Horse Racing Betting - Trainers tout Don’t Forget Gil, Well Monied

• Who: Thoroughbreds – Don’t Forget Gil, Well Monied
  
• What: Horse Racing Betting – The Alabama, The Del Mar Oaks
  
• Where: Saratoga, Del Mar
  
• When: Saturday, August 22nd

If you happen to bet horses, sometimes you can take what trainers say about their horses with a grain of salt. You know the comments: ”She’s doing great...He’s coming into his own...The track was a little cuppy...etc., etc.” There are times, however, when it pays to take note of a trainer’s comments. Such is the case with a pair of talented fillies that will be strutting their stuff this weekend. Let’s take a look at Don’t Forget Gil in The Alabama at Saratoga, and Well Monied in The Del Mar Oaks.

Don’t Forget Gil is trained by Mark Hennig. While he may not be a household name, Hennig is nevertheless a very capable horseman. He explains that his filly spiked a temperature after the Black Eyed Susan, which may explain her dull performance in that event. He gave her ample time to recover, and she rebounded with a very game effort in The CCA Oaks at Belmont, which she lost by a neck after encountering traffic trouble. She’s been training “lights out” at Saratoga, and she’s already demonstrated her ability to handle the 1 ¼-mile distance of the Alabama, despite a pedigree that suggests shorter distances. I’m expecting Don’t Forget Gil to move forward in her second start off the freshening, and get the sports betting money at generous odds. I’ll bet her to win and place at odds of 9-2 or better.

Similar to Hennig, Howard Zucker is not exactly a high-profile trainer, but he certainly knows what to do with a good horse. He’s got one in Well Monied, and she continues to improve with each start on the sod. She was unlucky in her latest, having to take the overland route in a field of 14. She passed most of the field in the home stretch to get second in The American Oaks behind the highly-regarded Gozzip Girl, and Zucker is thrilled with the way she’s coming up to this race. She’s still growing, and the recent loss of a baby tooth has improved her appetite. He indicates that she got good about 10-12 days ago, and should be at her absolute best on Saturday. That’s good enough for me...I’ll bet her to win at odds of 3-2 or better.

When you’re betting on horse racing, sometimes it’s good to know that what you see on paper is backed up by the words of the trainer. Best of luck this weekend and happy gambling!

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.