Posted on 2/29/2008 3:09:45 PM

Horse Racing Betting 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.

Today’s featured race of the day comes from Oaklawn Park, a cheap $10,000 claiming race. It is not one of the better races on the card as far as talent goes, but I think I have a good read on the race.

We’ll stick to the Big A today for our Late Pick 3 play. Wednesday’s Pick 3 play produced a $694.00 payoff with just an $18 investment.

Today's Featured Race of the Day:

OP Race 8 Clm $10,000 (4:44 CT)

#5 Stover 5/2

#4 Swerve 6/1

#2 Hayburner 7/2

#3 Secret Woods 5/1

Analysis: #5 Stover checked in fourth last out, beaten three lengths for the top spot when coming back off a four-month layoff. The gelding caught a main track that was more favorable to inside speed. Was claimed out of the race by Lara barn that is 18% winners first off the claim. The gelding is stepping into tougher company here facing open runners but figures to move forward second off the bench.

#4 Swerve was far back early and made a mild late run while wide to finish fifth against open $12.5K foes. The winner of the race was Wantedtobeagray, who came back to beat $16K claimers in his next outing on 2/23. The fourth place finisher Oh Oleg also won next out, beating $10K foes on 2/17 at Fair Grounds. The gelding has not landed in the money in four starts since being claimed by Hartiage, but this could be the spot.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 2/1 or better.

EX: 4,5 / 2,3,4,5

TRI: 4,5 / 2,3,4,5 / 1,2,3,4,5,7

Aqueduct Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 5,6 / 2,3,6 / 1,6,8,9 = $24

AQU Race 7 Clm $16,000 (3:20 ET)

#5 Mint Landing, #6 Ok to Pay

#5 Mint Landing did not fire last out against $25K foes after racing wide much of the trip over an inner surface that was favoring inside speed. Two back in her first go for Contessa she checked in a decent third against $40K foes in a highly graded race. The winner Labadeel came back to beat Alw-1 optional claimers on 2/27 and the runner up In Command beat $16K starter handicap foes on 2/2. Drops $9K below the claim level for Contessa barn that is 23% winners with horses dropping a notch in class and Ramon sticks.

#6 Ok to Pay went gate to wire over a speed friendly surface to beat $16K claimers last out in her first go for Asmussen off the claim. Comes right back for the same tag here in her third start of her current form cycle. Barn has been very live at the meet and this mare looks capable of winning right back.

AQU Race 8 OClm $25,000N2X (3:49 ET)

#6 Touchdown Kid, #3 Fahrenheit Wild, #2 Stopbluffing

#6 Touchdown Kid did not fire last out, trailing throughout in a very dull effort at today's condition. Two back was outrun in the Promonroe, a race that produced a pair of next out stakes wins. Three back off the bench the gelding earned a decent fig in a fourth place finish against Alw-3 optional claimers. Stretches out to a mile and the six year old has won 2 of 3 at the D/S. Barn is 18% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from sprint to route and Ramon takes the call. This guy is better than he showed in his last two starts.

#3 Fahrenheit Wild was bumped coming out of the gate and had to take up to avoid a fallen horse in the stretch and finished well for third, beaten a length for the top spot. Last pair of speed figs are a good fit and this guy makes his second start off a three-month break for Terranova barn that is having a good meet.

AQU Race 9 Clm $20,000B (4:18 ET)

#6 Mister Nobody, #1 Lights of Broadway / #1a Song Senor, #8 Sonny Pajamas, #9 Fregata

#6 Mister Nobody rolled over $15K non-winners of three last out, going gate to wire and drawing clear to win by 6 3/4 lengths. It was his first go for Brown barn, who claimed this guy for $10K two back. Trainer has been live at the meet, landing 10 of 17 runners in the exacta. Picks up seven pounds going from bug to Ramon but this gelding is very sharp right now and finish a good spot to make it three in a row. Price is going to be on the light side.

#1a Song Senor tracked the early pace and faded badly to finish a well-beaten seventh last out. The colt was coming off a career top two back when coming up a nose short of beating $15K non-winners of three. Gets a key barn switch to Levine, who is 31% winners first off the claim and gets a good upgrade in jocks from "No Go" to Chuckie.

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: #5 Megalodon 15/1

AQU R2: #3 Fijonnes 10/1

AQU R5: #1 Moneypenny / #1a Storm a Brewing 8/1

AQU R6: #6 Sonic Sound 8/1

AQU R7: #4 Salta Sapo 12/1

AQU R9: #8 Sonny Pajamas 15/1

OP R1 #2 Risen Chief 10/1

OP R4: #4 Two Steppin Tori 10/1

OP R4: #3 Laugh and a Half 10/1

OP R6: #4 Odd Secret 8/1

OP R7: #4 Coral Stone 10/1

OP R7: #7 Blue Clifton 8/1

OP R9: #3 Kaper Lake 8/1

OP R9: #5 Smoke Smoke Smoke 8/1

OP R10: #2 Menifeecent 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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