12/18/22 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - # 4 Mighty Matt (Final Odds 2.10) - "A" Selection

Race 8 - # 5 Take a Leap (8.90) - No Selection

Race 9 - # 3 Joe Don Looney (2.30*) - "C+" Selection

Race 10 - The King Glorious - # 1 Giver Not a Taker (0.60*) - "C" Selection

Well, all good things must come to an end.  Of course, all not so good things also come to an end; but, let's not get too philosophical.  Getting my "A" Selection Mighty Matt home was a great way to kick off the sequence.  And when my "A" Selection in the second leg, # 3 Talkative Gal (1.40*), grabbed the lead with less than a furlong to go, it appeared that things were getting even better.  But unfortunately for me, it all went downhill quickly from there, as Take a Leap got by Talkative Gal in the final strides of Race 8 to turn all my tickets into trash.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  4 / 5 / 3 / 1  were rewarded with a payout of $300.50 for their one dollar wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/18/22 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

"The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence." - John F. Kennedy

As someone who (more or less) regularly follows the Southern California thoroughbred circuit, I used to play Los Alamitos Race Course when they assumed dates that previously had belonged to Hollywood Park (December), as well as those dates that had once belonged to Fairplex Park, aka Los Angeles County Fairgrounds (September).  But a few years back Los Alamitos Race Course decided to raise the minimum on my preferred wager, The Pick Four, from fifty cents to a dollar.  Which, quite frankly, puts the play outside my budget.

But, with my recent success, I figure now's a good a time as any to take a chance at the higher stakes.  Among the factors that went into my decision was the knowledge that I could blame the higher base wager should I be unsuccessful today.  Besides, it's closing day for the meet; and fun things tend to happen on closing days.  So with that let's get to it, as I take a run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 7 - Clm $8k N2X - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Mighty Matt (Morning Line 5-1)

B’s

# 7 Harper's Gem (ML 6-1)+

# 8 Catbernay (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Count Tolstoy (ML 30-1)

# 2 Sayers (ML 20-1)

# 3 Street Behavior (ML 30-1)

# 5 Swamp'n Ain't Ez (ML 9-5)

# 6  Rawhide Rawlins (ML 7-2)

A five and a half furlong sprint, with many of these runners often found circling this track at night.  This one could be wild.

As I'm sure you've already noticed, Morning Line Favorite Swamp'n Ain't Ez is not my top pick.  Granted, based upon his Show finish last time out at this approximate class level, Swamp'n Ain't Ez deserves strong consideration.  But Swamp'n Ain't Ez has had difficulty making the distance when competing during the day; including in his last victory over this track in its long stretch variation.  It's my opinion that Swamp'n Ain't Ez will be very much overused in the pools.

Okay; so if not Swamp'n Ain't Ez, then who?  Mighty Matt looks good off the class drop, as well as having a name that I could grow to love.  Harper's Gem is replicating many of the same steps that he followed  the last time that he won over this track at today's class level.  Catbernay is another that could thrive with the class relief.

All runners are being used in some fashion in this leg, as, again, this one has the potential for chaos written all over it.  Unless, of course, Swamp'n Ain't Ez shows no problems at all with getting the distance; in which case I will be shown to be very wrong in my analysis.

RACE 8 - (F) Alw 12500s - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Talkative Gal (ML 9-5)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Flat Out Joy (ML 7-2)

# 6 Rain Diva (ML 5-1)+

Note for future reference that, unlike many Starter Allowances run in California, this event has no lifetime Win restrictions for entry.  The only requirement for this contest is that the runner must be of the distaff variety, three years old or upward, and she must have started for a claiming price of $12.5k or less.  I see no timeline in the conditions as given in my Past Performances, so apparently that start for a claiming price of $12.5k or less could have happened anytime in the history of mankind.

Talkative Gal won by daylight over this track just eight days ago.  If Talkative Gal came out of that contest okay, then this isn't going to be much of a race.

Flat Out Joy returns off the freshening; and while Flat Out Joy is a solid contender in this field, Flat Out Joy settles for too many minor awards.  Rain Diva could be the speed of the speed.

RACE 9 - [S] OC 20k/N1X - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Prodigal Son (ML 6-1)

B’s

# 1 Sawasdee (ML 9-2)+

# 5 Windribbon (ML 5-1)
# 7 Disko Tribute (ML 7-2)

# 8 Larry's Legend (ML 9-2)

C's

# 2 Head for Business (ML 12-1)

# 3 Joe Don Looney (ML 5-1)+

# 4 Alpine Thunder (ML 5-1)

For all those who take an interest in such matters, there are no entrants in this field which will be competing with the $20k claiming price tag hanging over their head.

As with the opening leg of this sequence, I'll be using all runners in this leg in some shape or form.  Part of the reason for the wide spread in this contest is because the first level Allowance Optional Claiming (OC/N1X) races on the SoCal circuit, both state bred and open company, tend to be very competitive.

If someone was looking to cut down on the cost of their Late Pick Four play, it would be very tempting to lean heavily on Prodigal Son and/or Sawasdee in this leg, as both turned in performances in their last out race which, if replicated, would almost certainly win today.  Personally, I think that Prodigal Son and Sawasdee have some minor question marks regarding how they will run today.  Specifically, both were claimed last time out.  Sawasdee will therefore be riding for a new barn; while Prodigal Son's claim was voided, and Prodigal Son then went on to spend the next three months on the sidelines.  Neither of these factoids, in my opinion, disqualifies either runner from being considered a top contender in this field; but it does, in my mind, confirm that spreading in this leg is not just prudent, but the better way to go.

RACE 10 - [S] The King Glorious $100k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Belly Up (ML 7-2)

B's

# 2 Geezer (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Giver Not a Taker (ML 2-1)

# 6 Amigo G A (ML 15-1)

# 8 Tom and Jazzy (ML 5-1)

Were this event a sprint, I would almost certainly be leaning heavily upon Giver Not a Taker in this leg.  But this stakes is not a sprint; and I have serious questions regarding Giver Not a Taker's ability to get all eight furlongs without running out of gas.  So it's Belly Up and Geezer on the main ticket, with Giver Not a Taker being used as a backup "C" Selection at the cost of a buck.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$5.00 P4: 4 with 3 with 6 with 4 $5.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$1.00 P4: 4,7,8 with 3 with 1,5,6,7,8 with 2,4 $30.00

All A Entries with All B+ Entries with All C+ Entries

$1.00 P4: 4,7 with 3,6 with 1,3,6 with 4 $12.00

A's with One C

$1.00 P4: 1,2,3,5,6 with 3 with 6 with 4 $5.00

$1.00 P4: 4 with 2 with 6 with 4 $1.00

$1.00 P4: 4 with 3 with 2,4 with 4 $2.00

$1.00 P4: 4 with 3 with 6 with 1,6,8 $3.00

Total: $58.00

Post Time for Race 5 is 6:12 EST / 3:12 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/17/17 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - # 6 Lindante (Final Odds 5.10) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 5 Dangerously Close (2.40*) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 8 Tasunke Witco (2.60) - "A" Selection
Race 10 - # 2 Southern Thunder (5.90) - "B" Selection

I had strongly considered making # 4 Li'l Grazen (2.90) in the second leg of the sequence my big ticket single, either along with or instead of Tasunke Witco, who was my big ticket single in the third leg.  Fortunately I decided against that move and instead used two others in addition to Li'l Grazen in Race 8; and since one of those two was Dangerously Close, Sunday became a day for me to collect rather than contribute.

