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, March 18

Santa Anita Park, Race 4, 5:04 p.m. ET

#2 Prime Attraction (8-1): Three of his four route outings have been very good and he seems to be getting better. He sat behind the pacesetter in his most recent start and kicked on down the stretch to a nice win. There’s not a ton of speed in here and it looks like the runner to his inside might be sent to the lead. If that happens, Prime Attraction should be able to get a similar trip to last time. This will be his first time on the turf and I’m willing to gamble on him in this spot at a price.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$2 Win on Prime Attraction ($2)

$2 Exacta: 2 with 4,7 ($4)

$1 Exacta: 4,5,6,7 with 2 ($4)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$5 Win on Prime Attraction ($5)

$1 Trifecta: 2,4 with 2,4,7 with 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 ($20)

Strategy on $50 Budget

$2 Win on Prime Attraction ($2)

$1 Trifecta: 2 with 4,5,6,7 with 4,5,6,7,8 ($16)

$1 Trifecta: 4,5,6,7,8 with 2 with 4,5,6,7 ($16)

$1 Trifecta: 4,5,6,7 with 4,5,6,7,8 with 2 ($16)

Sunday, March 19

Santa Anita Park, Race 6, 6 p.m. ET

#6 Scattagirl (15-1): Her latest effort was a fifth-place finish at a mile when making her first start since early December. She has shown tactical speed before and I think she can find herself in a good spot if she breaks well from the gate.  She got to stretch her legs last time and has four published workouts since that race. Her odds will be worth the bet in this race.

Strategy on $10 Budget

$2 Win on Scattagirl ($2)

$2 Exacta: 6 with 1,8 ($4)

$1 Exacta: 1,3,7,8 with 6 ($4)

Strategy on $25 Budget

$5 Win on Scattagirl ($5)

$1 Trifecta: 1,6 with 1,6,8 with 1,2,3,5,6,7,8 ($20)

Strategy on $50 Budget  

$2 Win on Scattagirl ($2)

$1 Trifecta: 6 with 1,3,7,8 with 1,2,3,7,8 ($16)

$1 Trifecta: 1,2,3,7,8 with 6 with 1,3,7,8 ($16)

$1 Trifecta: 1,3,7,8 with 1,2,3,7,8 with 6 ($16)

ROI Year to date: $8902 wagered/$6,709.41 returned