BAM~

So lemme go ahead and save everybody some time, ‘cause I get this question every single day like it’s printed right there between “scattered, smothered, covered” on the Waffle House menu…

“Which track you like best today?”

And I can feel it comin’, so I reach into my brain—just pull out that same speech I got laminated in there—and I go:

“Well… we don’t grade cards.”

ARKANSAS DERBY SATURDAY at OAKLAWN PARK #withtheworks

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And right about then I can feel their eyes glaze over, ‘cause they know they just unlocked a TED Talk they didn’t ask for.

But it’s the truth! We don’t sit around sayin’, “Ooooh this is a good card, this is a bad card.” We do the same thing every single day—we take the information, we grind it down, and we try to make the best possible decision… and not be some AI robot just pickin’ the favorite ‘cause it’s sittin’ there lookin’ obvious.

That’s my opening shot right there—BAM—little jab at the robots.

Then I hit ‘em with the reality: We’ve had days we love a card… feel great… struttin’ around like we’re geniuses… and we do average.Then we’ve had days where the card looks like a math problem written in hieroglyphics… and we hit 40% top choices.

So I learned a long time ago—you just let the chips fall where they may.

That’s the company line. And it ain’t just talk, neither.

FLORIDA DERBY SATURDAY at GULFSTREAM PARK #withthework

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We got a whole crew up before the sun comes up working like we’re runnin’ a biscuit factory. Me, Laz, John, Amy—we’re all in there grindin’, tryin’ to have everything done and posted by 11 p.m. Eastern like our lives depend on it.

Now Amy… Lord have mercy… Amy is what we call “HR,” which stands for “Human Reckoning.” She runs a tight ship—has to. And she’s crankin’ out them videos over at Keeneland Race Course like it’s nothin’.

And here’s the wild part—she’ll sit there complainin’ about Turfway Park like it personally offended her family… “I just can’t get a read on this track…”—then turn around and hit FIVE winners like she blacked out and became Rain WoMan.

At that point I just try to channel John Candy—stay calm, stay supportive, don’t ask too many questions—‘cause BAM, she strikes again.

Laz? Quiet as a church mouse. Just does the work, sends the occasional “best boss ever” GIF like he’s legally obligated, and keeps it movin’.

And me? I’m over here coordinatin’ the whole circus—big races, like Master Geppetto, as Laz calls me, as I pull the strings.

Master Geppetto

I handle Oaklawn Park, and about to take the reins at Keeneland with amy, processin’ videos for Churchill, Turfway, Oaklawn—half the time when somebody asks me “Do you like the card?” I ain’t even seen every race yet!

SATURDAY SIMO ALL the Top TRACKS #withthworks

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So no… I don’t “like” cards. I trust the work.

Now take this Florida Derby—scratches done hit it like a tornado at a trailer park. Field’s down to six. You got the big four, sure—but it ain’t what it was.

Meanwhile over at Oaklawn? Whole different story. That card’s got more opportunities than a clearance rack at Bass Pro. Value everywhere… and we didn’t fall for that AI trap of just circlin’ the favorite and callin’ it a day.

So next time you feel that question bubblin’ up—“Which card you like today?”—

Just go ahead and answer it yourself:

7.0 Magnitude

What a racehorse is he become, especially when he was able to stretch out and take the lead, he is virtually impassible. Congrats to Team Asmussen, and Ron Winchell.

Big props also to Forever Young, whom off his Saudi effort, came back with another stunning performance running 2nd.

We got a lot going on today, and if you are paying attention y'all understand why?

So, recapping, we don’t grade cards.We do the work. And then we let it ride. 🐎 so, about that nice beer?