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posted April 17, 2008 at 15:33 in Triple Crown Articles

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 stake at Keeneland today is the Grade 1 Royal Chase, a steeplechase race, so we will look elsewhere as we attempt to pad our bankroll. Let’s go with the sixth race, a first level allowance race as today’s feature for us.

Our Late Pick 3 play comes from Aqueduct and we will invest a modest $24.

Today's Play of the Day from Keeneland:

KEE Race 6 Alw $54,000N1X (3:40 et)

#5 Forest Prince 7/2

#2 Far East Gold 2/1

#9 Georgetown 6/1

#6 American Hustler 6/1

Analysis: #5 Forest Prince broke his maiden last out in his fifth career start, battling on gamely to the wire to prevail by a nose. The runner up Sarquire came back to graduate in his next outing on 3/29 at Santa Anita. The colt ran into repeat winners in each of his three previous outings. He is the first foal to race out of the stakes winner Forest Heiress.

#2 Far East Gold checked in a good second last out behind a gate to wire winner at Fair Grounds in his first go against winners, four lengths clear of the rest of the field in the effort. His last three speed figs are a good fit here and fits well here if he takes to the poly. The price may end up on the short side.

Wagering

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

EX: 2,5 / 2,5,6,9

TRI: 2,5 / 2,3,5,6,9 / 2,3,5,6,9

Aqueduct Late Pick 3

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

AQU Race 7 Md Sp Wt (3:55 et)

#4 Colonial Kid, #3 Summer Patriot, #10 Big Al

#4 Colonial Kid returns off a two month break for his second career start. The gelding showed some zip in his debut, prompting the early pace before weakening to finish seventh. That should be a good tune up for the stretch out and the surface switch. Colt has a solid turf pedigree, by Lemon Drop Kids out of a Pleasant Colony mare that has dropped one other foal to race, turf stakes winner Pleasant Strike ($202K).

#3 Summer Patriot may finally get to see the turf after having his first two starts washed off to the main track at Gulfstream. Colt is by Unbridled's Song out of a stakes placed mare that has dropped a pair of turf winners.

AQU Race 8 Hcp $25,000s (4:25 et)

#4 Lord Langfuhr, #5 Angelic Aura

#4 Lord Langfuhr came from far out of it with a good late rally to finish third, beaten two lengths for the top spot in a $67K NY bred stake. Caught an inside speed favoring racing strip that day. The gelding has a pair of wins over the main track here and should get a good pace set up here in this spot.

#5 Angelic Aura set the early fractions and was no match for the winner in the stretch in a runner up finish against Alw-2 optional claimers. It was his first go for Jacobson barn first off the claim. Won for $35K on the inner two back and looks like a good fit here in this spot.

AQU Race 9 Md Sp Wt (4:50 et)

#3 John's Jean, #1 Judiciary, #7 Queen of Fashion, #10 Little Legend

#3 John's Jean gets the slight nod and none of these look very appealing. Our top pick was a decent second last out behind a gate to wire winner over an inside speed favoring racing strip. The pedigree is on the light side for grass but none of these have genes that are screaming grass.

#1 Judiciary is back from Florida where the filly was beaten double digit lengths in two trips. At least she is back in with state breds here.

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 R1: #4 Wildbutable 12/1

AQU R1 #7 Sneaky Deeds 8/1

AQU R4: #7 Red Demon 15/1

AQU R5: #2 The Village Vicar 10/1

AQU R5: #8 Tahoe Warrior 8/1

AQU R6: # Miracle Twin Dan 10/1

AQU R7: #4 Colonial Kid 8/1

AQU R7: #6 Windication 12/1

AQU R9: #7 Queen of Fashion 12/1

KEE R1 #10 Kissesforcaroline 12/1

KEE R1: #9 Dr. Jenny 10/1

KEE R3: #7 Ammo 12/1

KEE R7: #7 Ella Bird 8/1

KEE R9: #3 Anewday 12/1

KEE R9: #5 Tap Dancing 8/1

KEE R9: #7 Star Player 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.