Los Alamitos Horse Racing Picks for Friday 12/11/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 4:00 p.m. EST, we have eight races at Los Alamitos. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)
Los Alamitos is the final Southern California refuge for bettors who prefer the traditional pick six over the single-ticket jackpot scheme adopted by Santa Anita and Del Mar.
Big Duke, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1
Race 2 is a Claiming race for 2-year-old sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. The top pick according to numberFire’s data is Big Duke (3/1), who has the highest Equibase speed figure (ESF) at this distance in this field. Big Duke has won 2-of-4 starts and has been racing on the All-Weather track at Golden Gate (GG), where he won in September with an 81 ESF from off the pace.
A Little Bit Lucky (20/1) is a big longshot that numberFire projects to hit the board. He has shown early speed in his four races at Golden Gate and won at 8/5 odds on debut in June. Like many 2-year-olds looking to improve, he will try to carry speed a little further. Joe Don Looney (6/1) was a definite contender and priced poorly here after winning on debut at Del Mar last month. But Joe Don Looney is a late scratch.
Carrie’s Success and Bounty of Gold, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 7/2
Race 4 is a small Claiming race for fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs. The favorite and best bet of Guaranteed Tip Sheet is Carrie’s Success (5/1). Horse Racing Radar (HRR) notes that strong gate jockey Abel Cedillo rides for trainer Jonathan Wong, who has given this mare some time since finishing fourth in early October at Santa Anita. But HRR notes her 95 speed figure when winning in July, and she’s been training very well at GG and has a nice late kick ready for her return.
The two mares preferred by numberFire to challenge for the win are Untouched Elegance (7/2) and Bounty of Gold (7/2). Untouched Elegance is conditioned by EPO trainer Richard Baltas, and she has a pair of bullet workouts in preparation for her return and just her second race since June. Her speed figures have reached 90 and fit with jockey Jessica Pyfer. Bounty of Gold is a front runner who will challenge, and she ran on the lead before finishing a neck short in second two months ago and was claimed for new trainer Ed Freeman.
Democrat and Kennebec, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/2 and 9/2
Race 6 is a Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-olds sprinting 5 furlongs. The algorithm of numberFire projects the favorite Medina Spirit (2/1) to win on debut and make a bold show for trainer Bob Baffert and strong gate rider Abel Cedillo. Baffert also has the second choice of numberFire, Democrat (9/2), entered with top jockey Drayden Van Dyke riding. Democrat has sharp works in place and HRR notes Democrat is out of a dam who was a stakes winner at age 2 and whose only other foal was a four time winner
Kennebec (9/2) finished third on debut in front of First Class Dad (6/1) in October and has come back with a pair of bullet works. Top jockey Umberto Rispoli rides again with improvement expected as the top pick of Guaranteed Tip Sheet. Diva’s Finale (6/1) and It’s My House (15/1) are scratched.
