Horse Bet of the Day – Golden Itiz is a Solid Bet in Race 8 at Hollywood on Saturday

Trainer Ron Ellis is about as astute of a horseman in Southern California as there is.

He has often times turned somewhat talented horses into great horses.

He’s a careful trainer. That’s one of the reasons that Golden Itiz, who comes form Elis’s barn, has to be taken seriously in Hollywood Park’s 8th on Saturday.

I’m taking the horse so seriously that I’m making it my best bet of the day in the horse racing sportsbook.

Horse Bet of the Day – Saturday

Where: Hollywood Park – Race 8

When: June 19th, 2010 at 7:37 pm EST

TV: TVG

Grade III Affirmed Handicap

For Three Year Olds

1 1/16th miles over cushion track

2-Golden Itiz – - 5/2 morning line horse betting odds

This son of Tiznow could be any sort after breaking his maiden in his second lifetime start and then winning by 11 ¼ lengths in his last at this distance in an $80,000 optional claimer.

Trainer Ron Ellis is winning at a 30% clip at the meet and Golden Itiz can either take the lead and coast to a victory in this or hang right off of the speed and then run on to Affirmed Handicap glory.

He’s simply the best horse in this race and deserves to be bet that way.

1-Skipshot – - 5/1 morning line horse betting odds

Skipshot should get a terrific tracking position behind Ranger Heartley in this race. If he can get the jump over Golden Itiz, he could hang on for the victory.

That’s unlikely because Golden Itiz is a super strong horse, but Skipshot does have a chance for a top 3 placing taking over from Ranger Heartley at the top of the stretch and then waiting for Golden Itiz to blow right past him. If Golden Itiz doesn’t have it, he could actually win the race.

8-Ranger Heartley – - 4/1 morning line horse betting odds

There doesn’t appear to be a ton of speed in this race meaning that Ranger Heartley could get away with soft fractions on the front end. He’s not classy enough to win this race, at least, I believe that he isn’t, but he could hang on for a piece.

Heartley is 2-0-1 out of 3 lifetime races at this distance, has won over Hollywood Park’s cushion track and get the fantastic Rafael Bejarano to ride. He could be dangerous if Golden Itiz has a bad day.

Horse Wagering Strategy

Golden Itiz towers over this field on paper. I will bet the Ellis charge to win. I will also bet an exacta with Golden Itiz over Ranger Heartley and Skipshot. I will reverse for much less.

I will bet a trifecta keying Golden Itiz over Ranger Heartley and Skipshot over ALL.

Good luck!

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