Wednesday Wagers: Baltasar is a wise bet at Delaware

We’re in for beautiful weather at Delaware Park on Wednesday, and I have picks for five of the eight races on the program.

Best bet: Baltasar (race 8)

Best value bet: Wizardofez (race 3)

Race 1

No. 4 Discreet Devil (8-5, morning-line favorite) gets in light with Gabriel Maldonado as he tries a new low off a trainer upgrade to Juan Arrigada – should go gate-to-wire. No. 2 Oiler (8-1) was competitive in his last try at this level before consecutive poor starts vs. tougher. He makes his seasonal debut here, but the works are decent and he’ll have an apprentice rider aboard in Felix Astudillo. Cutting back in distance also could work to his advantage. No. 1 Science (6-1) makes sense off his last two dirt sprint efforts vs. tougher, but he’s also coming off a long layoff.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $7 exacta 4/1,2, $1 exacta box 1/2/4

Race 3

No. 2 Wizardofez (8-1) has drilled strongly at Belmont ahead of racing debut for Michael Miceli, who shrewdly ships this horse down I-95 here. The son of Bucchero (whose progeny win at 16 percent at first asking) cost $50,000 at auction. No. 4 Pump It Up (8-1) makes sense invading from Penn National off a strong speed figure. No. 1 Two Dollar Eddie (4-1) couldn’t wire Arkansas-breds at last asking but has Maldonado aboard as well as the rail draw – the one to catch.

How I’d bet it: $10 win 2, $1 exacta box 1/2/4, $1 exacta key box 2/1,4

Race 5

No. 8 Elevated Game (7-2) crushed the competition in his most recent claiming start down at Tampa, and he drilled a bullet to prep for this. Potent connections in Jamie Ness and Jamie Rodriguez team up here. No. 4 Happy Cat (6-1) won two in a row before settling for second in his first try vs. open claimers. Unraced since November, this son of Kitten’s Joy drops in with conditional claimers and lures Fernando Jara. No. 3 Summer Anthem (8-1) hit the board in five of his final six starts of 2023 – consider.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta 8/3,4, $4 exacta 4/8

Race 7

No. 3 Do It Divi (5-1) attracted Jose Ortiz on debut at Turfway, and she rallied nicely to score going six furlongs. The stretchout and switch to turf should work for this daughter of Divisidero by a mare who has produced two grass winners from three prior foals, and trainer Jonathan Thomas wins at 28 percent with first-time turf runners. It doesn’t hurt to have Rodriguez aboard. No. 6 Share the Blessing (7-2, morning-line favorite) is proven on turf, and her ability to close in 5 1/2-furlong dashes at Fair Grounds suggests she’ll take to routing. No. 10 Factorbella (8-1) has placed in three straight vs. similar at Tampa. No. 7 Parish Lane (6-1) hinted at ability in her win at first asking then was blocked late next time out. If you ignore her fourth-place finish on synthetic when last seen, she makes sense underneath.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta 3/6, $4 exacta 3/7,10, $4 exacta 6/3

Race 8

No. 3 Baltasar (even, morning-line favorite) could cap off a big day for Rodriguez as he plummets down the class ladder. He trained well at Keeneland before unwisely racing vs. allowance foes in his first start off a long layoff. This spot makes sense, and there’s no “ring rust” to worry about now. No. 1 Trophy Room (7-2) does not have to beat much for second, and though recent results at Parx and Laurel are not great, the speed figures still make him a logical choice to complete the exacta. No. 4 Nickel Nickel (12-1) will take them as far as he can.

How I’d bet it: $15 exacta 3/1, $5 exacta 3/4

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