Summer Hit (#6, ML 5-2) makes his second start since June 21, 2014 in Saturday's seventh race at Golden Gate, the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile ran on turf. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is winning at a 30 percent clip when saddling a horse in its second start off a layoff greater than 180 days, for a return on investment of $2.69.
A gal returning to her best game, another filly who looks quite attractive as she makes her U.S. debut, and a gelding who looks like a brand new horse after a layoff give a mid-card pick three (races 4-6) some appeal.
The last three races of the weekend at the Big A intrigue the most. Let's try a pick three.
Charlie A (#8, ML 20-1) returns in Saturday's 10th race at Gulfstream Park, the one-mile Powder Break Stakes ran on turf. It will be her first start since winning by a head in a 7 1/2-furlong turf optional claimer Feb. 15 at Gulfstream Park. The second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts.
With a carryover of more than $1.45 million and a mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6 on Saturday at Gulfstream, horseplayers from all over will be shooting to take home a chunk of the massive pool. The small 20-cent minimum could result in many deep-pocketed players spreading very deep, perhaps creating value on more likely outcomes. So, here is a modest ticket costing $102.40, playing four horses apiece in half of the races and a pair of runners in the three others.
Most of my attention Saturday will be focused on Gulfstream Park and the mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6, but Santa Anita has a few wagering opportunities that I find intriguing. I’m not anticipating the sort of potential return on investment I could possibly achieve at Gulfstream, but there is money to be made at “The Great Race Place” on Saturday.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Saturday’s races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
Taking a stand in the Grade 3 Excelsior (race 8) in the pick four may give you a chance to spread in the other legs and find a price.
Bettors that appreciate singling non-favorites might like this pick four play Saturday at Santa Anita.
Evan’s Calling (#2, ML 15-1) takes on a field of 11 in Friday’s eighth race at Lone Star Park, the Grade 3 Texas Mile Stakes. Since Jan. 1, 2014, trainer Brad Cox is winning at a 30 percent clip in route races, for a return on investment of $2.58.
