Belmont Bullet

[rock music] ♪ ♪ [crowd cheering] >> WELCOME, RACE FANS. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT BELMONT PARK FOR THE FIRST REGIONAL HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR. [cheers and applause] >> THERE'S THIS HORSE NAMED AFTER--FOR YOU IN THE FIRST-- >> WHAT'S THAT? >> SHE'S TOO YOUNG FOR YOU, BRO. >> OH, MY GOD. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. >> WE'RE HERE TODAY AT BELMONT PARK TO COMPETE IN OUR FIRST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT TO QUALIFY FOR THE NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP IN LAS VEGAS. >> BOY, I TELL YOU ONE THING-- >> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE. THIS IS IT. >> NAH, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN BELMONT PARK ON A SUNNY SATURDAY MORNING. NHC HANDICAPPER OF THE YEAR. THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN THAT. WINNING THE NHC WOULD BE LIKE A HORSE WINNING THE KENTUCKY DERBY OR THE TRIPLE CROWN OR THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC. ALL OF THEM PUT TOGETHER. OH, YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT'S FANTASTIC TO BE HERE. SO EXCITED. >> WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO LOSE YOUR MONEY. I WON THE NATIONAL HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT IN 2009. TOOK DOWN A COOL $1/2 MILLION, WHICH CHANGED MY LIFE. THE RACING GODS DID SMILE DOWN ON ME. HOW ARE YOU? >> MY MAN, THEY GOT A PICTURE OF YOU OVER THERE. >> YEAH, I KNOW. THEY LIKE ME. >> [laughs] >> I'M A VICIOUS COMPETITOR. I'M LIKE THE MARSHAL THAT COMES INTO TOWN, AND NOBODY WANTS TO DRAW AGAINST ME. >> WHERE'S LEE, BY THE WAY? >> WELL-- >> [laughs] THERE HE IS. >> HEY! WHAT'S UP? >> READY TO WIN 35,000? >> WHAT'S UP, BRO? WHAT'S UP? >> HOW WE FEELING? ALL RIGHT? >> COME ON. >> LET'S GET HOT. >> LET'S GET HOT. >> ONE TIME. >> PLAYING AS A TEAM IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE BECAUSE ALL THREE OF US, WE CONSIDER OURSELVES REAL GOOD HANDICAPPERS, AND WE CAN GO OVER THE RACES TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GET THE BEST HORSES IN EACH RACE. AND SOMETIMES WE'LL COME UP WITH THE SAME HORSE. SOMETIMES WE'LL SPREAD. >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO THIS. >> AS A TEAM, YOU JUST FEEL A LITTLE MORE CONFIDENT BECAUSE YOU GOT, LIKE--YOUR BROTHERS ARE TOGETHER. >> POST TIME. >> POST TIME. >> HOW YOU DOING? LAST NAME IS BERNIER. THE ENTRY FOR THIS BELMONT TOURNAMENT IS $400. LOTTA THESE GUYS HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY JUST SITTING AROUND IN THE SOCK DRAWER OR, YOU KNOW, IN THE PIGGY BANK. FOR ME, $400 IS PRETTY MUCH A MONTH'S RENT, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT LIKE I'VE GOT THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS JUST KINDA KICKING AROUND. SO IT'S DEFINITELY A LITTLE BIT MORE MAGNIFIED FOR ME THAN IT IS FOR THESE GUYS. >> THERE HE IS. >> HEY. THERE HE IS. THE MILLION-DOLLAR MAN. >> THE MAGIC TABLE. >> YOU NEED A LITTLE, UH-- >> NEED MY ROOTING SIGN. >> A LITTLE MAZEL OVER HERE? WANT ME TO THROW A LITTLE MAZEL YOUR WAY? >> THIS IS AWESOME. >> I MEAN, THE LAST TIME WE WERE TOGETHER, YOU WON $1 MILLION. >> RIGHT. >> YEAH, 35,000 IS A KICK IN THE BUCKET. >> I'LL TAKE IT. >> [laughs] >> NO ONE HAS EVER WON THE NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP TWICE, SO THE MOTIVATION MOVING FORWARD TO COMPETE IN THE NHC IS NOT JUST TO WIN IT AGAIN, BUT IT'S KIND OF TO PROVE TO PEOPLE THAT IT WASN'T JUST A LUCKY THING. >> YOU WON THE MILLION, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? GIVE US A SHOT. >> I JUST WANT TO QUALIFY. >> YEAH, I KNOW. LET'S JUST GET IN. >> I'M SERIOUS. I MEAN-- TALKING TO OTHER PLAYERS, I DO GET THE SENSE SOMETIMES THAT THEY'RE NOT COMPETING AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THEY'RE COMPETING AGAINST ME, LIKE THERE'S A TARGET ON MY BACK. [dramatic rock music] ♪ ♪ >> MY NAME IS KEVIN ***. I'M FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. AND I'M A HORSEPLAYER. ♪ ♪ AS A NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICER, I WAS IN THE MOUNTED DIVISION, RIDING HORSES IN TIMES SQUARE FOR SIX YEARS. AND I WAS A JOCKEY AGENT HERE IN NEW YORK FOR A YEAR AFTER I RETIRED. THIS IS MY FIRST FULL YEAR ON THE TOUR. I HAPPEN TO THINK I HAVE A A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN ADVANTAGE, WHEN IT COMES TO BETTING THE HORSES OR BEING IN THE TOURNAMENTS, THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON. I'M THE BEST YOU'VE EVER SEEN. I'M THE BEST. AND EVEN IF I LOSE, I'M STILL THE BEST. [upbeat rock music] ♪ ♪ >> I'M SKIPPING THE BELMONT TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR, AND INSTEAD I'M GONNA TAKE SOME OF MY WINNINGS FROM THE BREEDERS' CUP AND PARLAY THAT INTO A TRIP TO ROYAL ASCOT, JUST TO KIND OF GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A FESTIVE SPIRIT. WHEN IT'S SUMMERTIME AND-- THAT'S THE ONLY TIME THAT I VISIT LONDON REALLY, ANYWAY. I'M ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT I'M QUALIFYING FOR THE NHC THIS YEAR. I'M JUST NOT SURE WHICH TOURNAMENT, SO I'M GONNA PICK AND CHOOSE BETWEEN THE ONES I LIKE THE MOST. [rock music] ♪ ♪ >> THIS IS A DANGEROUS RACE AT MONMOUTH. DANGEROUS. THE 10 IS BRED FOR GRASS. I'M LOOKING AT IT. >> NO, I KNOW THAT. THAT'S-- >> BIG-TIME. >> SMART STRIKE, RIGHT? >> NO, I'M LOOKING AT ALL THE-- THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THE WAY THIS TOURNAMENT WORKS IS IT'S A $400 BUY-IN. IT'S A TWO-DAY TOURNAMENT. FIRST DAY AND THE SECOND DAY, THE SAME THING--NINE $20 BETS, ONE $40 BET. AT THE END OF TWO DAYS, THE THREE TOP FINISHERS WILL WIN AN ENTRY INTO THE NHC TOURNAMENT IN LAS VEGAS IN JANUARY. >> WE'VE WATCHED A COUPLE RACES SO FAR. WE'RE SEEING HOW THE TRACKS HAVE BEEN PLAYING. NOW IT'S TIME TO GO FORWARD, MAKE A COUPLE BETS. THIS