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

# 3 Royal Seeker (12.00) - $588.50 Finish: 8th
# 5 Spend It (5.50) - $225.45 Finish: 6th
# 8 Is Trevor Clever (2.00*) - $135.40 Finish: 3rd
# 10 Mr. Matlock (2.90) - $213.70 Finish: 5th

But that's what might have been.  What actually came to be was a correct Late Pick Four sequence of  6 / 5 / 8 / 2  which paid $301.75 for a fifty cent wager.  That makes for a profit of $265.75 on my initial $36 investment, or approximate odds of 7.38-1.

I hope you all had it with me.  May God bless us as we spend our winnings.

Onto the next race!

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/17/17 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

And so we come to the closing day of the Winter Meet at Los Alamitos Race Course.  I don't know why they call it the Winter Meet, as it's still Fall.  But then again, they can't call it the Fall Meet, because that's what they call their September Meet, even though all those dates are in the Summer.  Ideally, the September Meet should be called the Fairgrounds Meet, because Los Al took over the dates that used to be run over at Fairplex / Pomona / Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, and the December Meet should be called the Fall Meet.  But I imagine I may be one of only about a half dozen people on the planet who actually care about such things.  Anyway, whatever you call it, it ends Sunday.  So with all that let's get to it, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 7 - Clm $16k N2X - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Lindante (Morning Line 9-2)

B’s

# 3 American League (ML 3-1)
# 4 Flash Henry (ML 4-1)
# 8 Harrovian (ML 8-1)

C's

None

Lindante seems to settle for too many minor awards; but he's one-for-five lifetime over this track, and is certainly in top form.  American League won the speed duel at this class level last time out but lost the race, having to settle for the Show.  Flash Henry is getting some much needed class relief, while Harrovian moves up the class ladder after winning convincingly last time out.

RACE 8 - (F) Alw 50000s N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Li'l Grazen (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 5 Dangerously Close (ML 5-1)
# 7 Troublesome (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Yalisha (ML 9-2)
# 3 Coalinga Hills (ML 4-1)
# 8 Lady's War Dress (ML 20-1)

Note for future reference that this one is for fillies and mares which have not won two races in their career; no exemptions.  Each of these runners have visited the Winner's Circle once, and only once, in their career.

Li'l Grazen took the Show at this class level last time out at Del Mar.  Dangerously Close goes first off the claim for Trainer Genaro Vallejo, who has been having a very impressive meet.  Troublesome took the Show last time out against stiffer competition.

Yalisha was first under the wire the last time she competed on a Fast dirt track, but a DQ moved her back to second.  Coalinga Hills may be better suited to turf than dirt; but Coalinga Hills has been working well over this main track.  Lady's War Dress was impressive winning her debut over this main track last time out; but last time out twelve months ago.

RACE 9 - Alw 12500s - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Tasunke Witco (ML 3-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Seeking the West (ML 5-2)
# 3 Sense of Glory (ML 4-1)
# 5 Mon Mousse (ML 5-1)

We saw the distaff version of this contest in Race 5 on Friday.  Note for future reference that, unlike many Starter Allowances run in California, this event has no lifetime Win restrictions for entry; but it does have a class/recency Win restriction.  So in addition to the requirement that the runner seeking to be entered must have started for a claiming price of $12.5k or less, either this year or last, he must ALSO have not won a claiming, starter, or optional claiming race exceeding that $12.5k price tag in the time period after competing in that $12.5k claiming contest.

So the two questions to answer if you wanted to run your horse here are:

1)  Did he run for a claiming price of $12.5k or less in either 2016 or 2017?  If "Yes", then proceed to:
2)  Has he won since, in a race where he was entered for more than that $12.5k tag?  If "No", then you're good to go.

So in this field, every runner excepting # 1 Hot Perfection (ML 10-1) was eligible to be claimed for $12.5k or less last time out.  Since (obviously) none of those have won since their last race, they're eligible to run here.  As for Hot Perfection, he was eligible to be claimed (and, indeed, was claimed) for $6.25k back on July 23.  Since Hot Perfection did not get his picture taken in any of the three races that he ran since that July 23 contest, he's good to go here.

Tasunke Witco appears to have a clear class edge here, having won at the $12.5k Claiming level last time out over this main track.  Tasunke Witco also won for $16k three starts back at Del Mar.

Seeking the West took the Place behind a next out winner last time out.  Sense of Glory fought back hard after being passed to take the Place in front of a next out winner last time out.  Mon Mousse can be expected to be quick early; but the concern with Mon Mousse is will his early speed stay with him as he moves up the class ladder.

RACE 10 - Md $20k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Spend It (ML 4-1)

B's

# 2 Southern Thunder (ML 9-2)
# 3 Royal Seeker (ML 10-1)
# 8 Is Trevor Clever (ML 3-1)
# 10 Mr. Matlock (ML 7-2)

C's

# 1 Vow's Son (ML 6-1)
# 4 Haylord (ML 15-1)
# 6 Sun Kingdom (ML 30-1)
# 7 Downside Up (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 9 Hailey's Kid Comet (ML 20-1)

Spend It crossed under the wire first at this class level last time out, but had to settle for the Place due to a DQ.  Southern Thunder took the Show at this class level last time out.  Royal Seeker may be settling for too many minor awards; but Royal Seeker fits well with the contenders here.

Is Trevor Clever took the Show against winners three starts back, albeit on the grass.  Mr. Matlock drops in for a tag for the first time.  The "C" Selections are everyone else.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 6 with 4 with 8 with 5 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 3,4,6,8 with 4,5,7 with 8 with 2,3,5,8,10 $30.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 6 with 2,3,8 with 8 with 5 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 6 with 4 with 2,3,5 with 5 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 6 with 4 with 8 with 1,4,6,7 $2.00

Total: $36.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 5:58 EST / 2:58 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/16/17 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 7 - # 10 Bow and Arrow (Final Odds 6.50) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Rick's Dream (2.30) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - The King Glorious - # 2 Intimidate (4.00) - "C" Selection
Race 10 - # 6 Kaleidoscope Kid (6.70) - No Selection

For the second day in a row (and third in his last four tries) Jockey Mike Smith nails his solo, getting his picture taken in the Winner's Circle with Intimidate, his only mount of the day.  My "A" Selection in that contest, The King Glorious, just didn't have it Saturday, as # 6 Bookies Luck (1.20*) was able to beat just one runner home, without ever being seriously involved in the running.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  10 / 2 / 2 / 6  were rewarded with a payout of $1,713.15 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/16/17 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

