Every once in a while, if one makes a habit of studying the tote board for clues to produce clever wagering, something pops up  that makes us scratch our heads. At Gulfstream Park on Sunday, Flash Jak was the morning line choice in a $6,250 claimer at six furlongs with red-hot Paco Lopez aboard. The 5-year-old daughter of Northwest Stud's Gone Astray was favored on the board from the outset mostly at just under 2-1. The second choice was Unknown, with Tyler Gaffalione. (The horse wasn't unknown, that was her name). 

    As Paco led his mare toward the gate, she had been bet down to 6/5, and Unknown was 9/5. As they were ready to break, the board changed and Unknown dropped to 6/5, while Flash Jak jumped up to 8/5. The gate opened, they broke cleanly and a few seconds later, the board made its final change: both horses were 2-1. It was one of the most bizarre odds movements I've ever seen.

    What made it more bizarre was that Paco quickly placed Flash Jak just off the pace in the two path, moved her up to the lead on the turn, and just hand rode her home to a 5 1/2-length score while looking under his arm for any competition. There was none. Unknown never got out of a gallop despite Gaffalione's urging, and she finished a distant sixth.

    Because of the strange betting pattern, Flash Jak's backers were rewarded with a juicy payoff of $6.40; Unknown's backers ripped up their tickets - she went off as the $2.30-1 second choice. Flash Jak, who was claimed out of the race, is now 7-6-3 in 30 starts and the $10,000 winner's check boosted her career total to $102,020. She's cheap, but she brings home the bacon.    

 

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