Hersh: How I'll play Santa Anita for Saturday, Jan. 5

Late pick-four action at Santa Anita. The ticket represents an endorsement of heavy favorite Coliseum in the Sham Stakes, Race 9. Listen, I’m typically one to try and take down favorites, and it’s generally a bad idea taking short prices on horses stepping up in class and stretching out, but Coliseum (#5) has a route-leaning pedigree and hardly could have been more impressive in his debut. His trainer, as well, appears to know how to handle talented young horses.

Race 7, the San Gabriel, looks impossible to me. It’s especially complicated because there is zero pace – really tough to tell who might even lead. I’m spreading, using five of them.

Race 8, a first-level allowance at two turns on dirt, looks even trickier to me. I’m tossing numbers 1, 3, and 4, and using the rest of then. Even Show Me Da Lute (#6) is tough to toss since he’s showing up as a first-time gelding for Baffert.

Race 10, an older-horse $20K maiden-claimer, appears more manageable from this point of view. I prefer #5, Paul’s Diva, but will use 3 and 7 as well.

50-cent pick four play ($45)
Race 7: 1,2,5,6,9
Race 8: 2,5,6,7,8,9
Race 9: 5
Race 10: 3,5,7