It brings me great honor to introduce a guest blogger to you all for this week. Ladies and gentlemen, please meet Matthew Galbreth, better known as “MrDelMar” over on the TVG Community message boards.
Matt has brought his passion and love for the game to the TVG Community each night, and is most famous for tirelessly organizing the Community version of the “Pick 4 Posse” – even gaining mention from on-air hosts Ken Rudolph, Simon Bray, and Todd Schrupp.
I asked Matt to stop over and author a few guest posts if he was interested as he’s the type of guy who has an infectious love of the game. These are his first public writing forays, so I hope everyone will give him a warm reception and encourage him to share more thoughts whenever the mood strikes him. He’s got an open invitation to do so here anytime he wishes.
Who knows? With a little luck, perhaps he’ll take to this whole blogging thing and become a future TBA blogger?
Without further adieu, meet Mr.DelMar – Matthew Galbreth.
In Wednesday’s feature race where the turf meets the surf at Old Del Mar in the Green Flash Handicap we have a turf sprinting monster on our hands in CALIFORNIA FLAG. Happy horses are bed in California like our 5 year old gelding here. This horse is California in every way, he loves himself some R & R, as you will see from his record off the layoff and takes to the grass very well. I think there is no better place for a horse like this to race than right near the beach.
I’ve seen this beast run many times and embarrass his rivals, this horse wins for fun or just isn’t into it. He may very well be a need the lead type, but with smokin’ Joe on board, if there’s a gap they’re getting through it. It’s not that this horse can’t rate, he’s never tried it. CALIFORNIA FLAG is so fast that all we’ve seen is him take the lead or duel for it. Maybe he can rate or maybe not, but at five furlongs who cares? I’m well aware of the statistic of wins from off the pace at five furlongs on turf, but this horse has already faced many of the same rivals and crushed them. If you look to his record on this exact course and distance, he is one for two. You also may notice that his only loss on this course came before he had broken his maiden at the maiden special weight level in his third career start. Last time this horse raced this course he won by a neck and beat one of today’s rivals in EUROGLIDE by almost two lengths.
California Flag runs away with the Hollywood Turf Express – 11/29/08
CALIFORNIA FLAG is similar to LAVA MAN in that their strength comes from their sure footedness. Both of these horses have won their races on the turns and both love to win races, even as older geldings… old pros if you like. I think the spotlight should be on this race and on this horse tomorrow and it’s really up to CALIFORNIA FLAG to score one for California today, to score one for Californians at the most California track there is.
Enjoy this horse, enjoy this race, enjoy Del Mar, make sure to wear your shades so you can check out the girls and go hit the beach after you cash yourself a winner. It’s a great time to visit Del Mar and I hope everyone makes the most of it, the season is short you know.
Matthew, (Mr. Del Mar)
Welcome to the blog world and thanks to Kevin for allowing you to post.
As most people know, I’m sort of a contrarian and Longshot player, especially at Del Mar. I have looked at Race 8 today with California Flag and have tossed it around quite a bit in my peanut brain. I agree with what you say about this guy and historically he is a super horse; but I wonder if he needs this race to loosen some cob-webs. Not sure he is ready.
Since I’m always betting against the grain, I have placed a bet on #4 Delta Storm and #3 Bahama Breeze. Guess I’m going with the Wind Blown Twosome. Also betting against your guy for a longshot superfecta box 1,3,4,6,8.
I will probably be eating my words after the race, but I don’t think the California Flag will unfurl today. I’ll buy you a beer @ Del Mar if I’m wrong!
Correction-I never “pour out beers”. I drink them. It’s wasteful to pour them out. It’s my way to save the environment .
But I must give Matthew his due praise and a beer to that Mr. Del Mar.
20082009
matty(16:16:12) :
Mr Del Mar-I’m heading out there for the first time this saturday to watch the Del Mar Oaks. What are your opinons of the race, and are there any races on the undercard that you find to be particularly intriquing? Thanks a lot.
[...] 21 08 2009 After an exciting week that included an opportunity to feature a new guest writer break his blogging maiden successfully with California Flag on Wednesday in the Green Flag Handicap, we return this weekend [...]
