in Triple Crown Free Picks

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.

Thursday’s featured race of the day comes from Churchill Downs, where I am hoping Elusive Sparkle can get our holiday rolling today with some fireworks at a decent price.

There is a late post time today at Churchill Downs with the eleven race card kicking off at 2:45 ET.

Our Late Pick 3 play at Belmont Park will be a $24 investment and gets underway long before our featured race.

There is plenty of action all weekend, with closing day at Churchill Downs coming on Sunday.

Today's Play of the Day from Churchill Downs:

CD Race 8 Md Sp Wt (6:28 et)

#6 Elusive Sparkle 5/1

#3 Awesome Moment 6/1

#8 Coy Cat 8/5

#9 Color Me Up 3/1

Analysis: #6 Elusive Sparkle was not a threat last out in a fifth place finish in her first go off a seven-month layoff. She showed some promise with a runner up finish last November in her second career start. She is a half to a pretty nice runner in Street Sense ($4.3 million).

#3 Awesome Moment makes her first start since her debut, which came last November. She stalked the early pace from the outside and finished gamely for second in her debut. She put in a quick work over at Arlington on 6/15. Barn is 19% winners (with a +ROI) with horses returning off a +90 day layoff.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 3,6 / 3,6,8,9

TRI: 3,6 / 3,6,8,9 / 2,3,5,6,8,9

Belmont Park Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 7: $1: 5,7 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,5,9 = $24

BEL Race 7 OClm $25,000N2X (4:12 et)

#7 Benlayla, #5 Morning Perks

#7 Benlayla stretches out to a mile after making a mild late run to finish third last out going 6 1/2 furlongs at this condition. The gelding caught a main track that was more favorable to speed that day. Last three speed figs are a good fit and the one turn mile looks like the right distance for this guy.

#5 Morning Perks also stretches out from a sprint, the five year old checking in a non threatening sixth last out in NY bred stakes company. Barn is having a solid meet and is 20% winners overall moving runners from sprint to route.

BEL Race 8 Alw $50,000s (4:45 et)

#5 My Anna Rose, #2 Dressed to Win, #6 Positive Prospect, #7 Indian Delight

#5 My Anna Rose came off a two month break last out and drew a tough post and raced wide throughout in a sixth place finish going long. Pedigree suggests a turf sprint may be more suitable and she did break her maiden going six furlongs on the inner. Worth a stab here at generous odds.

#2 Dressed to Win was a good second last out when coming back off a nine month layoff for Rice barn that has strong numbers with layoff types. Rice barn has been live in turf sprints the past couple of years, hitting at a 23% clip overall.

CD Race 9 OClm $80,000N$Y (6:59 et)

#4 Star Plus, #3 Wise River, #7 Master Mizzen

#4 Star Plus is making his U.S. debut here for red hot McPeek barn that is 30% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. The five year old is a G1 winner in Argentina and was very consistent, landing in the exacta in 10 of his 14 career starts. The tote may give us a clue on how good this guy is, just tough to discount anything this barn sends out recently.

#3 Wise River was a good second last out behind A.P. Xcellent, who missed wining the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup last June by a nose to Lava Man. Theriot departs to ride #5 Petion Station but we get a capable replacement in Borel.

Live Longshots:

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.

Churchill Downs

R3: #5 Scorpion Go North 8/1

R4: #7 Ventry 15/1

R4: #1 Smokin’ Legend 8/1

R7: #6 Ide Be the One 15/1

R10: #3 Geste 10/1

R11: #4 Halton 8/1

R11: #11 Church Cat 10/1

R11: #12 Private Gentleman 8/1

Belmont Park

R2: #7 Gadda Da Vida 8/1

R2: #4 Fast Tigress 8/1

R3: #4 Call Tiger 8/1

R6: #4 Perfect Pussycat 10/1

R7: #3 Dr. D.F.C. 10/1

R8: #5 My Anna Rose 20/1

R8: #7 Indian Delight 12/1

R9: #9 Forward Press 8/1

R9: #3 Look Now 12/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

Check the BetUS Belmont Stakes