Yesterday, I went on and on about the Place Pick All (PPA). I think it the single best play for the experienced handicapper/horse player, as you'll typically have a few races where you feel solid with good priced horses for one or two of your single legs.
Another very good play, available at Santa Anita, is the $1 Pick 5. It works like the Pick 6, in that your horse must win, but the play has some nice features which I like:
- First, it's a $1 increment play, unlike the P6 which requires $2 increments. With $1 increments, you often can afford to put your favorite long shot in the mix without making the ticket just too expensive.
- Secondly, and importantly, it's a lot easier to hit 5 of 5 than 6 of 6.
- Thirdly it's a full payout play........if no one gets all five they payout the full pool to 4 of 5 (no Carryovers).
- Lastly, the leverage for the P5 is terrific and almost always beats the amount if you parley the 5 races.
Santa Anita is the only southern California racetrack, which offers the Pick Five........I highly recommend it over the P6 play for the reasons mentioned above. Although the P6 payoffs are larger, I believe most players will NET more playing the P5 rather than the P6.
Another interesting card on Thursday at Santa Anita......a good day to play both the PPA and the Pick Five.
Good luck on Thursday and anytime you're At The Track!
