After a new and successful November meet at Del Mar, the Southern California Thoroughbred circuit moves to a new December meet at Los Alamitos Race Course. After hosting the 11-day Fall meet in September and the 8-day Summer meet in July, Los Alamitos will now host a 12-day Winter meet that will run from December 4 through December 21.
Racing will be held on a Thursday-Sunday schedule with a first post of 12:30 p.m. every racing day.
The Grade I $500,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (previously known as the CashCall Futurity) will highlight the meet that features five stakes worth a combined total of $1.45 million. The Los Alamitos Futurity will be run on December 20 and will now offer points towards the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
For the fillies, there's the Grade I $300,000 Starlet which will be run on December 13 and will now offer points toward the 2015 Kentucky Oaks. The Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Champion Take Charge Brandi is being pointed towards the Starlet.
The wagering menu is very similar to previous September meet and it includes an early (beginning in race 2) and late pick-4 (last four races on the card) and the 14% low takeout pick-5 that always begins in Race 1. The pick-4's and pick-5 are 50-cent minimum wagers while the pick-6 (the last six races on the card) is a $2 wager.
In addition to the new Thoroughbred Winter meet, the traditional Quarter Horse meet will continue as usual on a Friday-Sunday night basis. Post time on Friday is 7 p.m., Saturday is 6:30 p.m., and Sunday is 5:00 p.m. December features the running of the GI $2,078,775 Los Alamitos Two Million Quarter Horse Futurity which will be run on December 14.
Other stakes during the month of December include the GI Southern California Derby, the Christmas Invitational, the First Down Dash Handicap and the Z Wayne Invitational.
It is shaping up to be a December to remember at Los Alamitos Race Course with all the great racing during the day and at night.
Here are my selections for Thursday opening day of the Thoroughbred meet.
Best Bet
Race 4
#5 Znelle
Morning Line Odds: 5-1
He was a well beaten fourth in his last start after battling for the lead at a longer distance. I like the cut back in distance and he returns to the track of his only win during the September meet. The low profile connections should give us a good price on this runner.
Race 1: 6-5-2
Race 2: 4-8-1
Race 3: 9-8-5
Race 4: 5-9-3
Race 5: 6-9-1
Race 6: 1-6-8
Race 7: 3-4-10
Race 8: 5-1-10
0 comments:
Post a Comment