Key Bets & Races for Saturday, January 28
California Cup Oaks - Race #5 at Santa Anita – Post Time 4:50 PM ET, 1:50 PT
The California Cup Oaks and the two races that follow offer some excellent betting action, both within the races and in the pick 3.
The favorite is Sircat Sally (9 to 5 morning line odds), who has earned both her wins leading from start to finish, the most recent at this mile trip but on dirt. Not only does the handicapping adage "Don't bet a horse at low odds trying something for the first time" apply here, but there are at least two horses stretching out from sprints who can easily deny the favorite the early lead she wants, particularly from the nine post. All that early heat sets up a trio of stalkers and closers nicely, starting with Bella Luma, who already has positive experience on turf, having rallied for second in the second start of her career, first on turf, at this mile trip. She won her next start, on an all-weather surface, by nine lengths, before an irrelevant try in the Jimmy Durante Stakes when debris appeared on the course, causing her and many of the others to check and lose all chance. Her most recent race, on dirt, is the one in which Sircat Sally coasted around the track in front and irrelevant, so she can easily bounce back to form good enough to win.
Mi Pi Romancer ran very well when she tried turf for the first time in November, rallying for second in a field of 10. Next out, she led from start to finish but Prat knows from an outside post he must take her back and save ground today, so she is another that should be running on strongly late as the pacesetters and pressers tire. How About Zero tried turf just once, in the Jimmy Durante, and was also affected by the debris on the track. She finished far behind Sircat Sally last month but she did win a similar stakes for California breds before that from off the pace, showing she has the ability to take back early and come rolling late.
Bet Bella Luma to win at odds of 5 to 2 or more. Add a place bet at 6 to 1 or higher.
Consider a smaller win and place bet on How About Zero at odds of 9 to 2 or higher.
Play an exacta of Bella Luma, How About Zero and Mi Pi Romancer over ALL.
Pick 3 for Santa Anita Races 5 through 7
Pick 3
Race 5: Bella Luma, How About Zero and Mi Pi Romancer
Race 6: Solid Wager, Well Measured and Jimmy Bouncer
Race 7: He Will, Ashleyluvssugar and Ralis
Cost at $1 is $27
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