When California Chrome won the King Glorious in 2013, he became the last stakes winner ever at Hollywood Park.  I don't know if the field in Saturday's renewal of the King Glorious at Los Al contains a California Chrome; but I do know that Bookies Luck looks like a solid standout on paper.  Whether or not Bookies Luck will be a solid standout on the track remains to be seen, as do the results of the other races on the tail end of Saturday's card, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 7 - Clm $8k N2X - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 9 Bargaining (Morning Line 6-1)

B’s

# 6 Chromium (ML 3-1)
# 8 Justonetimebaby (ML 20-1)

C's

# 5 Summer Buddha (ML 8-1)
# 10 Bow and Arrow (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 11 Shining Hope (ML 12-1), who does not draw in off the Also Eligible list

Chromium was a convincing winner last time out one rung down on the class ladder, with Justonetimebaby grabbing the Show behind him.  Bargaining took the Place at this class level last time out, and looks to be quickest here.  Bow and Arrow and Summer Buddha filled out the bottom two slots of the Trifecta at this class level last time out, albeit around two turns.

RACE 8 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Rick's Dream (ML 7-2)
# 4 Rocky's Show (ML 6-1)

B’s

# 1 You're a Daisy (ML 12-1)
# 5 Mostly Cloudy (ML 20-1)
# 6 Mr. Louis (ML 5-2)
# 7 Cal Cal Li Gowchis (ML 8-1)
# 8 Where's Bubba (ML 15-1)
# 9 Julia's Summer (ML 20-1)
# 10 Informality (ML 3-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 3 Justice Rules (ML 15-1)

It appears to me that Rick's Dream and Rocky's Show are the two best in this field, with Rocky's Show being the one to look for early, while Rick's Dream seems to be the one that will be running best late.  Beyond that you have a mixed collection of possibilities, from those who are dropping in for the cheapest price tag of their career, to those that have run well against less expensive stock, but without getting the Win.  While I could probably winnow at least a couple in this field off the big ticket, the fact is that I really don't have a handle on this race; and since I'm already going short in other legs in this sequence, it seems best to just run up the white flag here and punch the "ALL" button.

RACE 9 - The King Glorious $100k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Bookies Luck (ML 8-5)

B's

None

C's

# 2 Intimidate (ML 4-1)
# 3 Minoso (ML 12-1)
# 4 Lucky Romano (ML 6-1)
# 7 Campaigner (ML 6-1)

Bookies Luck is trying two turns for the first time; which is pretty much the only concern that I have with this pick.  If Bookies Luck can make the distance without losing form, then he should be an easy winner Saturday.  If not; well, that's why I play backup tickets.

Intimidate should improve with a cleaner trip.  Minoso closed well while graduating last time out.  Lucky Romano looks poised to make a move forward.  Campaigner could improve with a better start.

RACE 10 - Md $30k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Dare to Enter (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Swallows Inn Gal (ML 15-1)

C's

# 1 Magnum Maduro (ML 6-1)
# 5 Super Classic (ML 20-1)
# 7 Charming Ruler (ML 7-2)
# 9 Desert Black (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 11 High Rise, who does not draw in off the Also Eligible list

Dare to Enter took the Place at this class level in his debut two starts back.  Swallows Inn Gal is a filly taking on the boys; and she just might be quick enough to do it.

Magnum Maduro was well regarded in his debut last time out, leaving the gate as the Post Time Favorite.  Super Classic is getting some much needed class relief.  Charming Ruler took the Show at this class level at Santa Anita two starts back.  Desert Black took the Show at this class level last time out.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 9 with 2,4 with 6 with 3 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 6,8,9 with ALL with 6 with 2,3 $27.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 5,10 with 2,4 with 6 with 3 $2.00
$0.50 P4: 9 with 2,4 with 2,3,4,7 with 3 $4.00
$0.50 P4: 9 with 2,4 with 6 with 1,5,7,9 $4.00

Total: $39.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 5:58 EST / 2:58 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/15/17 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 5 - # 1 Tizway That Way (Final Odds 1.30*) - "C" Selection
Race 6 - # 2 Four Gaels (21.90) - No Selection
Race 7 - # 4 Princess Kendra (8.80) - "C" Selection
Race 8 - # 1 Ahimsa (3.60) - "B" Selection

When a jockey of the caliber of Mike Smith (and, trust me, there are extremely few jockeys of the caliber of Mike Smith) comes to the track to ride just one mount, and that mount is a first time starter, you have to figure that mount is live.  And while I did have that mount (Ahimsa) on the big ticket, not fully appreciating just how well regarded she was by her connections was a pretty big mistake on my part.  Sadly, that was just one of many mistakes that I made with Friday's play.  So let's just say that, based upon the results, I needed one over the track, and that I should improve next time out.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  1 / 2 / 4 / 1  were rewarded with a payout of $2,120.30 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/15/17 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

Last weekend it was Golden Gate that wrapped up their Fall season; now this weekend it's Los Alamitos' turn, as they enter the home stretch of their Fall Meeting.  So with these being the final days for California Thoroughbred racing until after Christmas, I thought it would be a good idea to squeeze another day of fun from the proceedings; which is why Friday I'll be taking another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 5 - (F) Alw 12500s - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Backintheacademy (Morning Line 4-1)

# 5 Jill Madden (ML 6-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 1 Tizway That Way (ML 5-2)

# 7 Ryder's Starlight (ML 4-1)

Scratch # 2 Fly Far Away (ML 15-1) and # 3 Exactamente (ML 3-1)

Note for future reference that, unlike many Starter Allowances run in California, this event has no lifetime Win restrictions for entry; but it does have a class/recency Win restriction.  So in addition to the requirement that the filly or mare seeking to be entered must have started for a claiming price of $12.5k or less, either this year or last, she must ALSO have not won a claiming, starter, or optional claiming race exceeding that $12.5k price tag in the time period after competing in that $12.5k claiming contest.

So the two questions to answer if you wanted to run your filly or mare here are:

1)  Did she run for a claiming price of $12.5k or less in 2016 or 2017?  If "Yes", then proceed to:

2)  Has she won since, in a race where she was entered for more than that $12.5k tag?  If "No", then you're good to go.

So in this field, # 3 Exactamente (ML 3-1), # 4 Backintheacademy (ML 4-1), # 5 Jill Madden (ML 6-1), and # 6 Sheswildnfree (ML 6-1) all ran for a $12.5k or less claiming price last time out.  Since that was their most recent race, they obviously have not won since that race, heading into Friday.

# 1 Tizway That Way (ML 5-2) won while competing with a $5k price tag on her head two starts back, at Arlington Park.  Since Tizway That Way failed to win the next time out, the only race between the running for the $5k claiming price and today, then she's good to go here.  # 7 Ryder's Starlight (ML 4-1) ran for a claiming price of $12.5k back on September 16, 2016; and while Ryder's Starlight has visited the Winner's Circle twice since that contest, both of those Wins came when she was competing in a $12.5k Starter Allowance (much like Friday's event).

