Daily doubles get little attention, even though the wager is one of the least expensive exotics on the Del Mar betting menu. Only the pick five is less expensive than the double. Takeout for the pick five is 14 percent; takeout for daily doubles is 20 percent. Every other multiple-race wager costs 23.68 percent. That is 18 percent higher (3.68 divided by 20) than doubles.
DRF handicapper Mike Watchmaker outlines a pick four strategy for Sunday's program at Saratoga.
NEW SUMMIT (3) looks like a standout in this maiden special weight race for 3-year-olds and up, and if he runs as well as he did at Santa Anita in January, he is going to be tough to handle. He certainly has worked well enough while preparing for his return, so we’ll use him as the only “A” in a pick three ticket that begins here.
Breeze Figs Quick-Pix for Saturday, August 8, 2015.
After the early scratch of the hopeless Croninthebarbarian, Chad Brown is down to a mere four entrants in Friday’s featured Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, including the morning-line favorite (Night Prowler), the 5-1 third choice (Takeover Target), and the 6-1 fourth choice (Startup Nation). His fourth entrant, Winter Springs, is listed at 15-1, but the French colt adding Lasix for his U.S. debut could be better than all of them. If the four were coupled as an entry, it would be odds-on. Since they’re all separate betting interests, handicappers have a much tougher job.
Trainer O.J. Jauregui saddles Natalie Paige (#7, ML 8-1) in Friday's second race at Del Mar, a one-mile claimer on dirt. Since Jan., 1, 2014, Jauregui is winning at a 30 percent clip in dirt races, for a return on investment of $4.96. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
DRF handicapper Joe DeVivo provides a pick three play for Friday's program at Del Mar.
Dancing Wind (#7, ML 8-1) makes her return in Friday’s fourth race at Gulfstream Park, a 7 1/2-furlong maiden claimer on turf. It will be her first start since a third-place finish by a half-length in a maiden race May 25 at Gulfstream Park. The second- and fourth-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts. Get the Key Race report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
DRF handicapper Joe DeVivo provides a pick three play on Saturday's program at Saratoga.
DRF handicapper Mike Hogan provides his best plays on Friday's card at Del Mar.
