Saturday’s Santa Anita, Gulfstream racing results mixed
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Online betting results: Scratches, unappealing odds change the day
- WHO: 2008 Breeders’ Cup Winners Albertus Maximus, Ventura
- WHAT: Donn Handicap, Santa Monica Handicap
- WHERE: Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park
- WHERE: Saturday, January 31
Once again, Friday’s plans were scrapped due to scratches and unattractive odds. If you read Friday’s article, you’ll know I liked #2-Danger to Society in The Holy Bull Stakes (Race 7) at Gulfstream Park. I had planned to use him to lead off the Pick 3, but his morning-line odds (5-1) dwindled to 1.80-1 at post time, so I passed on the Pick 3. The “other horse” with a win over the track, #4-Saratoga Sinner, got the job done at 12.40-1, while Danger to Society checked in a non-threatening seventh in Gulfstream racing results.
I was considering #10-Dubinsky in Race 8 to lead off the daily double, but his final odds of 1.30-1 didn’t come close to his morning-line price of 7-2…another “no play”. He faded to fourth after taking the early lead, and Barbaro’s highly-touted little brother, Nicanor, finished 10th, beating two horses in a field of 12.
The Donn Handicap was won by my selection, #2-Albertus Maximus, but I was looking for 4-1 and he went off at 3.10-1. I couldn’t “pull the trigger”, as I was worried about Rick Dutrow trainee #7-Arson Squad running a big one. He lacked a stretch punch and edged Sir Whimsey for fourth. Perhaps the most frustrating horse racing results are those where you pass on a winning horse because the odds weren’t quite good enough.
In the Santa Monica Handicap, I was looking forward to taking a stand with Ventura to beat Champion Indian Blessing, but Indian Blessing was scratched. Ventura won by a length over stablemate Jibboom, but her odds of .30-1 didn’t exactly get the pulse pounding. More handicapping work went for naught.
It’s very difficult to describe this approach in a preview article, but the reality of horse race handicapping and betting is that you make quite a few plays “on the fly”. In other words, you form an opinion of who the “live” horses are in a race, then you keep an eye on the tote board to determine where the “value” lies. This flexibility is a necessary ingredient in success at the race track, but it’s hard to account for a day or two ahead of time when you’re trying to get an article posted.
That’s all for now…good luck this week at the races!
For more thoughts from Pete Mitchell on Gulfstream racing results and other horse racing news, visit the Betting Edge and racebook weekly.
Pete Mitchell has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