Which leaves # 2 Fly Far Away (ML 15-1); which is somewhat problematic.  See, Fly Far Away ran for a claiming price of $12.5k back on September 27, 2015, and she hasn't won since.  But September 27, 2015 wasn't in either 2016 nor 2017; at least, not on my calendar.  So how did Fly Far Away sneak into Friday's contest?

Well, while I can't know for sure, I think the answer lies in Race 3 at Emerald Downs on August 15, 2016; a contest in which Fly Far Away took the Place.  That race was a $15k Waiver Claiming contest; but runners could get a three pound weight allowance by entering the gate with a $12.5k price tag on their head.  Now, according to the Equibase chart of the race, Flay Far Away did not run for the $12.5k price tag; indeed, Fly Far Away didn't run for any price tag because, having been inactive for nearly eleven months at that point (and thus making her 2016 debut), she was eligible to compete without threat of being claimed (hence the "Waiver" in the Waiver Claiming title above).

So the Los Alamitos stewards either choose to look the other way at that one, deciding that having a $12.5k claiming price in the conditions for that race was close enough; or the connections of Fly Far Away simply slipped one past them, as those in the racing office who are supposed to check such things just had something else to do.  Anyway, whatever the reason, Fly Far Away will be running in this contest Friday.  At least, as I type this.  EDIT: Fly Far Away has now been scratched.

Okay; enough with the conditions.  Backintheacademy and Jill Madden were each convincing winners in their respective contests last time out.  Tizway That Way and Ryder's Starlight both fit well here with the contenders as far as talent goes; but neither Tizway That Way nor Ryder's Starlight have done well in the past when competing over a Fast dirt track.

RACE 6 - Clm $6.25k - Five Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Pat the Bear (ML 5-2)

B’s

None

C's

# 1 Quantum Force (ML 4-1)

# 5 Johns Journey (ML 7-2)

# 7 Warren's Cole (ML 8-1)
# 8 My Secret Affair (ML 3-1)

Pat the Bear took the Place against more expensive two starts back.  Quantum Force could romp here if he could return to the form that he showed two starts back in his debut.  But that contest was back on Independence Day, 2015; and if Quantum Force's connections thought that he could return to that form, they wouldn't be running him here for $6.25k.

Johns Journey won by daylight against classier foes back in July.  Warren's Cole may be the one running best late.  My Secret Affair is getting some significant class relief here; but My Secret Affair may need this race to get back into shape off the layoff, as she faded badly in her return last time out.

RACE 7 - (F) [S] OC 20k/N1X - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Plane Lucky (ML 5-2)

# 7 Dreamy Gal (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 2 Be a Lady (ML 3-1)

# 5 Tuscany Beauty (ML 8-1)

C's

# 1 No Comparison (ML 20-1)
# 3 Bold At Night (ML 5-1)
# 4 Princess Kendra (ML 5-1)

Plane Lucky looks to be the speed of the speed here; perhaps Plane Lucky can last 'til the wire today.  Dreamy Gal had a rough go of it last time out; perhaps she improves with a cleaner trip today.

Be a Lady goes first off the claim for Trainer Mark Glatt, who tends to do well with such.  Tuscany Beauty could benefit from the cutback in distance.  The "C" Selections are everyone else, as there's no notable standout in this field, and three of the four runners on the big ticket failed as the Post Time Favorite in their most recent contests.

RACE 8 - (F) MSW - Six and a Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Raising Aida (ML 9-2)

B's

# 1 Ahimsa (ML 7-2)

# 2 Star Dreamin (ML 8-1)

# 3 Cowboytakemeaway (ML 6-1)

# 5 Gracious Me (ML 6-1)

# 6 Loving Moment (ML 6-1)
# 7 Ride Lady Ride (ML 5-1)

# 8 D D's Lute (ML 6-1)

# 9 Jazzy (ML 20-1)

C's

None

These are juveniles, with only three experienced runners in the field: Star Dreamin, D D's Lute, and Jazzy.  None of the three has ever left the gate as the Post Time Favorite; indeed, of the three, D D's Lute is the only one to have gone to the post at single digit odds.  In addition, none of the three has ever finished in the Trifecta.  For that matter, D D's Lute is the only one of the three to have been as good as third at the stretch call.

But these are juveniles; so there's no telling who's grown up since the last time that they competed.  There are also several first time starters whose breeding suggests that will run well at first asking.  So I'm just going to take the easy way out in this leg and punch the "ALL" button on the big ticket and hope that I catch a price.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 4,5 with 4 with 6,7 with 4 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 4,5 with 4 with 2,5,6,7 with ALL $36.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,7 with 4 with 6,7 with 4 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 4,5 with 1,5,7,8 with 6,7 with 4 $8.00

$0.50 P4: 4,5 with 4 with 1,3,4 with 4 $3.00

Total: $53.00

Post Time for Race 5 is 5:28 EST / 2:28 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/18/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 7 Nextdoorneighbor (Final Odds 2.30) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - The King Glorious - # 1 Ann Arbor Eddie (2.60) - No Selection
Race 8 - # 1 Merilore (1.90*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 5 Iliad (4.20) - "B" Selection

Ann Arbor Eddie took it to our single, # 4 California Diamond (0.40*), from right out of the gate, out-battling that one all the way around the track right to the wire; and in the process turning all our tickets into trash.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of  7 / 1 / 1 / 5  were rewarded with a payout of $175.50 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/18/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

It's the final day of the Blink And You Miss It Meet at Los Alamitos, with The King Glorious Stakes for juvenile California breds serving as Sunday's featured event.  We'll be looking at that contest below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 6 - Alw 12500s - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Nextdoorneighbor (Morning Line 2-1)

B’s

# 1 Ultimate Luck (ML 5-2)
# 5 Accelerant (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Eleven Zip (ML 12-1)
# 3 Jackson Sundown (ML 8-1)

Note for future reference that there is no lifetime Win restriction for entrants in this contest, as is frequently the case in SoCal Starter Allowances.  Rather, this one is for runners that have started for a claiming price of $12.5k or less either this year or last, and have not won a Claiming, Starter, or Optional Claiming race in excess of $12.5k since.

Nextdoorneighbor is back in Trainer Peter Miller's barn, being re-claimed after having been claimed away from Miller two starts ago.  Nextdoorneighbor has won six of his last seven starts with Peter Miller as his conditioner.

Ultimate Luck missed victory by just a neck at this class level two starts back over this track.  Accelerant could improve with the return to two turn racing.  Eleven Zip is trained by Blaine Wright, who often enjoys success when moving his runners off the grass.  Jackson Sundown has finished in the Trifecta five of the six times that he has competed over this track.

RACE 7 - [S] The King Glorious $100k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 California Diamond (1-1)

B's

None

C's

None

Scratch # 2 Mr Ability

California Diamond has yet to finish out of the Exacta in eight career races, all but his debut against stakes competition.  California Diamond is Graded Stakes placed, having played second fiddle behind Mastery in the Grade 3 Bob Hope.  In my opinion California Diamond is a deserving single; so if he loses, this play loses.

