A brave and courageous little girl after a traumatizing week in the hospital.
With what I hope was the worst week of my life behind me, coverage of my passion can resume with a clear mind. We’ll get back into the detailed analysis of the feature race tomorrow, but for today I’ll explain the week that was that caused this blog to be silent.
Upon returning from the Belmont Stakes in New York last Sunday night, my 6-year-old daughter was experiencing pain in her right abdomen and was extremely lethargic. A visit to the doctor the following morning resulted in us being sent to the emergency room for further tests.
After seven hours in the ER, we were given the devastating news that a CT scan revealed a mass on her right kidney. This turned out to be a malignant Wilms tumor the size of a grapefruit.
It wasn’t until Wednesday that we received the news that an additional CT scan showed no cancer cells had spread to her lungs, which was the beginning of some relief and a string of good news.
Thursday was extremely stressful leading up to the surgery to remove the affected kidney and during the 3 ½-hour major procedure the anxiety grew.
Her surgeons reported that the surgery was successful and it appeared the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes and they believed she was in Stage 2.
The next three days were a recovery period aided by some potent dope with her pain diminishing every day and her mobility increasing.
We were able to finally come home on Monday after a week in the hospital, but the important pathology results were not in yet so there was still much uncertainty.
After three hours at home, we received a call from the oncologist with the best possible news that the cancer was in Stage 1 and the cells were favorable, meaning the prognosis for a full recovery are excellent.
The long road ahead begins next week with chemotherapy that should last about four months, but the treatments are expected to be mild.
We want to give a big THANK YOU to her surgeons Dr. Donald Shaul and Dr. Roman Sydorak and their team along with all the other doctors and nurses in Pediatrics at Kaiser Sunset for their exemplary care of our little princess.
We’re off to the races!
Pick 4 -
Leg 1 – Race 5 (1,3,6,8) – No. 1 Highly Rated held on gamely to break her maiden three weeks ago and could get a favorable trip on the lead again today while saving ground breaking from the inside.
No. 3 Elana Mar just missed at this level in her last and can improve in her second off the layoff.
We’ll try No. 6 Ruffled Feathers one last time as she has previous races that make her a contender at this level.
No. 8 Miss Speed Dating has done little wrong in two career starts, but will have to avoid going wide breaking from the outside before unleashing her late run.
Leg 2 – Race 6 (1,4,5,7) – No. 1 Zennett stretches out for the first time and can cut the clubhouse corner and potentially be long gone. No. 5 Red Intrigue should lay close and can improve in her second route, while No. 7 Malibu Love can sit the perfect stalking trip and No. 4 I’m Always Hopeful can run them all down late.
Leg 3 – Race 7 (2,4,5) – A short field of second-level female sprinters in the feature and we’ll stick with the logical trio of No. 2 Orientatious, No. 4 Sparkling Style and No. 5 Glamorista.
Leg 4 – Race 8 (3,5,6,7,8) – A split of $50,000 maiden claiming 2-year-old fillies from race three and we’ll spread with No. 3 Ruler of the Tribe, No. 5 Amy’s Cashin In, No. 6 Yodelin Moon, No. 7 Restless Ruby and No. 8 Citizen Bernstein.
Recap – (1,3,6,8) w (1,4,5,7) w (2,4,5) w (3,5,6,7,8) – Total cost of ticket = $120
Last Sunday’s Result – (-$18)
Total for current Hollywood Park spring/summer meet – (-$2,043.40)
Total from 12/26/10 – 4/22/12 – (+$588.70)
Pick 5 –
Leg 1 – Race 1 (2,5,6) – No. 2 Tribal Dreams towers over this bunch off his last two clear wins, but a spotty work tab since leaves some question marks so we’ll add No. 5 Congrats Ski and No. 6 Call Me Jones.
Leg 2 – Race 2 (1,6,7) – Pete Miller appears to have this heat cornered with a pair of City Zip colts in No. 1 Manewal, who chased the impressive Amarish, and debuting No. 7 Speedinthruthecity, who has reportedly been training great.
No. 1 Salutos Amigos draws the advantageous rail in these turf sprints and with a clean break can make an impact in his unveiling.
Leg 3 – Race 3 (2,4,7,8,9) – The second of three heats on the card for 2-year-olds and Miller is tough again here with No. 4 Snackable on the major barn upgrade. Realistically placed after missing by a nose atGolden Gate, she can prove an astute auction buy.
However, we’ll spread with No. 2 Half Moon Gambler, No. 7 Pat’s Back, No. 8 Divas and Diamonds and No. 9 Iotapa.
Leg 4 – Race 4 (1,2,4,6,7) – Non-winners of two with lots of droppers so we’ll spread with No. 1 Runaway Bandido, No. 2 Zombyslayermrdarcy, No. 4 Magic Beam, No. 6 Panettone and No. 7 Chapman’s Peak.
Leg 5 – Race 5 (1,3) – Use half the runners from the late Pick-4 with No. 1 Highly Rated and No. 3 Elana Mar.
Recap – (2,5,6) w (1,6,7) w (2,4,7,8,9) w (1,2,4,6,7) w (1,3) – Total cost of ticket = $225
Last Sunday’s Result – (+$406.35)
Total for current Hollywood Park spring/summer meet – (+$604.40)
Total from 7/20/11 – 4/22/12 – (+$2,150.80)
Best Bet of the Day – Can now be found in the free analysis section at www.theracingedition.com along with an early Pick-4 ticket and a consensus box for the entire card.
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For more Hollywood Park action check out Jarrod Horak’s Pick 6 Blog.
Good luck!
