Lisa’s Booby Trap Poised for Shocker in CCA Oaks

Who: Thoroughbreds – Lisa’s Booby Trap, Connie and Michael, Devil May Care, Acting Happy
What: Horse Racing Betting Tips – The Coaching Club American Oaks (Grade 1)
Where: Saratoga
When: Saturday, July 24th

Every once in a while, a horse from a minor track like Finger Lakes explodes on the scene at Saratoga and  lays waste to horse racing’s elite. Names like Fio Rito (winner of the 1981 Whitney) and Tin Cup Chalice (first horse to sweep the Big Apple Triple) come to mind. Could Lisa’s Booby Trap, listed at 30-1 in the morning line for the Grade 1 CCA Oaks be the next Finger Lakes invader to make a name for herself? She’ll have to defeat multiple Grade 1 winner Devil May Care to be mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned champions. Let’s look at the CCA Oaks lineup and assess the chances of this undefeated filly.
#1-Bahama Bound: This filly’s getting good, and her Beyer Speed Figures have improved with each start. Still, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this Barclay Tagg trainee raced for a tag (pardon the pun) back in February, and has only beaten entry-level allowance foes thus far.
#2-Lisa’s Booby Trap: You rarely see first-time starters hit 88 on the Beyer scale. The only starter in this field to top that figure in her career debut was Connie and Michael (95 on Keeneland’s poly-track). I’ve watched all three of this filly’s starts, and she’s been visually impressive. She shaded :22 in her second start, and is the only member of the field to do so, ever! I’d be surprised, therefore, if she didn’t have the early lead. This filly is physically imposing, so it’s hard to picture her being intimidated by any of her competitors…in fact, she may be the one doing the intimidating. She got her two-turn debut out of the way recently, and passed with flying colors. What the hell, at 30-1 she’s worth a long look. I’ll bet her across the board and use her top and bottom in exactas with Connie and Michael, Devil May Care and Acting Happy.
#3-Seeking the Title: Nice win in the Iowa Oaks, but struggled a bit in her other graded starts. If the pace falls apart, she could be along for a minor share.
#4-Connie and Michael: Looked like she was backing up in the Mother Goose, but came again for second in a gutsy effort. She poses the main threat to ‘Lisa on the front end, but I suspect they’ll underestimate ‘Lisa’s chances and let her go. Should hit the board.
#5-Absinthe Minded: Lukas usually manages to have his horses at their best for the big dances, and top rider Gomez takes the mount. Fringe player.
#6-Biofuel: Didn’t have the best of trips in the Mother Goose, but she might just be a shade below several others in here.
#7-Devil May Care: She’s the logical choice and most likely winner. However, she’s not head-and-shoulders above this field, and her odds won’t be appealing. Must use in all exotics, however.
#8-Acting Happy: This filly’s bred to be a good one, and she’s starting to live up to her pedigree. There was nothing fluky about her win in the Grade 2 Black Eyed Susan, and her training has gone beautifully. Expecting a top effort.

Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!