Dan’s Double: Weekend Winners for Feb. 20-21
Image:
Description:
When it comes to making money when handicapping races and betting on horse racing, it’s all about picking winners. Dan Tordjman, America’s Best Racing’s New York correspondent, is one of the brightest young minds in the game.
Each week, Tordjman – DanonymousMan to those who follow him on Twitter – will provide readers with his two best bets of the weekend and strategies for how to bet them. Tordjman will keep track of his return on investment (ROI) throughout the year and, as a bonus, he will also provide picks for a selection of the key races on the Triple Crown trail and the road to the Breeders’ Cup.
Come back every week and be sure to follow Tordjman on Twitter.
Saturday, Feb. 20, Race 6, Gulfstream Park
#10 Inside the Pipe (12-1): I was a little worried about betting this horse the last time he ran (last month) off of a six month layoff. If you’ve been following #DansDouble, you might remember that we actually cashed a nice exacta when he finished second in that race, beaten by Karlyrae'swarrior who came back to win a $30,000 optional claiming race next out. I love that the connections of Inside the Pipe are showing confidence and moving this horse up to this $30,000 claiming level, showing that they don’t want to lose him cheap and that they think this horse might be even better second off the layoff. I also like that Luis Saez is back for a return mount here. The jockey will have to maneuver this horse wisely to get him into a nice stalking position without getting caught out wide from the 10 post. He might need a few horses to battle it out in front of him but I think he fits really well at this level, regardless, and could represent huge value at 12-1 on the morning line.
Strategy on $10 Budget
$2 win, place and show on #10 Inside the Pipe ($6)
$2 exacta box 1 with 10 ($4)
Strategy on $25 Budget
$5 win, place and show on #10 Inside the Pipe ($15)
$1 exacta 1,10 with 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10 ($10)
Strategy on $50 Budget
$1 trifecta 1, 10 with 1, 10 with ALL ($16)
$1 exacta box 1, 5, 7, 10 ($12)
$10 win and place on #10 Inside the Pipe ($20)
Sunday, Feb. 21, Race 3, Fair Grounds
#1 Indian Wind (TBD): This 5-year-old mare has been unsuccessful in her last three races over the dirt but gets the switch back to the turf here and draws the rail. She’s got enough speed to settle in just behind likely pacesetter #6 Half Fast Rose. She was beaten two lengths over course and distance against $40,000 optional claimers the last time she was seen on the turf. Now, she returns against what should be a softer $35,000 state-bred group. Look for her to overtake Half Fast Rose in the late stages of the race. If anyone else puts pressure on the pacesetter and if Indian Wind can sit just off, I’m even more confident. If it rains a little but stays on the turf, I’d be all in on Indian Wind.
Strategy on $10 Budget
$5 to win on #1 Indian Wind ($5)
$2 exacta box 1 with 6 ($4)
Strategy on $25 Budget
$5 win and place on #1 Indian Wind ($10)
$2 exacta box 1, 6, 7 ($12)
Strategy on $50 Budget
$20 win and $10 to place on #1 Indian Win ($30)
$5 exacta 1, 6 over 1, 6 7 ($20)
ROI Year to date: $1,007.60 wagered/$357.80 returned