How to play the TwinSpires Weekday Showdown

Show betting is generally not the preferred way for players to make serious money, but TwinSpires.com is making that part of the wagering menu a bit more fun and worthwhile with the Weekday Showdown during the Saratoga and Del Mar meets.

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during those two summer meets, TwinSpires will offer a $1,000 Bonus to split among those who opt in and cash at least ten (10) $10 Show bets each day. Any race with 7 or more runners at Saratoga or Del Mar is eligible to played. If there are no winners on a day, then that day's prize will carry over to the following day. Players who hit on all three days that week will split an additional $1,000 Bonus.

Cashing 10 Show bets in a day perhaps is not as easy as it sounds. Sure, your horse only needs to finish third or better, but as players that prefer to concentrate on the Win pool and/or multi-race wagers (i.e. finding potential winners) rather than vertical exotics (Exactas, Trifectas, etc.) can attest, there's a level of difficulty to that. Sharp handicappers can generally narrow a field down to a small number of horses truly capable of winning. However, many more horses in a field may be capable of hitting the board in the right circumstances, and simply relying on the post-time favorite might, on average, only get you two-thirds of the way to your goal.

Players will have no more than 16 races to choose from Thursday given early field sizes and the possibility of late scratches ultimately making individual races ineligible for play. Here are a few I'll be looking at to hit the frame:

Saratoga -- Race 4

#9 LOVE TO SHARE (7-2) is a consistent check-getter and actually won at this level last winter at Gulfstream but wound up disqualified for interference. Back in against claimers after placing twice in maiden special weight company at Churchill Downs this spring.

Saratoga -- Race 9

#4 CELTIC CHAOS (8-1) is the reigning titlest in the $100,000 John Morrissey for New York-breds. While his form dropped off after winning last year and he hasn't been out since February 19, he debuts here for the dangerous Brad Cox barn, which won with two of its first three starters at the meet (including Monomoy Girl) and is firing at a 30% clip this term. Celtic Chaos is capable on all surface conditions and it appears there's enough pace to set up a late rally.

Del Mar -- Race 6

#5 AIR JOCKEY (5-1) was a clear third in his debut back in February despite a troubled start. Should be plenty fit after a series of six-furlong works and has more room for improvement compared to some of these.

Del Mar -- Race 7

#2 MOONSHINE ANNIE (12-1) ran below par against a couple of these last time, but may see a stronger pace here and that may help her close ground late. Half-sister to Del Mar Mile (G2) winner Blackjackcat sheds weight this time, too, picking up capable apprentice Asa Espinoza.

Good luck!