posted February 29, 2008 at 17:30 in Triple Crown Betting Trends

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.

Starting today and running right through the first Saturday of May, there will be plenty of weekend stakes action as we attempt to pad our bankroll.

Today let’s head out to Santa Anita for the Big Cap and a couple of supporting stakes:

Santa Anita Race 7 Sham Stakes (G3) Post time 3:00 PT

Three year olds start the trio of stakes at Santa Anita this afternoon. It looks like a showdown between the undefeated #1 El Gato Malo and the highly regarded Colonel John. The duo figure to both go off at short prices in this field of seven. The nod goes to #1 El Gato Malo, who has not really been tested in three career starts.

The son of El Corredor might be pushing the pedigree trying to get nine furlongs but he sure looked impressive winning the G3 San Rafael last out going a mile, drawing clear to win by 6 ¼ lengths. He earned the top last out speed fig, which came on one of the days the Cushion Track was playing lightning fast.

#6 Colonel John makes his three-year-old debut here for trainer Eoin Harty. The colt finished his two-year-old campaign by finishing in the runner up spot to Into Mischief, who returned to finish second in his next start on Feb. 10 in the G2 San Vicente. The colt is in good hands with Harty barn that is 17% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. The nine furlongs won’t be a question mark for this son of two time Classic winner Tiznow.

#3 Coast Guard ran second last out in the G2 Robert Lewis to the highly regarded Crown of Thomas, who is now off the Derby Trail.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 7/5 or better

EX: 1,6 / 1,3,6

TRI: 1,6 / 1,3,6 / 1,3,5,6,7

Santa Anita Race 8 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Hcp (G1) Post time 3:30 PT

#1 War Monger overcame a tough trip to win the Sunshine Millions Turf in his last start at Gulfstream Park going nine furlongs. The Mott trainee had traffic troubles on both turns. The colt’s win came off a three-month layoff as well. He has only been a flat mile once in his career, a win against first level allowance company at Saratoga last summer. The cut back should not pose a problem and this colt may still have some upside, making just his eighth career start here.

#5 Storm Military is 2 for 4 since arriving from Argentina where he was a multiple Group 1 winner. In his last start, the five year old set the early fractions and drew clear in the stretch to win the $81K Thunder Road. Two back he checked in fourth in the G2 San Gabriel behind repeat winner Daytona, who returned to win the G3 Fair Grounds Handicap on Feb. 9. Frankel sends out a pair here and they both look capable of landing in the exacta.

Wagering

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

EX: 1,5 / 1,3,4,5

TRI: 1,5 / 1,3,4,5 / 1,3,4,5,6

Santa Anita Race 9 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) Post time 4:00 PT

#1 Champs Elysees has raced exclusively on turf in his career and tries the Cushion Track here in his third start of his current form cycle. In his last start, the five year old made a good late rally to win the G2 San Marcos at today’s 1 ¼-mile distance on grass. Trainer Bobby Frankel has won the Big ‘Cap three times in his career, gets Ramon to ride and the 10/1 ML is sure looking interesting.

#5 Awesome Gem looks primed for a good effort here in his second start off a 3 ½-month layoff. Made a mild late run to finish third last out in the G2 San Antonio going nine furlongs. His last three speed figs put him right in the mix here. Three back missed winning the G1 Goodwood in a photo to #2 Tiago. Owns solid late pace numbers and should get a good trip from mid pack.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 1,5 / 1,2,5,11

TRI: 1,5 / 1,2,5,11 / 1,2,5,6,11,12

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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