I think that I’m already a reasonably humble person, but in case I needed any ego-beating, Take Ten! is taking care of it. What a great idea I had, to publish weekly the standings in our mini-league, to track our progress on our way to a donation to the racing charity of the winner’s choice.

Yeah, a great idea, as I wrap up the second consecutive week of—gulp—being in last place.

39. Trip’s Triple Crown Stable………913,000
48. Stafford Stables……………………870,750
51. Sleipnir Stables……………………855,750
82. Superterrific Stables……………..725,750
98. Quinella Castle……………………..695,750
111. Val’s Foolish Pleasure…………….610,750
114. SecBar Stable……………………..605,750
122. Brooklyn Backstretch…………….571,150

There is some very, very small comfort in knowing that I got this week’s Most Improved Performance, jumping from 157th place last week to 122nd week—but still, I’m in last.

Thanks to Dana at Green but Game for coordinating the standings, and to Brian Nadeau at ST Publishing, because it’s his game we’re playing.

Aqueduct notes: While Wednesday may not have been a bombs away day at the Big A, it certainly passed for one, with seven of nine winners paying double-digits, ranging from $12 to $34.60. That means a double carryover heading into Friday’s card; were I a braver, richer woman, I’d try to make enough to pay off the contractor who will soon repair and bring color to the walls in my aging co-op. Instead, I will watch with interest, and ultimately with envy, to see how many pull it off on Thursday.

One horse I’ll watch with sentimental interest on Thursday is Midnight Slammer in the third. Last summer, I got a call from Donna Chenkin at the Belmont Child Care Association; I worked on the committee for the Saratoga fundraiser, and she and I arranged to meet at the races that day, to watch the colt of one of her board member’s make his second start in a state-bred maiden special weight. We were invited to the owner’s box on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, then treated to a wire-to-wire three-length score, after which the owner graciously and fabulously invited all of us to the winner’s circle, where I had my first Spa picture taken. When you grow up in Saratoga, having your picture taken in the winner’s circle is your dream; you hope, of course, that it’s with your own horse, but in the absence of that eventuality, someone else’s horse will do just fine.

Midnight Slammer next ran in a stakes at Finger Lakes, running poorly over Labor Day weekend (Spanky Fischbein finished second, Piquante Cat third—both of them have come back to win stakes this winter), and this is his first start since then. He’s second choice on the morning line.