FIRST RACE, I'M GONNA BET NUMBER 9 TAKES THE GOLD. I'VE HAD MY EYE ON THE HORSE FOR A LITTLE BIT. I'M GONNA GO DOWN AND TAKE A LOOK. HE'S ACTUALLY GONNA SHOW MUCH MORE PACE THAN HE NORMALLY WOULD AND ACTUALLY GO TO THE FRONT, HOPEFULLY CLEAR THE FIELD, AND TAKE 'EM GATE TO WIRE. AND IF I CAN GET ON THE BOARD WITH THIS HORSE, IT'D BE BIG. IT'D BE A NICE WAY TO START THE TOURNAMENT. >> THREE MINUTES. >> GO GET THE BASIL. >> [laughs] >> 6 IS GOING TO--GONNA BE CLOSING FROM THE BACK. BACK RIGHT TO THE TOP. >> THERE'S A HORSE TODAY, GO GET THE BASIL, AND HE'S A CLOSER. HE'S GONNA FINALLY GET THE TRIP HE WANTS. RACE SIX, BELMONT, 20 TO WIN ON THE 6. BASIL SHOULD WIN BY ABOUT A LENGTH AND A HALF. HE'S A BETTER HORSE THAN THESE. HE'S RUNNING AGAINST WEAKER COMPETITION TODAY. THAT'S YOUR [bleep] WINNER. [jazzy music] ♪ ♪ >> SIXTH RACE AT BELMONT. GIVE ME 20 TO WIN ON NUMBER 7. JUNIOR AND SENIOR BOTH LIKE GO GET THE BASIL. BUT I LIKE THE NUMBER 7 HORSE, "READTHEBYLINES," WHO'S A CLOSER AND IS GONNA COME OFF THE PACE TODAY. BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WINS, AS LONG AS ONE OF THEM WIN. [crowd cheering] >> THEY'RE IN THE GATE. [horses whinnying] >> ALL RIGHT, TIME TO GET ON THE BOARD, GUYS. >> BASIL. >> BASIL. >> I GOT THE 7. [bell rings] >> AND THEY'RE OFF. >> PACE, 45. >> 45 TO 3. >> COME AND CATCH 'EM. >> ON THE OUTSIDE, TAKES THE GOLD NOW TUGS HIS WAY UP TO BE SECOND. NOW AND THEN SETTLES BACK IN THIRD, 2 1/2 LENGTHS BACK TO CAP THE MOMENT, NOW FOURTH. GO GET THE BASIL FIFTH ON THE OUTSIDE. >> WE NEED TO CHANGE THE LEAD SIX TIMES. >> ANYTIME YOU WANT, BASIL! >> STILL IN CONTROL AND HAS OPENED UP ON NOW AND THEN TO LEAD BY FOUR AT THE TOP OF THE STRETCH. [overlapping shouting] >> NOW GO GET 'EM, BASIL. >> NORUMBEGA, SO SCOTT, SO FAR BEHIND, IS COMING DOWN THE FAR OUTSIDE. BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO CATCH READTHEBYLINE, WHO'S RUNNING A HUGE RACE TODAY. >> LOOK AT THIS. LOOK AT THIS HORSE. >> GET THROUGH. >> GET THROUGH, BASIL. >> COMING DOWN TO THE FINISH, READTHEBYLINE. VERY IMPRESSIVE. UNBELIEVABLE. >> YES! >> THAT WAS CLEARLY NOT HOW WE ANTICIPATED THINGS TO GO. SO TAKES THE GOLD FINISHED LAST. UNFORTUNATELY, DOESN'T LOOK VERY GOOD. >> TO THE WINDOW. >> BASIL COULDN'T GET IT DONE FOR US, BUT LEE GOT IT DONE WITH READTHEBYLINE, SO AT LEAST ONE OF US IS ON THE BOARD. >> I'M ON THE BOARD. SIXTH RACE AT BELMONT'S, RIGHT TO THE TOP. SAY GOOD NIGHT. >> ♪ OOH OOH OOH OOH ♪ >> THE TOURNAMENT'S WELL UNDERWAY. THE ACTION'S HEATING UP. PEOPLE ARE FIRING BULLETS LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS IS A VERY PIVOTAL TIME OF THE TOURNAMENT. >> THEY'RE IN THE GATE. [heart pounding] [bell rings] AND THEY'RE OFF. >> all: UP, UP, UP, UP, UP! >> FIRES ONE OUT OF THERE. QUICKLY IN FRONT. >> YES! YES. TO MOVE UP THE LEADERBOARD, YOU NEED TO PICK WINNERS. IF YOU DON'T PICK WINNERS, YOU STAY STAGNANT, OR YOU DROP DOWN. [bell rings] >> GOT NO [bleep] HELP OUT FRONT. >> COME ON WITH THIS 4! IF SOMEBODY PICKS A LONG SHOT, THEY'RE GONNA GO WAY AHEAD OF YOU. THAT'S WHY YOU ALWAYS LOOK FOR PRICES, AND YOU JUMP THE LEADERBOARD WHEN YOU PICK WINNERS. >> TIME IS TICKING AWAY AS THEY MOVE TOWARD THE TOP OF THE STRETCH. COULD THERE BE A HUGE UPSET HERE? >> COME ON, COME OUT ON TOP! >> COME ON, 5! >> A DECISIVE WINNER IN THE OPENER HERE. >> BAH. >> DAMN. >> [bleep]. I CAN'T PICK A WINNER. I'M IN AN ABSOLUTE TAILSPIN, GOING DOWN. >> HOLDING A BULLET IN THE HOLSTER. I LIKE TO SEE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. >> 20 TO WIN ON THE NUMBER 4. >> DOWN TO THE FINAL 16. CLUSTER OF STARS. >> all: GO, GO, GO, GO! GO, GO! >> THE MAIN THING IN THESE CONTESTS IS BULLETS, OR BETS. [bell rings] >> AND THEY'RE OFF. >> YOU WANT THE PEOPLE TO USE UP THEIR BULLETS, AND THEN AS LONG AS THERE'S ENOUGH RACES LEFT, LIKE A GUNFIGHT, YOU STILL HAVE YOUR AMMO. >> ♪ YOU GOT A KILLER'S MIND ♪ >> CHASE HIM DOWN! >> CHASE HIM DOWN FOR A LANE! >> CHASE HIM DOWN! >> CHASE HIM DOWN! >> YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S FOR! >> CHASE HIM DOWN FOR A LANE! >> AND NIGHT MANEUVER CAME WIDE AS THEY COME DOWN TO THE FINISH, AND NIGHT MANEUVER-- YES! GETS UP IN THE FINAL STRIDES! >> ON THE BOARD! ON THE BOARD! MY FOCUS IS ON THE MILLION DOLLARS. MY FOCUS IS ON BEING THE CHAMPION. THE BEST HANDICAPPER. WENT TO THE RIGHT HORSE. MICHAEL JORDAN BELIEVES HE'S THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER. I BELIEVE I'M THE BEST HANDICAPPER IN THE COUNTRY. NAH, IT'S--IT'S WHY WE ARE WHO WE ARE. DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? WE BELONG TO STAY IN THE HOUSE. LOCK THE DOORS, DON'T LET US OUT. [pensive music] >> EVERY HANDICAPPER DOES HIS HOMEWORK THE NIGHT BEFORE. AND IT'S EASY TO HANDICAP THE HORSES WHEN YOU'RE IN THE COMFORTS OF YOUR OWN HOME. BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN A CONTEST, EVENTUALLY YOU HAVE TO START HANDICAPPING PEOPLE. AND AS WE GO ALONG IN THE CONTEST, I'LL BE PAYING JUST AS MUCH ATTENTION TO WHO'S ON THAT LEADERBOARD AS THE HORSES ON THE TRACK. BUT WHAT I'LL DO IS I'LL WANDER AROUND THE ROOM. I'LL WALK AROUND AND LET PEOPLE SEE ME. AND THEN SOMEBODY WILL SAY, OH, THAT GUY'S IN FIRST, OR HE'S IN THIRD, OR HE'S IN SEVENTH. HE'S SHARP. NOW MAYBE I HAVE SOMEBODY PAYING A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION TO ME THAN THEY SHOULD THE RACING FORM. >> SO, TO THIS POINT, TODAY'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER. I HAVEN'T SNIFFED A WINNER AT THIS POINT, AND I CAN JUST SEE THE $400 KIND OF... SLIPPING AWAY FROM ME AT THIS POINT. [muffled cheers and applause] [tense rock music] ♪ ♪ >> SPECIAL GIFT, DAD. >> FOR ME? >> SECRETARIAT, RON TURCOTTE AUTOGRAPHED. >> OH, WOW. [laughing] BABY. >> YOUR BOY. WE NEED A-- >> OH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. >> YOU LOVE IT? >> MY LOVE OF LIFE, RIGHT HERE. EXCEPT FOR YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, SON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE'LL PUT THIS UP SO WE GET SOME GOOD LUCK TODAY. >> ALL RIGHT. >> IT'LL BE LIKE, YOU KNOW, NOTRE DAME WHEN THEY TOUCH, LIKE, ON THE BACK--WE CAN TOUCH SECRETARIAT. >> YOU REALIZE, GUYS, I WAS HERE 40 YEARS AGO. MY--40 YEARS AGO, I WAS HERE WHEN HE WON THE BELMONT STAKES. IT WAS IN THE BACKYARD HERE AT BELMONT. I'VE EXPERIENCED SOME OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE HERE-- SECRETARIAT IN 1973, TAKING MY SON TO THIS BEAUTIFUL TRACK. