Horse racing Best Bets for Saturday
The Kentucky Derby preps are behind us and we’re still 2 weeks from the First Saturday in May, but Team Tuley continues to look for value at horse racing tracks from coast to coast.
Last Saturday, I almost hit a long shot as Hello Hot Rod nearly went wire-to-wire at 11–1 in the Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes at Laurel Park but at least held on to finish second and paid a healthy $12.60 to Place and completed a $229.80 Exacta. Our team struggled as a whole as the only winners came from Ed Sehon (Big and Classy paid $5 to Win in Gulfstream’s 7th race) and John Lauro (In Italian paid $3.50 to Win in Keeneland’s 10th race, the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes).
We’re back this Saturday along with my other handicapping friend as we have plays at Aqueduct, Keeneland, Oaklawn and Santa Anita. In addition, don’t forget that Sehon (aka Mr. Ed) has his breakdown of the Keeneland card at VSiN.com/horse-racing/.
Good luck today (and every day)!
Oaklawn Race No. 5 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #7 Disc Jockey (7-2 morning line). “Six-year-old son of Bodemeister has a lot going for him: Excellent trainer Diodoro, top jock Torres and two scores over the surface. Winner of 5 of last 6, he should come back running after brief break. Record spinner plays winning tune. Wager: Win and bet 1,7,10 in Exacta and Trifecta boxes.”
Aqueduct Races Nos. 6-9 (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $45)
Race 6: 1,5,6,9,10
Race 7: 3,5,9
Race 8: 1,3,4
Race 9: 1,4
Santa Anita Races Nos. 1-5 (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 5 (cost $36)
Race 1: 1,5
Race 2: 1,2,3
Race 3: 3,6
Race 4: 4,7,8
Race 5: 4,5
Keeneland Races Nos. 7-10 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $40)
Race 7: 1,7
Race 8: 1,2,5,8,9
Race 9: 1,2,5,7
Race 10: 1,3
Keeneland Race No. 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #9 Verstappen (20-1 morning line) in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes. “This 4-year-old gelding is stepping up in class, but his stalking running style fits this race at a price. #1 Channel Maker is just about the only other horse with early speed, but Verstappen might inherit the lead. Either way, this long shot should outrun his odds and play “catch me if you can.” Wager: Win and Place.”
Keeneland Race No. 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #2 Trademark (6-1 morning line) in the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes. “This 4-year-old gelding is similar to my Verstappen play as he also should be forwardly placed, though he has a lot more back class to fit with this group. He pulled an upset at 23-1 over this track last fall in an optional claiming race and hopefully his 4-year-old debut set him up for this. Wager: Win and Place.”
Oaklawn Race Nos. 9-12 (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $63)
Race 9: 2,4,9
Race 10: ALL (1-7)
Race 11: 4,6,9
Race 12: 1,7
Oaklawn Race No. 10 (6:06 p.m. ET/3:06 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon presses the ALL button. “Five of the seven entered here are millionaires — and the other two are fully capable of springing upset. While #4 Proxy (4-1 morning line) and #7 Charge It (8-5) are my logical choices, let’s see if I can catch a price in the Daily Doubles with 4,7/4,6 and ALL/6.”
Oaklawn Race 11 (6:46 p.m. ET/3:46 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #6 Victory Formation (3-1 morning line). “Expensive sophomore was unblemished 3-for-3 and on Triple Crown route until he faltered as favorite in Risen Star. Look for him to get back on track, possibly for Preakness, with the return of Luis Saez to saddle for top trainer Brad Cox. Even at chalky price, I’m willing to take a knee. Wager: Win and bet top and bottom with 1,4,9 in Exactas.”