Padding Your Bankroll on Friday October 3

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and he will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers.

October is known for Breeders’ Cup just weeks away.

The two-day event is Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita.

There are still plenty of important preps for racing’s championship day. Several will be run over the next three days at Keeneland, where there are eight graded stakes on the schedule during the opening three days of the meeting.

We will keep a close eye on action at Keeneland and Belmont for the next couple of weeks as we attempt to pad our bankroll for the Breeders’ Cup.

Today's Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 OClm $75,000 (4:45 et)

#3 Temecula Creek 6/1

#4 Perfect Casting 5/2

#6 Prince Rahy 5/1

#2 Our Friend Harvey 7/2

Analysis: #3 Temecula Creek returns off a 2 1/2 month break and is making just his second career start on grass here. His lone start on grass was decent, a third place finish at Hollywood going six furlongs last summer. The colt exits a tough Alw-3 heat won by Visionaire, who returned to win the G1 Kings Bishop in his next outing. The runner up also won next out, Knights Cross beating Alw-3 foes here on 9/5. The colt is reunited with Edgar and we should catch a fair price in this spot.

#4 Perfect Casting checked in sixth last out, forced to await running room in upper stretch and forced to check when a hole the jock wanted to go through closed up. A clean trip makes this guy a threat.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 4/1 or better.

EX: 3,4 / 2,3,4,6

TRI: 3,4 / 2,3,4,6 / 2,3,4,6,7

Today's Play of the Day from Keeneland:

KEE Race 6 Alw $54,000N$Y (3:40 et)

#3 Desertstormelite 6/1

#10 Duchess Royale 3/1

#5 Mushka 4/1

#4 Neon Lipstick 30/1

Analysis: #3 Desertstormelite did not fire last out in stakes company at Del Mar and returns to the allowance ranks here while shifting to the Motion barn that is 19% winners with newcomers to the barn. Two back the filly was a game second behind Ainamaa, who returned to check in fourth in the G3 Palomar and then third in the Ms America. She looks like a good fit here for Motion barn that has hit at a 22% clip in turf races here at Keeneland over the past five years.

#10 Duchess Royale made a good late rally to finish fourth last out, beaten 1 1/2 lengths for the top spot. It was a good group, three came back to run second in their next starts while Goat Cheese exited the race to win a $54K stake at Arlington in her next outing. She figures to be tighter in her second start off a five-month layoff.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 3,10 / 3,4,5,10

TRI: 3,10 / 3,4,5,10 / 3,4,5,6,9,10

Price Plays:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.