Posted on 4/30/2008 1:18:54 PM

Horse Racing - Online Betting and 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.

While much of the buzz in horse racing and online betting surrounds Derby Week in Louisville, let’s not forget that Belmont Park opens on Wednesday.

The highlight of the meet of course is the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes, to be run on Saturday, June 7. The third leg of the Triple Crown will be televised on ABC.

ESPN will cover the other stakes races on the card, which includes the Manhattan Handicap and the Acorn Stakes.

The post position draw for the Kentucky Derby is later this after noon and will be televised on ESPN2 starting art 400 ET.

Today’s feature comes from Churchill Downs and we will invest $24 at Belmont Park in our Late Pick 3 play.

Today's Play of the Day from Churchill Downs:

CD Race 7 Alw $51,300N2L (3:43 et)

#3 Jade Dreamer 5/1

#7 Holy Grace 4/1

#1 Crystal Minuet 3/1

#6 Ardavagh 10/1

Analysis: #3 Jade Dreamer hopped in the air at the start, was off last, and came with a seven wide run to get up late to graduate in her debut by a neck over the poly at Keeneland. She overcame trouble in that debut and figures to move forward with a better start and the surface switch. She has five sibs that are winners on grass including five time turf winner Vinsita and six time turf winner Blushing Richard. McPeek hits at a 33% clip (with a +ROI) with second timers and is 23% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from dirt to turf.

#7 Holy Grace pressed the early pace, took over the lead and ran out of gas in the stretch, checking in seventh against Alw-1 foes. It's tough to win on the front at Keeneland and this gal might be better suited going back to the stalking type trip she used two and three back. She has four other sibs that are winners on turf.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 3,7 / 1,3,6,7

TRI: 3,7 / 1,3,6,7 / 1,3,6,7,8,9

Belmont Park Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 2,4,5 / 3,5 / 2,3,4,8 = $24

BEL Race 7 Alw $50,000N1X (4:12 et)

#4 Ambidextrous, #2 Boxitup, #5 Mine or Who's

#4 Ambidextrous was a good looking maiden winner last out in her fifth career start and her first go on turf. She is bred to be a nice one on grass, three of her sibs grass winners including turf stakes winner Celtic Sky ($341K). The surface switch woke this gal up and she looks capable of winning a couple of allowance races against NY breds.

#2 Boxitup as outrun last out on the main track but was coming back off a five month layoff and she has done her best running on turf. Two back she was a game second, beaten just a neck for the top spot at today's level. The third place finisher in that race was Positive Charge, who beat open Alw-1 company in her next start. Figures to move forward second off the bench and with the surface switch.

BEL Race 8 Westchester Hcp G3 (4:45 et)

#5 Divine Park, #3 Grasshopper

#5 Divine Park was a very sharp winner last out against Alw-3 optional claimers in his second start off the bench. Was in too tough two back in his first go off a short break. The colt was a perfect 3 for 3 as a three year old, capping off the year with a win in the G3 Withers. He won that G3 at a one turn mile and this colt has the look of a runner on the improve. Might be able to pull off the minor upset here over the heavy favorite.

#3 Grasshopper will be tough here if he runs back to his game effort in the G2 NO 'Cap where he was beaten a hard fought neck to Circular Quay. He has earned triple digit Beyers in 4 of his last 5 starts and only question mark is the cut back to a one turn mile. Logical threat to win here but tough to take him at less than even money.

BEL Race 9 Md Sp Wt (5:17 et)

#4 One Diamond, #3 Dirty Water Dog, #2 Sir Dunstan, #8 W.C. Jones

#4 One Diamond makes his first start since last October for Galluscio barn that is 7% winners with horses coming back off a +90 day layoff. Drew tough posts in his last two starts and last out made a mild late run to finish third. Gets a good jock switch to Coa and while the morning tab is on the light side this is not a tough looking group here.

#3 Dirty Water Dog was off poorly and did not threat in his debut and was sent off as the chalk. Returns off a three month break and tires grass for the first time for Tagg barn that is 13% winners moving runners from dirt to turf. Has a pair of sibs to race, both winless.

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.

Churchill Downs

R1: #7 Brickyard Gal 12/1

R2: #3 Direct Pay 10/1

R5: #12 Arcaro 8/1

R5: #9 Patchen Prince 12/1

R5: #1 Lieuternant Rocket 8/1

R7: #6 Ardavagh 10/1

R8: #5 Love You Crazy 8/1

R9: #7 Rahystrada 10/1

R10: #12 Starry Knight 10/1

R10: #5 Kutenai 20/1

R10: #4 Mr Easy E 15/1

Belmont Park

R2: #4 Blissful Ignorance 20/1

R3: #6 Union Center 15/1

R4: #5 Call Me the Breeze 8/1

R4: #9 Just a Warning 8/1

R5: #9 Drift King 20/1

R6: #9 Aegean Breeze 12/1

R6: #7 Flyaway Princess 12/1

R8: #4 Mr. Umphrey 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Kentucky Derby Odds at Churchill Downs bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2008 Kentucky Derby Betting.