The Vet vs. The Kid Charity Handicapping Challenge - Day 5

The Vet vs. The Kid Handicapping Challenge

Oak Tree at Pleasanton

Day 5 – Thursday, June 25

This year we are having a unique challenge between Pleasanton Racing’s publicist/handicapper Dennis Miller and this year’s Oak Tree at Pleasanton intern Randy Olson. It is a contest that will ultimately benefit local charities.

Dennis and Randy have different philosophies on handicapping/betting, so in interest of fairness, we will start each of them with a $1,000 bankroll with each required to wager on a minimum of three races per day.

To make things even more interesting, Dennis and Randy were told just before opening day by Alameda County Fair CEO Jerome Hoban they would be playing with real money with the benefactors being local charities.

At the end of the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet, the money left in their accounts will be donated to a local charity of their choice.

Dennis has covered/handicapped the races at the Alameda County Fair for 25 years now. Formerly the Sports Editor of the Tri-Valley Herald, Dennis has been the year round Publicist for Pleasanton Racing for the last five years. He has written about races around the country, including the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races.

Randy is a recent graduate of the much heralded Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona. This is Randy’s first year working at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meet, but growing up in Humboldt County, Randy cut his wagering teeth on the summer fair circuit. Randy has spent time working for the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), taking him to assignments at Santa Anita and Del Mar.

Dennis picks for Day 5: I am not thrilled with the card on Thursday so there are no big hits today. Let’s start with a $5 exacta box in the second race with Format V (1), Brenda’s Bar (4) and Come on Deputy (5). In the 3rd race I will play $10 win/$20 place on One Putt Par (4). Finally in the 4th race I will go with $20 win/$40 place on Matzoh Ball Magic (2).

Thursday bankroll: $922.40. Thursday wagers: $120.

Randy’s picks for Day 5: In the second race, I will go with a $4 exacta box of Format V (1) and Brenda’s Bar (4) for an $8 wager. These two finished a neck about last month at Golden Gate Fields. Hoping they can do the same in finishing 1-2 today! In the 4th I will go with a $40 win on Matzoh Ball Magic. Tried 8k conditioned claimers after winning a 4k-conditioned claimer two back. Drops back in cheap for this one and should have no problem controlling this field! $40 to win! In the 5th race, I want $20 win on Latitudefortytwo (2). The horse comes off a runner up finish at the same condition last time out. Was beat that day by Deputy Copycat who came back to win a conditioned 5k claimer at OTP June 18. In the 7th race, I will end my wagering with $30 win on Warrens Lil Margie (2). Only 1 for 16 lifetime and looks to have an issue with liking to finish 2nd, but I think this is an ideal spot for the second career win. Finished 2nd June 7th at Golden Gate Fields against 16k N3L, now in against 16k N2L, and has a win over a dirt surface!

Thursday bankroll: $866.10; Thursday wagers: $98