Welcome to Tacos and Trifectas! Each week, America’s Best Racing’s Southern California correspondent Jose Contreras - @LosPonies to those who follow him on Twitter - will provide a taco review along with a selection that he will key in trifecta bets in hopes of winning some cash to buy more tacos! Contreras will map out a trifecta betting strategy for how to key his main pick and keep track of his return on investment (ROI), which was positive in 2017.

Stop back each week if you love tacos and want a trifecta play!

This week’s eatery:
Tacos Super Gallito
Anaheim, Calif.

Score: 8.2

The Good:

• All three salsas were good, preference went to the charred green salsa
• Carne asada had a nice blend of seasoning and marinade
• Tacos are $1.50 each
• Quick and friendly service
• Good variety of drinks available
• Outdoor seating only

Recap of last week’s wager: Our key horse MARCONI did not look comfortable at times and had no late kick down the stretch while finishing off the board.

This week’s trifecta key:

Saturday, Oaklawn Park, Race 11, $1 million Arkansas Derby, 7:18 p.m. ET

#9 Combatant (6-1 odds): If you ignore his debut effort over the turf, were left with a very good dirt record. What I like the most is his consistency and his ability to be within striking range at the top of the stretch. I thought he should have easily been second in the Rebel Stakes and I thought he could have easily won the Southwest Stakes with a better trip. I think he’s a nice horse and I like that he’s had plenty of experience over this course. I don’t mind the outside draw again and I don’t think the extra distance will give him any problems.

Strategy on $80 Budget:
$1 trifecta: 9 with 1,3,4,6,8 with 1,3,4,6,8 ($20)
$1 trifecta: 1,3,4,6,8 with 9 with 1,3,4,6,8 ($20)
$1 trifecta: 1,3,4,6,8 with 1,3,4,6,8 with 9 ($20)
$20 to win on #9 Combatant ($20)

ROI Year to date: $648 wagered / $473.30 returned