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 8-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, Oct. 8

Santa Anita Park, Race 7, 6:30 p.m. ET

#3 Unbridled Rocket (8-1): I would cross out his last two races because I don’t think his optimal distance is a mile. He’s returning to the distance and surface of this maiden win where he rolled home by over five lengths. His speed should have him in a good position throughout. He’s taking another drop in class, and take note that this jockey gets most of his wins when he rides for this barn.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$1 exacta: 3 with 2,6,8,9,10 ($5)

$1 exacta: 2,6,8,9,10 with 3 ($5)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$10 win on Unbridled Rocket ($10)

$1 exacta: 3 with 2,6,8,9,10 ($5)

$1 trifecta: 3 with 9,10 with 2,6,8,9,10 ($10)

Strategy on $50 Budget  

$10 win on Unbridled Rocket ($10)

$1 trifecta: 3 with 2,6,8,9,10 with 2,6,8,9,10 ($20)

$1 trifecta: 2,6,8,9,10 with 3 with 2,6,8,9,10 ($20)

Sunday, Oct. 9

Santa Anita Park, Race 9, 7:30 p.m. ET

#8 Feldini (10-1): I liked the way he looked when winning on the turf for the first time. He has enough speed to get into a good position early on and that is a good thing in a full field like this. The break between races is not a concern given that the circuit was running for three weeks at Los Alamitos (no turf course) which leads me to believe they have been waiting for a spot like this.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$1 exacta: 8 with 1,3,5,6,10 ($5)

$1 exacta: 1,3,5,6,10  with 8 ($5)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$5 win on Feldini ($5)

$.50 trifecta: 8 with 1,3,5,6,10 with 1,3,5,6,10 ($10)

$.50 trifecta: 1,3,5,6,10 with 8 with 1,3,5,6,10 ($10)

Strategy on $50 Budget

$10 win on Feldini ($10)

$5 exacta: 8 with 5,10 ($10)

$.50 trifecta: 8 with 1,3,5,6,10 with 1,3,5,6,10 ($10)

$.50 trifecta: 1,3,5,6,10 with 8 with 1,3,5,6,10 ($10)

$.50 trifecta: 1,3,5,6,10 with 1,3,5,6,10 with 8 ($10)

ROI Year to date: $5950 wagered/$4608.60 returned