RACE 8 - (F) Alw 25000s - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Merilore (ML 9-2)
# 4 Lob City (ML 5-1)
# 10 Margie's Minute (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 3 Backintheacademy (ML 8-1)

C's

# 7 Melanistic (ML 12-1)

Like Race 6 above, there is no lifetime Win restriction for entrants in this contest, as is frequently the case in SoCal Starter Allowances.  Rather, this one is for fillies and mares that have started for a claiming price of $25k or less either this year or last, and have not won a Claiming, Starter, or Optional Claiming race in excess of $25k since.

Merilore missed victory by less than a length against $25k Claimers at Churchill Downs the last time that she competed on dirt.  Lob City has shown a steadily improving form since joining the barn of Trainer Gary Sherlock.  Margie's Minute was victorious last time out over Lob City and next out winner Midnight Candy.

Backintheacademy certainly fits well here on class despite a penchant for settling for too many minor awards.  Melanistic could contend if she can return to the form that she showed earlier this year.

RACE 9 - MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 8 Caustic (ML 5-2)
# 9 Stone Hands (ML 3-1)

B's

# 1 Momma's Baby Boy (ML 20-1)
# 2 The Party Factor (ML 10-1)
# 4 Menace the Dennis (ML 5-1)
# 5 Iliad (ML 5-1)
# 12 Kimbear (ML 8-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 10 First Degree Burn (No Line)

Caustic is a first time starter for Trainer Phil D'Amato that has been working well over this main track.  Stone Hands has finished in the Trifecta in each of his two career starts.  Momma's Baby Boy, a first time starter for Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, is out of a dam that has seen eight of her prior foals get their picture taken.

The Party Factor has shown good early speed in each of his two career starts.  Menace the Dennis flashed some early speed in his debut last time out, and has been working well over this main track.

Iliad showed good early speed for Trainer Bob Baffert in his debut last time out.  Kimbear's bullet work over the Santa Anita main track last Sunday suggests that he should do well with the surface switch.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 7 with 4 with 1,4,10 with 8,9 $6.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,5,7 with 4 with 1,3,4,10 with 1,2,4,5,8,9,12 $42.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3 with 4 with 1,4,10 with 8,9 $6.00

$0.50 P4: 7 with 4 with 7 with 8,9 $1.00

Total: $55.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 5:58 EST / 2:58 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/17/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 5 Forest Blue (Final Odds 0.80*) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 4 Americanize (0.70*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - # 1 Hoffenheim (2.80) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - The Winter Challenge - # 10 California Chrome (0.10*) - "A" Selection

When the "price" horse in the sequence is a 5-2 second choice; when three of the four winners are odds-on Favorites; well, the know it ain't gonna pay much.  And so it was today, as the correct Late Pick Four sequence of  5 / 4 / 1 / 10  paid $12.90 for a fifty cent wager.  Since our investment was $40.00, we cash at a loss; and while that definitely beats not cashing at all, it certainly wasn’t what we had in mind when we placed our wagers.

Oh well; onto the next race.

But to be quite honest, it's all good; because today wasn't about us.  Today was a day for the fans of perhaps the greatest "Horse of the People" since Seabiscuit to say goodbye, as California Chrome made what is almost definitely his final California start; and he did so going out in style, winning at the track that he has called home for nearly his entire career by as many as he pleased, with his Chromies cheering him home every step of the way.  Truly a great moment for the sport.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/17/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

And so we come to the final Saturday of the Two Weeks Vacation Meet at Los Alamitos; more importantly, we come to the final hometown race for one of the most beloved runners in the game; as California Chrome says goodbye to California, in what is scheduled to be his final race in The Golden State.  We'll be looking at that contest below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 6 - Clm $25k N2L - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Big Champion (Morning Line 7-2)

B’s

# 2 Jimmy the Juice (ML 8-1)
# 4 Tribal Roar (ML 6-1)
# 5 Forest Blue (ML 5-2)
# 6 Big Energy (ML 6-1)
# 7 Always Never (ML 8-1)

C's

# 3 Red Car Mac (ML 20-1)

# 8 Pete's Play Call (ML 6-1)

# 9 Zarqa Star (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 10 Blue Ridge Mtn (ML 30-1)

Everyone into the pool; or onto the ticket, as the case may be.  Yeah, this one looks pretty wide open to me; mostly because the horse that looks to be clearly the best on paper, Forest Blue, seems determined to avoid the winner's circle at all costs.

Forest Blue was victorious in his debut, and has taken either the Place or Show in nine of his twelve starts since.  This horse obviously did not enjoy getting his picture taken; but he's just too talented in my opinion to leave completely off our big ticket.

Big Champion graduated last time out, but this is not his first time taking on winners; as Big Champion took the Place against Starter Allowance company three starts back while still a maiden.  Tribal Roar drops back into a class level where he has proven to be competitive.  Big Energy took the Place against Starter Allowance company two starts back.

Red Car Mac is on the ticket because everyone else is.  Always Never removes the hood; Trainer Mike Puype tends to do well when making this move.  Pete's Play Call could improve going second off the freshening.  Zarqa Star could get a nice tracking trip from the widest post.

RACE 7 - MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Americanize (ML 5-2)

B's

# 6 Gotnoquit (ML 6-1)

# 10 Lord Simba (ML 3-1)

C's

None

Scratch # 1 Pageau (ML 20-1) and # 8 Blame It On Kenji (ML 20-1)

Americanize, trained by Bob Baffert, took the Place in his debut in front of a next out winner last time out.  Gotnoquit has proven to be competitive at this class level on the grass; and Gotnoquit's bullet work over this track on the first suggests that the neither the surface switch nor the layoff should pose any problems for him today.  Lord Simba, the "other" Baffert, took the Place at this class level over this track in his debut last time out.

RACE 8 - OC 40k/N$Y - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Indygo Holiday (ML 9-2)

B’s

# 1 Hoffenheim (ML 5-1)

# 2 Curlin Road (ML 5-1)
# 6 Ebadan (Ire) (ML 6-1)

C's

# 8 Terzetto (Brz) (ML 6-1)

Indygo Holiday returns to two turn racing, where he seems to do his best.  Hoffenheim, trained by Bob Baffert, tries winners for the first time, having graduated last time out, in his fifth race as the Post Time Favorite.

Curlin Road took the Place at this approximate class level two starts back.  Ebadan (Ire) gets some much needed class relief.  Terzetto (Brz) has won multiple allowance races in his native Brazil; and besides, it must mean something that his connections are running him on the dirt here rather than waiting for the grass at Santa Anita.

