HORSE RACING

​Los Alamitos Horse Racing Picks for Friday 12/4/20

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.

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.

(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.)

Western Rule, Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1

Los Alamitos begins it’s three-week daytime meet Friday with strong average entries of more than 9.5 runners per race. Race 3 is a Maiden Claiming race for 2-year-olds, and it's going 5 1/2 furlongs with 10 entries. The top pick according to numberFire's data is Pizza Charlie (6/1), who we have edging out favorite Western Rule (2/1).

Trainer John Sadler calls Los Alamitos home, and his well-stocked barn includes Pizza Charlie, who makes his debut with a solid work tab in place. Western Rule has a pair of bullet workouts in November and is ready to fire at first asking. Flash of Glory (5/1) breaks from the rail but has failed to hit the board in four starts. He cuts back from a mile distance last time out at Del Mar as a huge longshot and switches from turf to dirt.

Fratelli and Bronn, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 4/1

Race 6 is a Starter Allowance at 6 furlongs, and numberFire projects Tizhotndusty (4/1) to win over Fratelli (7/2), who is a best bet of Guaranteed Tip Sheet's Horse Racing Radar.

Fratelli finished fourth as the favorite a month ago going 6 1/2 furlongs just behind rallying third-place finisher Tizhotndusty. Fratelli posted triple-digit speed figures in his other recent two races, including a 109 clip when finishing third as the favorite in a speed duel. Jockey Drayden Van Dyke jumps off Tizhotndusty to ride Fratelli.

Leading jockey Abel Cedillo is a strong gate rider, and he is on Bronn (4/1) for trainer Bob Baffert. Bronn boasts a consistent and strong work tab in November off a wire-to-wire 1-mile win and a third-place finish across his last two races. He is one to include in Exacta and Trifecta wagering.

Midnight Sunrise and Althea Gibson, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 9/5

Race 7 is the Friday feature -- an Allowance race for state bred fillies and mares sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. numberFire projects Hot On The Trail (10/1) to upset morning line favorite Althea Gibson (9/5) and La Aguililla (7/2).

Althea Gibson won twice on the turf in August and September and returns to dirt with the ability to win up front or from off the pace. She finished runner-up in a pair of maiden races on the dirt for EPO trainer Phil D’Amato.

Hot On The Trail makes her 14th start as a 4-year-old but has not finished in the money in any of her last five starts. She did win over this course in June but her 80 speed figure from that one needs to improve to hit the board Friday.

Midnight Sunrise (6/1) is a sleeper that can upset, according to Guaranteed Tip Sheet. She dug in to win at Golden Gate in August and has a pair of runner-up finishes since then -- priced at lower odds in those races. Felony One (15/1) is a overlooked longshot speedster who won at Golden Gate in August with a 91 speed figure and can be included in Trifecta wagering.