Wednesday wagers: Louise Brooks bears a look at Delaware
The Delaware Handicap is in the rearview mirror, but the action continues at Delaware Park with another new racing week getting underway on Wednesday. Here are my five favorite races on the program.
Best bet: Honeycamp (race 8)
Best value bet: Louise Brooks (race 5)
Race 1
No. 4 Joey Tickles (3-1) was closing fast at first asking going shorter – should appreciate the added furlong and score. No. 2 Chica Chuck (4-1) looks like the most dangerous horse dropping in class here based on his debut speed figure. No. 1 Wesley Thomas (6-1) could be the one to catch with blinkers added.
How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $15 exacta 4/2, $5 exacta 4/1
Race 2
No. 6 Binoche (8-5, morning-line favorite) switches to Daniel Centeno (22 percent) and tries a new low – the one to beat off that last-out effort at Monmouth. No. 1 Suzy Q the Queen (4-1) is tough to trust on top at 1-for-18 lifetime but frequently picks up checks (13: 1-1-6 on fast dirt), consider. No. 7 Beargrease (2-1) disappointed last time out but can atone even despite a negative rider change with the rust shaken off.
How I’d bet it: $15 exacta 6/1, $5 exacta 6/7
Race 5
No. 3 Louise Brooks (8-1) overcame a long layoff and a wide trip to win her lone turf try to date – don’t let her go at this price. No. 11 Filtered Light (4-1, morning-line favorite) split the field in her only start on the lawn, but it came against much tougher at Parx – consider. No. 4 Constitutionalrage (12-1) was going off-form before hitting the shelf last summer. Perhaps the change in scenery will wake her up.
How I’d bet it: $10 win 3, $5 exacta box 3/11
Race 7
No. 11 Neecie Marie (7-2) relished the switch to the lawn when last seen at Parx – big threat if she can take this this course too. No. 3 Downtown Katie (5-2, morning-line favorite) looks like the class of the field – should be rolling late. No. 2 Izzybella (8-1) nearly wired slightly lesser foes at Pimlico two-back – don’t dismiss.
How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 2/3/11, $2 exacta box 3/11, $2 exacta 11/2,3
Race 8
No. 6 Honeycamp (3-2, morning-line favorite) takes a meaningful drop in class and is clearly the one to beat on speed figures. She should work out a comfortable up-close trip under Carol Cedeno (15 percent). No. 7 Dats a Superstar (5-2) is 0-for-14 lifetime but was a close second in her latest try at this level. No. 8 Peace Pact (6-1) may improve going second time out on the class drop.
How I’d bet it: $15 exacta 6/7, $5 exacta 6/8
Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.