Santa Anita Oct 17

Early Pick 5 — Races 1–5 | 50¢ base | $288 - Ugh, ours got 2 seconds in the final legs . . Hardly worth mentioning - Early Pick 5 paid $618, we were trying to do better than that anyway.

R1: 4, 7, 8

R2: 1, 2, 3, 4

R3: 1, 2, 3, 5

R4: 1, 3, 4, 7

R5: 5, 10, 11

Late Pick 4 — Races 6–9 | $1 base | $96 Meh - got some of our money back paid only $39.70

R6: 1, 4, 7

R7: 3, 5, 7, 9

R8: 3, 8

R9: 2, 4, 5, 7

Total investment: $384

Those are our tickets. The reasoning follows so you can build your own, change the coverage, or pinpoint where our relationship with reality became strained. Ticket numbers are listed in numerical order, not preference.

Race 1 — Using 4, 7, 8Brazoria (#7) brings a last-out 88 and enough early pace to get involved. Peachy Canyon (#8) has been consistent, with an 87 last out and an 87 three-race average. Chair’s Coin (#4) sits close behind on figures and gives us another credible option. Three runners with similar credentials. We’d appreciate them settling it among themselves without inviting anyone else.

Race 2 — Using 1, 2, 3, 4 Gettinby (#4) comes off a field-best 110, narrowly ahead of Special Club (#3) and his 108. Otto the Conqueror (#1) enters off a 103, while Jerry’s Spirit (#2) brings consistent recent figures and Rosario aboard. We’re using four of five, leaving No More Ding Dongs (#5) as the lone omission. That name could become deeply personal if he wins.

Race 3 — Using 1, 2, 3, 5 The Lure gives us Astronomer (#3) and Artislas (#2) off matching 105 figures, with Astronomer also owning substantial older back class. Nesso’s Lastharrah (#1) brings early speed, while Endlessly (#5) needs to put his latest disappointment behind him. We’re leaving out Twirling Point (#4) despite his field-best last-out 110. That’s a meaningful stand, and anyone building their own ticket should know exactly which bear we’re poking.

Race 4 — Using 1, 3, 4, 7 Photogenic (#1) brings the strongest recent figures of our quartet and gets Rosario. Springline (#7) has been competitive enough to belong, while Sei Bella (#4) has shown early pace and comes off an improved effort. Can’t Say That (#3) needs a rebound to her better numbers. Four chances through a claiming route, because these races have a habit of making the obvious answer look like a clerical error.

Race 5 — Using 5, 10, 11 Is That You Wing (#10) comes off an 82 and brings the strongest recent average of our three. Missed Fortune (#5) improved to a 74 last out, while Repo (#11) needs to rediscover his better form for McCarthy and Rispoli. We’re leaving out legitimate alternatives, including Bottled in Bond (#4) and Red Raider (#9). This is an opinionated finish to the early ticket. Ideally, Repo collects from someone else.

Race 6 — Using 1, 4, 7 East Witton (#1) earned a 76 in her only start, while Blame Ashley (#4) opened with a 70. Both have limited experience and room to improve. Breakaway Babe (#7) needs to rebound, but her better efforts put her in the discussion. Imnosurething (#5) comes off a field-best 77 and is a notable omission. Apparently, we found her name persuasive.

Race 7 — Using 3, 5, 7, 9 Trump Era (#7) brings substantial early speed and a strong 102 three-race average. The question is how much energy he spends establishing position, with other pace in the field capable of making life uncomfortable. Back Nine Stakes (#5) also figures to be involved early, while Timayyyy (#9) comes off a career-best 99 and offers an alternative if the faster runners get carried away. We’re leaving Moon Ice (#4) out despite his latest 103. Plenty of ways to have an opinion here; fewer ways to remain relaxed about it.

Race 8 — Using 3, 8 Godbless Her (#3) comes off a field-best 73 and brings early speed. Blame the Track (#8) has the strongest recent average and a lifetime-best 81, though her latest was below that level. Between Godbless Her and Blame the Track, we’ve covered both prayer and the post-race explanation.

Race 9 — Using 2, 4, 5, 7, We close with seven because this field offers several credible ways to ruin a perfectly good afternoon. Calm Sea (#2), Mary’s Boy Bolt (#7) earned a 108 last out, while City Exile (#4) Sarwar (#5) completes the coverage with numbers that keep him in range.