Alpha looms large in Withers
Horseracing Betting Lines
02/03/2012 -
Ozone Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Local stakes winner Alpha has been made the
even-money favorite in a field of seven for Saturday's $200,000 Withers Stakes
at Aqueduct. After a year's absence the Withers returns as a prep event for
three-year-olds on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Godolphin Racing, Alpha will start from the
outside post with regular rider Ramon Dominguez in the saddle. The colt was
the 4-5 favorite when winning last month's Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.
"We're excited to be running him, to be in this position," said McLaughlin. .
"Our stomachs were upset last weekend when Consortium didn't run well in the
slop at Gulfstream (sixth in the Holy Bull), so we're thankful for Alpha. But
we have to do it day by day, race by race."
Alpha, whose sire Bernardini won this race in 2006, has two wins in four
career starts with $180,000 in his bankroll. He was second to Union Rags in
the Champagne Stakes last October, but only 11th in the Breeders' Cup
Juvenile.
"The Withers is an important race because it's graded and you don't get to run
in the Derby unless you have those graded stakes earnings," said McLaughlin. .
"When you look at the schedule, you start with the first Saturday in May, and
work back from there. We are taking the Withers as an important step, and
maybe, maybe, afterward we'll talk about what we're going to do."
The 1 1/16-mile Withers is a preliminary race for Aqueduct's $1 million Wood
Memorial on April 7.
The 4-1 second selection is King Kid trained by Dale Romans. The colt has
drawn post four with Mike Luzzi getting the mount.
"He's a horse we've always thought a lot of, and we'd like him to run big
Saturday and see if he belongs," said Romans who saddled 2011 Preakness champ
Shackleford. "It would be nice to get $120,000 of graded stakes earnings and
then be selective about where he'd go next."
Owned by McKee Stables, King Kid won in his first start in November and was
third in last month's Gulfstream Park Derby behind Reveron. Reveron has drawn
into Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Here is the full Withers' field from the rail out: Hakama, Julian Pimentel,
5-1; Speightscity, David Cohen, 20-1; Swag Daddy, Junior Alvarado, 10-1; King
Kid, Mike Luzzi, 4-1; How Do I Win, Cornelio Velasquez, 10-1; Tiger Walk,
Horacio Karamanos, 6-1 and Alpha, Ramon Dominguez, 1-1.
Post-time for the Withers is slated at 4:05 p.m. (et).
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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