Big names take to tracks for workouts

Horseracing Betting Lines

06/28/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Some of the biggest names in thoroughbred racing took to various racetracks for workouts over the last two days. Many of the horses are expected to see action during the summer.

Undefeated champion mare Zenyatta had a half-mile workout at Hollywood Park on Sunday morning. The six-year-old breezed four-furlongs in 49 3/5 seconds. Unbeaten in all 17 career starts, Zenyatta is expected to start in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Saturday, August 7. The 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic champ has won the last two editions of the Hirsch.

Also at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney's Candy worked six furlongs in 1:13 2/5 as he prepares for the $200,000 Swaps Stakes on Saturday, July 17 at the track.

At Belmont Park on Sunday leading older male thoroughbred Quality Road worked a half-mile in 50.76 and galloped out in 1:03 1/5.

"He went well," said trainer Todd Pletcher who turned 43 on Saturday.

The four-year-old colt will make his next start in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on August 7.

Pletcher sent out Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver for a Sunday breeze. The three-year-old colt went five-furlongs in 1:01 4/5. Owned by WinStar Farm, Super Saver will make his next start at Monmouth Park in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday, August 1.

"We're pointed for the Haskell," said Pletcher. "He's training great and we're on schedule to be at Monmouth."

Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird both had workouts Monday morning at Churchill Downs. This was Rachel's final work over her home track before the four-year-old champion heads to Saratoga on Wednesday. Mine That Bird continues to prep for his first race of 2010.

The filly, with rider Shaun Bridgmohan, worked five-furlongs in 1:03 and galloped out six-furlongs in 1:17. The 2009 Horse of the Year won the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs earlier this month for her first win of the year.

With Calvin Borel in the saddle. Mine That Bird breezed five-furlongs in 59 4/5 seconds. The 2009 Kentucky Derby winner was timed in 1:14 3/5 for six- furlongs.

Mine That Bird, who has not started since last November's Breeders' Cup Classic, could make his 2010 debut during the closing weekend of Churchill Downs' Spring Meet. The two possible races for the four-year-old are an allowance race of 1 1/16-miles on Saturday, July 3 or the $175,000 Firecracker Handicap at a mile on turf the next day.

This Sunday at Woodbine is the Queen's Plate, the biggest thoroughbred event in Canada. One of the top contenders for Sunday's 151st running of the race, Artic Fern, suffered an injury on Monday that will prevent him from racing in the Queen's Plate.

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American Idol Betting Season 6 Strategies  

It's that time of year folks.  Betting on American Idol Season 9.  And we have plenty of American Idol Season 6 strategies appearing below.  With the Top 24 finalists revealed, online gambling sites will be offering betting odds on each of them, including MySportsbook.com.

No other “event” has been growing as fast as wagering on American Idol. It has turned into a huge betting event with reasonably high limits and all sorts of profit-making potential for sharp bettors. Last year, MySportsbook.com experienced unprecedented traffic as a result of the American Idol betting craze.

Every week there will be odds to win American Idol, various elimination props and contestant versus contestant match-ups at the MySportsbook.com website.

Whether a fan of America’s top-rated show or watching only because of a wife or girlfriend, here are some of basic strategies to use when betting American Idol.

Odds to Win

There are a few things to consider when looking for the right win bet. First off, remember that this bet is for the long haul. Many people make the mistake of picking the performer who sang the best the previous week. This strategy leads to an underlay situation – betting a price, which is less than what it should be.

All Idol contestants struggle at some point in the competition, so you should always look for value. In last year’s competition alone, two performers who had some of the best performances early in the series were subsequently bet down to low prices - Lisa Tucker and Ace Young. After just a few weeks, Tucker had already been eliminated, while Young quickly became a huge long shot to win America’s largest talent search.

A better strategy is to look for performers who don’t necessarily get the praise from the judges, but show flashes of the talent necessary to go the distance.

Another important thing to remember when betting any contestant to win is the demographic breakdown of the voters, the viewing public and potential future CD purchasers. Unlike sporting events, American Idol is not decided on the field of play – it’s decided by the American public under the guiding influence of the shows producers.

Understand that the great state of Alabama has a mighty edge when it comes to American Idol. 

Therefore, to be successful betting on American Idol, put any personal opinions or prejudices aside and think like the majority of the voting public. Remember that the typical voter is young, female and quite often, Southern.

If a contestant cannot appeal to this demographic, no matter how much talent he or she possesses, they’ll struggle for votes. Looks, demeanor and charisma are extremely important. And it’s no coincidence that every Idol winner so far has hailed from a Southern state.

Elimination Props

Every week MySportsbook.com anticipates offering a prop on who’ll be eliminated from the show each Wednesday night. A suggestion to handicap this is to gauge an overall feel for who’s the least popular contestant left in the competition. Generally the least popular performers have recently appeared in the bottom three and will have been the target of repeated criticism from the judges.

Last year, resources included dialidol.com and votefortheworst.com. Dialidol.com measures the volume of each contestant’s voting line. While by no means a perfect science, it does give a good indication of who is generating votes and who isn’t. Meanwhile, votefortheworst.com is a site that attempts to build support for the worst competitor to keep them in the competition for ‘entertainment’ value. The site has a proven track record of keeping performers around who most feel should have been voted off a long time ago.

Contestant vs. Contestant Match-ups

The best strategy for doing well on match-ups is to assess how close either of the contestants is to being eliminated. If neither is expected to be voted off of the show in the coming weeks, the value is almost always on the underdog. If both are expecting an imminent exit in the near future, the favorite in the match-up might offer value.

Watch for American Idol betting odds on each of the contestants shortly and good luck with these American Idol betting strategies.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.