RACE 9 - The Winter Challenge $180k - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 10 California Chrome (ML 1-5)

B's

None

C's

# 4 Point Piper (ML 6-1)

# 7 Avanti Bello (ML 10-1)

Scratch the Also Eligibles, # 11 Air Pocket (ML 30-1) and # 12 Ground Rules (ML 20-1)

In a stakes that was written specifically for him, California Chrome makes what is expected to be his final California start, as well as his only at his home base track.  Looking at the rest of the field, it's my opinion that California Chrome could walk out of the gate backwards and still stand an excellent chance of winning today.  But, this is horse racing, so we're tossing a couple of backups on the ticket just in case.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1 with 4 with 4 with 10 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,2,4,5,6,7 with 4,6,10 with 1,2,4,6 with 10 $36.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 3,8,9 with 4 with 4 with 10 $1.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 4 with 8 with 10 $0.50

$0.50 P4: 1 with 4 with 4 with 4,7 $1.00

Total: $40.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 5:58 EST / 2:58 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/11/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 1 Hot Rodin (Final Odds 2.00*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 4 Smack Talk (2.20*) - "B" Selection
Race 8 - # 3 Dadtaughtmewell (3.90) - "C" Selection
Race 9 - # 11 Pampers n' Boots (4.80) - "C" Selection

We started well but faded before the wire; as we got an "A" Selection home to begin the sequence, but then watched the second half of the sequence in vain, as runners that we had on our big ticket had to settle for the Place behind two of our "C" Selections.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Meanwhile, those who had the correct Pick Four sequence of  1 / 4 / 3 / 11  were rewarded with a payout of $312.95 for their fifty cent wager.  May God bless them as they spend their winnings.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/11/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

We come to the Sunday card for Los Alamitos' opening weekend, and our focus turns to runners that are California bred or sired; as seventy-five percent of the final four races today are restricted to state breds only.  So with that as prelude let's get to it, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 6 - [S] MSW - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Hot Rodin (Morning Line 5-2)
# 5 Sir Studleigh (ML 3-1)

B's

# 3 Am I Blue (ML 4-1)
# 8 Mizter Kool Kat (ML 4-1)

C's

None

This contest for state bred non-claiming maidens is for older horses, those three years old and upward.  The finale, also for state bred non-claiming maidens, is for juveniles.

Sir Studleigh missed graduation by just a neck last time out at this class level, back on Veterans Day, with Hot Roddin taking the Show less than a length behind him.  Am I Blue and Mizter Kool Kat are a pair of first time starters trained by Mike Harrington.  To be honest, I couldn't find much to separate this non-coupled entry; and, based upon the fact that they have identical Morning Line odds, I presume that at least one other person agrees.

RACE 7 - [S] OC 20k/N$Y - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 K Thirty Eight (ML 4-1)

B’s

# 2 Eddie's First (ML 5-2)
# 4 Smack Talk (ML 4-1)

C's

# 3 Ultimate Luck (ML 7-2)
# 5 Kenny Benny (ML 10-1)

K Thirty Eight has run well in the past on dirt, and is getting some tremendous class relief here.  Eddie's First and Smack Talk are a pair of recent claims by Trainer Robertino Diodoro who have both run well in the past over this track.

Ultimate Luck fits well with the contenders here but settles for way too many minor awards.  Kenny Benny tries winners for the first time after graduating last time out in front of our two "A" Selections in the opening leg of this sequence.

RACE 8 - Alw 25000s - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Indygo Bo (ML 5-2)
# 7 Deep Consideration (ML 3-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 2 Mucho Besos (ML 15-1)
# 3 Dadtaughtmewell (ML 4-1)
# 4 Freddies Dream (ML 6-1)

Note for future reference that there is no lifetime Win restriction for entrants in this contest, as is frequently the case in SoCal Starter Allowances.  Rather, this one is for runners that have started for a claiming price of $25k or less either this year or last, and have not won a Claiming, Starter, or Optional Claiming race in excess of $25k since.

Indygo Bo goes first off the claim for Trainer Jonathan Wong, who tends to do well with such.  Deep Consideration was an easy winner versus $25k Claimers last time out, albeit for different connections.

Mucho Besos is coming back from a nearly ten month layoff; and while he may need a race, this looks like a good spot for him to be slotted.  Dadtaughtmewell defeated a next out winner in a $20k Claimer last time out.

Freddies Dream, going first off the claim for Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, is intriguing here.  After claiming Freddies Dream out of a turf race at Del Mar in August, Hollendorfer has Freddies Dream work out on the main dirt track at Santa Anita in September and October,  Freddies Dream is then shipped up north to Golden Gate, where he has been working out over the synthetic surface for the past six weeks.  But instead of finding a spot for Freddies Dream to race on either the Golden Gate main track or its turf course, Hollendorfer has him shipped back down to SoCal to make his first career start on a dirt track in this race.

Why?  I have no idea; but I feel that if the plan when claiming this horse was to run him or dirt, or if running him on dirt was an idea they came up with after seeing him work out, then Freddies Dream would have been left at Santa Anita to keep working there, and not sent to Golden Gate.

Now, Hollendorfer is a great trainer, and Freddies Dream fits here on class; but I'm only going to use this horse as a "C" Selection, because I have to presume that his being in this race is a stop gap measure intended to just get him some work, and that competing on dirt tracks is not what this barn ultimately has planned for this runner.

RACE 9 - [S] MSW - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 9 Lil Awecim (ML 5-2)

B's

# 8 Vidaks Back (ML 6-1)
# 10 Potente Alba (ML 3-1)

C's

# 11 Pampers n' Boots (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 1 Cal Cal Li Gowchris (No Line) and # 12 Patience ofa Saint (ML 6-1)

As mentioned above, these are juveniles.  Lil Awecim took the Place at this class level last time out, with Potente Alba taking the Show behind him; both runners were making their career debuts in that contest.  Vidaks Back is a first time starter sired by Tannersmyman, whose progeny tend to do well at first asking.  Pampers n' Boots took the Place in his debut last time out, and may have enough early speed to pull off the step up in class.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1,5 with 7 with 6,7 with 9 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,3,5,8 with 2,4,7 with 6,7 with 8,9,10 $36.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1,5 with 3,5 with 6,7 with 9 $4.00

$0.50 P4: 1,5 with 7 with 2,3,4 with 9 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 1,5 with 7 with 6,7 with 11 $2.00

Total: $49.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 5:58 EST / 2:58 PST.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/10/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - The Los Alamitos Futurity - # 3 Mastery (Final Odds 0.20*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 6 Adios Cali (2.00) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - The Starlet - # 6 Abel Tasman (12.60) - "B" Selection
Race 9 - # 5 Yodelers Way (2.60) - "A" Selection

Based upon the way he ran in the stretch and comments made afterwards by Jockey Mike Smith, don't be surprised if the hood comes back off for Mastery's next contest; as Mastery seemed a little lost coming out of the second turn, causing him to slow down to look around and get his bearings.  But on the other hand it appears that any added distance should not be a problem for Mastery going forward, as Smith indicated that Mastery actually was going faster on the gallop out than he was coming to the wire.  Personally, I still prefer Beach Bum as my Derby horse; but there's no doubt that, as long as he stays healthy, Mastery is one that will be in the mix.

