First-Timer Power Ratings are key to Golden Hour wagers

There is racing at both Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park on Thursday, and 1/ST Racing is celebrating by offering a special series of "Golden Hour" wagers.

Golden Gate added the Thursday card after canceling for Friday. Its late double of races 7-8 are part of the Golden Hour quartet that includes races 7-8 from The Great Race Place. There is a $1 Pick 4 on all four races plus a $5 double involving the back half of the Pick 4. Both wagers offer a 15 percent takeout.

As a handicapper who utilizes Horse Racing Nation's products such as the First-Timer Power Ratings, both races at Santa Anita caught my eye.

Race 7 there is a 1 1/4-mile turf event, and the distance makes it interesting from a handicapping viewpoint.

Strictly on paper, I agreed with the morning line that No. 6 Aligato is the most likely winner. Although sire Kitten's Joy does support a win percentage on par with this group, the -9.3% HRN Impact number does give some pause of being overbet. No. 8 Foothill is by Vronsky, who sports a similar winning percentage as others but a much better Impact score. If these ML prices hold, I would use both 6 and 8 to kick off the Golden Hour Pick 4.

Race 8 is a maiden with a trio of first-time starters, and the two-star (out of five) rating for No. 2 Del Mar Woman allows us to eliminate her from connection while being keenly interested in both No. 6 Sheza Lucky Charm and No. 8 La Chispa.

I don't expect this pair to be as separated in price as the morning line indicates, but I do think Sheza Lucky Charm will be the shorter price and might even be favored.

I am less interested in her as the favorite and will adjust accordingly to kick off the Golden Hour double, but as the third leg in the Pick 4, I am fine leaning on both her and La Chispa.

Very thin base ticket of 6, 8 (SA 7) with 7 (GG 7) with 6, 8 (SA 8) with 2 (GG 8).