The Vet vs. The Kid Charity Handicapping Challenge - Saturday, June 27

The Vet vs. The Kid Handicapping Challenge

Oak Tree at Pleasanton

Day 7 – Saturday, June 27

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.

Friday was a tough day for both, with Dennis being able to minimize the damage with a good hit on the 10th and final race of the day. But Saturday is another day and both will charge forward!

Dennis Saturday picks: In the 3rd race I will play a $2 exacta box with Her Again, Lighten the World, and Dance Affair for a $12 wager.

In the 5th I will go with another $2 box with Will True Up, Luck Lasts and Monster Hit for another $12 wager.

Finally in the 11th race, I will go with $10 win and $20 place on Lucky Silverdollar and back it up with a $2 exacta box ($12 ticket) of Lucky Silverdollar, Honor Society and Bananappeal.

Friday results: (minus $112); Saturday bankroll $734; Saturday wagers $76.

Randy’s Saturday picks: In the 3rd race I will go with $25 to win on Her Again (4). Her Again is the most likely winner on the card for me today. Has won two of her last three and drops back into a favorable spot today.

In the 8th race, I will go with $10 to win on Off the Deep End (6). Really liked this horse’s win first time in the Steve Sherman barn. Broke sharp and never looked back. If the track is favoring speed like it very well could be this guy could be gone!

In the 8th race I will try the late .50 cent Pick 4 – a $40 wager. Here are the choices: Race 8-1,2,6,7,8; Race 9-4; Race 10-1,4,6,7; Race 11-2,4,5, 9.

I will play another .50 cent Pick 4, a $25 ticket. Here you go: R8: 2,4; R9: 4; R10: 1,2,4,6,7; R11: 1,2,4,5,6.

I constructed two late pick 4’s where I key #4 Tribal Gal in the feature. She won this race a year ago and looks to be in strong form once again this year. Bullet work June 15th at Santa Anita is reassuring!

Finally in the 11th race, I want $10 to win on Honor Society (4). In the nightcap I’m going to give Honor Society one last shot. The 400k purchase has yet to make an impact, but did receive the ultimate equipment change for this one. Steady work tab on the comeback trail and JJ Hernandez in the saddle. $10 to win!

Friday’s results: (minus $115); Saturday bankroll: $653; Saturday wagers: $110.

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