10/27/13 Santa Anita Early Pick Four - Results

So that which we thought was oh so complicated turned out to be oh so simple.  Four of the first five races on Santa Anita's Sunday card were won by the Post Time Favorite.  Four of the first five races saw the eventual winner in front after the first half mile.  None of the first five races were close at the finish, as every winner crossed the wire at least a length in front (actually, this condition would hold throughout the card, as all nine winners won by daylight).

While not a part of the Early Pick Four sequence, we begin with Race 1, as this set the pattern for what was to come; as # 4 Segway (Final Odds 2.40*) took the early lead and was never headed, crossing the wire a length and a half in front of the rest of the field, giving Jockey Gary Stevens the first of his four winners on the day.

The Early Pick Four kicked off with Race 2, which was won by # 2 Be Proud (2.00), thus justifying our scepticism of Morning Line and Post Time Favorite, # 4 Salsita (1.10*).  Too bad for the bridge jumpers that they didn't share our scepticism, as their wagers created a negative Show Pool, which in turn created some very nice payouts when Salsita finished out of the money.

The final three legs of the Pick Four sequence were chalk 'em up affairs.  Race 3 went to # 3 Tappingintherain (1.80*) with Gary Stevens on top, while Race 4 went to the Bejarano ridden # 7 Horizontalyspeakin (2.10*).  The final leg of the sequence, Race 5, saw Jockey Gary Stevens again getting his picture taken; as # 1 Tiz the Truth (0.70*), despite running the opening quarter in 21.98 and the opening half in 44.70, was able to lead the pack for all eight furlongs and win by over two lengths.

So with all that, we collect on our Pick Four play; but we do not win, as the correct Pick Four sequence of  2 / 3 / 7 / 1  paid $41.55 for a fifty cent wager; $22.45 less than our initial $64.00 investment.  Still, speaking as someone with experience in this area, I can truly state that's it's better to cash at a loss than to not cash at all.  

Onto the next race.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo