Maiden King

In here, #10 Kaffeinator was way over bet to 8-to-5, as he was showing the four highest Beyer Speed Figures in the race and money magnet Garrett Gomez was aboard. Because Kaffeinator was pounded, I shopped elsewhere. 

Six of nine horses were coming off recent long layoffs, and I saw this race as wide open. So there was no way I was betting second-place finisher #2 Pacific Halo at 7-to-2 or #3 Voodoo’s Run at 4-to-1.  I ended up playing small wagers on extreme long shots: I took $150 on #6 Mr. Rancho Vista at 19-to-1, and $100 on both #1 Sailboat Sam at 15-to-1 and #4 Unusual Justin at 18-to-1.

Of course, you could say those three were dead on the board and had no shot at all, but I think the strategy was sound as I was close to betting the eventual winner #7 Mossad if he blinked to 6-to1. But unfortunately he remained at 5-to-1.

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com