22082009
Mr. Del Mar(00:33:33) :
In the Del Mar Oaks I like WELL MONIED, but don’t think she’s unbeatable, I give a big look to STRAWBERRY TART as well. My top selection here is the 4 DREAMALONG. I wouldn’t advise anyone to single in this race and if you like prices in your horizontals or are looking for a horse to use underneath, I think it’s DREAMALONG. I will give an analysis on this race tomorrow and I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I see more upside with this horse and the price potential it offers than any of the other horses in this race.
Thanks Again Kevin!
22082009
Mr. Del Mar(11:24:37) :
Hey Frank, I’ll take a Karl Strauss Amber if you don’t mind. Good to see you’re not afraid of looking for value in your wagers.
I’ll be at Del Mar on Wednesday. Let’s get together for that beer. If not Wednesday I’ll also be there Friday. I’m sure you will be there Friday night with your Pick 4 Posse crew. KS Amber is on me.
Regarding the value wagers, I roll the dice often-especially at Del Mar. Been successful so far with the balloons, just hope they continue to fly high!
[...] only Mr. Del Mar, Matthew Galbreth, the young man we first heard from last week with his accurate prediction of California Flag rising to the occasion in the Green Flash Handicap. He’s now returned to share one of his ideas for increasing [...]
Matthew, (Mr. Del Mar)
Welcome to the blog world and thanks to Kevin for allowing you to post.
As most people know, I’m sort of a contrarian and Longshot player, especially at Del Mar. I have looked at Race 8 today with California Flag and have tossed it around quite a bit in my peanut brain. I agree with what you say about this guy and historically he is a super horse; but I wonder if he needs this race to loosen some cob-webs. Not sure he is ready.
Since I’m always betting against the grain, I have placed a bet on #4 Delta Storm and #3 Bahama Breeze. Guess I’m going with the Wind Blown Twosome. Also betting against your guy for a longshot superfecta box 1,3,4,6,8.
I will probably be eating my words after the race, but I don’t think the California Flag will unfurl today. I’ll buy you a beer @ Del Mar if I’m wrong!
Welcome Aboard.
Frank
Way to go, Matt! Even money, but a winner is a winner anyway you cut it.
I played the 2 over the 8 and 9 in an exacta, so no score for me personally.
Matthew-Looks like I owe you a beer! Congrats.
Frank’s pouring out beers – Wednesday night just got interesting!
Kevin,
Correction-I never “pour out beers”. I drink them. It’s wasteful to pour them out. It’s my way to save the environment
.
But I must give Matthew his due praise and a beer to that Mr. Del Mar.
Mr Del Mar-I’m heading out there for the first time this saturday to watch the Del Mar Oaks. What are your opinons of the race, and are there any races on the undercard that you find to be particularly intriquing? Thanks a lot.
Mr Stafford-Great work as always.
[...] 21 08 2009 After an exciting week that included an opportunity to feature a new guest writer break his blogging maiden successfully with California Flag on Wednesday in the Green Flag Handicap, we return this weekend [...]
In the Del Mar Oaks I like WELL MONIED, but don’t think she’s unbeatable, I give a big look to STRAWBERRY TART as well. My top selection here is the 4 DREAMALONG. I wouldn’t advise anyone to single in this race and if you like prices in your horizontals or are looking for a horse to use underneath, I think it’s DREAMALONG. I will give an analysis on this race tomorrow and I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I see more upside with this horse and the price potential it offers than any of the other horses in this race.
Thanks Again Kevin!
Hey Frank, I’ll take a Karl Strauss Amber if you don’t mind. Good to see you’re not afraid of looking for value in your wagers.
Mr. Del Mar:
I’ll be at Del Mar on Wednesday. Let’s get together for that beer. If not Wednesday I’ll also be there Friday. I’m sure you will be there Friday night with your Pick 4 Posse crew.
KS Amber is on me.
Regarding the value wagers, I roll the dice often-especially at Del Mar. Been successful so far with the balloons, just hope they continue to fly high!
[...] only Mr. Del Mar, Matthew Galbreth, the young man we first heard from last week with his accurate prediction of California Flag rising to the occasion in the Green Flash Handicap. He’s now returned to share one of his ideas for increasing [...]