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I'M SO EXCITED. THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO BE. STILL GET THE CHILLS WHEN I SEE THIS HORSE. 31 LENGTHS. MY FAVORITE HORSE OF ALL TIME. IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF. I LOVE HIM. [crowd cheering] [dramatic drumbeats] >> GOD. IN THE NEXT RACE AT BELMONT, I LIKE GALWAY. SHE'S UNPROVEN. HER WORKOUTS ARE REALLY FAST, THOUGH. BUT IF I LOSE THIS RACE, I'M PROBABLY OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT. >> WELL, I BET 20 TO WIN ON THE 1, MIGHTY REWARD. HOPEFULLY I WILL GET A MIGHTY REWARD HERE. THIS HORSE IS A CLASS HORSE. HE LOVES THE GRASS. TIP OUT ON THE TURN, COMING FROM HOME. AND HOPEFULLY I CAN UPSET THE 5 HERE. [excited chatter] >> THEY'RE IN THE GATE. [bell rings] AND THEY'RE OFF. SLOW START FOR YOUR LION EYES. IT'S YOUR DIME IS RACING TO THE FRONT, AND SO TOO IS WICKED DISCO. AND FROM THEIR OUTSIDE POSTS, THEY'VE ALREADY CLEARED THE FIELD. WICKED DISCO 2 1/2 LENGTHS BEHIND, IN SECOND. AND THEN IT'S MIGHTY REWARD, THIRD TOWARD THE INSIDE. LADY HALITE IS FOURTH, CHESSRATE FIFTH, DADDY'S BIG GIRL SIXTH. PAN DULCE IS SEVENTH. HALO CITY GIRL IS EIGHTH. GALWAY IS NINTH. >> WOW. >> LET HIM GO. GET IT TO HIS OUTSIDE. >> YEAH, LET HIM GO. >> AND MIGHTY REWARD DOWN ON THE RAIL AND IS MANEUVERED OFF THE INSIDE TO THE ATTACK, AS THE FIELD TURNS FOR HOME. >> COME ON, TIP OUT WITH THIS 1! >> COME ON WITH THIS 1! >> TIP 'EM OUT WITH THIS 1! TIP 'EM OUT WITH THE 1! >> IT'S YOUR DIME HAS NOW DROPPED BACK TO SECOND, LADY HALITE THIRD, DADDY'S BIG GIRL FOURTH. >> GO WITH THIS 1! GO 1! >> all: GO 1, GO 1! >> THEY'RE COMING DOWN TO THE FINAL 100 YARDS, AND IT IS MIGHTY REWARD! >> THOUGHT...WE...COULDN'T... BA...BY! >> YES! >> OY! >> MIGHTY REWARD WILL GO ON TO A CLEAR-CUT VICTORY HERE. HERE'S PAN DULCE AND CHESSRATE SECOND AND THIRD. MIGHTY REWARD WINS IT BY THREE, PAN DULCE SECOND, CHESSRATE THIRD. >> ALL RIGHT. >> GO GET ME HOT, BOYS. >> THAT LAST BET REALLY DID ME IN. I'VE PLACED IN ALL OF MY BETS. I'VE GOT $120 TO SHOW FOR IT. MY DAY'S PRETTY MUCH DONE. >> I'VE WON THIS CONTEST SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST, AND MY STRATEGY IS, YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE ALL YOUR AMMUNITION, YOUR BETS. BING, BING, BING, BING. YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN RESERVE. BUT I'VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH, AND NOW I'M GONNA START USING MY BULLETS. I HAVE TO MAKE SOME BETS. [heavy metal music] ♪ ♪ THE 1 1/4 MILE, THE SPEED IS THE 6 AND THE 1. ♪ ♪ DOES IT LOOK LIKE THE HORSE HAS BANDAGES ON HIS FRONT LEG? OH, OH, HE'S NOT WEARING THEM, SO THAT'S A GOOD SIGN. ♪ ♪ LET ME HAVE 20 TO WIN ON NUMBER 6. >> I WENT WITH THE 4. I LIKE THE 6, BUT I CAN'T BUY HIM. NOT GONNA LIE TO YOU. I'M A LITTLE SHOOK AFTER THE WAY THE DAY HAS GONE. BUT AT THIS POINT ESPECIALLY, I NEED PRICES. I GOTTA HAVE BIG, BIG ODDS IF I'M GONNA HAVE ANY CHANCE OF COMING BACK. EVERYONE'S BETTING ON THE FAVORITE IN THIS RACE. EVERYONE KIND OF THINKS THAT THE HORSE IS UNBEATABLE. I CAN'T DO THAT. I GOTTA GO AGAINST THE GRAIN A LITTLE BIT. I'M GONNA GO WITH THE 4 HORSE, RUNS LIKE A KITTEN, AND STRICTLY BASED ON PEDIGREE. IF THIS HORSE RUNS LIKE ITS MOTHER AND FATHER, IT'S GONNA TAKE TO THE TURF. >> THEY'RE IN THE GATE. >> TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS. [tense music] [bell rings] >> AND THEY'RE OFF. >> GOOD BREAK. >> PARNELLI. THERE GOES RUNS LIKE A KITTEN, EMERGING FROM MID-PACK. COMES THE DREAM IS THERE ON THE FAR OUTSIDE. >> YEAH. >> AH, HE WENT WIDE. HE WENT WIDE. >> SO IT'S COMES THE DREAM AND RUNS LIKE A KITTEN WHO WILL VIE FOR THE EARLY LEAD AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TOWARD THAT FIRST TURN. >> GEE, I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS WON AT 7-1. >> SO IT'S COMES THE DREAM WHO SETS THE PACE HERE, CLEAR OF RUNS LIKE A KITTEN. STILL CONSERVED IS RUNS LIKE A KITTEN, WITH FIVE FURLONGS REMAINING. THEN PARNELLI, AS THE TEMPO STARTS TO CLIP IN HERE, APPROACHING THE FAR TURN. >> BUT THE 5'S IN A GOOD SPOT. >> COMES THE DREAM IS STILL THE LEADER. BUT PARNELLI IS PRODUCED ON THE OUTSIDE. PARNELLI DRIVING HARD AT THAT LEAD. >> WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! OH, AGH! >> OH, NO. >> COMES THE DREAM PUTS HIS HEAD DOWN AND KEEPS ON GOING. AS THEY COME DOWN TO THE LINE, COMES THE DREAM TOOK THEM WIRE TO WIRE HERE OVER 1 1/4 MILE. >> GIDDYAP. WIRE TO WIRE, JUST LIKE I CALLED IT. JUST LIKE I CALLED IT. >> I'VE HAD AN AWFUL DAY UP TO THIS POINT, AND THE FRUSTRATION IS BORDERLINE UNBEARABLE. I WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO JUST PACK UP MY TOYS AND GO HOME. [bleep]. >> ♪ ARE YOU READY? ♪ >> YOU MADE IT. >> YEAH, HI. THANKS FOR INVITING ME. >> YEAH, NO, YOU'RE WELCOME. SO I'M HERE AT ROYAL ASCOT, AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF RUNNING INTO A YOUNG LADY IN CAMDEN WHO WAS KEEN ON GOING TO THE RACES FOR THE FIRST TIME. AND SO I'M GONNA TAKE HER OUT, SHOW HER A GOOD TIME. AND I ALWAYS LIKE BRINGING A WOMAN WITH ME TO THE TRACK, ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M NOT BETTING A LOT OF MONEY, BECAUSE IT ALLOWS ME TO GET MORE INTO THE MOMENT, RELAX A LITTLE BIT, BE AT PEACE WITH THE HORSES TOO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT MAKING MONEY. SO I LOVE YOUR QUARTZ EARRINGS, 'CAUSE I ACTUALLY CARRY QUARTZ WITH ME A LOT OF TIMES FOR JUST CLARITY AND INTENSITY. IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE STONES. >> OH, COOL, THANK YOU. I LIKE YOUR BOWTIE. >> YEAH, IT'S ACTUALLY MADE OUT OF LEGOS. IT'S KIND OF SILLY, BUT I LIKE DOING THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY, SO-- >> COOL. >> YEAH, WELL, ANYWAY, CHEERS FOR A GREAT DAY OF RACING. MAY THE HORSES COME HOME SAFE AND SOUND AND DO THEIR BEST-- YEAH?