4/15/18 Santa Anita Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 3 Vasilika (Final Odds 1.20*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 7 Lucky Lula (10.80) - "B" Selection
Race 8 - # 11 Swiss Minister (2.80) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 6 Hot American (20.10) - "C" Selection

Hot American's sire was 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, a large part of the reason why I remarked in the preview that he was well bred for the grass.  In addition, Hot American was out of an Unbridled's Song mare, suggesting that he should run well at a distance.

But while I figured Hot American's chances at victory Sunday warranted making him part of the play, I did not think his chances sufficient to grant him a spot on the big ticket; partly because runners for Hot American's trainer, Neil Drysdale, tend not to win at first asking; and partly because there were several experienced entrants in Sunday's field who had finished in the Trifecta at this level or higher in either or both of their two most recent contests.  But Hot American proved to be up to the challenge, crossing under the wire more than two lengths in front, and thus making Sunday a day for me to contribute instead of collect.

Oh well; onto the next race.

For the record, here are the ANNOUNCED $0.50 Will Pays for the runners to which I would have cashed in the finale:

# 1 Street to Indy (6.40) - $190.40 Finish: 5th
# 7 Mo Over (3.10) - $151.85 Finish: 10th
# 8 Amazon Cry (2.20*) - $152.65 Finish: 2nd
# 9 Odyssey Explorer (6.40) - $172.05 Finish: 3rd

I also had # 2 Starting Bloc, a late scratch, on the big ticket.  Since I received the Post Time Favorite, Amazon Cry, in Starting Bloc's place, the above payout would have been doubled had Amazon Cry crossed under the wire first.

Starting Bloc's late scratch is also why I emphasized above "announced" Will Pays.  Santa Anita calculated the above amounts with the presumption that each runner would be the Post Time Favorite.  As Starting Bloc, with a Morning Line of 3-1, had been well used by many in The Late Pick Four, the presumption that each runner would be the Post Time Favorite significantly deflated the Will Pays for all except, of course, the actual Post Time Favorite, # 8 Amazon Cry.  For example, the announced Will Pay for Hot American was $219.50.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  3 / 7 / 11 / 6  were rewarded with a payout of $2,967.05 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo