This is hysterical, and thanks for the movie suggestion. We'll be renting that one for tonight.

I'll add some more from what I call "Mom's System":

First apply the wives/girlfriend's rules (15 and 16). Let's say this selects number 8.

Then, when number 2 screams across 3.5 lengths ahead of the field and the jockey for #8 drags his horse across the finish line by its tail and leaves it for dead apply this rule:

17) Claim you never really liked 8.
18) Mention, off-handedly, that you were thinking 2 just after you mentioned 8.
19) Go home saying you picked 'em again -- if only you had bet on them...

Duck