5 plays for Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Best bet: For Mama (Race 7)
Best value bet: Apache (Race 2)
Racing fans will be treated to a good mix of turf, dirt, upper-class and lower-class events on a 10-race Wednesday card at Horseshoe Indianapolis, which will be conducted in beautiful weather. Here are my five favorite races, with picks and wagering advice.
Race 2
No. 1 Apache (4-1) was a solid second against $5,000 claimers at Mahoning Valley two back before finding $15,000 allowance/optional claiming company too tough here last time out. Ten-pound apprentice Gage Holmes can guide Apache to a score. No. 8 Shacklefords Storm (6-1) hasn’t raced since December but lures Deshawn Parker for his return. He can beat these on his best day. No. 3 Battle of Memphis (9-5, morning-line favorite) is a win candidate on the huge class drop, but his last-place effort at Oaklawn in his dirt debut was hardly inspiring, and the price appears too low.
How I’d bet it (based on $100 budget): $10 win 1, $5 exacta box 1/8
Race 4
No. 1 Mrsinatraglorylady (3-1, morning-line favorite) closed smartly for second in her first start off the bench last month – a repeat of that speed figure should secure the victory. #2 Window Shaker (4-1) attracts Victor Lebron for her second career start after finishing a respectable third on debut behind the top choice. Making up 2 1/4 lengths on Mrsinatraglorylady with that effort under her belt is far from impossible. No. 5 Mygirljustice (10-1) endured a less-than-ideal trip when checking in fourth behind the top two selections last time out, and it came off a layoff too. She tries a new low and should not be overlooked at these odds.
How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 1/2, $5 exacta 1/5, $5 exacta 2/1
Race 5
No. 5 Cut Glass (5-2, morning-line favorite) crushed maidens at Mahoning off a long vacation two back before flopping in a grass try at Keeneland when last seen. Colby Hernandez sees fit to ride as the son of Carpe Diem gets back to his preferred surface. No. 6 Wild for Wycliff (3-1) ships in for the ever-dangerous Tom Amoss, who won four of his first nine races at the meet. The tune-up work for this was sharp. No. 8 Tripulante (6-1) has hit the board in all five starts this year at Tampa – threat for at least a piece if he can carry that form.
How I’d bet it: $7 exacta box 5/6, $3 exacta 5,6/8
Race 7
No. 8 For Mama (5-1) received a big speed figure in his third-place effort off the bench last time out – recency edge should put this son of Can the Man over the top. No. 3 Spinel (3-1, morning-line favorite) and No. 6 Cibolo (4-1) both ran second in their respective debuts last summer, but neither has been seen since. Each flashes a bullet work in preparation for this start and should be factored in.
How I’d bet it: $8 win 8, $3 exacta key box 8/3,6
Race 8
#8 Fierce Assault (4-1) flashes solid morning works for his debut for Brad Cox, who placed in six of his first seven starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis (7: 2-2-2). Marcelino Pedroza – who sports a 27: 6-4-4 record through Monday over this course – has the call on the $230,000 son of Violence. No. 1 Levy (9-2) appears best of the runners with experience in this maiden heat on the heels of back-to-back runner-up efforts at Sam Houston earlier this year. No. 2 Baileys Run (8-1) demonstrated good speed before tiring at Tampa in consecutive starts – the cutback in distance should suit.
How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 8/1, $4 exacta 8/2, $4 exacta 1/8, $2 exacta 1/2
Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper from New York.