Horse Racing Pick of the Day: Santa Anita Race 6

The rains that hit Santa Anita this past Saturday put a damper on what would have otherwise been a great day of racing.

No such rains are expected on Wednesday. Santa Anita resumes a full 8 race card on Wednesday. The best horse betting race, from my point-of-view, looks to be the 6th where 3 year olds will attempt a mile over the Pro-Ride surface.

Santa Anita – Race 6
Race-time: 6:36 pm EST
Optional Claiming $80,000
For Three Year Olds Which Have Never Won $10,000 Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter or State Bred or Which Have Never Won Two Races or Optional Claiming Price $80,000
1 mile on Pro-Ride

Distorted Dave - - 8/1 morning line odds

Distorted Dave didn’t do so well first time against winners but that was, well, his first time against winners. He still managed to finish 5th after hugging the rail for the entire race. What I believe happened is that Dave didn’t like it up against the rail and decided to throw in the towel early. He’ll get a much better trip breaking from post-position 7 in this mile race. Jockey Joel Rosario taking the call, which adds more confidence, and trainer John Sadler is winning at 24% at the meet and 24% with his second time route runners.

Mr. Saturdaynight - - 6/1 morning line odds

Sadler’s other horse in this is coming off of a victory at the $62,500 claiming level going one mile over this very track. The conditions are almost the same for this race. Mr. Satrudaynight is 2 and 1 out of 3 lifetime races over the Santa Anita Pro-Ride surface. Jockey Victor Espinoza stays and he can rate some behind the expected pace duel between Indian Firewater and Bulldogger.

Bulldogger - - 9/5 morning line odds

The Bob Baffert, Garrett Gomez ridden, speedster has all the makings of a seriously good racehorse. He broke his maiden at first asking during last summer’s Saratoga meet and has the best speed rating out of any horse in this race. Those are the positives. The negatives are that he broke his maiden victory came over the slop, he has never run at a route of ground, and he has never run over an artificial surface. There are too many question marks for me to endorse this guy to win this race.

Wagering Strategy

Distorted Dave deserves another chance. I’m going to bet him to win and place. I’m not brave enough to use him as my key horse over Bulldogger and Mr. Saturdaynight. So, I’m putting all three of my selections into exacta and trifecta boxes.