For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other three runners to which we were alive in the finale:

# 1 Downside Up (2.00*) - $172.10 Finish: 6th
# 2 We Go Now (2.70) - $177.35 Finish: 3rd
# 3 Opus Dei (75.20) - $1,722.60 Finish: 8th

But that's what might have been.  What actually came to be was a correct Pick Four sequence of  3 / 6 / 6 / 5  which paid $180.90 for a fifty cent wager.  That makes for a profit of $126.90 on our $54 investment, or approximate odds of 2.35-1.

I hope you all had it with me.  May God bless us as we spend our winnings.

Onto the next race!

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

12/10/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

Today's the first of two Saturdays in the Los Alamitos Advent Meet, and it's a big one, featuring two Grade 1 stakes for juveniles.  We'll be taking a look at each of those contests below, comprising as they do half of the final four races on the card, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 6 - The Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade 1) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Mastery (Morning Line 1-2)

B's

None

C's

# 1 Dangerfield (ML 6-1)

Mastery, having demonstrated last time out that he can win handily without blinkers, will Saturday once again be wearing the blinkers, as he did when he won his debut handily two starts back.  Many have already decided that Mastery will be their Kentucky Derby horse, though it's unclear if they have done so in the hope that Trainer Bob Baffert will have figured out over the next five months whether or not Mastery runs best with or without the hood; or if they believe that the alternating blinkers on/blinkers off is the latest secret weapon in extracting peak performance from thoroughbred runners.

Somewhat more seriously, in addition to the blinkers situation, Mastery is trying two turns for the first time; so while his breeding suggests that he should handle the stretch out with no problem, it seems prudent to include at least one backup runner on our tickets.

RACE 7 - [S] (F) MSW - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Divine Spark (ML 8-5)

# 6 Adios Cali (ML 3-1)

B's

# 3 Crowded Way (ML 8-1)

# 4 Radish (ML 4-1)

C's

# 7 Proper Drink (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 1 Jill Madden (ML 15-1)

Divine Spark appears to be the most talented runner in this field, but I'm not one hundred percent convinced that the cutback in distance will be enough to keep her from running out of gas before the wire.  Perhaps if Divine Spark had at least one workout beyond four furlongs in the past two months I might have more confidence in her ability to make it to the wire on time today; but lacking that, it seemed like a good idea to spread here.

Adios Cali and Crowded Way are a pair of first time starters that seem well meant here.  Radish has finished in the Trifecta in three of her four career starts at this class level.  Proper Drink showed good early speed in her debut last time out.

RACE 8 - (F) The Starlet (Grade 1) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 American Gal (ML 5-2)
# 9 Berned (ML 8-1)

B's

# 2 Union Strike (ML 7-2)

# 6 Abel Tasman (ML 8-1)

# 8 Fact of Life (ML 8-1)

C's

None

If the Bob Baffert trained triumvirate of Mastery, Divine Spark, and American Gal should sweep the Race 6 - 8 Pick Three, we're going to look mighty foolish for having gone so deep in the latter two races of that sequence.  But while American Gal should improve with a trip today that's within the same area code of the rail, I think that there are a few here that can keep this from being a cake walk.

Berned ships in from New York after having taken the Place behind next out winner Miss Sky Warrior in the Grade 3 Tempted.  Union Strike won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante two starts back.

Abel Tasman graduated going around two turns two starts back, and then came back to beat winners last time out, with Post Time Favorite Fact of Life a half length behind at the wire.

RACE 9 - Md $30k - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Downside Up (ML 3-1)
# 5 Yodelers Way (ML 7-2)

B's

# 2 We Go Now (ML 5-2)
# 3 Opus Dei (ML 12-1)

C's

None

Downside Up has been within a length of the winner at the wire in each of his last two starts, both at this approximate class level.  Yodelers Way took the Place at this class level two starts back, and looks to be the quickest in this field.

We Go Now lost all chance at the start as the Post Time Favorite last time out.  Opus Dei may wake up with the class drop.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 3 with 2,6 with 7,9 with 1,5 $8.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 3 with 2,3,4,6 with 2,6,7,8,9 with 1,2,3,5 $40.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1 with 2,6 with 7,9 with 1,5 $4.00

$0.50 P4: 3 with 7 with 7,9 with 1,5 $2.00

Total: $54.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 5:58 EDT / 2:58 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

9/25/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 6 What We Doing (Final Odds 21,70) - "B" Selection
Race 7 - # 2 Never Say Try (1.10*) - "B" Selection
Race 8 - # 2 Lucky J Lane (5.60) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 9 Warren My Boy (2.20) - "B" Selection

I'm not sure why so much of the betting public let What We Doing go off at such a high price; after all, this is the same horse that left the gate at just 2-1 under these same conditions last week, when he took the Show after a troubled trip.  But whatever the reason, I'm grateful that they did, as their oversight allowed us to collect a payout well worth having.

For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other three runners to which we were alive in the finale:

# 2 Olimpio’s Scat Cat (9.30) - $1,322.45 Finish: 3rd
# 6 Resistanceisfutile (1.60*) - $493.40 Finish: 2nd
# 10 Silver Chrome (3.20) - $980.35 Finish: 4th

But that's what might have been.  What actually came to be was a correct Late Pick Four sequence of 6 / 2 / 2 / 9 which paid $686.15 for a fifty cent wager.  That makes for a profit of $608.65 on our $77.50 investment, or approximate odds of 7.85-1.

I hope you all had it with me.  May God bless us as we spend our winnings.

Onto the next race!

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

9/25/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

Sunday marks the final day of the September Meet for Thoroughbreds at Los Alamitos; and that's all I have by way of introduction.  So let's just get to it, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 6 - Clm $12.5k N2L - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Thunder Basin (Morning Line 9-5)

B’s

# 6 What We Doing (ML 8-1)
# 7 Swiss Cheese (ML 5-2)
# 8 Changing Karma (ML 4-1)

C's

None

This one should really have been labeled as N2X rather than N2L; just a little something to keep in mind down the road when viewing this contest in the Past Performances.

Thunder Basin defeated more expensive last time out.  What We Doing caught some bad luck in his trip last time out, but was still able to hold on for the Show at this class level.  Swiss Cheese defeated cheaper but unconditioned claimers last time out.  Changing Karma reunites with the jockey that was on his back for each of his last two victories.

RACE 7 - [S] OC 20k/N$Y - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 4 Prohibition Repeal (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 2 Never Say Try (ML 2-1)
# 5 Signature Cat (ML 4-1)

C's

# 7 Odin (ML 4-1)

Prohibition Repeal won by daylight at this class level last time out.  Never Say Try, who finished well back in that contest, could improve today if he can keep from getting fried in an early speed duel.

Signature Cat goes first off the claim for Trainer Peter Miller, who tends to do well with such.  Odin appears better suited to non-dirt surfaces; but Odin's most recent effort may suggest that he's ready to move forward.