--FOR US. >> CHEERS. [laid-back rock music] ♪ ♪ [horse whinnies] ♪ ♪ >> THIS WEEKEND'S TOURNAMENT'S A TWO-DAY TOURNAMENT HERE AT BELMONT. THE WINNER ENDS UP WALKING OUT WITH $40,000, AND THE TOP THREE PEOPLE WALK OUT OF HERE WITH A SEAT BACK TO LAS VEGAS. WE'RE AT THE LAST RACE OF THE DAY. I'M STILL GOOSE EGGS ON THE BOARD. BUT I HAVE MY $40 BET LEFT. WE'RE GONNA LET IT RIDE AT THIS POINT ON A HORSE CALLED MY PLACE ANYTIME. AND HE RUNS IMPECCABLY AT MONMOUTH PARK. AND MOST PEOPLE CONSIDER HIM, YOU KNOW, A BIT OF A LONGER SHOT, BUT, YOU KNOW, HE LOVES THE TRACK. HE LOVES THE SURFACE. GOTTA ROLL WITH IT. 11TH RACE AT MONMOUTH, 40 TO WIN ON THE 4. >> 11TH RACE AT MONMOUTH, 20 TO WIN ON THE 3. >> I THINK HE'S GONNA GO WITH THE 3 HORSE HERE, PROMISE ME A CAT. HER ODDS ARE DRIFTING UP. SHE'S A LONG SHOT, AND I THINK SHE'S GOT A BIG SHOT TO WIN, AND IF SHE DOES, I'LL GO TO THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD. >> ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO. [bell rings] >> AND MY PLACE ANYTIME CAME OUT WELL. >> MY PLACE ANYTIME. I LIKE IT. >> UP THE BACK STRETCH, PRESS STILL ON BY MY PLACE ANYTIME... ME A CAT. SILVERETTE UP TOP. MY PLACE ANYTIME IS RIGHT ALONGSIDE. >> STRANGLE HER. >> MY PLACE ANYTIME AND SILVERETTE, AND STILL NOTHING SEPARATES THEM. AND NOW MY PLACE ANYTIME'S TAKEN THE LEAD. >> DIG. DIG, BABY, DIG. DIG. KEEP GOING. COME ON. >> MY PLACE ANYTIME RUNS IN THE BLUE SPARKLER. >> GOT IT. >> NICE. NICE, MATT. >> LET'S DO IT, BABY. LET'S DO IT, BABY. >> SILVERETTE ON THE INSIDE. >> LET'S DO IT. WE'RE ALIVE. WE GOT SOME BLOOD PUMPING NOW. WE'RE ALIVE NOW. >> THAT'S NICE. HE'S BACK IN ACTION. >> BACK IN ACTION, BABY LOVE. >> I JUST HAD THE $40 PLAY ON THE HORSE AND JUST WON AT 9-1. BUT GOING INTO TOMORROW, WE GOT A SHOT. WE GOT A SHOT GOING INTO TOMORROW. [dramatic music] ♪ ♪ >> THANK YOU. END OF DAY ONE OF THE TOURNAMENT. NOT A BAD DAY FOR TEAM ROTONDO. I'M IN 50TH PLACE WITH $286. PETER, SR. IS IN 40TH PLACE WITH $430. BOY--PETER, JR.--IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN TOMORROW HE CAN'T HAVE A BIG DAY. >> GOT MY *** KICKED TODAY. I PROMISE YOU ONE THING: TOMORROW I'LL GO SIX FOR TEN. COMING FOR HOME IN THOSE LAST FOUR RACES, I WILL HAVE A SHOT TO WIN THIS THING. >> IT'S NOT ABOUT DAY ONE. IT'S ABOUT DAY TWO. THAT'S WHEN YOU SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE BOYS. >> JUST TO SHOW YOU, MATT'S FIRST FEW RACES THAT HE PLAYED, HE WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. I MEAN, YOU NEED A TELESCOPE TO FIND HIS HORSES. BUT HE MAKES COMEBACKS, AND THAT'S WHAT HORSE RACING IS ALL ABOUT. THAT'S WHY I LOVE THE TOURNAMENT, 'CAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. YOU JUST GOTTA BE RIGHT AT THE RIGHT TIME. >> SO DAY ONE IS OVER, AND I'M IN FIRST PLACE. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN FIRST, BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE A BIG TARGET ON YOUR BACK. SO FOR TOMORROW WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS I'M GONNA LAY BACK EARLY. I'M NOT GONNA PUT IN TOO MANY EARLY BETS. THEN I'M GONNA RE-RALLY, COME LATE IN THE STRETCH. ♪ ♪ [gentle rock music] ♪ ♪ >> HELLO? >> HEY. >> HOW'S IT GOING? >> GOOD, WHAT'S GOING ON? >> NOT TOO MUCH. WE WERE JUST WONDERING HOW YOU'RE MAKING OUT. >> DAY ONE'S OVER. STARTED OFF KIND OF, UH, KIND OF DISMAL, BUT WE PICKED IT UP AT THE VERY END. ALL IN ALL, I'M RIGHT AROUND, LIKE, 600. SOMETHING LIKE THAT. NINTH PLACE. >> SO ONE DAY DOWN, ONE TO GO. EXCELLENT. >> ALL THESE GUYS DOWN HERE, THEY'VE AT LEAST FLOATED OUT THE IDEA OF, WHY DON'T I THINK ABOUT DOING THIS ON A MUCH BROADER SCALE? LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, FOR LACK OF--LIKE, FULL-TIME. >> I-I GUESS WE WOULD HAVE TO DISCUSS IT, AND THEN... [laughter] YOU'D HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, GET SOME MORE INFORMATION, I GUESS. SOUNDS INTERESTING. >> YEAH, WELL, THAT WAS KIND OF MY THOUGHT ALL ALONG, THAT IT'S--IT'S A LITTLE BIT OUT THERE, BUT, YOU KNOW-- >> DAD HAS ALWAYS SAID TO YOU, IF YOU CAN EARN A LIVING DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVE, GO FOR IT. >> DO YOU HAVE A WINE LIST? >> YES, WE DO. I'LL BRING IT OVER. >> HEY, WANNA HAVE A LITTLE WINE THERE, SONNY BOY? >> YOU'RE NOT DRIVING, ARE YOU? >> NO, I-- >> YOU DON'T DRIVE. >> I DON'T DRIVE. >> YOU'RE NOT DRIVING THE BEETLE. >> LEAVE MY CAR ALONE. IT'S VERY NI--I GOT A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS ABOUT THAT CAR. >> WHO COMPLIMENTS YOU? >> EVERYBODY. >> A GROWN MAN, 64 YEARS OLD, SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING A BEETLE AROUND. >> NO, BUT IT'S A NEW VERSION. >> UNLESS IT WAS A 1960s-- >> IT'S GOT--IT'S GOT AN AUDI-- >> RIGHT, RETRO. >> YOU KNOW, AND YOU WERE RETRO, AND YOU WERE GOING BACK TO THE OLD DAYS, AND-- >> THE PRICE IS RIGHT. YOU KNOW, I'M NOT ON WALL STREET ANYMORE, SON. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I GOTTA-- >> YEAH, WE GOTTA WIN A COUPLE TOURNAMENTS. >> EXACTLY, YOU KNOW? >> I KNOW, BUT IT'S RIDICULOUS. >> YOU'RE IN LAST, OBVIOUSLY. