Free: How I'd play Santa Anita for Saturday, Dec. 31

The most appealing wagering opportunities on an expected rainy Saturday at Santa Anita are sandwiched smack in the middle of the program – a low-level claiming filly at 10-1, and a stretch-out maiden at 8-1.

The card includes three stakes with good horses at unattractive odds. Jimmy Bouncer is poised to win the Midnight Lute Stakes (race 3), but 5-2 in a small field is no bargain. Similarly, Arles is legit in the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (race 4), but 2-1 is low.

Maybe the price on American Oaks (race 8) contender Queen Blossom will drift up from 9-2. Otherwise, she also is a pass. Add the uncertain track condition from a weekend rainstorm, and Saturday will test bettors’ discipline.

However, big fields in races 5 and 6 will help boost the prices on the aforementioned longshot runners in the middle of the program. Both had excuses for recent misfires.

Race 5

Cecile’s Diamond scored a dominating maiden win Nov. 19, which was her first start in seven months. She set a fast pace and won clear. Instead of getting time to recover from the comeback, she was jammed back two weeks later. The result was predictable.

Cecile’s Diamond chased, cracked, and lost by more than 20 lengths. That’s what happens when horses are given insufficient time to recover from a potentially taxing comeback.

Now four weeks later, Cecile’s Diamond can bounce back. She has worked twice since she raced, and is drawn outside her pace rivals. Cecile’s Diamond is too good to pass at 10-1.

Race 6

Honor and Courage is ready to stretch out and win. The 2-year-old was compromised by trips in his first three starts, all sprints. He dueled and tired his first two starts, and had all sorts of trouble in his recent comeback (climbing, steadied). He actually ran well to finish fifth.

Honor and Courage stretches to a mile and a sixteenth Saturday. His six-furlong team workout Dec. 26 was visually impressive, and he figures to love two turns. Honor and Courage is too good to pass at 8-1. He is worth a wager even if his odds are cut in half.

The bets

Race 5: win Cecile’s Diamond (8).

Races 5-6 double: Cecile’s Diamond (8) to Honor and Courage (8).

Race 6: win Honor and Courage (8), unless double is live.