posted July 17, 2008 at 15:29 EST 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.

It appears that we have a good chance to pad our bankroll today with some online horse betting as we are looking at a maiden in today’s play of the day that should be a decent price. Calling My Colors is sitting at 5/1 on the morning line.

Then we will invest a modest $24 in the last Pick 3 play, and the sequence of horses includes three that are sitting at 8/1 or better on the morning line.

Today's Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 5 Md $35,000 (3:08 et)

#8 Calling My Colors 5/1
#4 Normalize 2/1
#2 Miss Dolan's Rose 8/1
#6 Judiciary 4/1

Analysis: #8 Calling My Colors was bumped coming out of the gate and then sent up to set the early fractions, drew clear heading for home and was nailed late, beaten a head for the top spot. That effort came on turf and the filly switches back to the main track here for her third start off the bench. I like the switch back to the main track here as the filly appears, at least pedigree wise seems better suited for dirt. Main knock is frigid barn, Tesher is 0 for 29 at the meet and just 1 for 47 on the year.

#4 Normalize is making her first start since last June for Iwinski barn. The filly tracked the early pace and was no match for the winner in a runner up finish versus maiden special weight company. Drops in for a tag here for barn that is 12% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff over the past five years.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 7/2 or better.
EX: 4,8 / 2,4,6,8
TRI: 4,8 / 2,4,6,8 / 1,2,4,6,8

Belmont Park Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 2,6 / 2,4,5 / 1,4,5,8 = $24

BEL Race 7 Clm $35,000N2L (4:12 et)

#2 Unbridled Union, #6 Stop the Drama

#2 Unbridled Union makes her third start of her current form cycle for Iwinski. Last out the filly had to steady in traffic heading down the backstretch, angled out for the stretch drive, and finished with some interest for third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths for the top spot. Johnny V sticks and this gal looks primed for a good effort here in her third start off the bench and the extra furlong figures to suit.

#6 Stop the Drama ships in from NJ where last out the filly picked up her maiden win in her fifth career start. She was bumped coming out of the gate and drew off smartly late to pick up her diploma. She is a half to a pair of turf winners including Geriring ($141K).

BEL Race 8 Alw $56,000N1X (4:45 et)

#2 Reata's Vixen, #4 Miss Challenge, #5 Queens Full

#2 Reata's Vixen tracked the early pace, had to steady in traffic with a furlong to go and finished evenly for fourth last out, beaten three lengths for the top spot. The filly ran in a couple of tough races in Florida, three back checking in fifth in a highly rated turf race that produced five next out winners. She makes her second start off a two-month break and her 12/1 ML looks more than fair as she fits if she produces her next here.

#4 Miss Challenge made a good late rally to break her maiden last out in her first go off a eight month layoff. In good hands with former Pletcher assistant Weaver, who is sending out live runners here and is 29% winners overall with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff. Johnny V. picks up the call and she can easily move forward off her last effort.

BEL Race 9 Clm $35,000N2L (5:17 et)

#8 Chief Operator, #1 Formal King, #5 Fairway Drive, #4 Bright Illusion

#8 Chief Operator has not been on turf since May but both of his career wins have come on the weeds and this looks like the right spot here facing non-winners of three. He has two sibs that are grass winners including G1 winner Crimplene ($768K). He caught off tracks in his last two starts and owns back numbers on dirt and turf that are a good fit here. Looking for this guy to wake up here at a decent price with the surface switch.

#1 Formal King tracked the early pace from the rail, opened up a clear lead but could not hold off the winner late while drifting out in the stretch, coming up a half length shy of the top spot. This will be his first go at a mile for Dutrow barn that is 27% winners moving runners from sprint to route. Johnny V sticks and another ground saving trip is in store for this guy.

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.

Belmont Park

R1: #6 Crusader’s Code 10/1
R4: #3 Break Water Edison 8/1
R5: #2 Miss Dolan’s Rose 8/1
R6: #6 Hymnself 15/1
R6: #7 Western Dynamo 10/1
R7: #8 Happens in Vegas 15/1
R8: #2 Reata’s Vixen 12/1
R8: #4 Miss Challenge 8/1
R9: #8 Chief Operator 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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