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY WINNERS. >> NO. >> KNOW WHAT I MEAN? >> YOU'RE IN THE MID-PACK SOMEWHERE. YOU GOT A COUPLE OF WINS. AND I'M, LIKE, TOWARDS THE BOTTOM, BUT NOT AS FAR DOWN AS HE IS. >> RIGHT. >> THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED TO PICK WINNERS TOMORROW. >> YEAH. >> AND WHAT I REALLY WANNA KNOW IS WHO'S THIS ***? >> NEVER HEARD OF THE GUY. >> DID YOU SEE HIM TODAY? >> NOT THAT HE'S AN ODDBALL, BUT, YOU KNOW, HE DOES LOOK ODD COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE, YOU KNOW? >> HE'S HUGE. >> RIGHT, HE'S A BIG GUY. HE'S WEARING A COWBOY HAT. >> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> WE GOTTA FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CATCH THIS GUY. >> THERE'S $1 MILLION ON THE LINE, LEE, HERE. WE HAVE TO PICK SOME WINNERS, OR WE'RE OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT. LET'S--LET'S SET A RULE RIGHT NOW. WHATEVER WE MADE, WE STICK TO OUR GUNS. AND THAT'S IT, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO, LIKE, SAY AFTER THE RACE, OH, WE SHOULD'VE DONE THIS, WE SHOULD'VE DONE THAT. >> RIGHT. >> YOU MAKE A HORSE, YOU LOVE A HORSE, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, JUST GO WITH IT. ALL RIGHT. >> CHIN DOWN. >> CHIN DOWN. >> ALL RIGHT, TILL TOMORROW. WE GET HOT TOMORROW. >> LET'S GET HOT TOMORROW. >> PINKIES OUT FOR UNCLE PETE. [cheerful jazz music] ♪ ♪ >> JOHNNY. >> YES? >> COME ON, WE'RE GONNA BE LATE. LET'S GO. >> ARLENE, THANKS FOR THE-- LAYING OUT THE CLOTHES. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> THE ONLY THING IS, I DO NEED THE MAGNIFYING GLASS. >> YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE YOU LEFT IT? >> DOWNSTAIRS, I THINK. >> OH, OKAY. I'LL LOOK FOR IT. >> THEY CALL MY WIFE SAINT ARLENE. >> both: GOOD MORNING. >> MORNING. THEY SAY, "HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH THIS GUY?" AND THEY WOULD TELL HER, THEY SAYS, "SHE'S A SAINT." >> [laughing] >> OOH, IS THAT GOOD. >> GO, GO GET DRESSED. >> OKAY. >> THANK YOU. [energetic music] ♪ ♪ >> TRACK LOOKS REALLY FAST TODAY. TRACTIONS ARE GONNA BE REAL QUICK. ♪ ♪ >> OH, SEE THAT GUY WHO'S POKING IT? THAT'S THE GUY YOU GOTTA WATCH OUT FOR. >> HE'S THE POPE. HOW'S THE RAIL, BUDDY? [chuckles] MAKE THAT RAIL LIKE IRON. [laughter] >> LOVE IT. WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO TODAY? DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? >> I'M IN TROUBLE. I'M GONNA BOMB AWAY, HOPE FOR THE BEST, AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. I'M GONNA SUPPORT YOU GUYS TODAY. >> LISTEN, IT'S TEAM ROTONDO. IF ONE OF US GET A SEAT, WE'RE ALL GONNA GET A SEAT. >> IT DOESN'T MATTER. >> WE'RE ALL ONE PARTNERSHIP. >> NO, I GOTCHA. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? >> WE'RE LIKE THE HOLY TRINITY, THREE IN ONE. THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST--FATHER, SON-- >> WHO AM I? >> YOU'RE THE HOLY GHOST. >> THAT'S NOT BAD. I LIKE THAT. >> YEAH, YOU CAN BE THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE TEAM. >> I'LL TAKE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE TEAM; THAT'S OKAY. >> FAIR ENOUGH. >> GENTLEMEN. >> HEY! >> HEY, LOOK WHO IT IS. >> THE TOP GUY. >> TINY. >> THE BIG GUY. >> LITTLE WARM TODAY. >> WHAT'S GOING ON? >> HOW YOU FEEL AFTER THAT GREAT PERFORMANCE YESTERDAY? >> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE PRE-GAME JITTERS ALMOST, IF YOU WILL. >> RIGHT. >> WHAT PLACE ARE YOU IN? >> NINTH. >> WOW, NINTH. >> GOOD PLACE. >> STRIKING DISTANCE. >> WELL, I THINK YOU SHOULD REALLY FOCUS ON, YOU KNOW, THAT THIRD SEAT. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED IF THE GUY IN FRONT IS STARTING TO RUN AWAY A LITTLE BIT. >> I HAVE THE FINAL THREE RACES, BETWEEN BELMONT, MONMOUTH, AND ARLINGTON... >> RIGHT. >> THAT I PLAN ON PLAYING. >> OKAY, AT THAT POINT, I SHOULD BE AHEAD OF YOU, SO THEN YOU CAN COME AND CATCH ME. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? >> I LIKE IT. I LIKE IT. >> 'CAUSE I LIKE SOME EARLY STUFF, SO IF I GET HOT EARLY, I'M GONNA JUMP RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK. >> THAT'S GOOD. WORKS FOR ME. WORKS FOR ME. >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET HOT. >> LET'S DO IT. >> LET'S GO MAKE IT HAPPEN, HUH? [rock music] ♪ ♪ >> HI, MY NAME'S KEVIN. HOW YOU DOING? >> GOOD. MATT. NICE TO MEET YOU. >> NICE TO MEET YOU, BRO. YOU'RE IN NINTH PLACE? >> YES. >> KNOW WHO'S IN FIRST? >> NO, SIR. >> IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHO'S IN FIRST, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE'S STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU. >> I WAS GONNA SAY, I WOULD IMAGINE SINCE YOU CAME OVER, IT'S PROBABLY YOU, RIGHT? >> YOU GOTTA KNOW WHO TO PUT THE BULL'S-EYE ON, MAN. THIS KID MATT'S IN NINTH PLACE RIGHT NOW. HE'S PROBABLY FEELING REALLY GOOD ABOUT HIMSELF. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING. IF HE THINKS HE'S GONNA FINISH AHEAD OF BIG DADDY HERE, HE'S AS HIGH AS A KITE. BEING THE NEW GUY, I THINK HE'S SPIT THE BIT IN THE DEEP STRETCH, SO I WENT OVER TO CLIP HIS WINGS TO MAKE SURE OF IT. >> BEST OF LUCK TODAY. >> VERY NICE MEETING YOU, DUDE. >> YOU TOO. ALL RIGHTY. THANK YOU. >> DO GOOD. >> THE COWBOY'S IN THE LEAD. I'M IN NINTH AT THE MOMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHO THE [bleep] COWBOY THINKS HE IS, BUT HE CAN TAKE HIS HAT AND GO SHOVE IT UP HIS ***. I GOTTA GO GET HIM. [music crescendos] [laid-back rock music] ♪ ♪ >> SO BEING HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT ASCOT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE I'M TAKING A TRIP TO ROME, AND I'M AT THE COLISEUM. I MEAN, IT'S JUST SPECTACULAR. ROYAL ASCOT WAS ORIGINALLY STARTED BACK IN THE EARLY 1700s. GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN. IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS. >> ALWAYS, ALWAYS. GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE. >> YEAH. I KNOW OVER HERE, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU'VE BET WITH BOOK MAKERS, AND WE BET IN THE PARI-MUTUEL TOTE SYSTEM, SO