Free: How I'd play Santa Anita for Monday, Dec. 26

On an attractive opening-day card filled with opportunity, two basic multi-race wagers are the focus Monday at Santa Anita – $3 doubles on races 2-3 ($6 cost), and a 50-cent pick four on races 6-9 ($9 cost). Total cost of the wagers is $15.

Race 2

Sawbuck (2) lost twice as the favorite at this Cal-bred maiden-50 level, but his third-place finish last out was better than it looks. The 3-1 second choice on the track’s morning line, Sawbuck will key the first half of the double.

Race 3

This special-weight sprint for 2-year-olds includes two who ran super last out. First Degree Burn (10) finished third in a solid debut. He is 4-1 on the morning line. Next preference is recently gelded Law Abidin Citizen (4), whose fourth-place comeback was better than it looks. He is 8-1.

The bet

$3 double ($6 total)

Race 2: Sawbuck (2)

Race 3: Law Abidin Citizen (4) and First Degree Burn (10)

The card concludes with four graded stakes; it could require more than a $9 investment to hit the 50-cent pick four. But on the first day of a long meet, the outlay is conservative. The $9 play (2 x 3 x 3 x 1) ends with a single.

Race 6

The Grade 3 San Simeon is a turf sprint. Ohio (5) is qualified to upset. He had worlds of trouble last out against similar. The top choice of this handicapper, Ohio is listed at 6-1.

Sharp veteran Hobbits Hero (2) has bomber potential, going route to sprint for a top trainer-jockey combo. Rafael Bejarano and Richard Baltas team at 15-1 odds with Hobbits Hero. In a deep race, the pick-four ticket will try to survive with only two.

Use: Hobbits Hero (2), Ohio (5)

Race 7

Two good shippers and a longshot local will be included in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes, a sprint for 3-year-old fillies. Lightstream (2) is the class, and Finley’sluckycharm (3) has the top figure. Those shippers are the favorites. Meanwhile, Chao Chom (6) is the honest local with an upset chance at 6-1. Her figures are soft, but numbers are less relevant in this stakes.

Use: Lightstream (2), Finley’sluckycharm (3), and Chao Chom (6)

Race 8

The three favorites in the Grade 1 Malibu, at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds, are tough to separate. They are Mind Your Biscuits (2), Ten Blessings (4), and Sharp Azteca (7). Use all three.

Use: Mind Your Biscuits (2), Ten Blessings (4) and Sharp Azteca (7)

Race 9

Conquest Enforcer (4), purchased for $785,000 at a dispersal sale, has been working super for new trainer Phil D’Amato. The colt might be a standout in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile, a turf mile for 3-year-olds. He is a single as the 7-2 favorite.

Use: Conquest Enforcer (4)

The bet

50-cent pick four ($9 total)

Race 6: Hobbits Hero (2), Ohio (5)

Race 7: Lightstream (2), Finley’sluckycharm (3), and Chao Chom (6)

Race 8: Mind Your Biscuits (2), Ten Blessings (4), and Sharp Azteca (7)

Race 9: Conquest Enforcer (4)