It's an add for harness racing, but the "more for less" slogan definitely applies to the best bet in sports.
A memo to Hollywood Park, the TOC, the CHRB and whoever else is listening … don’t mess with the “Players” Pick-5!
Seriously.
However the 14% takeout needs to be split up, figure it out.
The best bet in racing gets an additional rare treat today with a carryover of $226,901 that should lead to a pool that knocks on the door of $1.5 million. More than ever, a massive score is the potential for a moderate investment.
Today’s Pick-6 carryover? A measly $44,521.
If the take out is increased on the Pick-5, it will show an utter stupidity from an industry that continues to shoot itself in the foot. With the lifeblood of everything in horse racing dependant on the gambler, increasing the take out on a wager that horse players love would be a slap in the face to loyal customers that continue to support the sport.
Three maiden races and a pair of lower level claiming heats make up today’s sequence and without the Pick-5 these races would garner much less interest from horse players. Instead, with the added bonus of a carryover, the excitement and buzz reverberates from coast to coast with the anticipation of big money at stake.
Many players that attack this wager on a daily basis have taken the position that increasing the Pick-5 takeout will lead them to take their wagering dollars to other circuits. Let’s not let that happen.
We’re off to the races!
Late Pick 4 -
Leg 1 – Race 5 (2,8,10) – No. 10 Puff Pastry ran too good to lose in her last and if she can repeat that effort should win in her 11th career try.
No. 2 Sidepocket Run can improve after splitting the field coming down the hill in her debut and No. 8 Tickle Again is out of a productive dam and by Unusual Heat, but starting her career as a five-year-old is not too attractive.
Leg 2 – Race 6 (2,3,4,5,6,9) – A tricky mix of first-time starters and claimers making the jump up to this Cal-bred maiden allowance and we’ll spread with No. 2 Follini, No. 3 bob Consultation, No. 4 Super Dice, No. 5 Feathers In the Sky, No. 6 Wild Tony and No. 9 Indian Classic.
Leg 3 – Race 7 (1,4) – No. 1 China Prince should like the grass after having success on the Tapeta at Golden Gate and Craig Dollase is having an excellent meet with limited starters.
No. 4 Surfcup returns to the grass for the first time since winning on debut.
Leg 4 – Race 8 (4,5,6,7) – The experienced runners have shown little so we’ll prefer two of the first-time starters with No. 5 Tiz the Bliz and No. 7 A Drop Dead Diva.
Add the pair of No. 4 Apalachee Song off a pair of runner-up efforts and No. 6 Party Bus dropping from the allowance ranks.
Recap – (2,8,10) w (2,3,4,5,6,9) w (1,4) w (4,5,6,7) – Total cost of ticket = $72
Yesterday’s Result – (-$200)
Total for current Santa Anita meet – (+$107.10)
Total from 12/26/10 – 12/16/12 – (-$2,090.45)
Pick 5 –
Leg 1 – Race 1 (1,3,5,6) – Non-winners of two lifetime start the day and we’ll use the quartet of No. 1 Valentine Boy, No. 3 Broadway Nika, No. 5 Sun’s Out and No. 6 I Run for Fun.
Leg 2 – Race 2 (1,2,5,8) – Drawing the fence again, No. 1 Wild Media only has one way to go and that might land him alone on the lead, unless Bob Baffert new comer No. 8 Caveman Keno breaks running as well.
No. 5 Oliver’s Tale gets a real rider off the long layoff off a runner-up debut effort against high-priced claimers ten months ago.
No. 2 Candy’s Jewel did no running in a pair of sprints to begin his career and is back in with allowance runners for top notch connections after a runner-up effort when dipped in to face claimers.
Leg 3 – Race 3 (1,3,7) – No. 1 Grand Giant almost looks too obvious with three in the money finishes from four turf tries. Drawn ideally on the inside to save all the ground on the front end, the only potential draw back is transitioning back to turf after getting washed on to a wet fast track in his last.
No. 3 Street Maven is from prolific debut sire Street Hero and even more prolific trainer for the time being Adam Kitchingman, who has won with 5-of-6 starters at the meet.
No. 7 Wild Student hasn’t shown much so far, but he’s picked things up in training since being gelded and Garrett Gomez tries his hand again.
Leg 4 – Race 4 (2,6,8,9) – No. 6 Latin Lashes takes a rather alarming drop in class, but must be used against these lousy group.
No. 8 Magic Mama has shown a penchant making up ground late and the addition of Joe Talamo could be the difference maker, while No. 9 Roll Your Eyes moves back to the barn of Jack Carava on the claim back in her second off the layoff.
No. 2 Rossi Reserve has bounced back from dismal performances in the past and can do so again.
Leg 5 – Race 5 (2,8,10) – Same trio as the late Pick-4.
Recap – (1,3,5,6) w (1,2,5,8) w (1,3,7) w (2,6,8,9) w (2,8,10) – Total cost of ticket = $288
Yesterday’s Result – (-$150)
Total for current Santa Anita meet – (+$1,742.90)
Total from 7/20/11 – 12/16/12 – (+$13,891.70)
Best Bet of the Day – Can now be found in the Pros Picks section at www.santaanita.com.
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For more Santa Anita action check out Jarrod Horak’s Pick 6 Blog.
Good luck!
