8.5fur D 3+yrN Md Sp Wt Purse= 51000

RAISON D'ETAT came back running off the layoff at today's distance and actually looks better to me with Castro replacing Prado. This nicely-bred A.P. INDY colt looms large here.

MAGNIFICENT MOON likes to hit the board but has been camera shy. Seems to handle any surface and it looks like the barn is befuddled as to where to place him. Comes off a near-lifetime best fig at today's distance but comes back to dirt for this race. Has been in the $$$ in his last three at odds of 33/1, 17/1, and 20/1. Scope the tote and if the number is OK, take a tumble and tell them the guy with holes in his shoes and no teeth sent you.

The ML fave BOMBER BOY comes in here off a 64-day layup and two bullet work tabs upstate. The horse has shown nothing in two races and Zito's barn has been terrible. Cover if you must but this race is begging for shoppers.

Hey, the early conso DD came back $7.10. I just put the Rolodex away since I won't need a soup kitchen for dinner yet.

The twitching and drooling hasn't started yet but I am bewildered. I worked this card like Jack the Ripper used to work with his gal pals and everything is blowing up in my face.

I do not like the fave BOMBER BOY here.

I'll cover the fave a little bit he ain't my choice.

P3: 1-4/1-4-5/3-9

P3: 4-7/6-9/9

DD: 6-7/6-9

RAISON D'ETAT wins by open lengths at 5/2 and keeps me away from crawling to the wife with the crying towel. I hate to beg for beer, cigarette, horse, and newspaper money. She makes me get on my knees and promise to be a good boy in the future. And then she makes me confess my sins before she beats me and gives me money.

Some great DDs take off and the P3 gets launched into 5 runners with the fave gone in leg 1.

All I wanted was a shot for a pop. The laughs come free.