkle said.

The Gallant Bob, a six-furlong sprint restricted to 3-year-olds, came up quite salty with the Bob Baffert trainee Barnes entered to run.

"It scared me a little bit, trust me," said VanWinkle. "But I told [jockey] Paco [Lopez] that he runs better if he can make the lead, and he said, ‘We can do that.' Paco gave him a great ride.

Lopez did make the lead on Mad House in the Gallant Bob, setting fractions of 21.58 and 43.94 seconds and carrying his speed through the wire to finish six furlongs in 1:08.77, winning by 2 ¾ lengths.

Taylor VanWinkle reflected: "It was unreal. I had every faith that he would run well, but it's just crazy. It was my dad's first graded stakes win – such a good feeling – and he really deserved that. They both did."

Mad House now brings a four-race win streak into the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1, where Luis Saez will partner him.

"It's a tough spot, and I try not to get overconfident with my horses," VanWinkle said. "I've been that way my whole career, but we'll certainly give it a try."

The Southern California seaside oval at Del Mar, decked out in the royal purple of the Breeders' Cup, is a long way from VanWinkle's Nebraska roots in the construction business.

He grew up in an age when racing in Nebraska was as good as any place in the Midwest, attending the races at Aksarben and Columbus with his father. VanWinkle owned a couple of racehorses before deciding he'd be better off pursuing his passion for horse racing as a career, so he picked up a job as a groom. He went out on his own in 1989 with two horses.

Without much formal mentorship in the sport, VanWinkle's work ethic is the trait that attracted owners to his stable.

"I liked it; getting up early wasn't a problem for me, and I really, really liked being with the horses," he explained. "[A few owners] were around me enough where I was working that they had enough faith in me to give me a shot. They'd been around me enough to know that they could trust me."

VanWinkle was at Canterbury Downs in the late 1980s, and returned to the Minnesota track when it reopened as Canterbury Park in 1995. He made his home on the circuit between Minnesota and Turf Paradise in Arizona for nearly 25 years, winning the training title at Canterbury in 1995, 2002 and 2003.

He was inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame in 2006. From 2001 to 2004, VanWinkle trained four consecutive Canterbury Horses of the Year in Shot of Gold, J. P. Jet, Prime Step, and Chisholm.

VanWinkle now winters at Tampa Bay Downs following uncertainty at Turf Paradise, but one thing hasn't changed: his love for the horse and the sport.

"I didn't know if that would ever happen for me," Van Winkle said of the World Championships entry. "We might as well go try it, have fun, and enjoy the day!"


HAPPY BREEDERS' CUP WEEK, EVERYBODY!