Welcome to Los Ponies Longshots! Each week, America’s Best Racing’s Southern California correspondent Jose Contreras – Los Ponies to those who follow him on Twitter – will provide two or three longshots at 6-to-1 odds or better on the morning line that he identifies as strong value bets. Contreras also will map out a betting strategy for how to play his selections and keep track of his return on investment (ROI).

Stop back each week if you love a longshot!

Saturday, April 8

Santa Anita Park, Race 1, 3 p.m. ET

#8 Roy H (8-1): He was last seen finishing fourth in July 2016 at Del Mar at a shorter distance. I like that he’s got good early speed but doesn’t need the lead to be effective. He’s taking the blinkers off, so I imagine they will try to settle behind the early pace. There’s a sharp workout leading up to this, and this trainer is having a terrific season thus far.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$2 win on Roy H ($2)

$2 exacta: 8 with 2,12 ($4)

$1 exacta: 2,3,6,12 with 8 ($4)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$5 win on Roy H ($5)

$1 trifecta: 2,8 with 2,8,12 with 2,3,5,6,8,11,12 ($20)

Strategy on $50 Budget

$2 win on Roy H ($2)

$1 trifecta: 8 with 2,3,6,12 with 2,3,5,6,12 ($16)

$1 trifecta: 2,3,5,6,12 with 8 with 2,3,6,12 ($16)

$1 trifecta: 2,3,6,12 with 2,3,5,6,12 with 8 ($16)

Saturday, April 8

Santa Anita Park, Race 5, Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes, 5 p.m. ET

#4 Lady Valeur (6-1): She’s one of those fillies that I thought could have had a better 2016 résumé if she had a little bit better racing luck in a couple of races. She was a game third, beaten by half a length, last time out when racing from the rail post in a full field of 12. This will be her first start as a 4-year-old, and I think she still has room to improve. It doesn’t hurt that she picks up leading rider Flavien Prat.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$2 win on Lady Valeur ($2)

$2 exacta: 4 with 5,8 ($4)

$1 exacta: 3,5,6,8 with 4 ($4)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$5 win on Lady Valeur ($5)

$1 trifecta: 4,5 with 4,5,8 with 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 ($20)

Strategy on $50 Budget  

$2 win on Lady Valeur ($2)

$1 trifecta: 4 with 3,5,6,8 with 2,3,5,6,8 ($16)

$1 trifecta: 2,3,5,6,8 with 4 with 3,5,6,8 ($16)

$1 trifecta: 3,5,6,8 with 2,3,5,6,8 with 4 ($16)

ROI Year to date: $9412 wagered/$9,402.51 returned