Horse Picks from Santa Anita – Race 8 (7:07 pm EST)

Even though three graded races pepper Santa Anita’s Saturday card, the Grade III San Rafael, the Grade II Santa Ynez, and the Grade II San Fernando, the best race to actually bet has to be Race 8.

In Race 8 at Santa Anita on Saturday, 12 horses will dive down Santa Anita’s famed downhill turf course, skip across a patch of dirt, and then fly home for the winner’s share of a purse of $46,000.

Let’s take a look at Horse Race 8 at Santa Anita on Saturday right now.

Santa Anita – Race 8 (7:07 pm EST)

Allowance $46,000 n$y

Downhill Turf for Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward Which Have Never Won $10,000 Other Than Maiden, Claiming or Starter or Which Have Never Won Two Races

6 ½ furlongs downhill turf

Stash – - 3/1 fair online betting odds

The rail down the hill isn’t always the best place to be but if you’ve got the lone speed in the race, like jockey Mike Smith figures to have, then the rail is the only place to be. Smith shouldn’t get fancy with Stash, the 5 year old mare sired by Maria’s Mon. Get the horse out of the gate and then go for it, Mikey! Stash routinely runs a 21 and change first quarter. No other horse in this race figures to be close to Stash early and the downhill turf course has favored speed this meet. Unless there’s something wrong with Stash, some other horse gets brave, or the turf track is playing differently than it has been, Stash should wire this field rather easily.

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Lion Heart’s Bluff – - 6/1 fair online betting odds

Lion Heart’s Bluff most likely will either go for the lead right out of the gate or track Stash. Either way, because of its style, Lion Heart’s Bluff could win this race at huge odds. Sired by Lion Heart, Lion Heart’s Bluff should have no problem transferring to the turf after running four races on all weather surfaces. The four year old filly is coming off of a maiden victory and usually that would be a sign for disaster, but Lion Heart’s Bluff is literally the only other speed in this race. If Stash falters, then jockey Tyler Baze should have this filly right there ready to pounce.

Surfer Girl – - 4/1 fair online betting odds

Rafael Bejarano takes the call on this second time in the states mare sired by Wild Event. Surfer Girl lost by only a head in its first race in the states, a $48,000 allowance down the hill. The Grade I placed miss from Brazil figures to be tougher in this, but that first race was in March of 2009. We are now in January of 2010. There’s just no way that a horse can take off 10 months and expect to win a race down Santa Anita’s hill. Now, finishing third or second is a possibility.

Wagering Strategy

I never turn a blind eye to lone speed. I won’t start in this race. I am going to bet Stash to win. I will also play a nice sized exacta with Stash over Surfer Girl and Lion Heart’s Bluff. I will reverse my exacta for less. I will place a saver bet on Lion Heart’s Bluff to win at odds of 6 to 1 or better.

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