Wednesday wagers: Ghost of Khozan is best bet at Delaware

The Delaware Handicap and Delaware Oaks are in the rearview mirror, but the Delaware Park meet rolls on Wednesday with eight races, six of which go on the main oval. Keep an eye on the sky with a chance of pop-up showers in the afternoon, and check out my five-pack of picks.

Best bet: Ghost of Khozan (race 4)

Best value bet: Midnight Getaway (race 8)

Race 3

No. 5 True Account (8-1) didn’t offer much vs. maiden claimers sprinting on turf two back, but the stretchout to a route when last seen vs. maiden special weights woke him up. He could get the job done vs. softer competition here at a solid price, assuming this race remains on the lawn. No. 11 Go Take Charge (7-2, morning-line favorite) is tough to endorse on top at 0-for-21, but solid alternatives are scarce and the speed figures make him a logical player. The 6-year-old gelding has hit the board in all three prior turf tries at Delaware. No. 1 Bourbon Express (9-2) was part of a blanket photo for place in a similar spot at last asking.

How I’d bet it, based on a $100 budget: $2 exacta box 1/5/11, $5 exacta box 5/11

Dirt picks: 1-2-4

Race 4

No. 1 Ghost of Khozan (9-2) is a former winner at Delaware and showed early fight before fading vs. much tougher while racing wide when last seen. No. 5 Steele Money (6-1) and No. 4 Polar Wind (8-1) are the most consistent underneath options in this field where the favorites look suspect while dropping in class. The former is of particular interest while luring Daniel Centeno.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 1/4,5

Race 5

No. 2 Highlighted (6-1) has a pair of solid works on the tab going into her debut, and her dam has produced four winners from as many previous starters. Hot-riding apprentice Ederik Robles climbs aboard this daughter of Cross Traffic, and the sire wins with 10 percent of his firsters. No. 1 Beautiful Blome (3-1) and No. 7 Phlying Phyllis (2-1, morning-line favorite) hit the wire together at first asking back on June 20, and both got a good education in that spot.

How I’d bet it: $3 exacta box 1/2/7

Race 6

No. 3 Expecting a Winner (5-1) was gaining vs. similar going shorter last time out – logical on the stretchout assuming this race stays on turf. No. 6 Louise Brooks (9-5, morning-line favorite) had a late lead before succumbing late in a similar spot when last seen, albeit on soft turf. She’s a solid player here, especially if we get firm going. No. 7 Roubaix (4-1) will take these as far as she can.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 3/6,7

Dirt picks: 7-6-3

Race 8

No. 3 Midnight Getaway (6-1) gets back to sprinting, where he hit the exacta in four of his last five starts after a flop going a route of ground at last asking. A muddy course, over which he’s 2-for-2 lifetime, would only aid his cause. No. 1 Pistol Or Shotgun (5-2) never has missed the triple in five prior tries at Delaware and would benefit from a potentially lively pace. No. 2 Collect Redemption (9-5, morning-line favorite) looks like the strongest of the speed types in this bunch.

How I’d bet it: $8 exacta 3/1,2, $4 exacta 1/3

Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.