Posted on 1/10/2008 5:34:15 PM

Bet on Off Track Horse Racing - 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 will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers. Don't miss Wednesday's report where Michael will keep you up to date with track bias reports for the major circuits.

Today’s Pick 3 play may come up on the chalky side unless we can come up with a price in the final leg. We’ll invest $24 today.

The middle leg of the Pick 3 is today’s featured race of the day. The third choice on the morning line is my top pick. Royal Moment is looking for back to back wins and we’ll be looking for most of the 3/1 morning line.

Today's Featured Races of the Day:

AQU Race 8 OClm $35,000N3L (3:49 et)

#5 Royal Moment 3/1

#3 My Cousin Matt 5/2

#1 Holly Time / #1a Royal Attire 2/1

#2 Maddy's Lion 5/1

Analysis: #5 Royal Moment was a game winner last out against $35K claimers after stumbling out of the gate. The gelding was claimed out of the race by Contessa barn that is 15% winners first off the claim. Six of his last ten starts have produced Beyers from 90-92 and that should be good enough to win here. Owns a solid pace profile throughout.

#3 My Cousin Matt has won three in a row, the last pair while under the care of Tony D. barn. Only had to beat one foe last out in a match race with the Student. Two back beat a good group of $50K foes, a race that produced a total of five next out winners. A couple of good works on the morning tab for barn that excels bringing runners back off short breaks.

Wagering

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

EX: 3,5 / 1,3,5

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

Aqueduct Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 1,4,8 / 3,5 / 3,7,9,10 = $24

AQU Race 7 Clm $15,000N2L (3:20 et)

#4 Marlinspike, #8 Zip's Affair, #1 Hot Like the Sand / #1a Aflareandaprayer

#4 Marlinspike figures to be fitter for his second start off a eight month layoff. Last out off the bench the colt was outrun in the early going, raced wide much of the trip and was bumped in the stretch. The stretch out to a mile should suit, his maiden score coming two turns on the inner three back last February. Hushion is 23% winners (with a +ROI) with horses making their second start off the bench over the past three years.

#8 Zip's Affair came up empty in the stretch last out versus $30K non winners of two and drops in price here. The runner up in his last start was Quick and Easy, who came back to beat $30K non winners of two in his next start on 12/30. Gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout.

AQU Race 8 OClm $35,000N3L (3:49 et)

#5 Royal Moment 3/1, #3 My Cousin Matt 5/2

(for analysis see today’s featured race)

AQU Race 9 Clm $25,000B (4:18 et)

#7 Minister's Appeal, #3 Kiln Creek, #10 Pacific Sun, #9 Mr W.B.

#7 Minister's Appeal exits a restricted $30K claimer where the colt set the early fractions, lost his blinkers heading down the backstretch and could not go with the winner in the stretch with the jock dropping his stick. The winner of the race was hale and Hearty, who came back to run fourth against $60K claimers in his next start. The fourth place finisher American Senor returned to beat $20K foes in his next start on 1/1. Low profile barn and jock assure we should catch a fair price.

#3 Kiln Creek stalked the pace while down along the inside and was not a real threat in the stretch, checking in fifth against open $20K foes. Was third and beaten 3/4 of a length two back behind our top pick. Barn is having a good meeting and it usually takes the trainer a race or two before we see their best after a claim.

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: #6 Try Love 10/1

AQU R3: #3 In Command 10/1

AQU R4: #6 Maps Hope 12/1

AQU R6: #9 Bad Streak 8/1

AQU R7: #3 Prairie Boy 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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