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, Race 11, Santa Anita Park, 9:59 p.m.  ET

#2 Film Freak (12-1): He was boxed in around the final turn of his most recent effort so he had to wait to make his move and when he got into the clear he kept grinding to pick up a fourth-place finish. It was a decent effort and I like that he returns to the shorter mile distance. He’s got three solid workouts since his last race and I like that the hot-riding Flavien Prat returns to ride him.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$1 Exacta: 2 with 5,8,11,12,14 ($5)

$1 Exacta: 5,8,11,12,14 with 2 ($5)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$3 Win on Film Freak ($3)

$1 Exacta: 2 with 5,8,11,12,14 ($5)

$1 Exacta: 5,8,11,12,14 with 2 ($5)

$1 Trifecta: 2 with 8,12,14 with 8,12,14 ($6)

$1 Trifecta: 8,12,14 with 2 with 8,12,14 ($6)

Strategy on $50 Budget  

$10 Win on Film Freak ($10)

$1 Exacta: 2 with 8,14 ($2)

$1 Exacta: 8,14 with 2 ($2)

$1 Trifecta: 2 with 5,8,12,14 with 5,8,12,14 ($12)

$1 Trifecta: 5,8,12,14 with 2 with 5,8,12,14 ($12)

$1 Trifecta: 5,8,12,14 with 5,8,12,14 with 2 ($12)

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

#9 Blackjackcat (8-1): He pressed a fast pace in his debut while wide around the turn to finish a good fifth while only a length behind rival Giant Influence, who is one of the favorites in here. This trainer does well with second-time starters and I like today’s outside post position which will allow him to get a clear run and a see what the inside horses are doing early on in the race.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$1 Exacta: 9 with 2,3,5,6,7 ($5)

$1 Exacta: 2,3,5,6,7 with 9 ($5)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$5 Win on Blackjackcat ($5)

$1 Exacta: 9 with 2,3,5,6,7 ($5)

$1 Exacta: 2,3,5,6,7 with 9 ($5)

$1 Trifecta: 9 with 5 with 2,3,6,7,8 ($5)

$1 Trifecta: 5 with 9 with 2,3,6,7,8 ($5)

Strategy on $50 Budget

$10 Win on Blackjackcat ($10)

$1 Exacta: 9 with 2,5 ($2)

$1 Exacta: 2,5 with 9 ($2)

$1 Trifecta: 9 with 2,5,6,7 with 2,5,6,7 ($12)

$1 Trifecta: 2,5,6,7 with 9 with 2,5,6,7 ($12)

$1 Trifecta: 2,5,6,7 with 2,5,6,7 with 9 ($12)

ROI Year to date: $3315 wagered/$986.90 returned