Well, I hate to brag, but once again I have shown the world that I am in the wrong line of work….. even though, technically, I don’t have a job.  Why am I writing books when I could become a professional handicapper?  Yes, once again, my favorite steed, AMERICAN PHAROAH, has won the big race!  (And made me lots of money!)

Yesterday was the running of the Preakness Stakes, and my darling horse finished first.  I noticed that there were a few “celebrities” in the crowd this year.  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had a front row seat. (Make that two seats.)  He was slightly disappointed when he discovered that it was a “stakes” race, not a “steak race.”  I don’t if it’s true, but I heard that the Baltimore D.A. indicted a couple of the losing horses, and two jockeys.  (Heartless woman!)

By the way, American Pharoah is owned by an Egyptian-American gent named Ahmed Zayat.  Mr. Zayat was forced to leave Egypt because of a financial scandal.  (I think.)  I might be wrong about this, but I think he invented the Pyramid Scheme.  (Ouch!)  I know, that joke Sphinx.  What can I say, I’m in de-Nile!  Tut tut, let’s move along…..

Did you see that Mitt Romney stepped into the boxing ring with Evander Holyfield?  (They were raising money for charity.)  Nice to see Mitt running again!  (I’d run too!)  I did some boxing during my misspent youth, and I was pretty good.  Actually, I worked at UPS, but we still did a lot of boxing.

How many of you folks read the second Adam Gold mystery, THE PIRATE PATH?  (O.K., you can put your hand down, Mom.)  Well, if you recall, the book was about Captain Kidd’s treasure.  Guess what?  Divers just located some loot from one of Kidd’s ships!  They found a silver bar or two off the coast of Madagascar.  How cool is that?  One of the bars was inscribed with the name of the pirate ship, and the discovery might lead to more treasure.  I need to spend more time looking for bars!

Sales of RANSOM ON THE RHONE are growing steadily, and if the pace continues, this book will become the best-selling mystery that I have written.  Thanks again to all you blogsters who have continued to support my writing career.  In all seriousness, I couldn’t have done it without you!

Speaking of thanks, I’d like to thank my brilliant cousin Max, and his lovely and talented wife, Barbara, for hosting a very special dinner at the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse last night.  Max was recently abroad.  (No, there will be no Bruce Jenner jokes!)  Barbara has been abroad for quite some time.  Anyway, they had a wonderful trip to Europe, but it’s great to have them back in Austin.

Next week is book tour time, and we’re off to the sunny isle of St. Thomas and St. John, for a week of diving and thriving with the Princess of Portugal and her husband, Baron Von Bomblatus!  Watch out rum, here I come!

On that cheerful note, I shall take my leave.  (I wish somebody would take all my leaves!)  Have a safe and prosperous week.  And remember this poignant thought…..  The fact that there’s a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers!

Love to all,

Doc Yanoff