Horse Racing Odds - Indian Blessing’s still the boss
- Who: Thoroughbreds - Indian Blessing, Sara Louise
- What: Bet Horses – The Gallant Bloom Handicap
- Where: Belmont Park
- When: Saturday, September 26th
Some may say that Indian Blessing isn’t the same horse this year - that she’s lost a step. When doubts such as these find their way into the horse racing handicapping debate, that’s the time to capitalize. If you like Indian Blessing’s chances (as I do) in Saturday’s Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park, you might be pleasantly surprised at the price you get. Indian Blessing, the 2YO Filly Champ and Champion Female Sprinter as a 3YO, is winless thus far as a 4YO. In three starts this year, she grabbed a pair of seconds and finished off the board for the first time in her career two back in The Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood Park. Upon closer inspection, however, you’ll see that there are valid reasons for her 2009 performances. Her 2009 debut came against the boys half way around the world in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, in which she finished second by just over a length. It was another five lengths back to the 3rd-place finisher in the field of twelve...certainly no disgrace. Her Desert Stormer loss came on poly-track, a surface she clearly does not relish. Last out, she got a bit leg weary while finishing second to the top-class Music Note, but her training had been interrupted due to a pair of foot abscesses. The race did her a world of good, and she appears set for a top effort. She’s had great success at Belmont (4-3-1-0, earnings of $530,000, top Beyer Speed Figure of 110), and is listed as the second choice on the morning line at 8-5. What’s not to like? Her chief competition figures to come from morning line favorite, Sara Louise (7-5). The Godolphin filly is the last horse to defeat the great Rachel Alexandra (in the Grade 3 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs last November). Sara Louise returned from a nine-month layoff to capture The Victory Ride last out at Saratoga, in which she earned a lifetime-best Beyer of 104. She’ll be closing late, but Indian Blessing will take some catching. There’s also a possibility that Sara Louise could bounce off the long break, so you might want to consider using a classy mare like Any Limit (8-1) underneath in the exacta. When you bet horses, the key is finding betting value. You’ve got that in spades with Indian Blessing on Saturday. Happy gambling!
Pete Mitchell is BetOnline.com's horse racing expert.
