Up to Triple Crown Free Picks

posted June 6, 2008 at 19:19 in Triple Crown Free Picks

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and he will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers.

It’s Belmont Stakes Day and you might be thinking the big one is not exactly a great horse race betting option. In most cases where the morning line favorite is sitting at 2/5, you are probably right.

Yes, it might not be a great wagering race, but it sure looks like we are going to see history. Big Brown is going to be awfully tough to beat this afternoon.

However, that should certainly not slow down your attempt to pad the bankroll. After all, there are twelve other races on the Saturday card, including five graded stakes.

Post time for the opening race is 12:00 ET time, with the start of the all stakes Pick 6 kicking off at 1:56 ET with the True North Handicap.

With the exception of the five horse field in the Acorn Stakes, the other races on the card have large fields and there is plenty of value to be found.

Crank up the wagering account, make sure it’s fully funded, and enjoy the action.

It’s going to be a special day.

Today's Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 10 Manhattan Hcp G1 (5:36 et)

#3 Shakis 10/1

#5 Out of Control 4/1

#6 Strike a Deal 12/1

#9 Proudinsky 7/2

Analysis: #3 Shakis came with a seven wide bid into the stretch and ran out of gas in a disappointing effort in the G2 Dixie as the chalk. The eight year perhaps did not care for the give in the ground and is better than he showed last out. Two back was sixth in the G1 Makers Mark, which came up much tougher than this spot. He has a win over the turf here and in last year's Manhattan missed by a head and a nose when third behind Better Talk Now and English Channel. Looking for this guy to rebound in his third start off the bench for McLaughlin.

#5 Out of Control could not get to multiple G1 winner Einstein last out in a good second in the G1 Turf Classic, beaten a length for the top spot. Earned a career top in his last start and appears back on track here. He put in several solid efforts on the left coast including a win in the G2 Oak Tree Mile and a second in the G1 Eddie Read. The extra ground is the main question for this Frankel runner.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 3,5 / 3,5,6,9

TRI: 3,5 / 3,5,6,9 / 1,3,5,6,9,10

Belmont Park Pick 3

Starting in Race 5: $1: 2,10,12 / 7,8 / 1,3,5,10 = $24

BEL Race 5 Alw $59,000N1X (2:16 et)

#2 Hawkwood, #10 Revealer, #12 Benny the Waiter

#2 Hawkwood cuts back to a sprint after setting the early fractions and weakened to finish fifth last out going a route as the beaten chalk. Two back this guy was a good looking maiden winner going six furlongs, drawing clear to win by six lengths. The runner up in that race was Manteca, who came back to graduate in his next start and then took a state bred Alw-1 race in his following start on 5/26. Gelding put in a good breeze since his last start for Tony D. barn that is 35% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from route to sprint.

#10 Revealer broke his maiden last out at Del Park off a nine month layoff. Was ice cold on the board, sent off at 27/1 in the outing. In a capable barn with Tullock and now ships here to NY to face state breds. Figures to get overlooked on the tote in this spot and could be in the mix here at a decent price.

BEL Race 6 True North Hcp (1:56 et)

#8 Man of Danger, #7 Benny the Bull

#8 Man of Danger is coming off a career top in a runner up finish in the G3 Bold Ruler. Set the early fractions but could not hold off the winner late in a runner up finish. Owns solid early and mid pace numbers and appears to have the best chance of beating the 4/5 chalk.

#7 Benny the Bull is making his first start since winning the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Does the trip to Dubai take the starch out of this guy. He won the DeFrancis and Sunshine Millions Sprint in his last two U.S. starts earning numbers good enough to handle this group with no problem. He will be very tough to handle here if he's recovered from the trip but tough to take less than even money on him for the top spot.

BEL Race 7 Just a Game S. G1 (3:36 et)

#1 Lady of Venice, #5 Criminologist, #10 Vacare, #3 Bit of Whimsy

#1 Lady of Venice made a good late rally, angled out ten wide in the stretch to come up just a neck and ahead shy of winning the G2 Jenny Wiley last out at Keeneland in her first go off a 4 1/2 month layoff. The multiple stakes winner has won 7 of 14 in her career all on grass and she figures to move forward in her second start of the year. The Jenny Wiley has produced a pair of next out stakes winners, fourth place finisher Roshani winning the G3 Gallorette and fifth place finisher Precious Kitten won the G1 gamely in her next start.

#5 Criminologist was a sharp winner last out in the G3 Beaugay 'Cap and has been a terror since switching to the grass, now a winner of 7 of 11 starts on the weeds. The runner up in her last start was All in Vanity, who returned to win the $78K Beautiful Pleasure here on 6/1. She makes her third start of her current form cycle and is sitting on yet another big effort on the turf.

Live Longshots:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

Belmont Park

R1 #8 Golden Age 8/1

R1: #7 Commandeered 15/1

R3 #6 Hymnself 15/1

R4: #3 Fidelio 8/1

R4: #5 Vittruvius 8/1

R5: #10 Revealer 12/1

R5: #1 Endless Circle / #1a Yukon Gold Rush 10/1

R6: #8 Man of Danger 10/1

R9: #6 Fatal Bullet 8/1

R10: #3 Shakis 10/1

R10: #6 Strike a Deal

R11: # Macho Again 20/1

R13: #7 Lights of Broadway 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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