Horse racing Best Bets for Saturday
March Madness is behind us, the NBA and NHL are in the home stretch of the regular season and heading to the playoffs, plus baseball season is in full swing. But there’s still time for horse racing as we’re within a month of the Kentucky Derby (aka “The First Saturday in May”) and Team Tuley continues to look for value at tracks from coast to coast.
We didn’t fare too well last Saturday, though John Lauro had Forte in the Florida Derby (paid just $2.60 as the heavy favorite) and Ed Sehon had the Daily Double (also very, very short at $8.60) and our team’s only other cash was a $6 Place ticket on one of my price plays.
This Saturday, we’ll try to find more winners as we have plays at Aqueduct in New York, Keeneland in Kentucky, and Santa Anita in California. 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)!
Aqueduct Race 6 (3:09 p.m. ET/12:09 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #6 Expected Value (6-1 morning line). “Chad Brown brings son of Flatter back after six-month break to grow into real racehorse. Manny Franco accepts call vs. deep cast of sophomore future stars. Brown’s high on this guy. Don’t underestimate his value. Wager: Win, Place and Pick 3: 6/9/1,4,5,6.”
Keeneland Race No. 6 (3:25 p.m. ET/12:25 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #8 Sabalenka (30-1 morning line) in the Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes. “Looking for a bomb on Saturday? This filly showed ability to close in first two starts as she graduated from the maiden ranks. Then, after coming up short with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Jessamine at this track (note: also closed well), she dropped in class and showed impressive versatility by wiring the field. Now, she’s back in stakes company for her 3-year-old debut and has right to keep improving. Wager: Win and Place..”
Aqueduct Race No. 7 (3:44 p.m. ET/12:44 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #9 Collaboration (8-1 morning line). “Skillful NY trainer Linda Rice picks up journeyman jock Kendrick Carmouche to fill in for absent Irad Ortiz Jr. Addition of Lasix adds to appeal. Opportunity knocks for lower-profile rider who appreciates rare chance to guide quality filly to winner’s circle. Rice-Carmouche combo gets job done. Wager: Win and Place.”
Aqueduct Race Nos. 8-11 (4:19 p.m. ET/1:19 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $64)
Race 8: 1,3,4,5
Race 9: 2,6
Race 10: 5,7,9,11
Race 11: 5,9,11,13
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $54)
Race 8: 1,4,5
Race 9: 1,2,6
Race 10: 4,5,7,11
Race 11: 2,5,12
Keeneland Races Nos. 7-11 (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 5 (cost $45)
Race 7: 2
Race 8: 3,8,12
Race 9: 1,3,8,10,11
Race 10: 1,2,4
Race 11: 1,3
Keeneland Race No. 9 (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT)
John Lauro likes #1 Tapit Trice (5-2 morning line) in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes. “Tapit Trice holds a class edge over these in the Blue Grass like Forte did in the Florida Derby last week.”
Santa Anita Race No. 6 (5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes #5 Practical Move (8-5 morning line) in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby Stakes. “This Tim Yakteen runner has been working up to this race in solid fashion. Vasquez knows what to do and if he runs to his ability he may be the favorite on the First Saturday in May. Bet 5 to Win and key 5 over 2,6,7 in Exactas, Trifectas and reverse..”
John Lauro also likes #5 Practical Move. “Practical Move is maturing nicely for the Tim Yakteen barn.”
Aqueduct Race No. 11 (6:16 p.m. ET/3:16 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes maiden #9 Crupi (12-1 morning line) to shock NY crew of Triple Crown hopefuls in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial. In the money in five of six previous starts vs. tougher company, son of Curlin comes off deep Todd Pletcher bench to earn spot in Derby gate next month. Carmouche notches second score of day. Wager: Win, Place and Show.”
Dave Tuley also likes #9 Crupi (12-1). “Full disclosure: I have a piece of Crupi at 175-1 to win the Kentucky Derby (also has some on #1 Dreamlike, the 7-2 second choice here), so I’m certainly cheering for him to earn a spot in the field. His best race was a big closing move under Carmouche and that’s what he needs here (and hopefully more forwardly placed than in his last effort at Fair Grounds). Wager: Win and Place.”
Santa Anita Races Nos. 9-12 (7:22 p.m. ET/4:22 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $48)
Race 9: 1,3,4,9
Race 10: 3,10,11
Race 11: 5,6,7,8
Race 12: 8,10
Santa Anita Race No. 10 (7:53 p.m. ET/4:53 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #4 Tom’s Beauty (12-1 morning line) in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes. “This 4-year-old filly is stepping up in class, but is 3-for-4 over the Santa Anita turf course and has the closing kick for this race. Trainer Jeff Mullins is 17% in graded stakes and 22% with horses off a win so I trust him to have her placed well. Wager: Win and Place.”