Best Horse Racing Bets for Tuesday, August 3, 2021

I found a lot to like in the races I assessed at my selected tracks for Tuesday: Indiana Grand Race Course, Louisiana Downs, and Presque Isle Downs.

Sure, I rubber-stamped a few more morning-line faves than I’d like, but I found some good underdog wagers, including a longshot show ticket at Indiana Grand.

So before you cannonball into the deep end of my picks and predictions, take a moment to check out the full race-cards at all three tracks at one of the best online racebooks.

Good luck!

Let’s start with race five, a one-mile-and-70-yards main track allowance race for Indiana-bred fillies and mares three years old and upward. I like the 8/5 second-favored entry for this race—Timeless Glory, with veteran jockey Fernando De La Cruz in the irons.

This three-year-old filly finished in the money six of her eight career starts, winning one. Most notably, she finished third in the Miss Indiana Stakes (Black Type) last November at Indiana Grand.

Ranked in the top 100 in his profession for wins in 2020, Anthony J. Granitz trains Timeless Glory for owners John Wallace and Anthony J. Granitz.

We’re switching to the turf course for race six, a one-mile claiming run for fillies and mares three years old and upward. I agree with the morning line here and tout the 3/1 favorite, Bia Bolt Runner, ridden by Rodney A. Prescott.

Claude L. Brownfield, III trains Bia Bolt Runner for Corms Racing Stable.

Back on the main track for race seven, we have a six-furlong allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds and upward. I have to agree once again with the morning line and back the 9/5 favorite, Thatswhatithought, piloted by Rodney A. Prescott.

This five-year-old gelding moneyed nine of his 13 career starts, winning four. He also finished second in the William Henry Harrison Stakes (Black Type) last September at Indiana Grand.

Robert E. Dobbs, Jr. trains Thatswhatithought for owners Janice and August Picinich.

I also found some likely longshot action in this eight-horse field: Consider a show ticket on the 20/1 Powell, ridden by Edgar Morales. This five-year-old gelding moneyed 12 of his 19 career starts, winning three.

Let’s start on the main track for race two, a six-furlong allowance optional claiming race for Louisiana-bred three-year-olds and upward. I like the 9/5 morning line favorite for this race: Pickens, ridden by Joel Dominguez.

This four-year-old colt had money finishes in 11 of his 20 career starts, with four wins. More significantly, he moneyed four of his seven 2021 starts, winning three.

Hall of famer Steve Asmussen trains Pickens for owners L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt.

Moving to the turf course for race five, we’ve got a 7-1/2 furlong claiming race for three-year-olds and upward. I’m betting my two dollars on the second-favored (at 4/1) Mayberry Saloon, with Juan P. Vargas aboard. Vargas, incidentally, is having the most successful year of his career.

This four-year-old gelding finished in the money five of his 13 career starts, winning two—both in the last twelve months. In this particular 11-horse field, that’s impressive.

Joe O. Duhon trains Mayberry Saloon for owner-breeder Dream Walkin Farms, Inc.

Back to the main track for race six, we have a 6-1/2 furlong allowance race for fillies and mares three years old and upward.

I’m calling this one for the 2/1 morning-line favorite, Staythirstymyamigo, ridden by Richard E. Eramia.

This five-year-old mare finished in the money 21 of her 33 career starts, winning 12. For comparison, her nearest competitor in this race—the morning-line’s 3/1 second-favored Eternal Endeavour—moneyed 14 of her 22 starts, winning three.

Texas native Scott Gelner has been ranked among the top 100 trainers for wins and earnings in 2019 and 2018. He trains Staythirstymyamigo for Red Rose Racing.

On the all-weather track for race one, we have a six-panel starter optional claiming race for fillies and mares three years old and upward. I’m betting on the 9/5 morning-line favorite, Sophie’s Angel, piloted by top jockey Pablo Morales.

This six-year-old mare finished in the money 22 of her 44 career starts, winning eight.

Kim A. Puhl trains Sophie’s Angel for owner Gene Burkholder. Puhl also tapped Morales to fill the irons for Sophie’s Angel’s most recent two races—both of them wins.

Race three is a one-mile claiming race for fillies and mares three years old and upward. I like the 5/2 morning-line favorite, Happy Bee, with Alex Gonzalez aboard.

This four-year-old filly finished in the money four of her eight career starts, winning two. Her 2021 stats by themselves tell an even better story: Four money finishes in five starts, two of them wins. Versus the rest of this eight-horse field, she’ll do.

Happy Bee’s owner-trainer, Jay P. Bernardini, has been ranked among the top 100 trainers every year since 2016.

For race seven—a mile-and-70-yards allowance race for fillies and mares three years old and upward—I’m betting on the 7/2 second-favored Tap Dance Fever, with Willie Martinez in the irons.

This three-year-old filly finished in the money five of her six career starts, winning one.

Ranked among the top 100 trainers 19 of the last 20 years, Gerald S. Bennett trains Tap Dance Fever for owners J.P.G. 2 LLC, Mr Pug LLC, Winning Stables, Inc., and Mary K. Thomas.