Monday News and Notes

- I can understand why NYRA blew off closing day in light of the electrical problems there; besides, why lose money for another day when there's 36 days of profitability ahead? I'm awaiting a wave of newspaper editorials telling us how this proves that NYRA is corrupt and incompetent. While they're at it, maybe they can also inquire as to why there was no internet wagering either! C'mon, how about the self-addicted fans, we're No. 1! It likely limited my losses to the $19.95 I had left in my OTB account. But still.

- A Smarty Party at Monmouth as Smarty Jones got his first stateside winner. Keefer, from Zayat/Asmussen, was well-bet at 3-2 in her his debut, and outdueled Pletcher's favored Matador Run. He might be considered an unlikely candidate to have gotten Smarty off the schneid, based at least on his sale price of $60,000, 40K less than the stallion's fee. He's out of an unraced Seattle Slew mare who's a half sister to Super Derby winner Fantasticat; his third dam is the de Kwiatkowski star and Acorn winner Lotka.

On the other coast, a terrific baby race in the 4th at Del Mar which is worth checking out on Cal Racing. Stardom Bound, a Tapit first-timer well supported at the windows at 4-1, was dead last after being left at the gate, and still far back and absurdly wide turning for home. Montana Fields, a 7-5 first-time hottie from the Hollendorfer barn had gained the lead in the stretch. But Turtle Creek Babe (Gone West) was bearing down on her, and Stardom Bound came from out of the clouds - a grey streak flying down the center of the track, just missing in a head bobbing finish to Turtle Creek Babe with the favorite close behind in third. Tapit, the Wood winner who I considered to be somewhat overhyped, is standing for $12,500 at Gainsway, and has two winners from his first crop thus far. Stardom Bound shouldn't be long in joining that group.

- I could honestly care less about Evening Attire, probably some deeply ingrained resentment over betting him in one or more of his 54 career losses. But bummer about Lava Man, who faded to last in the Eddie Reade - a disappointing setback after his close third in the Whittingham. "They just might be too tough for him right now," said Tyler Baze.

- And a couple of three-year old fillies well worth mentioning. That was an eye-popping performance by Music Note in the CCA Oaks, sweeping by the field in an impressive 2:01 3/5, and a final quarter of 24 1/5. We're just so damn happy to have another Godolphin star amongst us, just really warms the heart.

On a happier note, I Lost My Choo, Phil Serpe's modestly-pedigreed, always trying, NY-bred daughter of Western Expression, shipped down to Colonial to take the G3 Virginia Oaks with her usual electrifying late foot. It was her 5th win in eight starts, her first graded stakes win, and the first time she won by a little daylight too. Edgar Prado was aboard, and hey, he couldn't have gone down there to ride Rap Tale?