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Saturday is the biggest day on the racing calendar at Thistledown with the $500,000 Ohio Derby headlining a strong 13-race card. As usual, Xpressbet and 1/ST Bet have a fun and simple promotion to coincide with the big day of racing in the Buckeye State. Simply wager $100 on the Saturday afternoon card at Thistledown and get a $10 Bonus! As always, remember to register for the promo before jumping in.
I was planning on diving into the card at Thistledown already, so it is a no-brainer to do so at Xpressbet or 1/ST Bet where I will gladly take 10% back on my $100 wagered. Here is my plan of attack:
Race 9: The Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup Stakes kicks off the all-stakes Pick 5. Since I am against the Tim Hamm four-horse coupled entry in the first leg, I will take a shot at both the Pick 5, as well as the Pick 3, where I have a chalky single in Race 11. These wagers would almost certainly be a pass if I was unwilling to take on the Hamm quartet. Hopefully we can separate from the public right off the rip.
Wagers:
50-cent Pick 5: 2+4 with 1+5+7 with 1 with 4+5+6 with 5+8 = $18
$2 Pick 5: 2+4 with 5+7 with 1 with 5 with 8= $8
$2 Pick 3: 2+4 with 1+5+7 with 1= $12
$5 Pick 3 2+4 with 7 with 1= $10
Total= $48
Race 10: I am not overly creative in the Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes, but I do give #5 Express Fashion a chance to hit the board at the very least. The daughter of Mobil stretches back out to two turns after two sprints for trainer Shane Meyers. The 4YO filly needs to prove she belongs at this class level, but I am hopeful jockey Luis Rivera will angle over to save ground early. If he can avoid a wide voyage into the first turn and on the backstretch, this gal has a big chance to be rolling late. The Robert Gorham three-horse coupled entry is listed at 5-2 on the morning line, and is tough to totally toss, but I do prefer #7 Queenofthebuckeye who projects to get a favorable stalking voyage off a contentious first-half mile. I will use both in exactas with Express Fashion but press up on Queenofthebuckeye.
Wagers:
$2 Exacta Wheel 5 with 1+7= $4
$2 Exacta 5-7= $2
$5 Exacta Wheel 1+7 with 5 = $10
$4 Exacta 7-5 = $4
Total = $20
Race 13: The card concludes with the feature where #8 Catching Freedom gets significant class relief after off-the-pace efforts in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Preakness Stakes (G1). The Brad Cox trainee failed to take advantage of a dream run in the Derby, but was up against from off the pace in the Preakness. That should not be the case in this year’s Ohio Derby where the pace should be honest. The Albaugh Family Stables colt is the clear one to beat, but #5 Uncle Heavy does intrigue. The Pennsylvania-bred put forth a strong effort to get the job done by a nose in the Withers (G3) before a pair of off the board finishes in the Wood Memorial (G2) and the Preakness (G1). His lack of early zip always puts him at the mercy of the race shape and his trip, but he was cost all chance after a slow start from the outside in the Wood and was up against from start-to-finish trying to chase down Seize the Grey on the front end in Baltimore. He not only gets some class relief in here but a likely more favorable setup. I expect him to put forth a big effort but not sure it will be good enough to beat the favorite.
Wagers:
$22 Exacta 8-5
$10 Win 5
Total = $32
Total Spent= $100
Good luck on Ohio Derby Day!
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