Arkansas Derby Betting - Hot Tickets in Hot Springs
With limited action on the Triple Crown trail this weekend let’s take a look at one of the gems of horseracing in his country, Oaklawn Park and try to get some successful insights for online sportsbook players.
Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the meet will run till April 16 and the showcase of the stand is the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
The mile track has a decent takeout structure with exotic bets being held at 21% and win, place and show bets held at 17%.
Over the years, the Arkansas Derby has been a nice springboard for runner with designs on the Triple Crown.
Temperance Hill and Victory Gallop both parlayed wins in this race to cash in the Belmont Stakes, Sunny’s Halo and Smarty Jones cashed in the Kentucky Derby after winning in Hot Springs and several Ark Derby winners won the Preakness.
And one of the top horses in the last decade, Curlin, who went on to win Horse of the Year honors twice, took the 2007 renewal of the Ark Derby.
As far as the human element at Oaklawn this meeting, Steve Asmussen will be at or near the top throughout the stand. He just brings it in numbers but there are a few areas where Asmussen excels at and that is where on-line players may be able to get a little edge.
You have to pay attention when this trainer tinkers with blinkers. The last 5 years he wins at 21% first-time blinkers but only 16% when taking them off.
When handicapping maidens, know that if Asmussen moves a horse from Maiden Special Weight land to a maiden claimer, that’s a time to step up. He is 29% with that ploy the last 5 years and when he brings a horse back quickly, he is even more potent.
When returning a runner to betting sites action within 7 days of a race the last 5 years, Mr. Asmussen is 28 or 88 or 32% and 59% of those runners were in the money. This trainer is also pretty active at the claiming box and his first off the claim runners cash at about a 24% rate but his second off the claim runners the last 5 years have been a bit more potent at 27%.
Steve Hobby is also off to a fine start this meet at Oaklawn as he won with 5 of his first 17 starters and 4 ran second.
A near 20% trainer overall last year, Hobby has some tricks up his sleeve when it comes to placement.
Like most competent trainers, Hobby is great when giving a horse a rest and pointing for a specific race. He is 20% the last 5 years when bringing back runners from 6 months or longer and 16 others ran in the money.
If you see one of his horses cutting back from a route to a sprint, you have to pay attention. A total 52% of those runners ran in the money the last 5 years and 19% reached the charmed circle.
Other value trainers that should be followed are Randy Morse, Allen Milligan and Laffit Salazar. The average payoff of the winners from those barns this meet are $25.20, $20.83 and $16.13 respectively.
As far as post position at this track this meet, posts have played relatively fair but you do want to be inside going a mile. The rail is 7 for 24 or 29% so far at 8 furlongs.
Grab a drink, mark the form, take you time and enjoy this intriguing sport betting venue.
Good luck.
