5 wise Wednesday wagers for Horseshoe Indianapolis

Bettors will want to keep an eye on the sky with rain in the forecast for Horseshoe Indianapolis on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at four dirt races – including a pair of state-bred stakes – and one of the two turf stakes on the program.

Best bet: Dream Keeper (Race 1) 

Best value bet: Pickle Feet (Race 6)

Race 1

No. 5 Dream Keeper (5-2) was taken back off the pace with a poor result last time out at Tampa, but a return to any of his three efforts earlier at that meet would put him in the winner’s circle here. Expect him to take this field gate-to-wire. No. 6 Barossa (9-5, morning-line favorite) may not go off favored, especially if the track comes up wet, based on his last-out effort at Keeneland. But he still must be respected on the class drop. No. 2 Cartier Cat (5-1) was a game second in a similar spot when seen here two weeks ago.

How I’d bet it (based on $100 budget): $14 exacta 5/6, $8 exacta 5/2, $4 exacta 6/5

Race 2

No. 7 Cecilia’s Hope (2-1, morning-line favorite) faded badly in each of her last two starts but should wake up on Wednesday on the precipitous class drop. Her previous speed figures tower over this group. No. 4 Apron Strings (5-1) steps up slightly but has hit the board in each of her last seven races. No. 2 Traumarama (3-1) fits with these state-breds on speed figures and cuts back in class – contender.

How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 2/4/7, $2 exacta 7/2,4

Race 6

No. 6 Pickle Feet (5-1) was a highly rated maiden winner over three of today’s rivals in his racing debut on April 19. The tune-up work for this was sharp, and he could post the upset in the Sagamore Sired Stakes with expected improvement in his second career start. No. 1 Mr Chaos (6-5, morning-line favorite) is a logical alternative as he’s 3-for-3 lifetime. If he moves forward in his second start of 2022, he’ll be a tough customer turning for home. No. 9 Too Bad Justice (6-1) finally broke his maiden last time out after alternating losses to the top pair in his prior two efforts – a must-use for deep exotic players.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta box 1/6, $2 trifecta 1,6/1,6/9

Race 7

No. 3 Lexi Sun (4-1) is fresh off her best race to date, a gate-to-wire triumph going second off the layoff here on May 3. She could take them the distance in the Swifty Sired Fillies Stakes under Samuel Bermudez, who has won 12 of his first 52 races (23 percent) at Horseshoe Indianapolis. No. 4 Acutely (5-1) is a threat to the top choice if she’s ready off the bench, as she won each of her last two starts by over six lengths. No. 12 Lil Evie (6-1) ran her best career speed figure in her most recent try in the mud, so a potential off-track would likely only help her here. She has missed the board only once in six starts.

How I’d bet it: $3 exacta box 3/4/12

Race 9

If the Caesars Stakes stays on the grass, No. 5 Stitched (4-1) and Florent Geroux should take advantage of the fact that this race appears fairly paceless on paper. The son of Mizzen Mast walked the dog against allowance foes when last seen at Churchill, earning a strong speed figure. #4 Tommy Bee (2-1) is one of two in here for trainer Brad Cox (the other being No. 6 American Pure), who has won five of his first 11 races (45 percent) at Horseshoe Indianapolis with five additional in-the-money results. Irad Ortiz Jr. guided him to an allowance score at Keeneland last month and flies in for the assignment once more. #3 Play Action Pass (6-1) and Tyler Gaffalione should be rolling late, but at just 1-for-7 lifetime, he appears best used underneath.

How I’d bet it (turf only): $8 exacta box 4/5, $2 exacta 4,5/2

Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.