posted May 7, 2008 at 13:22 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.

The Kentucky Derby is in the books, and we have two weeks until the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, which will be run at Pimlico Race Course on May 17.

That should give us enough time to pad our bankroll sufficiently enough for the big day. Today’s feature comes from Churchill Downs and we will invest $24 in the Late Pick 3 at Belmont Park.

Today's Play of the Day from Churchill Downs:

CD Race 8 Alw $53,800N2X (4:46 et)

#1 Sprung 7/2

#4 Loh Collado 2/1

#6 High Priestess 5/1

#5 Precious Princess 3/1

Analysis: #1 Sprung drew a tough post last out and broke poorly in a ninth place finish going 1 3/16 miles over a "good" turf course at Keeneland. It was her first go off a seven-month layoff. Two back she was a good second in a $128K stake at Woodbine at today's one-mile distance. She is in good hands with Casse barn that is 37% winners (with a +ROI) with horses making their second start off a +180 day layoff.

#4 Loh Collado beat Alw-1 foes last out going nine furlongs at Keeneland over yielding footing. She broke her maiden at today's one-mile distance and owns the top last out speed fig. She fits well here for Pletcher.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 1,4 / 1,4,5,6

TRI: 1,4 / 1,4,5,6 / 1,2,4,5,6

Belmont Park Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 2,6,9,10 / 1,4 / 1,7,12 = $24

BEL Race 7 OClm $25,000N2X (4:12 et)

#10 Precise Action, #9 Quick and Easy, #2 Judge William, #6 Starhumor

#10 Precise Action returns off a two month freshening after checking in fourth last out at today's condition behind repeat winner Of All Times, who beat $35K claimers in his next outing on 4/2. Two back our top pick ran a good second in a highly graded race that produced four next out winners. The gelding has a win and a second in three trips over the main track here and in good hands with Violette.

#9 Quick and Easy has come up short in his two tries at today's condition, a third and a fifth. He has not been able to run back the big number he posted three back at the Alw-1 level. The gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and is capable with his best although he is 0 for 5 over the surface here in his career.

BEL Race 8 Screenland S. (4:45 et)

#4 Half Moon Street, #1 Groomedforvictory

#4 Half Moon Street dueled for the early lead while down along the inside and was a game winner against Alw-1 foes in his first start against winners. He was the lone runner that day that went gate to wire, the racing surface kinder to outside stalkers and closers. This guy is getting better with each start and another move forward puts him in the mix here at a price.

#1 Groomedforvictory was a smart winner last out in his fourth career start to earn his diploma. The effort was flattered when the runner up and fourth place finisher both came back to graduate in their next starts. Back in with NY breds here and if he runs back to his last effort, he will be tough to beat in this spot.

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

#1 Tribolet, #7 Carr Ride, #12 Doc Can Do

#1 Tribolet drops in for a tag for the firs time here. Last out he dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish sixth. The winner Motor Pool came back to beat Alw-1 state breds in his next outing. Nice pedigree on the Pletcher runner, by Hook and Ladder out of the stakes winner Erv's Duck, who has dropped seven winners including Erv's Line ($240K). #7 Carr Ride has been off poorly in both starts. He was only beaten three lengths in his debut in a highly graded race that produced four next out winners.

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.

Churchill Downs

R3: #4 Por Favor 12/1

R5: #8 Out of the Van 10/1

R6: #4 C B T Snakeye 8/1

R7: #8 Cat Come Home 12/1

R7: #1 Drop Dead Legs 8/1

R7: #7 Ellie’s Buddha 8/1

R9: #2 Roscoe’s Tin Man 12/1

Belmont Park

R1: #2 Valid Yankee 8/1

R2: #8 Counting House 15/1

R3: #6 Montecito 10/1

R4: #5 Eldoktori 30/1

R6: #6 Sacred City 10/1

R6: #9 Second Mortgage 20/1

R6: #8 Optimistic Jordan 8/1

R7: #10 Precise Action 8/1

R7: #2 Judge William 8/1

R8: #4 Half Moon Street

R9: #7 Carr Ride 10/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

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