HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, May 6, 2020)

May 1

Oaklawn
Fantasy (race 9)

Arkansas is in the rear-view mirror; all eyes Sunday are on Florida. The action at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park looks interesting. Jumping in:

Tampa Bay Downs double races 1-2 (12:40 p.m. ET) – The first two program favorites are blah. Absalom (11) lacks a finish and faces pace pressure. In the second race, Tithed (5) is a maiden-claiming sprinter with no speed. Those are fun to bet against. Sometimes, they beat you. Other times, you play a $1 double three-by-three.

With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. Daily Racing Form has served as the most trusted source of news and information about the sport since 1894, and moving forward we have decided to provide a free daily playbook – something that both hardcore horseplayers and casual observers can reference to get informed of each day’s action.

With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. Daily Racing Form has served as the most trusted source of news and information about the sport since 1894, and moving forward we have decided to provide a free daily playbook – something that both hardcore horseplayers and casual observers can reference to get informed of each day’s action.

With 14 races Saturday at Oaklawn Park, it’s a good idea to formulate strategy. It helps to go in with a wagering plan that is based on vulnerable short prices, can’t-miss favorites, live longshots, and potentially profitable wagers. A bettor needs a blueprint. Like this:

The less said about last week’s Pix the better, although it should be noted that the lower the class level of the race the riskier it is to depend on any kind of handicapping tool. That said there were still four BreezeFigs maidens that won last week across a very depleted racing scene. All paid in excess of nine bucks, two of which were first time starters—three won at Gulfstream and one at Will Rogers.

A pair of middle-odds contenders offer value on Friday in Florida, followed by Oaklawn Park action that includes including a tempting pick three and a live 12-1 shot. Diving in:

GP, race 1 (1:00 ET) – It is tough to wager with confidence on maiden-claiming turf races at Gulfstream Park, but an occasional exception appears. Punchline (5) is a hard-pulling colt who ran the best race of his career finishing third last out. If he runs two alike, he can easily win this maiden-25. Punchline is listed at 6-1. Either surface.