Santa Anita Raceway Horse Pick of the day for Race 4

Racing at Santa Anita resumes on Wednesday with an 8 race card. Thank goodness that the rains on Tuesday should be less than flood-like on Wednesday. That’s all horseplayers are hoping for on Wednesday…rains less than flood-like.

If that happens, then it should be a great day of racing. More than one race on Wednesday’s Santa Anita card should provide horseplayers with an overlay or two. Race 4, however, looks to be the best race in which to find an overlay. That’s the race that I’ll be betting.

Santa Anita – Race 4

Race-day: 2/10/2010

Race-time: 5:34 pm EST

Claiming $12,500n2L

For Four Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never Won Two Races

6 ½ furlongs on Pro-Ride

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Smokenomore – - 8/1 morning line odds

Smokenomore drops out of a $25,000 claimer and into this $12,500 claimer for trainer Bill Spawr. Spawr hasn’t gotten it going yet at Santa Anita, he’s only winning with 9% of his starters, but could start getting it going with Smokenomore who could be lone speed in this race. Just Charmed has shown major speed before, but Smokenomore is the much classier animal and Just Charmed loses the blinkers and hasn’t raced since September of 2009. Betting on lone speed droppers is usually a recipe for success. When the lone speed dropper’s morning line is 8 to 1, taking a shot is a must, right?

Abalanche – - 3/1 morning line odds

Doug O’Neil saddles this 6 year old son of Snow Ridge for the first time in this race after claiming him from trainer Rafael Becerra. O’Neil is 20% first time after the claim and Abalanche has run numbers that make him a serious contender in this. He’ll be chasing Smokenomore but so will the rest of the field. If the top choice can’t hang on, then Abalanche figures to win it.

Indy Ride – - 9/2 morning line odds

Joel Rosario takes the call on Indy Ride who goes to the barn of Jack Carava after running for Bill Spawr earlier in the meet. Indy Ride has some serious back class. As late as November of 2009, the son of Candy Ride was running in a $52,000 allowance. Indy Ride is going to have to pick it up earlier than he’s used to as he hasn’t run in a sprint shorter than 7 furlongs since April of last year. If Rosario can get him out of the gate and get him into a good position, then he could win this.

Wagering Strategy

Smokenomore is worth a bet to win and place. I will key Smokenomore over Indy Ride and Abalanche in an exacta. I will reverse for less.