ALL THE MONEY'S POOLED TOGETHER. OKAY, SO IF I WANTED TO BET, LET'S SAY, 5 GRAND WITH ONE OF THESE BOOK MAKERS, COULD I DO THAT? >> YOU CAN TODAY 'CAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF LIQUIDITY IN THE RING TODAY, SO THEY'RE FINE AT TAKING A 5 GRAND BET. AT A QUIETER MEETING, IF YOU'D HAVE COME ACROSS LAST WEEK, YOU COULD'VE BET MAXIMUM OF 50 QUID ON. HERE YOU CAN GET YOUR 5 GRAND ON. >> LET'S DO IT AGAIN. MY TURF. >> LOOK FORWARD TO IT. >> COME OVER FOR THE BREEDERS' CUP. >> BIG-TIME. >> I'LL GET YOUR BACK. ALL RIGHT, MAN, THANKS. [crowd cheering] [exciting music] ♪ ♪ >> WHAT GOES ON? >> WHAT'S UP, BROTHER? HOW WE DOING? HOW WE FEELING? ALL RIGHT? >> [sighs] STILL, UH, YOU KNOW, GOING THROUGH THIS. I MEAN, THERE'S A COUPLE OF TURF ONES HERE AT BELMONT TODAY THAT I THINK ARE A LITTLE INTERESTING. >> RIGHT, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JOHNNY'S HORSES? >> PIE'S FIRST LADY? THE FIRST EFFORT WASN'T BAD. LITTLE BIT OF SPEED AND FADE. >> RIGHT. >> I WOULD IMAGINE EVERY RIGHT TO IMPROVE. >> WELL, THAT'S THE KEY. WE DON'T REALLY KNOW, RIGHT? SO-- >> NO, WE DON'T. >> THAT'S THE--THAT'S THE QUESTION IS, LIKE, WILL SHE IMPROVE, WON'T SHE IMPROVE? >> YEAH. >> SO I WAS THINKING MAYBE WE GO TALK TO HIM. >> JOHNNY V? >> MAYBE WE COULD GET A LITTLE, UH, INSIGHT. >> PSH. >> COME ON, LET'S GO. >> WANNA ROLL OUT? >> YEAH, WE'LL GO. >> ALL RIGHT. >> WE KNOW HIM A LONG TIME... >> OKAY. >> SINCE LITERALLY I'M A KID, SO I FIGURE THIS'LL BE FUN. >> WORKS FOR ME. >> JOHNNY. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. HOW'S EVERYTHING? THIS IS MY FRIEND MATT. >> HOW ARE YOU? MATT. >> MATT, HOW ARE YOU? NICE MEETING YA. >> MATT'S A REALLY GOOD HANDICAPPER. HE'S IN THE TOURNAMENT. HE'S IN THE TOP TEN. >> I'M PRETTY SURE HE'S BETTER THAN ME, THAT'S FOR SURE. >> FOR DAY TWO, I WAS TELLING MATT, YOU ARE THE BEST PACE JOCK IN THE WORLD. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. NO, BUT IT'S TRUE. >> DO YOU KIND OF CHANGE YOUR PHILOSOPHY SPEED-WISE, TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE GATE, AS FAR AS TURF TO DIRT? >> YOU PLAY AS YOU GO, OBVIOUSLY. IT WAS PLAYING PRETTY FAST YESTERDAY. IT'S GONNA CHANGE TODAY. I MEAN, IT'S GONNA BE HOTTER, AND THEY'RE PROBABLY GONNA GET FASTER TOO. SO YOU KIND OF PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF IT HOW THE RACES GOING THROUGH IT THROUGHOUT THE DAY. >> IN GENERAL, TURF RACING, THOUGH, THE PACE IS USUALLY A LITTLE SLOWER IN THE BEGINNING. >> YEAH. >> AND YOU NEED MORE PATIENCE, RIGHT? >> YES. >> VERSUS DIRT, WHERE YOU'RE GO, GO, GO. >> YES, BUT IN THE LONGER RACES, WE DON'T DO THAT IN THE GRASS. NOW, SIX SHORT RACES... >> YEAH. >> IT'S GONNA BE LIKE A DIRT RACE. >> LIKE A DIRT RACE, OKAY. WHY IS IT HARDER TO GO WIRE TO WIRE ON THE GRASS THAN IT IS ON THE DIRT? >> IT SEEMS LIKE THE STYLE OF RUNNING. >> SO IT'S THE STYLE. >> IT'S THE STYLE OF RUNNING. YOU DON'T WANT TO BURN IT UP THE FIRST PART OF THE RACE AND THEN NOT HAVE NOTHING... >> RIGHT. >> TO FINISH WITH. >> AND THEN SOME HORSES, OBVIOUSLY, LOVE TO GO TO THE LEAD, WHATEVER, BUT IT'S-- >> SOME HORSES LOVE IT AND FIGHT THE LEAD. SOME HORSES LIKE TO BE THERE AND FIGHT FOR IT, YOU KNOW? >> RIGHT. >> AND SOMETIMES, DOESN'T MATTER--DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING. THEY LIKE TO BE THERE, AND THEY GET BRAVER, AND THEY GET STRONGER, AND WHEN YOU LET THEM GO, THEY HAVE SOMETHING LEFT. >> ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, ALL RIGHT? GOOD LUCK TODAY. >> THANK YOU, GUYS. >> GOOD LUCK TODAY. >> YOU TOO, GOOD LUCK TO YOU. >> SEE YOU AT SARATOGA. [background chatter] WHAT'S GOING ON? WE GONNA GET HOT TODAY, OR WHAT? SO YOU'LL LOVE THIS. I JUST LEFT JOHNNY V. ALL RIGHT? WE WENT DOWN THERE-- >> OH, YEAH? >> YEAH, IT WAS AWESOME. I WAS LIKE, LISTEN, YOU'RE THE BEST PACE JOCKEY IN THE COUNTRY. >> RIGHT. >> HE GOES--HE GOES, "NOW," HE GOES--YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PACE. HE GOES, "SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA FORGET IT." HE GOES, "IF I GET OUT TO THE LEAD AND MY HORSE IS ALONE ON THE LEAD AND FEELING--FEELING CONFIDENT, WHATEVER, I DON'T CARE. I CAN GO AS FAST AS THEY WANT. I WON'T STOP." >> UH-HUH. THANK YOU. I BELIEVE THAT. I LOVE-- >> YESTERDAY HE GOT OUT ON THE LEAD, AND-- >> YEAH, WITH THE HORSE THAT WE HAD, THE 7, RIGHT. HE GOT OUT ON THE LEAD. THE HORSE GOT BRAVE. WE ENDED UP WINNING THE RACE. SIDES CAME CLOSING LATE. >> HE'D GO 45 AND CHANGE, AND-- >> RIGHT, BUT WE WERE ALL-- >> AND HE'S DEAD. >> HE'S DEAD, RIGHT. >> RIGHT, BUT HE WAS ALL BY HIMSELF. >> HE SAID THEY GET-- THEY MUSCLE UP. >> THEY SWELL UP. >> THEY SWELL UP, THEY'RE JUST CONFIDENT, AND THEY DON'T STOP. >> REALLY? >> YEAH. >> YEAH, SEE? >> SO MY DAD HAS THIS THEORY ABOUT HORSES THAT GET BRAVE ON THE LEAD. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE MUCH QUALITY, BUT THEY'RE-- WHEN THEY GET ON THE LEAD, THEY JUST GET INTO A RHYTHM, AND THE OTHER JOCKEYS FIGURE, AH, THEY'RE NOT THAT MUCH QUALITY. LET THEM GO TILL-- THEY'LL COME BACK. HORSES THAT GET TO THE LEAD, SOMETIMES THEY GET BRAVE. JOHNNY CONFIRMED THAT THEORY. IT'S BEEN DAD'S THEORY SINCE I'M A KID. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN THIS RACE COMING UP AT MONMOUTH. >> AND THEY RUN AWAY WITH IT. >> I AGREE. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME. >> RACE TWO, MONMOUTH. 20 TO WIN, NUMBER 4. >> YES, GET HOT, SON. TAKING A BIG SHOT HERE. AT MONMOUTH IN THE SECOND RACE, I BET 20 TO WIN ON NUMBER 8. 