Sunday’s Horse Play of the Day – Woodbine Race 8

Race-day: 9/20/2009

Race-time: 4:34 pm EST

Woodbine’s biggest day is finally here and wouldn’t you know it? The best race to bet on Sunday is one of the graded turf stakes on the Woodbine card.

That would be the Grade I Northern Dancer Turf Stakes. Horseplayers should be able to find a decent horse racing bet in the Northern Dancer which goes off as the 8th race on the card.

Let’s take a look at Race 8 at Woodbine on Sunday.

Woodbine – Race 8

Grade I Northern Dancer Turf Stakes

$750,000

1 ½ miles on turf

Marsh Side – - 4/1 fair online betting odds

Marsh Side should be going off at much higher odds than 4 to 1 in this, but 4 to 1 is what I would take on the son of Gone West. Yes, he was thumped in his last but that was running against Gio Ponti at Belmont. There isn’t a lot of speed in this race and the Woodbine turf course does favor speed. If Marsh Side can lay two or three lengths off of Marlang and Musketier, he will be in perfect position turning for home. At that point it will be all about hanging on and keeping Champ Elysees, and Marchfield from running him down. He can do it!

Marchfield – - 3/1 fair online betting odds

The Woodbine sensation has been terrific lately with 2 victories and 2 second place finishes in his last 4 races. He just got done beating down Champ Elysees in his last and should get a nice trip akin to that last race in this. He might be too far off the pace in this, though, which is one of the reasons he’s a good play for second and not for first. The horse betting odds will be short as well.

Medjool – - 5/1 fair online betting odds

The third place finisher to Marchfield and Champ Elysees in the Grade II Sky Classic figures to improve some off of that effort while Champ Elysees has a tendency to bounce off of his races. This guy is a quality animal and he will add more price to the exotics. He could have the upper hand on both of his rivals as he figures to be closer to a slow pace in this.

Wagering Strategy

Marsh Side figures to be a long shot and I will bet him that way by putting money on him to win, place and show. I will bet an exacta box with Medjool, Marchfield, and Marsh Side. I will play a trifecta with Marsh Side in all three slots over a box consisting of Medjool, Marchfield and Champ Elysees.