Canterbury Park offers an industry low 10% takeout on the late pick 5. A multiple ticket strategy can be the key to maximizing your bank roll.
Canterbury Park Card Analysis
Wednesday’s card is a typical one for Canterbury Park. These animals are not at the caliber at those running at some of the more well-known tracks. Six of the 8 races are claiming or optional claiming races. In these events the horses are eligible to be purchased out of the race for licensed owners.
These types of races, though not as prestigious as stakes races (i.e. The Kentucky Derby), make up a vast majority of races throughout the country on a given day.
The card will be mostly run at sprint distances under a mile and on dirt. There are currently 2 scheduled turf races in the middle of the card.
Canterbury Park Wednesday Forecast
Despite getting hammered with rain last weekend, Minnesota has remained fairly dry over the last few days and should remain so through midweek racing. Conditions are likely to be fast on dirt and firm on turf for all races.
Canterbury Park Race By Race Analysis
Race 1
Post: 5:10 PM CT; Purse: $30,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6
#5 VEGAS GUY looks incredibly tough in this spot with edges in a number of handicapping categories including speed, class, and form. If the favorite can’t get the job done maybe the #4 RUNAWAY HARRY or #1 NEW DICE can win, but outside of these 3 it is hard to make a compelling case.
- Selections: 5-4-1
Race 2
Post: 5:40 PM CT; Purse: $12,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6
#1 PRETTY SWEET looks like another solid favorite in this spot. The horse has been keeping the best company of late and a good record at the distance. These claiming races can sometimes have some unexpected outcomes and I like #5 TOURIST LIKE ME to outrun the 12-1 morning line here. If the pace heats up #2 ULTRA CORDIAL may be able to steal it late.
- Selections: 1-5-2
Race 3
Post: 6:10 PM CT; Purse: $31,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6
#2 PRINCESS LIVIA looks formidable here with strong numbers in speed, stamina, and class. Other options include #4 SHIP’S CREEK and #3 GIRLS A BULLET who could get to the winner’s circle if the pace sets up perfectly. #6 ORNAMENTAL IRON is a connections play and worthy of inclusion deeper down the ticket.
- Selections: 2-4-3-6
Race 4- First Leg of the Canterbury Park Late Pick 5
Post: 6:40 PM CT; Purse: $36,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 7 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 7
#6 MINNESOTA MIRACLE kicks off the pick 5 at Canterbury Park after finishing 3rd against similar last out. #2 THICK HAZE is the favorite and does show the best record at the distance.#5 MINNESOTA LUCKY is an outsider who is in good form. #1 WHERE’S JORDAN has shown the best recent speed figure.
- Selections: 6-2-5-1
Race 5
Post: 7:10 PM CT; Purse: $16,000 Claiming, 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 7
#2 MASTER GUNS has a pace edge on the group and has been running against tougher than many of these. On paper much the best, but the late running style is a concern. #5 WHERE’D THE DAY GO will not be pace dependent and that is a plus on the speed friendly Canterbury Park dirt. #4 DAZZLING DIABLO has the best recent speed figures and has a shot here.
- Selections: 2-5-4 (Best Bet: #2)
Race 6
Post: 7:40 PM CT; Purse: $35,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9
#4 NATURAL CHILL and #9 TOP DOG are the top 2 on the morning line and have an established form on their competition which is lightly raced. #6 OUT RUN’M doesn’t have much by way of established form, but that could mean a big step forward here. Though not very successful so far, #3 ITWASTHEDEVILSIDEA has been running against horses that could have this one prepared for this spot.
- Selections: 4-9-6-3
Race 7
Post: 8:10 PM CT; Purse: $11,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8
#2 LILA’S LUCKY LADY looks like the one to beat in this spot. #3 TIMEINTHETAVERN could be competitive, but I worry that the run style is too similar to #2. When 2 horses have the same style I prefer to lean into the more talented. #4 MOCHA KISS is the shorter price of the mid pack runners and looks to get late run if the race falls apart. #6 MILA’S DREAM is another that fits on talent, but may be hindered that she will want the same run as over half the field.
- Selections: 2-3-4-6
Race 8
Post: 8:40 PM CT; Purse: $11,500 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6
#5 HOT ARTIE and #4 DETERMINED TO RISE are both need the lead types who come in further down the odds board. Canterbury Park has its fair share of wire to wire winners and a bad step from the gate for either one of these may pave the way for an upset winner. I want both on my ticket. #6 DERBYS MONEYMAKER will be coming late if the pace melts down and is in with a decent shot. Second choice on the morning line, #1 WORN A BIT has good early speed and could use that to position for first run on the leaders.
- Selections: 5-6-4-1
Canterbury Park Late Pick 5 Multiple Ticket Wagers
The late pick 5 is a great opportunity for bettors because of the fact that the track only takes out 10% of the pool. The rest of the money goes back to winners. While this is higher than many sports wagers, some takeout rates in horse racing can push 25%.
Bankroll Limitations
A player looking to use all of the above selections in their pick 5 would require a $384 bankroll to cover all of the selections. Coupled with a number of favorites being featured in the picks, players run a real risk of losing money on the deal even if they win, which is far from a guarantee.
The multiple ticket method can help maximize bankroll to match your best opinions for a much more reasonable price.
Ticket Structure
The first step in structuring multiple tickets is to grade out your selections.
- A+ = Single
- A=Likely Winner
- B=Contender
- C=Fringe Contender
Picks Grades
- Race 4: 6,2 (A) | 1,5 (C)
- Race 5: 2 (A+) | 4,5 (C)
- Race 6: 4,9 (A) | 3,6 (B) | 2,5, 7,8 (C)
- Race 7: 2 (A) | 3,4,6 (B) | 7 (C)
- Race 8: 5 (A) | 6,4 (B) | 1 (C)
The Tickets
In order to build your actual tickets, you will want to create tickets that hit if you are mostly correct on your opinions. As a player you can modify your structure to fit your bankroll and your betting personality. When playing a pick 5 I require that my A selections win at least 60% of races and that my C selections can win only 1 leg.
Pick 5 Ticket Structure
- All A’s
- All A’s with 1 B or 1 C
- All A’s with 2 B’s
Picks Tickets (Total Cost of Ticket in Parenthesis)
- $1.00 Pick 5: 2,6/2/4,9/2/5 ($4.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/4,9/2/4,6 ($4.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/4,9/3,4,6/5 ($6.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/3,6/2/5 ($2.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/4,9/3,4,6/4,6 ($12.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/3,6/2/4,6 ($4.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/3,6/3,4,6/5 ($6.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/4,9/2/1 ($2.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/4,9/7/5 ($2.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/2/2,5,7,8/2/5 ($4.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 2,6/4,5/4,9/2/5 ($4.00)
- $0.50 Pick 5: 1,5/2/4,9/2/5 ($2.00)
The total cost of these wagers is a much more digestible $52.00. Furthermore, using this structure I was able to get additional 5 horses of coverage in 2 of the legs as compared to the nearly $400 ticket.
Good luck on all of your Canterbury Park wagers!