26-1 SHOT. IF I'M RIGHT, TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD HERE. THIS IS A BIG RACE 'CAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAVING THEIR BULLETS, AND I'M SENDING IT IN RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO TAKE A SHOT. LET'S GET HOT. [crowd cheering] [tense music] >> AND THEY'RE ALL IN LINE. ♪ ♪ >> ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO. [bell rings] >> GOTTA GO TO THE LEAD. OTHERWISE WE'RE IN TROUBLE. >> AND A GOOD START FOR SLEWS BIG FINALE. NAVY WINGS IS GONNA GO WITH HIM ON THE INSIDE. >> WE'RE IN TROUBLE. >> OH, YEAH. >> PARTY'S OVER ALREADY. >> AND GAMBARU IS AWAY, RUNNING IN THIRD. BRACKET BUSTER FOURTH, TIDAL WATERS FIFTH ON THE FAR OUTSIDE. >> SIT THE TRIP, SHANNON. >> OPENING 1/4 MILE, ON TO THE BACK STRETCH. >> 23.4. THAT'S A DECENT FRACTION. >> ANYTIME YOU WANT, SHANNON. >> SLEWS BIG FINALE AND GAMBARU IN THERE RIGHT TOGETHER ON THE LEAD NOW, AND BRACKET BUSTER IS SENT UP AFTER THEM. >> COME ON, SHANNON. COME ON, SHANNON! >> COME ON, SHANNON! >> COME ON, SHANNON! >> COME ON WITH THIS 4! >> COME ON, SHANNON! >> COME ON WITH THIS 4! >> COME ON, SHANNON! >> GAMBARU'S GOT A NECK IN FRONT. SLEWS BIG FINALE ON THE INSIDE. [all shouting at once] >> [together] 4, 4, 4! >> OPEN UP WITH THE 4! >> DO IT, SHANNON! >> AND GAMBARU AND SHANNON USKE GOT THERE FIRST. >> OH! >> WHOO! >> 41-1! >> PENNY. >> THE ONLY PERSON IN THE BUILDING WITH THAT HORSE. >> OH, YEAH! >> RIGHT BACK IN IT. I PUT 20 TO WIN ON A 40-1 SHOT AT MONMOUTH WITH SHANNON USKE. SHE WENT WIRE TO WIRE. WE'RE RIGHT BACK AT IT. WENT 0 FOR 10 YESTERDAY, 1 FOR 1 TODAY. >> WELL DONE. >> WHAT? >> NO, MY--MY SON. [laughing] >> BACK IN ACTION. >> DON'T EVER COUNT MY SON OUT, BECAUSE WHEN HIS BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL, HE PRODUCES. I'VE SEEN HIM DO IT TOO MANY TIMES AT THE RACETRACK. WHEN HE GETS HOT, HE GETS HOT. >> NICE WORK. WHOA! [background chatter] >> ANY WHICH WAY YOU CHOOSE. >> BEAT THE RUSH, GET 'EM EARLY! FIRST RACE. >> OVER HERE, WHEN YOU BET, IT'S CALLED A "FLUTTER." CAN I HAVE THIS ON THE NUMBER 5? >> RIGHT. >> AH, THANKS. THANKS, MATE. >> THE HORSES ARE AT THE GATE. AND THEY'RE OFF! [exciting music] ♪ ♪ >> THIS IS A CLOSE FINISH. ♪ ♪ [crowd chattering] UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T MAKE ANY MONEY, AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY. BUT THIS WAS A LOT OF FUN. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH MEMORIES I'M GONNA HAVE. SO BIG--BIG SURPRISE. [lively chatter, laughter] [dramatic music] >> THERE ARE ONLY A FEW RACES LEFT. THIS IS CRUNCH TIME. TOP THREE GO TO VEGAS, SO WE GOTTA GET IT DONE. >> I THINK DEFINITELY NUMBER 1 IS THE HORSE IN THE RACE. >> AND I THINK THIS IS WORTH A REAL BET. A REAL, HEAVY BET. >> REALLY? >> TEAM ROTONDO, WE'RE ALL IN IT AT THIS POINT. WE'RE ALL IN STRIKING POSITION. WE ALL HAD A COUPLE OF WINNERS NOW. THE GOAL HERE IS TO GET INTO THE TOP THREE SO WE CAN GET TO VEGAS, AND THE KEY IS ONE OF US TO MAKE IT THERE. >> I THINK THE-- >> REAL MONEY. >> THE 1'S GONNA RUN LIKE THE 1 RAN YESTERDAY. REMEMBER, WHEN THE HORSE STAYED TWO, THREE LENGTHS BEHIND-- >> NO, I LOVE THE 1. I DIDN'T THINK IT'D BE THIS PRICE--THOUGHT IT'D BE, LIKE, 5, 6-1. >> JUNIOR LIKES THE 1, FLOWING MANE. SO DO I. NOW, HE MADE A SUGGESTION TO ME. HE SAID, "YOU KNOW, DAD, INSTEAD OF BETTING THE SAME HORSE, 1 AND 1, WHY DON'T WE CHANGE IT AROUND, COVER OUR BET? I'LL BET THE 1, AND YOU BET YOUR SECOND CHOICE, WHICH IS THE 9, ONE MAN ONE VOTE." LET'S HOPE FOR THE BEST. ONE OF US IS GONNA WIN THIS RACE. TRUST ME, ONE OF US WILL WIN THIS RACE. [background chatter] >> HOW ARE YOU? >> HI. >> FOR RACE FIVE AT BELMONT, LET ME HAVE 20 TO WIN ON THE 8 HORSE, FREIGHT. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT, AND WE CAN'T BREAK THE ROTONDO RULE, BUT THE REALITY IS, THE 1 HORSE, THE TRAINER HASN'T WON ALL YEAR. I'VE SWITCHED TO THE 8, FREIGHT. I'M EITHER GONNA BE A HERO, OR I COULD POSSIBLY BE DISOWNED TONIGHT. GET RIGHT BACK IN THIS. >> ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM ROTONDO ARE CLOSE. WE JUST NEED ONE PICK TO GET INTO THE TOP THREE FOR THE TOURNAMENT. SO JUST BEFORE POST TIME, I CHANGED OUR BET FROM THE 1 HORSE, FLOWING MANE, TO NUMBER 8, FREIGHT. I PRAY THE 1 DOESN'T WIN. >> THEY'RE IN THE GATE. [tense music] [bell rings] AND THEY'RE OFF. AND ONE MAN ONE VOTE. INTO THE FAR TURN, A CONTENTIOUS FIRST QUARTER. >> COME ON WITH THIS 4. >> 22 AND 3/5 SECONDS. >> COME ON WITH THIS 4! >> WHERE IS HE? >> THINK HE'S ON THE OUTSIDE. >> INTO THE STRETCH, AND THEN WHERE'S DANNY, WHO TAKES TO THE FAR OUTSIDE. >> WOW. >> ON THE WIRE, AT 16-1, IS FLOWING MANE. [foreboding music] ♪ ♪ >> BOY'S GOT IT. >> WHAT'D HE GO OFF AT? 5-1? >> 15, 16? >> GOOD PRICE. >> BOY'S GOT IT. >> I BET THE 8. >> NO! >> YOU'RE NOT-- YOU'RE NOT PLAYING BINGO. THIS IS HANDICAPPING. THAT'S PLAYING BINGO. I'M SO SICK RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. HE SAYS, "I LIKE THE 1." I SAYS, "I GOT THE 1 TOO." I--SO HE SAYS, "WHY DON'T WE, LIKE, SPREAD AROUND?" I SAYS, "ALL RIGHT, YOU PLAY THE 1. I'LL BET MY SECOND CHOICE, THE 9." AND I THINK HE'S GOT THE 1, AND THEN WE--THEY'RE IN THE POSTS, AND HE GOES, "NO, I BET THE 8." >> RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT. >> I WOULD'VE BEEN RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE LEADERS. WE CAN'T WIN. >> WOW. THAT WAS TOUGH. THAT WAS TOUGH. >> ON--LOOK. $34 HORSE DOWN THE DRAIN. >> WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? >> I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. >> WE BOTH MADE THE HORSE. AND THE HORSE WON, AND NOW, WHERE WE COULD'VE BOTH MOVED TO THE LEADER--OR AT LEAST ONE OF US, NEITHER OF US DID. AND I [bleep] [bleep] UP. >> JUST HAD A MAJOR DISASTER IN THE FIFTH RACE AT BELMONT, SO WE DECIDED TO BET THREE DIFFERENT HORSES IN THE RACE. I BET THE 4. PETER, JR. WAS SUPPOSED TO BET THE 1. PETER, SR. WAS GONNA BET THE 9. NOBODY BET THE 1, AND AT 16-1 THE 1 HORSE WON THE RACE. WE ALL AGREED WE WERE GONNA BET THE 1, THE 4, AND THE 9. WHAT ARE YOU--WHY'D YOU BET THE 8? THAT MIGHT'VE JUST COST US A SEAT TO THE NHC RIGHT NOW. >> [scoffs] UNBELIEVABLE. [dramatic music] ♪ ♪ HE SAID, "LET'S SPREAD IT," SO