Ignorant & Opinionated

This is one of my write-ups from this weeks Public Handicapper. So you get an idea what PH is about. I try to figure out how to post a link to some of my favorite pages a little later.

Thought I'd make mention of the grape since there are couple vino fans out there. Earlier this month we drove through Paso Robles Wine Country. Napa is THE PLACE TO TASTE but you better bring a fat wallet. What is cool about Paso is the value. So it does have that in common with racing. Also it is only two hours away, while Napa is more than double the driving time, like five hours. At Paso they usually wave tasting fees when you purchase a bottle. Napa no no.

I mentioned Tobin James a couple of weeks ago but we also stopped at another one of our favorite wineries Via Vega.

It is smaller than a lot of other farms. The wine maker, Larry Gomez, grows a lot of his own grapes on fifteen acres but he also buys fruit from as far north as Napa. I really like his efforts. He makes some tasty vino plus Larry is one of the most likable people you've ever met. He is a huge baseball fan and his wine production area is decorated with huge banners of his beloved SF Giants. Marlene and I are members of The Bullpen, Via Vega's Wine Club. If I had to choose my favorite wine club this would be it. More bang for your buck plus some really delightful ambrosia.

Keep up the good work Larry!

In this crazy turf sprint you might be wise to just close your eyes and run your finger up and down the page and where it stops nobody knows. These turf dashes are my bane but I did come up with a selection: Amanecer De Oro. The 4YO colt has a couple of sharp works recently that caught my eye. I also like that his connections ran him in turf dash at Keeneland's Autumn meet. Last out Amanecer De Oro was thrown in with Force Freese in the The Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes Grade II; this will be an easier assignment.

Toro Bravo and Royal Production both have plenty of lick. What limited success I have in turf sprints has usually come by siding with the speed and hoping they hold on. I'll watch this race in the 'Nugget Race Book then head for the strip to see the show.