The Vet vs. The Kid Charity Handicapping Challenge, June 26

The Vet vs. The Kid Handicapping Challenge

Oak Tree at Pleasanton

Day 6 – Friday, June 26

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’ Friday picks: A betting challenge like this is not a sprint, but rather a route – a route that makes the Belmont look short! You have to keep the grind on and stick with your game plan. Some days are great, while others are not. Sticking to the plan is the key!

In the second race I will go with $20 win/$40 to place on Letithappen, a first-timer out of the Jeff Bonde barn. Bonde has two making debuts here and I will go with the one that draws Russell Baze.

In the 3rd race I will go with a $2 exacta box ($12 wager) of Monstro Ness, Romancemediscretly and Jalapenobusiness.

In the 6th race, I will come back with another $20 win/$40 place bet on Declared Innocents. In the last race, Russell Baze lost his whip, but still got the horse up to second against similar. Now back with Baze up again, I see great things happening.

Finally in the 10th and final race, let’s put $10 win and $20 to place on Feisty’s Cause. If the track is playing fast – and by the final race of the day it figures to be – look out. At 5.5 furlongs, speed on the rail can be lethal and this horse has speed to burn!

Thursday results: (minus-$76); Friday bank roll: $846.40; Friday wagers: $162

Randy’s Friday picks: I will get back on course today with the full day of wagers I have planned for today! In the 3rd go with $20 win on Monstro Ness (3). Not going to wager a lot on this race because I think the price will be short. I’m still going to throw $20 to win just in case we get even money on her. Switches to the Sherman barn and takes a big drop in class.

Let’s follow with another $20 win bet in the 5th race, this time on Forbidden City (3). Trainer John Martin was red hot here at Pleasanton opening weekend. This one takes a drop in class and the layoff shouldn’t be a problem with the Martin barn.

In the 6th race I will risk a bit more with $20 Win/ $10 Place on Down the Fairway (1). Broke the maiden three back for 12.5k and has since tried conditioned 12.5k claimers last two starts. Takes the drop to 4k N2L today and I’m willing to give this lightly raced horse a shot at a price!

In the 8th let’s go with $10 win on Makoo (5). Going to throw $10 to win on this lightly raced daughter of Tribal Rule. She closed nicely going 6f last out now stretches out for the first time.

In the 9th, I will make another $10 win bet on Come Away Home. Once again going with $10 to win. Lots of speed in here and this one will be closing late. Just hope he has enough time going 5f.

Finally let’s close the long day with a $25 win bet on Tony Tequila (2). Got the better of the morning line favorite two back. Tried Maiden allowance company last time and now drops back in to an ideal spot. $25 to win!

Thursday results: (minus $98); Friday bankroll: $768; Friday wagers: $115

Q;u