Posted on 5/2/2008 5:22:17 PM

Kentucky Oaks Day - Build Saturday’s Bank-Roll on These Three Friday Races

By D.S Williamson

BetUS online racebook players shouldn’t forget that Friday is Kentucky Oaks Day. Oaks Day provides as good, if not better, racing action then Kentucky Derby Day and the pools will almost be just as large.

Because of that, I’ve highlighted three races that provide long-shot type winning prospects this Friday. I’d use most if not all of the horses I highlight below in any online exotic wagers that you are thinking of doing this Friday.

Let’s build up that BetUS online bank-roll for this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby!

Race 8 at Churchill Downs

Grade III Alysheba

1 1/16th miles on dirt

Bobby Frankel scratched Giant Gizmo out of a race this past weekend at Hollywood Park specifically to put him into this. There’s no doubt in my mind that Frankel will have his charge ready for this conventional dirt race. I’ve always felt that Gizmo is better on dirt anyhow and I am glad to see that he shows up in this spot. He’s not facing any monsters in here. Let’s peg Giant Gizmo for the win. In second I like Prom Shoes. Prom Shoes is a definite long-shot win possibility in this race. There is enough speed to take Wanderin’ Boy down in this thing. That’s where Prom Shoes could excel - - closing off the pace. For third, the Todd Pletcher trained Magna Graduate makes sense. He should go off the favorite, along with Wanderin’ Boy in this race, so I can’t bet him on top. But he’s a logical third choice.

1. Giant Gizmo

2. Prom Shoes

3. Magna Graduate

Race 9 at Churchill Downs

Grade III Crown Royal American Turf

1 1/16th miles on turf

There’s a real nice long-shot in this race in Boss Lafitte. Coming out of the ten hole, most BetUS online racebook handicappers may dismiss his chances, but this field lacks a real stand out and Boss Lafitte comes from trainer Tom Amoss’s barn. More importantly, he gets Robby Albarado on his back, has won on the turf before, and comes off of a terrific Grade II victory. I love this horse at juicy odds on Friday. For second, why not take another long-shot in the Todd Pletcher trained Processor’s Turf? This horse is stretching out from 6 ½ furlongs, but man, that was some race he ran last time! He was behind by 11 lengths on the Santa Anita downhill turf course at the second call and then just exploded to take down the win by a nose. Unbelievable! If he shows that same turn of foot this Friday then forget it. This guy could easily win this thing. For third, potential favorite Nistle’s Crunch is the obvious play. Comes off of a terrific turf victory for trainer Kenny McPeek and has all of the tools to win this race. The thing that caught my eye is how Robby Albarado took off this one to ride Boss Lafitte.

1. Boss Lafitte

2. Processor’s Turf

3. Nistle’s Crunch

Race 10 at Churchill Downs

Grade I Kentucky Oaks

1 1/8th miles on dirt

** I suggest that you go log into the BetUS online sportsbook, go to the BetUS racebook, and then use all three horses that I mention in this race in the Oaks/Derby Double. I’ve chosen two long-shots in the top two spots with a figure horse in the third. I really like both of the long-shots I highlight here. **

Provided that Eight Belles doesn’t run in this race, Bharpsonata, out of the Timothy Salzman barn, looks like a winner. She has won 6 out of her 10 races, goes back to dirt after running great on the Polytrack and might be overlooked in the wagering. She also comes out of Pulpit which means a mile and an eighth is right up her alley. She breaks from the 10 hole which means she will have to hustle early to get position, but that’s okay. This filly can do it. For second, I like the horse that beat Bharpsonata on the Polytrack in the Grade I Ashland, Little Belles. Little Belles looks like she’s all speed, but the truth is that she is out of A.P. Indy and can stalk if she has to. Heck, I wouldn’t mind seeing her grab the lead in the Oaks as there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot of speed in this thing. For third, we have to go with Golden Doc A at that 12 to 1 morning line. Forget it. Golden Doc A will probably go off closer to 4 to 1 or even 3 to 1, but she’s the logical choice in here, after Proud Spell, provided that Eight Belles, as expected, scratches and goes into the Derby this Saturday.

1. Bharpsonata

2. Little Belles

3. Golden Doc A

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 at Churchill Downs bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2008 Kentucky Derby.