I began this meet with a casual attitude – hoping that if Saratoga didn’t see me coming, I might have a chance. The last two years I found myself spanked, slapped, and spit out by the old Spa. Both times I went into the meets with excitement and optimism, only to find myself baffled by the losses as they piled up. I started last year’s meet okay, but a family issue brought me out of town and disrupted my rhythm to the point I couldn’t get it back. Given the way the meet ended last year, I wasn’t going to be played that way again. I kept it in my mind that there are other things I could do in August. Hence when my wife started making plans for the summer and asked me what dates were good to go away, I said, “any time between July 22 and Sept. 5 would be fine, except for Travers Weekend.” I knew I would want to watch and play that card. She booked us a trip to Amish country on Aug. 4, and I said, “Okay! Fine!” She added, “Friends want to know if we could meet them on Aug. 20. Is that date okay?” I looked at the calendar and saw it was Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar. Heck, that race hadn’t been competitive since the 1990s, so I said, “Okay! Fine!” I never anticipated the summer shaping up the way it did. What was I thinking! What I failed to factor into my summer logic was that I maintained my work ethic – watching replays, studying pedigree, determining factors that would impact each race. I even broke things down categorically and historically by studying my play over previous seasons at the Spa. So what happens? July 22 Bankroll: $302.25 Focus: Saratoga Goal: Get bankroll to $500 Although I did a good bit of handicapping for this card, I do not have a great plan as how to attack – just sitting back and waiting for an opportunity. Have been an observer for the first six races. Race 7: No. 2 Takrees is a horse of interest in a competitive field. She is a fair price at 9-2 and can track what should be a good pace. $100 Win-Place. $20 double to No. 4 Sweet Loretta. Takrees was off a bit slow but settled toward the rear and had a strong run in the stretch, just catching game leader True Romance for the win. Went off at a generous 4-1. Win: $10.80; place: $5.60 Win:+$440; place: +$180 Profit: $620 Bankroll: $922.25 Race 8: Alive in double to Todd Pletcher’s second-time starter No. 4 Sweet Loretta. I was very impressed with her debut and felt she fit the profile of a good, young, improving Pletcher 2-year-old filly who would be ahead of her peers at this stage in their careers. She didn’t disappoint. She saved ground and closed stoutly on a tiring track to draw away by open lengths for an impressive win. Double: $105.50 Profit: $1,055 Bankroll: $1977.25 Day 1 profit: $1,675. On July 23 I jabbed and only ended up down $75. I still saw Saratoga as a minefield and was being careful. July 24 Bankroll: $1902.25 Focus: Saratoga Goal: Get bankroll to $2,000 I stayed conservative over the first weekend and waited while playing it close to the vest. Race 11: Always a fan of No. 7 Mav, I liked the 4-1 in a competitive starter allowance and decided to take a small shot that he could finish first or second. Wasn’t sure who to play him with, so I bet $50 win and added a $2 exacta back wheel saver in the event of chaos. He was game and lost in a tight three-way photo, just outfinishing Yowl for second. The winner was 29-1 Derby Champagne, and the exacta came back $386. Nice hunch on chaos! Win: -$50 Exacta: +$364 Profit for day: $314 Bankroll: $2,216.25 I did not get overconfident by any stretch of the imagination, and the next week I stayed disciplined by watching the races and keeping notes, but made no wagers as work got busy. I knew that being impulsive at this meet could be dangerous. Then the time came to pack up the car and head to Pennsylvania. Greeted by storms at the outset of our trip, we arrived in Amish country and took in a lifestyle very different from ours. As the rain fell from the sky, I selfishly hoped for an off track at the Spa so that I wouldn’t be missing any great turf opportunities. I watched and observed bearded men do their chores and keep their discipline. We visited farms, milked cows, chased chickens, and watched the Amish travel around town in their horse-drawn buggies. These horses did not wear numbered saddlecloths. This bothered me. Each day in the hotel I checked entries and charts online to see who was running and how well they did. I convinced myself that there was no way I would have had the longshot winners. After the Amish country, it was back to New York where work dominated my time. I played when I could and when I couldn’t my wife had plans. I opened up my summer schedule too much, and she was guilting me into submission. I gave some money back at the Spa because my preparation was incomplete. We spent the next weekend at the beach. Later while watching the Olympics, I pointed to the gymnasts and mentioned. “You’d never see them on the beach,” referring to their dedication to structure and discipline. My wife laughed, knowing I was talking about horse racing. Time passed and it was Aug. 20. The horse racing world’s focus switched to Del Mar. I had given this day away, thinking the Pacific Classic was going to be run with the usual suspects and one standout who would dominate as had been the case in recent years. As fate would have it, three equine stars entered to run. The plan called for dinner, followed by a comedy show at Dangerfield’s. My wife’s friend had a coupon, so we double dated. Somehow we were seated up front, which kind of put a crimp in my plans to run to the bathroom at 9:10 p.m. to watch the race. Instead, I had my phone on my lap with the live feed from Del Mar. When Pacific Classic time came, the comedian on stage talked about his uncircumcised schvonce and an affair he was having with some young bearded woman while I watched California Chrome demolish his opponents. My wife kept kicking me under the table. I was pleased with the race but not happy that the bearded woman decided to continue her affair with the comedian, thereby extending his routine. The next day, I was free in the afternoon but when I got down to the business of racing the rains pretty much made the Saratoga card unplayable for me. So now it’s Travers Week and I have high hopes of being involved and looking to come up with a power shot against my nemesis the Spa. The key for me is to get my mojo back. Get into a nice disciplined rhythm like the Olympic gymnasts or bearded Amish men. I know what works for me, but it takes time to prepare, and I’m going to have to burn the midnight oil to be ready. If nothing else, I do have my edge back.