Horse Bet of the Day – Race 5 at Belmont Park on Wednesday

Race 5 at Belmont Park, a $25,000 claimer going 1 mile on the turf for fillies and mares, figures to provide some nice prices for horseplayers because it’s a terrifically challenging race to handicap. The more challenging the race the more likelihood of nice pay-offs in all of the horse betting pools.

I’ll try to take advantage by making a likely overlaid horse my key equine in all of my bets for this race.

Horse Bet of the Day

Belmont Park – Race 5

Where: Elmont, NY

When: May 26nd, 2010 at 3:40 pm EST

TV: TVG and HRTV

Claiming $25,000n2y

For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Up Which Have Not Won Two Races Since November 26, 2009

1 mile on turf

Bob’s Pinup Girl – - 4/1 morning line odds

The 5-year old mare sired by Tiger’s Ridge finished 4th by 1 length at this level and going this distance in her last. She had to go 4 wide in that race and took too much time getting into her run. The switch to jockey Rajiv Maragh might help as Maragh is very good with turfers. Bob’s Pinup Girl also has 2 victories in 3 starts over the Belmont Park turf course and should be in good position for the run to the wire as they hit the top of the stretch.

Double Dinghy Day – - 5/2 morning line odds

The likely chalk has run 2 exceptional races in a row and now gets blinkers for this. Trainer Frank Alexander is winning at a 33% clip at the meet. Jockey John Velzasquez is as good as they come and Double Dinghy Day has every right to win this race based on that last 2nd place finish. The only issue is one of horse racing odds as Double Dinghy Day figures to go off well below her 5 to 2 morning line.

Hangingonaprayer – - 5/1 morning line odds

This daughter of Grand Slam figures to be very tough in Race 5 at Belmont Park on Wednesday. She’s won 3 out of 8 over the Belmont Park turf course and her speed ratings are close to the par for this level, distance and surface. The issue with Hanginonaprayer is that she appears to be better suited at sprint races than races at a route of ground. She’s also taking a very slight step up in class from the $20,000 level. That shouldn’t matter but in an ultra-competitive race like this even the smallest change could prove to be a big deal.

Horse Wagering Strategy

Bob’s Pinup Girl looks well suited for success in this race on Wednesday. I will bet that gal to win and place. I will play an exacta with Bob’s Pinup Girl over Hangingonaprayer and Double Dinghy Day. I will reverse for less.

Finally, I will play a daily double with Bob’s Pinup Girl and Hanginonaprayer over Mr. Hadif and Something Gold in the 6th race at Belmont Park.