The Virginia Derby is a hard race for me to wager on, as I actually like several of the entries for Saturday’s feature race. However, I see some betting opportunities for the two stake races leading up to the Virginia Derby, one of which is the grade 3 Virginia Oaks.
Colonial Downs – Race 7 – Kitten’s Joy Stakes
#2 – MINT SLEWLEP
Mint Slewlep won his first career race on the turf over the Colonial Downs surface the last time out, coming from off the pace with a BRIS speed figure of 94. He also had two solid races in April, setting two speed figures in the triple-digits. That’s good enough to challenge any of his rivals in this spot, including favorite BALLAST.
Ballast is a solid horse, with a grade 3 win the last time out, but prior to that race, he also had a string of five races without a victory. I’m going to try to beat him here and go with Mint Slewlep, who is younger and getting 5/1 morning-line odds.
Colonial Downs – Race 8 – Virginia Oaks
#4 – ATHENA’S GIFT
Athena’s Gift has one second and two wins in three career turf starts. She’s won her last two starts with respectable speed figures, demonstrating she belongs among this group, even though she has yet to run against stakes competition.
The Oaks should feature enough pace for her to have something to run at late in the race, and her running lines are what I like to see on turf. Here late pace numbers are solid and she’s figured out how to win in the last few months. Getting 8/1 odds, I’ll take them, and expect she’ll get her third victory in a row.
She also shares the name of my wife, so how can I bet against that?
Colonial Downs – Race 9 – Virginia Derby
#2 – OLD MAN BUCK
The Virginia Derby has a severe lack of pace and I believe several entries could potentially run well.
I’ll bet against SAILOR’S CAP in this one. The turf course should be playing firm-to-hard this Saturday and I think that will contribute to a major bounce for Sailor’s Cap coming out of the Colonial Turf Cup.
Old Man Buck looks like the value play. The pace looks like it will be slow, and Old Man Buck has the versatility to get the lead early or take over a bit late and still win. He’ll be my top selection, but I would also consider GIO PONTI and it wouldn’t surprise me if COURT VISION runs well.
However, I don’t like the odds on Gio Ponti and though the talent is there for Court Vision, I simply don’t trust him enough to back him with a win wager.
BALTIMORE BOB seems awfully intriguing too. I’m not sure he is talented enough to win, and you can call me crazy, but I have a feeling we’re going to see a strong performance from him this weekend. I think he finishes in the money somewhere.
SELECTIONS:
$2.00 Pick 3 (Races 7-9) : #2 Mint Slewlep, #4 Athena’s Gift, #2 Old Man Buck
$2.00 Pick 3 (Races 7-9): #2 Mint Slewlep, #4 Athena’s Gift, #4 Court Vision
$2.00 Pick 3 (Races 7-9): #2 Mint Slewlep, #4 Athena’s Gift, #5 Baltimore Bob
$2.00 Pick 3 (Races 7-9): #2 Mint Slewlep, #4 Athena’s Gift, #7 Gio Ponti
$10.00 Win – Race 7 – #2 Mint Slewlep
$10.00 Place - Race 7 – #2 Mint Slewlep
$10.00 Show - Race 7 – #2 Mint Slewlep
$10.00 Win – Race 8 – #4 Athena’s Gift
$10.00 Place - Race 8 – #4 Athena’s Gift
$10.00 Show - Race 8 – #4 Athena’s Gift
$10.00 Win – Race 9 – #2 Old Man Buck
$10.00 Place - Race 9 – #2 Old Man Buck
$10.00 Show - Race 9 – #2 Old Man Buck
TOTAL BUDGET: $505.00
WAGER TOTAL: $98.00
ADJUSTED BUDGET: $407.00
Tags: Athena's Gift, Baltimore Bob, Colonial Downs, Court Vision, Gio Ponti, Horse Racing Handicapping, Horse Racing Selections, Mint Slewlep, Old Man Buck, Virginia Derby, Virginia Oaks
