Wednesday Wagers: Utterly Enchanting is likable at Delaware

The Delaware Park meet rolls on with an eight-race program to kick off July, anchored by a salty five-furlong turf sprint in Race 7. I’m providing picks for five of the day’s races below.

Best bet: Utterly Enchanting (race 2)

Best value bet: Luca Machine (race 5)

Race 1

No. 6 Two Minute Lick (even, morning-line favorite) has consistently run speed figures that would put her in the winner’s circle vs. these. Jamie Ness (23 percent) shrewdly drops this one in class while retaining Jamie Rodriguez (29 percent). No. 3 My Jo Jo (8-1) may improve stretching back out, assuming she gets a clean break. She beat a similar field here last year. No. 4 She So Cool (8-1) is tough to trust on top at 2-for-28 lifetime but will be rolling late.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $14 exacta 6/3, $4 exacta 6/4, $2 win 3

Race 2

No. 1 Utterly Enchanting (9-5, morning-line favorite) won three straight before biting off a bit more than she could chew last time out. The class drop should do the trick here. No. 6 Between Dreams (7-2) lures Rodriguez and has finished second four times in four career starts at Delaware. No. 3 She’s Bulletproof (6-1) gets needed class relief – best of the rest.

How I’d bet it: $20 exacta 1/6

Race 5

No. 3 Luca Machine (8-1) cost $200k at auction and is out of a War Front mare who has produced four winners from as many starters. The Liam’s Map colt is worth a shot at these odds. No. 6 Kerness K (3-1) exits a third-place effort in a highly rated maiden-claiming event at Laurel. No. 5 Watering (8-1) is drilling sharply for Michael Stidham (15 percent with firsters), who named Julio Hernandez (18 percent) to ride.

How I’d bet it: $3 exacta box 3/5/6, $2 win 3

Race 7

No. 4 Bam Bam Blu (7-2) was just a head behind No. 3 Wora (5-2, morning-line favorite) when they raced vs. slightly tougher here last month. However, the latter had the recency edge and won’t enjoy that this time around. Bam Bam Blu goes for her third win in four starts at Delaware. No. 1 Science (6-1) can land a share with a repeat of his recent win vs. lesser.

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

Race 8

No. 4 Brysons Option (8-5, morning-line favorite) could put an exclamation point on a big day for Ness and Rodriguez as he tries a new low. No. 3 Couperin (3-1) showed marked improvement in his dirt debut and goes first off the claim for Juan Arrigada, who’s firing at 37 percent at the meet. No. 5 Bad Henry (7-2) beat Couperin by a head when last seen, but his 19: 1-1-2 career record does not inspire confidence.

How I’d bet it: $15 exacta 4/3, $5 exacta 4/5

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