Wednesday wagers: Tiz Herself chalks up another win
Another action-packed eight-race card awaits at Delaware Park on Wednesday – let’s jump right into my five favorite races on the program.
Best bet: Tiz Herself (race 1)
Best value bet: Sir Smoak (race 2)
Race 1
No. 2 Tiz Herself (4-5, morning-line favorite) is 5-for-5 on the year, beating similar competition for most of that stretch, always by open lengths. Her latest victory came over this course, running her Delaware record to 5-for-6. The price will be short, but it’s deserved. No. 3 Silver Glen (8-1) tried to wire the field when last seen but was caught by the top choice. She could enjoy a pace advantage here and lures Daniel Centeno (29 percent). No. 5 Mavilus (7-2) hasn’t done much since winning a seven-furlong stakes three-back, but Jamie Rodriguez (22 percent) has the call.
How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $15 exacta 2/3, $5 exacta 2/5
Race 2
No. 1 Sir Smoak (5-1) makes his eye-popping 12th start of the year, and he looked gassed in his most recent try on one week’s rest at Pimlico. But with a month between starts now he could get back to his solid runner-up effort from two back, which would be good enough to best these. No. 3 Seeing Red (6-1) goes first off the claim for Michael Simone (27 percent) and lures Carol Cedeno (11 percent) – consider. No. 6 Lucky Mucho Man (8-1) could hit the ticket with a ground-saving trip.
How I’d bet it: $20 win 1
Race 3
No. 6 Dizzy Kitty (8-1) split a field of maiden specials two back off a long layoff before failing to get the 12-furlong trip vs. claimers. The class level and distance are right here, and so is the price. No. 3 Mintenon (10-1) was second in two straight turf heats vs. similar at Tampa, consider under Centeno. No. 7 Cripple Creek (9-2) hasn’t raced since November but tries a new low today and adds Lasix – may prove too classy. No. 8 Elfuegomasbrilante (7-2, morning-line favorite) has three consecutive third-place outings that put him in the hunt.
How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 3/6/7/8
Race 6
No. 1 Sainthoodforbrian (7-2) has won both of his lifetime tries over this course with efforts much better than he’s had anywhere else. This looks like a good spot to make it 3-for-3 while going second off the bench, and the price seems fair. No. 2 Paradise Valley (2-1, morning-line favorite) would blow these away if he ran back to his unveiling at Parx on May 3, but his running second at 1-9 less than a month later was less encouraging. No. 6 Cloud Music (3-1) should be respected off his runner-up effort in a similar spot last time out.
How I’d bet it: $8 exacta box 1/2
Race 8
No. 8 Cosmic Treasure (8-5, morning-line favorite) likely will get the same setup he threw away last time – a long, easy lead into the stretch. But he could make amends against this suspect group while stringing starts together. No. 3 Tiny Tin (2-1) tries a new low off an uninspiring return from a long layoff – he was a two-time winner at Delaware last season. No. 7 Bermondsey (15-1) could be the value of the race dropping in class off the bench – he ran winning efforts vs. similar last year, including a third-place result over this course vs. slightly tougher in June.
How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 3/7/8, $2 exacta box 3/8, $1 exacta 3,8/7, $2 win 7
Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.