Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 5/2/2017

by Doc's Sports - 5/2/2017

Kentucky Derby contenders will Run for the Roses.

Anyone who follows Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza knows just how big a horse racing fan he is. With the sport's biggest race of the year on tap this Saturday at Churchill Downs, we will try and get an insider's edge on a couple of his top plays and betting tips for the 2017 Kentucky Derby.

Raphael worked his way to the top of the list as one of the best all-around sports handicappers in the nation at the same time he worked his way to the top of the ranks in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. That successful career culminated with him holding the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement in 2013. These days he is still at the top of his game as an expert handicapper running a very successful and diverse sports investment service from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: The Houston Rockets probably pulled off the most surprising upset of the entire NBA postseason so far with Monday's 126-99 romp against San Antonio as six-point road underdogs in Game 1 of that best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinals showdown. Was this lopsided victory just a fluke or is San Antonio in danger of making an earlier-than-expected exit from the playoffs?

RE: I actually made a small play on Houston to win this series before Monday night's game and if the Rockets keep shooting ball like that I will be cashing in on that bet sooner than later. I still think that the Spurs should be able to keep things interesting, but they are going to need players such as LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol to step up their game on offense. Houston has just too many offensive weapons to try and contain the Rockets at the other end of the court.

Doc's Sports: Turning to the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Edmonton was able to win the first two games on the road in its Western Conference Semifinals matchup against Pacific Division rival Anaheim. The Ducks bounced back with a 6-3 road win of their own in Game 3 to close the series gap to 2-1. Before this series began you were leaning towards Anaheim to advance. Has anything changed your mind given the results in the first three games?

RE: I am not giving up on the Ducks just yet. They countered with a very important road win of their own and Edmonton suddenly has some concerns in goal after Cam Talbot allowed six goals on just 28 shots in that Game 3 loss.

Doc's Sports: When it comes to horse racing, you had mentioned in the past that one of your favorite ways to bet on any major graded stakes event is on the moneyline odds for head-to-head matchups. Are there any particular head-to-head matchups for Saturday's Kentucky Derby that may have caught your eye?

RE: While the actual head-to-head betting odds will not be released until the post positions for the race have been set, there are a few horses that I will be looking to use in some bets. At the top of the list would Tapwrit, who should offer some tremendous value at higher odds. I also like Irish War Cry as one of the top projected favorites to win this race. Keep an eye on the weather in Louisville for Saturday's race as cooler temperatures could work in Always Dreaming's favor as the likely morning line favorite.

Doc's Sports : Betting on a race that has 20 of the top three-year-old thoroughbreds in the field can be a tricky proposition for even the best horse racing handicappers. Do you have any insider betting tips that you employ that can help the average horse bettor win money on Saturday's Kentucky Derby?

RE: Given just how tight this year's field is expected to be, I would take a much closer look at horses with low double-digit odds that have had a very productive run in the Kentucky Derby prep season. A few contenders that could fall into this category would be Girvin after winning the Louisiana Derby and Irap fresh off his big win in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Doc's Sports: Along with the ongoing playoffs in the NBA and the NHL as well as horse racing's biggest event of the year in Louisville, you also have Saturday's huge super middleweight matchup between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas. Alvarez is a solid favorite with most of the sportsbooks in town, but does Chavez have any chance to win this fight?

RE : I would not go as far as to say that Chavez has no chance in this fight, but I think the relentless pounding he is going to take from Alvarez is going to take its toll as the rounds wear on. Nonetheless, I am hoping for a great fight on the heels of last week's battle between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko, which was one of the best heavyweight bouts in recent memory.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza .

Start:	November 22, 2024 @ 11:59 PM
Expert:	Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)
Free $60 Account Sign Up

Most Recent Weekly Sports Betting and Handicapping