Decisions, Decisions

After last week's nice bounce back at Hollywood, I was excited to see that the Bayakoa Handicap was one of our choices for Race of the Week. A Grade II for older fillies and mares, the Bayakoa is a 1 1/16th mile race over Hollywood's Cushion Track. That is right in our wheelhouse.

The downside of this race is the short field. With only seven entered, three of whom are GI winners, it will be hard to find a reasonable wagering proposition that offers any value. At first glance, this looks like a $9.40 Exacta, $21.60 Trifecta type race. If that holds true, we'll have to nail the EX cold and only go three-deep in our TRI wager to get the kind of ROI we're looking for.

By contrast, our other Race of the Week choice boasts a more evenly matched field of 11 older fillies and mares. The My Charmer Handicap is a Grade III race going 1 1/8th miles over the turf course at Calder. Three of these entries have a clearly established pattern of making or pressing the lead, a strong indication we'll get an honest pace scenario up front.

So do we go with one of our most profitable tracks and take lesser value, or bite off a juicy, closely matched turf race and try to make a big hit?

I'll pore it over and get back to you.