Benoit & Associates

Brad Free will give out $50 in wagers each day during the Del Mar meet.

Daily Racing Form handicapper Brad Free has demonstrated that the improbable is not impossible - that horseplayers can beat the 43-day Del Mar meet. It's true. Free won $2,000 wagering $50 a day in a 2001 drf.com wagering column. 2002 was a different story - Free doubled the wagers to $100 daily, and lost $1,500. In 2003, back to $50 a day, Free hit positive territory late in the meet, and ended the season minus $70.

Free's bottom-line profit over three summers - $8,500 wagered and $9,000 returned ($500 profit). What have you done for me lately? Throughout Del Mar 2004, Free will dispense daily wagering guidance, right here. Wagers will total $50 a day, Free will take shots when the opportunities are there. Other times, he will play it safe and merely protect the bankroll.

Will the 2004 meet mirror the 2001 victory parade? Will it be a loss like it was in 2002, or a tie like 2003? There are 43 days of racing to find out.

The $26.60 upset by Diamond Indy in race 10 Monday might be a little too late. But still, the $30 win wager returned $399 and brought the bankroll back to semi-respectability. Or did it?

The truth is the 2004 Del Mar season was prolonged agony for this betting column. A fast start gave way to an extended slump, and the bankroll slipped into the red August 2. Until Monday, it had been going mostly downhill since. But the minor score on Diamond Indy furnished hope that it might be possible to break even, after all. It will not be easy, because the deficit is $385 into the final day, and we only have $50 to play with.

So here goes, only one play. Also, a reminder that there is a $295,875 pick six carryover on closing day, which of course means mandatory payout.

Race 8

Roman Ruler should win the Del Mar Futurity, hands down. He is the fastest horse in the race, by a long way. Anyone can see that.

But even if the 15-1 morning line on Swiss Address is wrong, and he starts at half the price, the exacta offers value. The maiden win by Swiss Address was more impressive than the tepid 75 Beyer Speed Figure it earned. He probably cannot beat Roman Ruler, but he should beat the rest of the field.

The bet: $40 one-way exacta Roman Ruler over Swiss Address; $10 one-way exacta Swiss Address over Roman Ruler.

That's a wrap. I'd like to say that writing this column has been a lot of fun. But it hasn't. Until next time - good luck.

Total wagers previous day: $50.
Total return previous day: $399.
Total win/loss previous day: plus $349.

Total wagers for meet: $1,885
Total return for meet: $1,500.
Total win/loss for meet: minus $385.

Handicapping 101 Handicapping 101 - Finding the Right Horses and Making the Right Bets By Brad Free Newcomers to the sport of Thoroughbred racing have struggled for years to find the ideal book to introduce them to the fundamentals of the fascinating game of betting on horses. Handicapping 101: Finding the Right Horses and Making the Right Bets ends that quest and is destined to become the definitive guide not only for novices but also for veteran players in need of a refresher course. [More Details - Buy Online]