Posted on 5/1/2008 2:44:39 PM

Horse Racing Picks - 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.

The post position for the Kentucky Derby is in the books and a full field of twenty will go Saturday afternoon.

Trainer Richard Dutrow showed the utmost in confidence with his undefeated three year old Big Brown by picking the 20 post. The only Derby winner to break from the 20 post is Clyde Van Dusen, who was the last gelding to win the Derby until Funny Cide came along.

Big Brown is the 3/1 morning line favorite. Second choice Colonel John (4/1) drew the 10 post, while third choice Pyro (6/1) will break from the nine post.

We still have some work to do to pad our bankroll between now and Derby Day. We’ll head out to Churchill Downs for today’s feature race, and we’ll invest $24 in the Late Pick 3 at Belmont Park.

Today's Play of the Day from Churchill Downs:

CD Race 8 Kentucky S. G3 (4:14 et)
#3 Garden District   4/1
#7 Dicey Riley   4/1
#6 Run Away and Hide   7/2
#1 Merkel   3/1

Analysis: #3 Garden District tracked the early pace along the inside, was bumped a round in upper stretch and drew off smartly to break his maiden in his debut for Pletcher. The $240K Keeneland purchase is by Dixie Union out of the stakes placed Brisquette, her first foal to race. He has no Beyer listed, his BRIS number came up fourth best, but earned the top last out number using the OS numbers. Came back with a good work on 4/25 at Keeneland and looks capable of more.

#7 Dicey Riley went gate to wire to break his maiden in his debut. The surface was playing to outside stalkers and closers but the 4 1/2 furlong sprints did seem to be fairer to early speed types.  Looks quick enough to be right on the front in the early going here in this spot. He came back with a bullet work out of the gate on 4/18. Ward sends out a pair here and is a very potent two year old barn, hitting at a 32% clip overall with babies.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,7 / 1,3,6,7
TRI: 3,7 / 1,3,6,7 / 1,3,5,6,7

Belmont Park Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 1,4 / 1,6,7 / 3,6,8,9 = $24

BEL Race 7 OClm $25,000N2X (4:12 et)
#4 City in the Clouds, #1 Cateleisha

#4 City in the Clouds was outrun in her last two starts but both of those outings were against open Alw-1 foes and she is back with NY breds here. She won at this condition three back going a mile on the inner. Gets an upgrade in jocks to Coa but she does have an 0 for 6 mark over the surface.

#1 Cateleisha tracked the early pace and faded to finish sixth last out in a $66K NY bred stake, her first go off a eight-month layoff. Both of her wins have come sprinting but her maiden score came at seven furlongs over the main track here. She looks capable of handling the extra furlong  and she is in good hands with Klesaris.

BEL Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:45 et)
#7 El Bandido Rojo, #1 Strummer / #1a Unrequited, #6 Kaper Lake

#7 El Bandido Rojo made a good late rally and came up just a nose shy of beating $25K starter handicap company last out. Brown runner earned the top last out speed fig in the effort. Gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and Elliot looks like he can place this guy right up front or just off the pace in this spot. 

Dutrow sends out a pair here both coming off wins. #1a Unrequited beat Alw-1 foes last out but it was last May. Barn is 21% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. Entry mate #1 Strummer beat NY bred Alw-2 optional claimers last out in his first go off the claim. The gelding has a pair of wins over the main track but going from a NY bred Alw-2 to an open Alw-2 is s tough task.

BEL Race 9 Md $45,000 (5:17 et)
#8 Fourth Chapter, #9 Stop the Drama, #3 Eulogize, #6 Kaleigh Rose

#8 Fourth Chapter was off a step slow and finished up with a mild late run to finish third last out, beaten four lengths for the top spot. Shares top last out speed fig honors and gets a positive jock switch to Castellano.

#9 Stop the Drama was not a threat last out in a fifth place finish at Gulfstream versus $80K maiden claimers. Catches a softer spot here dropping in fort a $45K tag. Filly has a pair of sibs that have won on grass including five-time turf winner Geririg ($140K).

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 Alltogethernow   12/1
R2: #3 Brave and Skillful   15/1
R3: #6 Rhapsodybohemian   8/1
R3: #5 Perry   10/1
R4: #6 First Regent   8/1
R6: #11 Quick Assets   8/1

Belmont Park
R1: #3 Avagadro   8/1
R2: #7 Smell My Carrots   15/1
R4: #7 Roman Queen Mary   12/1
R4: #6 Dee Mo   8/1
R5: #2 Paging Ryan   15/1
R9: #3 Eulogize   10/1

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.