I SAYS, "ALL RIGHT. I GOT THE 9 AS A LONG SHOT. YOU PICK THE 1, I PICK THE 9." THAT'S 7--I WOULDA HAD 750 POINTS. >> WELL, HE WOULD'VE HAD, IF HE BETS IT. >> YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SAY, "LET'S BOTH BET IT." >> YOU BOTH MAKE THE 1, BUT NEITHER ONE BETS IT? IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. >> IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. >> RIGHT, THAT'S-- >> YOU GOTTA BE VERY UNLUCKY. AND AGAIN YOU GOTTA HAVE A BUSTED *** IN THE REAL WORLD TO WIN. AND WE'RE NOT LUCKY. WE'RE GOOD, BUT WE'RE NOT LUCKY. ACH. >> ALL RIGHT. >> OH, BOY. >> THAT WAS PAIN. PAIN. >> WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? >> THAT WAS A MISTAKE. TWO MISTAKES, YESTERDAY AND... LAST RACE OF TODAY. >> THAT'S HARD TO COME BACK FROM, BUT-- >> RIGHT. PAINFUL. I'D LOVE TO SAY HE DOESN'T HAVE A RIGHT TO BE CRANKY ABOUT THIS, BUT ONE OF US SHOULD'VE HAD IT. I BROKE THE ONE RULE, THE ONE ROTONDO RULE. LEE'S PISSED. DAD'S MAD. THIS ONE'S PRETTY BAD. >> UNBELIEVABLE. IT'S A TOUGH BEAT. AGH. WELL, THERE'S ONLY ANOTHER RACE LEFT. LOOKS LIKE WE'RE OUT OF IT. TEAM ROTONDO IS DEAD. BUT MATT, HE'S GOT A SHOT TO BE IN IT. SO LET'S ROOT FOR HIM ANYWAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CHANCE LEFT. >> SO, HEADING INTO THE LAST RACE OF THE CONTEST, I'M IN FIRST PLACE. I GOT A BIG-*** TARGET ON MY BACK, BUT I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF. JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT NO LONG SHOTS PASS ME. >> I KIND OF FEEL LIKE IF I'M THIS CLOSE, I STILL GOTTA GO FOR IT. >> THERE'S NO--I MEAN, YOU GOTTA GO FOR IT. >> YOU WANT THE SEAT, AND YOU WANT THE MONEY. >> THE SEAT IS REALLY WORTH, LIKE, 10 GRAND. >> YEAH. >> I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT IT'S WORTH, SO-- >> AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I GOTTA GET THIS BET IN, OR THIS ONE'LL GET SHUT OUT. >> IT'S THE LAST RACE. I'M IN FIRST PLACE. I'M ABOUT TO PUT IN A BET ON A 5-1 SHOT. THE ONLY THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY BEAT ME IS IF A HORSE WINS AT HIGHER ODDS. IF THAT HAPPENS, I GOTTA SWEAT IT OUT. >> HERE WE ARE, LAST RACE OF THE DAY. 12TH AT MONMOUTH. I'M GONNA GO WITH THE 2 HORSE. GONNA TRY AND GET FIGHT TO WIN HOME. GOT THE $40 BOMBER LEFT. SO IF THE HORSE COMES IN, WE GOT DECENT ODDS. MAYBE WE GOT A CHANCE AT KNOCKING COWBOY *** OUT OF THE LEAD AND GETTING A SEAT. IT'S ALL OR NOTHING NOW. GOING DOWN SWINGING. FINAL RACE AT MONMOUTH. 40 TO WIN ON THE 2, FIGHT TO WIN. [tense music] ♪ ♪ THE NAME IS APPROPRIATE ENOUGH, RIGHT? LAST RACE OF THE DAY. GOT ONE BET LEFT. IF I CAN SOMEHOW GET THIS HORSE HOME--I'M WITHIN STRIKING RANGE RIGHT NOW. IF I CAN GET HIM HOME, GETS ME TOP THREE, WHICH IS VEGAS. LOTTA CASH FLOW COMING BACK. POTENTIALLY A LIFE-CHANGING RACE RIGHT HERE. >> I TELL YOU, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE FINISH HERE. AND IF I GET BEAT BY SOME LONG SHOT, I'M GONNA GO [bleep] BANANAS BECAUSE IT'S GONNA MAKE ALL THE WORK I DID FOR [bleep]. >> THEY'RE IN THE GATE. [suspenseful music] ♪ ♪ [bell rings] THEY'RE OFF. >> WOW, THAT 2'S FAST, MATTY. >> JESUS. >> THEY'RE RUNNING UP THE BACK STRETCH, AND NOW THE LEADER IS FIGHT TO WIN. >> HORSE WANTS TO GO. >> COME ON, MATTY, OPEN UP. >> COME ON, MATTY, OPEN UP WITH THIS 2! >> AND IT IS FIGHT TO WIN OUT THERE BY THREE TO SHIMMERING RITA. >> ANYBODY BUT THE 2. >> THEY'RE INTO THE STRETCH. FIGHT TO WIN WITH A FURLONG. THE 1/2 MILE, THEY'RE INTO THE STRETCH. FIGHT TO WIN WITH A FURLONG TO RUN, AND FORGOTTEN PRAYERS IS COMING. >> ANYBODY BUT THE LONG SHOT. >> THERE YOU GO! >> AND NOW THE STRIDES ARE SHORTENING ON FIGHT TO WIN. AND FORGOTTEN PRAYERS RUNS ON BY. >> AH, [bleep]. >> FORGOTTEN PRAYERS MOVING AWAY TO WIN IT. AND THEN COMES FIGHT TO WIN, HOLDING ON FOR SECOND. >> HE'S GETTING ENGULFED. >> NICE TRY, MATTY. IT HAPPENS. >> AFTER LOOKING AT THE FINAL LEADERBOARD, I FINISHED 35TH OUT OF 256 PEOPLE. MOTHER[bleep]. IT'S LEAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH, BUT, YOU KNOW, PICK UP AND MOVE ON. WE GOT ANOTHER TOURNAMENT IN TWO WEEKS. >> READY TO ANNOUNCE THE GUYS WHO ARE GOING TO VEGAS. IN SPOT NUMBER THREE, WINNING $10,000 IS JAMAAL BARNETT. IN THE TWO SPOT, WINNING $15,000, JOE SCANIO. [tense music] ♪ ♪ IN THE ONE SPOT, WINNING $40,000... [music crescendos] KEVIN ***. [applause] >> FINALLY I'VE WON MY FIRST-EVER BIG-TIME CONTEST, AND TO HAVE IT DONE HERE IN NEW YORK MAKES IT ALL THE MORE SWEET. >> GREAT JOB. >> I'M IN FIRST PLACE. NOW I KNOW I HAVE A TARGET ON MY BACK. SO I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. BUT I'M GONNA GO HOME AND HAVE A NICE STEAK DINNER AND ENJOY IT WHILE I CAN. >> WHO'S THIS GUY, KEVIN ***? I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF HIM. LOOKS LIKE A GUY YOU'D SEE IN THE RODEO. I THOUGHT WE'RE HERE AT A HORSE RACE. >> WHO IS THIS JERK-OFF ***? THIS FAKE COWBOY? STOP. WHAT-- HE ENDED UP WINNING THE TOURN-- I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW HE WON THE TOURNAMENT. IT'S RIDICULOUS. >> I THINK EVERYONE ELSE'S OPINION OF ME PROBABLY CHANGED A LITTLE BIT DURING THIS EVENT, JUST BECAUSE I WAS, FOR A WHILE, I WAS ONE OF THE ONLY ONES UP IN THE TOP TEN. YEAH, I THINK THEY REALIZED THAT I'M DEFINITELY A CONTENDER. >> UNFORTUNATELY, WE MADE SOME BAD DECISIONS. BUT ULTIMATELY THIS IS WHAT WE DO. WE STILL HAD AN AMAZING TIME, AS WE ALWAYS DO AT THE TRACK. >> WE MAKE A MISTAKE ONCE. WE'LL NEVER MAKE IT AGAIN. I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT. >> TODAY WE GOT OUR *** KICKED. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? HOPEFULLY WE'LL WIN AND GET INTO THE TOURNAMENT IN VEGAS. THAT'S OUR GOAL. >> I ENDED UP ABOUT 50TH, AND I DIDN'T QUALIFY IN THIS CONTEST. BUT AS THE FAMOUS ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SAID, I SHALL RETURN. [bell rings] [crowd cheering]