RACE 8 - OC 40k/N$Y - Eight and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 2 Lucky J Lane (ML 3-1)
# 6 Tough It Out (ML 7-2)
# 8 Pretentious (ML 12-1)

B’s

None

C's

# 3 Ten Blessings (ML 5-2)
# 4 Indygo Holiday (ML 20-1)

Lucky J Lane has been within two lengths of the winner at the wire in each of his two previous career tries on a Fast dirt track.  Tough It Out has proven competitive at the state-bred stakes level, and could improve going third off the layoff.  Pretentious took the Show at this class level the last time that he went around two turns on a Fast dirt track.

Ten Blessings, who disappointed as the Post Time Favorite at this class level last time out, will try two turns for the first time.  Indygo Holiday was victorious the only prior time that he competed over this main track.

RACE 9 - Md $20k - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Resistanceisfutile (ML 5-2)

B's

# 2 Olimpio's Scat Cat (ML 4-1)
# 9 Warren My Boy (ML 3-1)
# 10 Silver Charm (ML 6-1)

C's

None

Resistanceisfutile has finished in the Trifecta at this class level in each of his last three starts.  Olimpio's Scat Cat took the Show at this class level last time out.  Warren My Boy has taken the Place at this class level in each of his last two starts.  Silver Chrome took the Show at this class level the last time that he had to go around only one turn.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1 with 4 with 2,6,8 with 6 $3.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,6,7,8 with 2,4,5 with 2,6,8 with 2,6,9,10 $72.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 1 with 7 with 2,6,8 with 6 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 1 with 4 with 3,4 with 6 $1.00

Total: $77.50

Post Time for Race 6 is 7:28 EDT / 4:28 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

9/24/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Results

Race 6 - # 7 Bernin Sensation (Final Odds 0.80*) - "A" Selection
Race 7 - # 10 Tough Sunday (1.30*) - "A" Selection
Race 8 - The Los Alamitos Derby - # 7 Accelerate (0.90*) - "A" Selection
Race 9 - # 3 Money Makin Mike (2.50*) - "B" Selection

Needless to say, when you see that asterisk denoting the Post Time Favorite following the Final Odds of all four winners, you know the payout isn't going to amount to much.

For the record, here are the $0.50 Will Pays for the other four runners to which we were alive in the finale:

# 1 Cavalry (8.80) - $91.30 Finish: 6th
# 2 Regal Reign (12.00) - $169.80 Finish: 9th
# 5 He’s a Knockout (3.80) - $42.40 Finish: 5th
# 7 Star Express (2.60) - $39.40 Finish: 7th

And, of course, had He's a Knockout, our "A" Selection, crossed the wire first, we would have collected three times the above payout.

But that's what might have been.  What actually came to be was a correct Pick Four sequence of  7 / 10 / 7 / 3  which paid $42.10 for a fifty cent wager.  Since our investment was $63.00, we cash at a loss; and while that definitely beats not cashing at all, it certainly wasn’t what we had in mind when we placed our wagers.

Oh well; onto the next race.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

9/24/16 Los Alamitos Race Course Late Pick Four - Preview

So we come to the final Saturday of the Fairplex / Pomona / L.A. County Fair Meet at Los Alamitos, with the meet's featured race, the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby, headlining the card.  We'll be taking a look at that contest below, as we take another run at The Late Pick Four at Orange County's own Los Alamitos Race Course.

RACE 6 - MSW - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Bernin Sensation (Morning Line 5-2)

B's

# 6 Saldamente (ML 3-1)
# 8 T. Montana (ML 8-1)

C's

# 4 Gentrified (ML 5-1)
# 5 He's All That (ML 12-1)
# 12 Sheer Flattery (ML 10-1)

Scratch # 10 Thisisourstory (No Line)

Bernin Sensation, trained by Bob Baffert, missed graduation by just a nose in his debut last time out.  Saldamente took the Place at this class level in his debut two starts back.  T. Montana flashed good early speed in his debut last time out.

Gentrified, trained by Doug O'Neill, showed late interest in his debut last time out; perhaps today he'll start running at the same time as the rest of the field.  He's All That and Sheer Flattery are first time starters whose sires (Harlan's Holiday and Flatter, respectively) produce more than their fair share of debut winners.

RACE 7 - OC 40k/N$Y - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 9 Gutsy Ruler (ML 5-1)
# 10 Tough Sunday (ML 7-2)

B’s

# 6 Midnight Officer (ML 20-1)
# 11 Pedro Cerrano (ML 11-1)

C's

# 2 Jury (ML 6-1)

Scratch # 1 Anthonysgotgame (ML 12-1) and # 5 Eltiojohnny (ML 6-1)

Gutsy Ruler and Tough Sunday have have proven themselves to be competitive at this class level.  Pedro Cerrano is undefeated in two career starts; but today will be his toughest class test.  Jury returns to action after an extended layoff for Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.  Since Jury was a debut winner two starts back, we know that he can win off just works.  

RACE 8 - The Los Alamitos Derby (Grade 2) - Nine Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Semper Fortis (ML 3-1)

# 7 Accelerate (ML 2-1)

B's

None

C's

# 4 Chris and Dave (ML 20-1)

# 8 Blackjackcat (ML 5-2)

Semper Fortis and Accelerate were within a length of each other at the wire in The Shared Belief last time out.  Chris and Dave is making a big class jump up the ladder from the claiming ranks, but Chris and Dave could be find himself sitting a nice trip today behind the early leaders.  Blackjackcat looks to be on the wrong surface; but if Blackjackcat brings his turf form to the dirt, then he could be in the mix at the wire.

RACE 9 - Md $20k - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 He's a Knockout (ML 5-2)

B's

# 1 Cavalry (ML 5-1)

# 3 Money Makin Mike (ML 4-1)

# 7 Star Express (ML 3-1)

C's

# 2 Regal Reign (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 9 Glitter's Song (ML 20-1) and # 12 Lucky Snow (ML 20-1)

He's a Knockout didn't feel much like running last time out, and showed it by being fractious in the gate.  Prior to that contest He's a Knockout had finished in the Trifecta at this class level in each of his three starts at this class level.

Cavalry could be speed on the rail.  Money Makin Mike took the Show at this class level the last time that he competed around two turns.  Star Express has shown a steadily improving form in each of his last three starts.  Regal Reign tries two turns for the first time; her breeding suggests that he may prefer it (though his breeding also suggests that he would prefer being on the grass).

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing our tickets in Crist fashion, we get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 7 with 9,10 with 5,7 with 5 $4.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 6,7,8 with 6,9,10,11 with 5,7 with 1,3,5,7 $48.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 4,5,12 with 9,10 with 5,7 with 5 $6.00

$0.50 P4: 7 with 2 with 5,7 with 5 $1.00

$0.50 P4: 7 with 9,10 with 4,8 with 5 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 7 with 9,10 with 5,7 with 2 $2.00

Total: $63.00

Post Time for Race 6 is 7:28 EDT / 4:28 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo