Oct. 10th Horse Pick of the Day - Oak Tree at Santa Anita Race 7

There aren’t a lot of horses in Race 7 at Santa Anita on Friday afternoon, but sometimes that can work to the advantage of an online racebook fan.

Overlays can still be found in races with small fields. Sometimes the overlays are better in small fields than in large fields.

Let’s get to it!

Race-time: 10/10/2008 7:08 pm est.

Oak Tree at Santa Anita - - Race 7

Allowance $52,000 n2x

For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Up

1 1/8th miles on turf

Opal Haze - - 8/1 online betting odds

She finished second in her last race and should go off at less than the online betting odds posted for her. The biggest issue with Opal Haze is her ability to close into what might be soft fractions. On the other hand, the switch from an artificial surface to turf should be a good thing for her. Jockey Michael Baze should get hot soon and trainer Matthew Chew is underrated. She merits serious consideration in this.

Elle Pickle - - 3/1 online betting odds

Another closer in a race without any speed. The online betting odds will be lower than Opal Haze’s but Pickle might be in better form. Nobody is as good as jockey Rafael Bejarano and from the one hole he will be able to steer this girl to wherever he needs her to go. She could prove extremely tough in this.

Forest Melody - - 9/5 online betting odds

Forest Melody will be the super chalk in this. She’s the only real speed horse and the turf at Santa Anita has been playing to speed. That’s the good news. The bad news is that she tends to throw in the towel shortly after reaching the top of the stretch. Still, in this short field she’s a tough chalk to beat.

Wagering Strategy

I’ll make an online bet on Opal Haze to win and place. I will use in exacta and trifecta boxes with Elle Pickle and Forest Melody.

Good Luck!