Wednesday wagers: Elke Lodge lays over Delaware opener

Whether you’re looking to invest your winnings from Delaware Oaks Day or trying to pad your bankroll ahead of the Delaware Handicap, check out my five favorite plays on Wednesday’s program at Delaware Park.

Best bet: Elke Lodge (race 1)

Best value bet: Kidyounot (race 8)

Race 1

No. 1 Elke Lodge (7-5, morning-line favorite) exits a layoff of over a year, but the rest are running for second if she can repeat her debut effort. The worktab is promising, and leading rider Jamie Rodriguez (22 percent) sees fit to climb aboard. No. 2 Appealingtothe Eye (9-5) route debut was a successful one, rallying for third at Pimlico – logical alternative. No. 3 Gun Runnin’ Gal (12-1) is by Gun Runner out of a Malibu Moon mare, so stretching out on dirt makes sense – can sweeten the exotics. No. 6 Brooklyn Girl (6-1) has four runner-up results over her last seven dirt tries, including a pair from four route efforts.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $7 trifecta 1/2/3,6, $1 trifecta 1/2,3,6/2,3,6

Race 5

No. 2 Lucky Peridot (3-1, morning-line favorite) should find the competition much softer shipping in from Belmont – he has back class to spare and gets Daniel Centeno (20 percent) in the irons. No. 3 I Love You (4-1) exits a July layoff, but the drop in class should help, and trainer Gary Capuano has chosen his spots well here so far (7: 3-2-0). No. 1 Brummagem (8-1) could be the value of the race stepping up slightly off three straight victories on turf with Carol Cedeno (12 percent) getting the call.

How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 1/2/3, $3 exacta box 2/3, $2 win 1

Dirt picks: 2-7-8

Race 6

No. 4 Shanghai Superfly (2-1, morning-line favorite) gets a class drop and lures Rodriguez – speed figures say he’ll boss these. No. 2 Free Square (6-1) should be much more conservatively ridden here compared to last time – Laurel form from this winter says he belongs here. No. 5 The Sicarii (9-2) should come rolling late for a share.

How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 4/2,5

Race 7

No. 3 Translate (4-1) has run well off long layoffs in the past, so she can do so once more in the Wednesday feature. She consistently runs speed figures good enough to beat these. No. 4 Insightful (10-1) was a game second when last seen on turf, albeit she’s run just one race since that July 2021 try. Going second time off the bench on the surface switch, she’s worth a gamble at this price. No. 8 Flirtatious Lass (5-2, morning-line favorite) may get overbet off that two-back effort, but if she can find a way to reproduce it, she’ll be involved late.

How I’d bet it: $7 exacta 3/4,8, $2 exacta 4,8/3, $2 win 4

Dirt picks: 8-7-4

Race 8

No. 5 Kidyounot (6-1) is one of many taking some sort of drop in this race and faces suspect favorites here, at least going this distance. Kidyounot has solid experience to lean on going a route of ground and has tactical speed to make for a successful trip. No. 7 Salty Heir (8-1) has won two of his last four route tries and lures Rodriguez, consider. No. 6 Icy Minister (4-1) has a win and a runner-up result over his last four route races, the speed figures are competitive, and Kevin Gomez (17 percent) rides.

How I’d bet it: $2 exacta box 5/6/7, $8 win 5

Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.