Horse Racing Pick of the Day @ Santa Anita

Race-day: 12/27/2008

Race-time: 12:30 pm pst.

Often time’s sports betting fans get so caught up with the glitz and glamour of graded stakes races that they forget that the best place to find terrific overlays is in the smaller, less popular races.

This is where most thoroughbred trainers, jockeys and owners make their money. It’s also the place where most online racebook fans make their money.

Such is the case with Saturday’s Horse Pick of the Day!

Let’s get to it!

Santa Anita – - Race 1

Claiming $12,500

For Four Year Olds and Up

6 furlongs on Pro-Ride

Monarcho Polo – - 4/1 fair online betting odds

Bewitching Bartok, Seth the Candeyman, Primary Notice and Wineshine will all go off at lower online odds than Monarcho Polo but to discount this one’s chances because of that would be a huge mistake. Jockey Kayla Stra is only winning at 6% and trainer Cirilo Sierra is only winning at 11% but what some might see as knocks I see as advantages. This is a $12,500 claimer which means any horse in this pretty much has a shot. Well, Monarcho Polo just busted the best work out of 115 at five furlongs on Dec. 21st. Without a doubt that is a signal that Monarcho Polo has a huge shot to take this field gate to wire.

Wineshine – - 5/1 online betting odds

Wineshine will be seeking his third straight victory. The slight move up in class makes sense and he definitely has the ability to win this. But usually these cheapies only have one or two good ones in them before going on a big losing streak. I feel that’s probably what’s going to happen to Wineshine in this. Trainer Doug O’Neil could be giving him up at the right time. He’s worth throwing in the exotics but a third straight victory looks tough.

Primary Notice – - 5/2 online betting odds

Primary Notice is taking a huge drop in class from the $20,000 level to this $12,500 level and there’s no doubt that he goes off the favorite in this. So, what’s not to like? Lots, actually. He started off his career by winning his first three races. He continued to race extremely well but was on the bench from September 2007 to November of 2008. When he returned it was at the $20,000 level. So what’s going on here? He’s worth a bet at online odds of 5 to 2 or higher because of his class but I have that sneaky feeling that he’s just not any good anymore.

Wagering Strategy

Monarcho Polo is a stand out on pace and should be bet to win and place at online odds of 4 to 1 or higher. I also believe an exacta and trifecta box with Primary Notice and Wineshine could pay nice online wagering dividends.

Good Luck!