Illinois Derby the most betable prep today

The Wood is a six horse field, and the two chalkier runners look tough, while the other 4 need improvement. Improvement is possible. But this not a betable race. There are many words for people who bet this race, but "handicapper" is not among them. To win money on races like this involves nothing but "dumb" luck.

 If Eskendereya does get beat, and still runs a good second or third, then the winner deserves note.

The Illinois Derby is the most betable, with Calfornia being more of a form filler race.

7th RACE HAWTHORNE 1 1/8 MILE GRADE 3 ILLINOIS DERBY

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-ROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS:

7 BACKTALK 6-1 Amoss has emerged as one of the secret handicapper's trainers the last few years. This one comes off a track that probably wasn't that rock hard, and figures to be healthy. Expect a better time here.

1 AMERICAN LION 5-2 Has just a little bet better forward move so far than Dixie, but it's close

6 DAVE IN DIXE 9-5  runs even, but needs to step it up a bit in his fifth lifetime start

3 BOULDER CREEK 8-1 looks 4th best

9 GAME BALL 30-1 looks well outmatched,but is well bred for distance

5 TURF MELODY 8-1 closes well, and could hit the board

4 YAWANNA TWIST 8-1 looks to have run his best races, and has an outside shot at best

2 STEPHEN'S GOT HOPE 50-1 is a maiden and would be a huge upset

BEST BETS: WPS on 7. Exact Wheel 1,7 over 1,3,4,5,6,7: Trifecta Box 1-3-6: Superfecta: Wheel 7 with 1,3,6,9 with 1,3,5,6,9 with 1,3,5,6,9, Wheel 1,7 with 1,7 with 3,5,6,9 with All, Wheel 1,7 with 1,6,7,9 with 1,6,7,9 with All. 

At Keeneland, the Ashland looks quite betable.

9th KEENLAND 1 1/16 MILE GRADE 1 ASHLAND

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINIAH:

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS:

7 PROTESTING 8-1 Handicappers lick their chops to see McGaughey at these odds

3 NEGLIGEE 7-2 very obvious threat, and the one to beat

5 SHE BE WILD 5-2 runs well with Negligee, but just a bit short

6 APPLE CHARLOTTE 8-1 looks to close, and doubt she'll have enough ground

2 IT'S TEA TIME 20-1 looks subpar, but comes off a less strenuous turf course

1 UPPERLINE 8-1 comes off hard track and is a notch below

8 EVENING JEWEL 8-1 looks a bit overmatched

4 BEAUTICIAN 4-1 has a lot of Grade 1 starts, but is hard to back now

BEST BETS: WPS on 3 and 7: Exacta box on 3,7: Trifecta 3,7 with 3,5,7 with 2,3,5,6,7: Superfrectas Box 3,5,6,7, Wheel 3,7 with 3,5,6,7 with All with All.