Wednesday wagers: 5 bets for Wednesday at Horseshoe Indy

Horseshoe Indianapolis has a strong 12-race program in store for horseplayers on Wednesday afternoon, highlighted by four state-bred stakes events. Let’s get right to the action with my top five plays for the day.

Best bet: Longleggedlaverne (Race 1)

Best value bet: Passing Attraction (Race 8)

No. 3 Longleggedlaverne (9-5, morning-line favorite) goes for her fifth straight victory on dirt, all of which have been earned against foes similar to today’s. A ninth victory in 10 lifetime starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis appears to be in the offing at short odds. No. 4 Incessant (5-2) was no match for the top choice two back but sandwiched that effort with convincing scores over claiming competition. No. 6 Queen Charmaine (5-1) gets in light with apprentice rider Bryan Rivera and drops to a more appropriate level.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $12 exacta 3/4,6

Race 3

No. 10 Snuggler (5-2, morning-line favorite) blew a two-length lead in the stretch when last seen but outfinished eight of Wednesday’s rivals and scales back a 1/16th – the pick. No. 1 Her Way (7-2) was just a neck behind the top selection last time out – logical alternative. No. 7 Tap the Line (3-1) is tough to trust on top at 0-for-16 lifetime but has been in the money of five of 11 career starts on this oval.

How I’d bet it: $6 exacta box 1/10, $5 exacta 10/7, $3 exacta 1/7

Race 6

No. 11 Hot Little Thing (8-5, morning-line favorite) was a dominant winner of the Back Home Again Stakes here last month. The stretchout to one mile and 70 yards is a question mark for her, but she has speed to spare for her Miss Indiana Stakes foes. No. 3 Quilter (9-2) was a highly rated debut winner and figures to improve in her second career try. No. 9 E’s Magic (4-1) beat a pair of these in the slop at first asking and adds Lasix today – could be any type.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta 11/3,9

Race 7

No. 2 Fireball Baby (5-2, morning-line favorite) did not bring her best from a speed figure perspective last time out off an 11-month layoff, but she won the Hoosier Heartland Stakes anyway. She’s won three of her last four dirt routes at this oval and could prove difficult to deny in the Cardinal Stakes. No. 7 Climber (9-2) already has won two state-bred route stakes in 2022 and steps up off a sharp allowance score. No. 8 Hungarian Princess (7-2) was just a neck behind the top selection last time out, so the two-time state-bred sprint stake winner can clearly route too.

How I’d bet it: $3 exacta box 2/7/8, $1 exacta 2/7,8

Race 8

No. 10 Passing Attraction (12-1) won going away in his sprint debut, so expect improvement stretching out and stepping up into the Indiana Futurity. The morning-line price is plenty fair on this son of Pass Rush. No. 8 Good Forever (7-2, morning-line favorite) showed significant improvement going from five to six furlongs when he scored in the Circle City Stakes at 18-1 last month. Getting more ground to work with here could aid him once again. No. 4 King Ice (4-1) aced his initial dirt route at Horseshoe Indianapolis last week – consider.

How I’d bet it: $5 exacta box 8/10, $10 win 10

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