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Free's Daily Del Mar Plays
By BRAD FREE
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Benoit & Associates
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Brad Free will lay out $50 in wagers each day during the Del Mar meet.
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It has been said that Del Mar is the toughest meet in California. Daily Racing Form handicapper Brad Free is out to prove otherwise in an exclusive handicapping/wagering column available each racing day throughout the 2005 summer meet at Del Mar.
Free will offer suggested daily wagers totaling $50, along with handicapping commentary chronicling the pari-mutuel highs and lows. Win or lose, there is no better way to spend a summer than wagering on Del Mar.
Wednesday, September 7
Sometimes, all you really want is to just get even. Now would be a good time.
The pari-mutuel fireworks that marked the start of the summer season ($21.80 Highest Honoree on July 20; and $36.60 Chummin on July 27) gave way to a stream of bad trips. Profits slipped, and then vanished. Wednesday is the last chance to “get out.”
The good news is we still have a chance – there have been deeper holes to climb out of than the $200+ deficit that we face on closing day. It is not impossible.
Del Mar was not unpleasant, just unlucky. We were a bad trip away from a super meet. Jasjonjake (19-1) got caught five-wide in a two-turn race July 28 and missed by a length and a half. Tizadream (17-1) got bottled in traffic Aug. 5, cleared too late, and finished second.
But good breaks and bad breaks always even out. Perhaps it was an unfortunate omen that the first bet we cashed – a $247.50 net win opening day – was the result of a bad call by stewards.
On to the Wednesday card. Only one play; he could be a doozie.
Race 3
The favorite is Areyoutalkintome, and if the stakes winner brings his “A” game everyone else is running for second. But many Doug O’Neill trainees recently have shown signs of fatigue, and Areyoutalkintome has had an ambitious campaign. It’s his third start since July 31, he shipped East and back, and each race has been increasingly poor.
If the favorite is vulnerable, this six-furlong overnight stake is a terrific spot for Jungle Prince (8-1) to surprise. His comeback was a lot better than it looks. Caught extremely wide from an outside post in a turf sprint (no horse this meet won a turf sprint rallying wide), Jungle Prince was still trying to finish while racing for the first time in four months.
He trained super since, handles dirt, and his best race fits with this bunch. Though he drew the rail, he could get a good trip right behind second favorite Bordonaro, who is making his third start of the meet.
Jungle Prince is qualified to outrun his odds, and we’ll bet him at half his morning line.
The bet: $50 win Jungle Prince (minimum odds 4-1).
Backup wager/race 9
In the event that Jungle Prince scratches or does not meet minimum odds, first-time starter Beneath the Radar (15-1) in race 9 is the backup. No knocks on favorite Wheaton Hall, but Beneath the Radar has an unusual pedigree slanted toward a first-start win. The dam that produced Beneath the Radar has produced no fewer than seven debut winners. Beneath the Radar has trained well, and should come out firing.
Back-up bet: $50 win Beneath the Radar (minimum odds 6-1; only if Jungle Prince is no play).
That’s a wrap for summer 2005. See you next time.
Total wagers previous day: $50.
Total return previous day: $92.50.
Total win/loss previous day: plus $42.50.
Total wagers for meet: $1,560.
Total return for meet: $1,333.70
Total win/loss for meet: minus $226.30.
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Handicapping 101
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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.
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