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Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza


by Doc's Sports - 5/1/2018

James Harden Houston Rockets

Horse racing takes center stage the first weekend in May with the running of the Kentucky Derby this Saturday at Churchill Downs. Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza has always had a fondness for the ponies, so we will be getting his betting insights on this race in this week's discussion. We will also get his thoughts on a few of the top trending topics for the ongoing NBA and NHL playoffs.

Raphael first made a name for himself during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. Once referred to in national betting circles as the Vegas Sports Informer, at the peak of his career he held the prestigious position as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. He retired from that position in 2013 to spend all his time running a 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 Cleveland Cavaliers needed the full seven games to get past Indiana in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs with LeBron James carrying this team squarely on his shoulders. In a best-of-seven matchup against the top-seeded Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, what are your thoughts on how to bet this series?

RE: I have this series going the distance with Toronto finally getting that monkey off its back with the Game 7 win at home. James is Cleveland's only hope unless it can get some much better play from the supporting cast. Overall, I believe that the Raptors' depth into their bench proves to be the difference in this series.

Doc's Sports: James Harden has been equally impressive for Houston in the last few games of the Minnesota series and in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against Utah. If he continues to play as such a high level, can he carry the Rockets all the way to the NBA Finals?

RE: Houston does not need Harden to score 40 points plus to advance past Utah, but if it does face Golden State down the road, that may have to be the case. There is still quite a bit of basketball to be played before settling in on the Western Conference Finals, but the top two teams are clearly heading in that direction. One added note, if Harden does end up having a big night at the free throw line, there is a very good chance that the Rockets did go on to win that game.

Doc's Sports: Closer to home, the Vegas Golden Knights have taken a 2-1 series lead over San Jose in the NHL Western Conference Semifinals. We have been following Vegas all season long as one of the best stories in sports. Do have the Golden Knights taking the next step in this wild ride with a trip to the conference finals?

RE: There is still some concern with Vegas after blowing a two-goal lead in Game 2 and letting San Jose climb back into Game 3 before winning in overtime. However, I cannot see the Golden Knights losing three of four games against the Sharks after securing a huge road win on Monday night.

Doc's Sports : The 2018 Kentucky Derby features a field of 21 of the best three-year-old thoroughbreds in the nation, which, in turn, puts a premium on post positions for this race. In an early look at Saturday's main event at Churchill Downs, can you give us one head-to-head matchup that would be at the top of your list when it comes to betting on this race?

RE: With Good Magic breaking out of the No. 6 post right next to Audible coming off the No. 5 post, that would be the head-to-head matchup at the top of my list. Both contenders can be a factor in this race, but my early lean is towards Audible as the slightly better colt between the two at the added distance of this 1 ΒΌ mile run.

Doc's Sports: This Friday's race card at Churchill Downs is highlighted by the running of the $1 million Kentucky Oaks with 14 of the best three-year old fillies vying for that prestigious racing title. The morning line odds suggest a two-horse race between Monomoy Girl at 2/1 and Midnight Bisou at 5/2, so which one of these fillies do you like in a head-to-head matchup?

RE : I have already cashed in two winning tickets on Midnight Bisou in earlier races this year, and I am not about to start betting against her in this race. Monomoy Girl starting on the outside from the No. 14 post could have a minimal effect, but I am expecting this pairing to turn into a great head-to-head matchup between the two strongest competitors in the field.

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 .

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