Horse racing odds - Hello Broadway owes me one
Posted on 10/31/2008 2:08:13 PM
By Pete Mitchell
Horse racing odds: a spotlight on Hello Broadway
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WHO: 2-Year-Old Colt Hello Broadway
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WHAT: Grade 3, $100,000 Nashua Stakes
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WHERE: Aqueduct
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WHEN: Sunday, November 2
One day last August, I was listening to Jan Rushton’s paddock commentary at Saratoga, and she was gushing about the appearance of a two-year-old colt named Hello Broadway. She said he looked like a man among boys…and he did. About 15 minutes later, this half-brother to stakes-winner Nobiz Like Shobiz ran to his good looks, winning his career debut in impressive fashion.
His margin of victory was only a neck, but he showed tremendous maturity and toughness, dueling for the early lead between horses, then shaking off several bumps by the eventual second-place finisher, who was trying to lug in.
I couldn’t wait for his next start, which came in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes last month at Belmont. Horse racing odds of 9-1 on a horse that you absolutely love are relatively hard to come by. That’s what I was getting in the Champagne, and I couldn’t believe that the betting public didn’t share my lofty opinion of Hello Broadway.
I told my friends and family to jump on the Hello Broadway bandwagon…even my mother (who never bets) got down for $20. Much to my dismay, Hello Broadway never picked up a hoof, finishing fifth, 9 ½ lengths behind the undefeated Vineyard Haven.
Yesterday, I read an article in Daily Racing Form that might explain Hello Broadway’s no-show. The day before the Champagne, his exercise rider told trainer Barclay Tagg that the horse was “very quiet”. However, the horse’s temperature was normal and he ate up his dinner that evening, so the decision was made to run. After the race, jockey Eibar Coa said “he was dull”.
As racing fans and bettors, we have to remember that these are flesh-and-blood creatures, not machines. They won’t always be at their best. That’s why horse racing odds like 9-1 are a necessary part of our repertoire. A steady diet of even-money shots won’t get it done in the long run.
Now Barclay Tagg and company report that Hello Broadway is training like “a bear”. That’s good enough for me. I’m not expecting 9-1 odds again, but 9-2 would be fine. Tell your friends and relatives that Hello Broadway’s ready for the “big stage”…you heard it here. He owes me one.
Check out BetOnline.com for the best in horse racing odds, up-to-post-time wagering, generous horse rebates and daily head-to-head matchups. Tell them Pete Mitchell sent you.
Pete
Mitchell, BetOnline.com Racebook Director, has been handicapping horses since
his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and
came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry
insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse
handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his
impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email
Comments@BetOnline.com.
