It’s Game Day, after handicapping the races. The important step is putting your opinion onto paper and optimizing your ticket structure while still allowing yourself a chance to catch a “signer” if possible. Tickets are weighted to my opinion on the Oaks.
Kentucky Oaks – Morning Line – Fair Odds
My overall strategy is to cover the horses, I like, play a few combinations with a chance to “score” and toss a few horses that may be over played.
With 40 minutes to the Oaks. Birdatthewire is co-favorite. I’m a Chatterbox has drifted up to 6/1.
Oaks Strategy:
Toss Stellar Wind – Last 3 races faced 7 horse fields and weak group of fillies who wanted no part of distance racing. Horses she faces today won’t start backpedalling.
I’m A Chatterbox – use lightly – she is by Munnings and has a versatile running style, but think an honestly run pace and she has small shot to falter. But she is talented and over her morning line. She’s back in the mix due to the odds.
Birdatthewire – Top Pick play on deeper tickets. Not a lot of value. But my top pick.
Eskenformoney/Oceanwave – longshots with a chance of exploding the ticket.
Woodford Strategy:
No strong opionions in this race –
Slumber – top pick
Equal – Stephanie’s Kitten, Chocolate Ride, Jack Milton, Finnegans Wake
Derby
American Pharoah – Top Pick
Carpe Diem – may float a little
Upstart & Firing Line – Longshots who make the ticket a signer
Oaks/Woodford/Derby:
Main Ticket:
$2 13-8/5-8-11-7/18-2
$1 4-10-4/5-7-8-11-9/18-2
$1 8-13-4/11-8-7/18-2-10
.50 Cents – 13-4-8-10/5-11-10-7-8/10-19
$1 – 13-8/5-8-11/18
Oaks/Derby Doubles:
$10 13/2-18
$5 13/10-19
$5 8/2-18
$4 – 4-1-8/2-18
$2 – 8-10-6/2-18/19
$2 10-4-8/2-10-18-15