Posted on 3/19/2008 11:03:58 AM

Horse Racing Odds - Padding Your Bankroll

By Michael Dempsey

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.

We start off the week with a $236,310 Pick 6 carryover after getting a day off on Sunday from racing for Palm Sunday.

There figures to be nearly $1 million in the pot before the Pick 6 kicks off in the fourth race. I had a tough time coming up with many longshots on the card, and it seems likely the Pick 6 will be hit.

We will attempt to pad our bankroll by nailing the featured race of the day, and investing $24 in the late Pick 3.

Today's Featured Race of the Day:

AQU Race 8 Andover Way S. (4:25 et)

#2 Serious Vow 2/1

#4 Sweet Vendetta 5/2

#3 City by Sea 4/1

#1 Philly Gal 8/1

Analysis: #2 Serious Vow took advantage of an inside speed favoring racing strip in rolling over maidens by nearly a dozen lengths last out, her sixth career start. Two back she ran a good second behind Little Belle, who returned to win the Busher Stakes in her next outing on 2/24. She likely will not get the early lead here, but she looks experienced enough sitting off the pace that it should not affect her here. She ran well two back over a wet track as well.

#4 Sweet Vendetta checked in second in the Busher, beaten 2 3/4 lengths while 11 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Contessa filly looks better each time out and is a logical threat in this spot. Note Ramon sticks with our top pick.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 9/5 or better.

EX: 2,4 / 1,2,3,4

TRI: 2,4 / 1,2,3,4 / 1,2,3,4,7

Aqueduct Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 2,4,6 / 2,4 / 2,8,10,12 = $24

AQU Race 7 Hcp $16,000s (3:55 et)

#4 Untopable, #2 Mithaal / #2b Jacks Express, #6 Phil's Blue Way

#4 Untopable set the early fractions at Philly and hung late after heading for home with a clear lead, setting for second in his first go off a seven-month layoff. The winner of the race was Reaffirmed, who finished second and was placed first via DQ in his next start on 2/17 against $20K foes. Third place finisher King Mobay beat restricted $20K foes in his next start on 3/2. Three works at Fair Hill on the morning tab since his last start and he figures to move forward second off the bench for a sharp outfit.

#2 Mithaal made a good late run to finish third last out versus $40K claimers in his first start off the claim by Contessa. The runner up in the race was Angelic Aura, a next out winner against $35K claimers on 3/13. Gelding has been popular at the claim box, taken in his four previous starts and barn protects him here. Did not fire three back in his last start on a wet track but does have a win and a second in six trips on off going.

AQU Race 8 Andover Way S. (4:25 et)

#2 Serious Vow, #4 Sweet Vendetta

#2 Serious Vow took advantage of an inside speed favoring racing strip in rolling over maidens by nearly a dozen lengths last out, her sixth career start. Two back she ran a good second behind Little Belle, who returned to win the Busher Stakes in her next outing on 2/24. She likely will not get the early lead here, but she looks experienced enough sitting off the pace that it should not affect her here. She ran well two back over a wet track as well.

#4 Sweet Vendetta checked in second in the Busher, beaten 2 3/4 lengths while 11 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Contessa filly looks better each time out and is a logical threat in this spot. Note Ramon sticks with our top pick.

AQU Race 9 Md Sp Wt (4:55 et)

#12 Citifiesta, #10 Sweet Slam, #2 Evaluator, #8 Count This Senora

#12 Citifiesta pressed the early pace from the outside and weakened to finish third last out in her second career start at 31/1. She did not run much in her debut, which came over a sloppy track, but she does have a pretty nice off track pedigree, by Citidancer out of an El Prado mare that has dropped two other foals to race including stakes winner Beautiful Bets ($399K). She figures to be in the mix early and her 8/1 ML looks more than fair.

#10 Sweet Slam was a good third in her debut last April but her two recent starts have not been encouraging. She did have to steady soon after the start and makes her third start off the bench here.

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.

AQU R2: #7 Blushin’ Fax 12/1

AQU R4: #9 Statesman 8/1

AQU R6: #9 Narragansett 10/1

AQU R8: #1 Philly Gal 8/1

AQU R9: #12 Citifiesta 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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