Wednesday Wagers: Two by Two is too tough at Delaware

The Rehoboth Stakes is the Wednesday feature at Delaware Park, and it’s drawn Grade 1 winner Alva Starr. But she won’t be my best bet on this day. Here are my five favorite plays.

Best bet: Two by Two (race 7)

Best value bet: In the Dance (race 6)

Race 1

No. 6 Army Cadet (2-1) gets the nod as a fresh face in these ranks vs. a particularly camera-shy group. The speed figure earned vs. maidens over this course last time out makes him an obvious threat. No. 5 Sidney’s Bid (8-5, morning-line favorite) is just 1-for-39 but is moving down the class ladder slightly and is the one to beat figure-wise. No. 4 Duke of Dooly (3-1) will take them as far as he can.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $6 exacta box 5/6, $4 exacta 6/4,5

Race 2

No. 6 Fortheloveofrun (8-5, morning-line favorite) demonstrated how invaluable experience is when it comes to 2-year-old racing, especially at this time of the year, when improving dramatically from his first to second start at Keeneland. Getting a trainer upgrade to Cathal Lynch should make this son of Runhappy that much tougher to deny there. No. 2 It’s Hammertime (6-1) and No. 3 Bourbon N Lace (8-1) profile similarly in that the connections are potent, the work tabs are solid and the pedigrees are strong.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 6/2,3

Race 6

No. 3 In the Dance (6-1) bumped his record at Delaware to 3: 2-1-0 with a victory last time out, and the company he kept at Laurel over the winter is better than it looks at first glance as he ran behind multiple next-out winners. His main rivals drop out of stakes company but do have to prove that they can recapture their form and handle this circuit at shorter prices. No. 6 Awesome Ruta (9-5, morning-line favorite) has hinted at serious ability sprinting, but his route tries, albeit vs. a lot tougher, have been lacking. No. 5 Deposition (7-2) adds Lasix and looks for a better trip than he got in the Sir Barton last time out.

How I’d bet it: $10 win/place 3

Race 7

No. 10 Two by Two (4-1) should get plenty of pace to chase, assuming this race stays on the grass, and the last-out effort stamps the former Delaware turf winner as the one to beat. No. 3 Bustin Up (8-1) tries a new low – capable of lasting for a share. No. 6 Skipperini (8-1) steps up but could offer value off a well-rated win at Tampa.

How I’d bet it: $10 win/place 10

Dirt picks: 2-8-10

Race 8

No. 10 Alva Starr (3-5, morning-line favorite) is likely to go off 1-9, and it would be deserved. The former Grade 1 winner lost little in defeat to rival Vahva in the Derby City Distaff (G1) last time out. This daughter of Lord Nelson already has two wins to her credit over this course, and if it rains, a wet track might make her even tougher to beat. No. 6 Apple Picker (8-1) has won two of her last three stakes starts, one in the wet and one on fast dirt. No. 1 Yesternight (10-1) flopped on turf before hitting the shelf but is talented enough to hit the board with her best effort here, assuming she breaks cleanly.

How I’d bet it: $15 exacta 10/6, $5 exacta 10/1

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