Horse racing - Saturday’s superfecta play a washout
Posted on 11/19/2008 2:18:35 PM
By Pete Mitchell
Horse racing: reviewing last weeks’ superfecta ticket
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WHO: Louisiana-bred Desert Wheat
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WHAT: The Mr. Sulu Stakes (Race 9)
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WHERE: Fair Grounds
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WHEN: Saturday, November 15
In Friday’s article, I discussed the appeal of betting superfectas and put together a superfecta ticket for The Mr. Sulu Stakes (Race 9) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. As often happens with the best-laid plans in horse racing, the race was rained off the turf and several horses were scratched, including my key, Tortuga Flats.
Often, when you’ve put a fair amount of work into handicapping a race and structuring an exotics ticket, you feel compelled to make a bet, no matter what. You want at least a fighting chance at a return on your investment of time and mental effort.
That’s where discipline comes in. When Saturday’s race was moved from the turf course to the main track, the entire dynamic of the race changed. You had two choices – start from scratch with your handicapping, or pass the race. I took a second look at the race but ultimately passed. I couldn’t come up with a horse I liked on the main oval.
Interestingly, the eventual winner, Desert Wheat, had been unsuccessful in six previous tries on dirt. He had compiled a record of 4-0-1-0 on fast tracks (the track was labeled fast for Race 9) and a record of 2-0-1-0 on wet tracks – not particularly encouraging horse racing results.
Despite that lack of success, however, trainer Bill Mott’s Fair Grounds assistant Rodolphe Brisset was looking forward to running Desert Wheat on dirt, explaining that he just hadn’t been able to find the right spot for him. Well, this was obviously the right spot, as Desert Wheat drew clear in mid-stretch for a 1 ¾-length victory at odds of 2.80-1.
It would have been nice to know ahead of time that Desert Wheat’s connections were unfazed by the surface switch, but that information more often than not becomes available after the fact. Not to worry, though! The beauty of horse racing is that there’s action 365 days a year. I’ll put together another superfecta ticket in the near future…hopefully with more satisfying horse racing results.
Be sure to get in on the horse racing action at BetOnline.com, where you always have a wide array of thoroughbred and harness tracks to choose from.
Pete
Mitchell has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a
professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention
through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete
is revered for his horse handicapping opinion
and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career
winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
