Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By the Hermit for HumboldtSports.com — Here are the best bets for Saturday’s horse races.

Pick 4, the last 4 races: Leg one, all six horses; Leg two, No. 3; Leg three, No. 4 and No. 5; Leg four, No. 1 and No. 7.

A $.50 cent play will equal $24.

These picks today are focused on making money, and not on the best chance to win lots of races. You don’t need to win them all to make a chunk.

Saturday’s Picks

Race 1 — The three top Mules in racing are in here. Penelope is the third best of the three, but at 220 yards she can overcome any mishap by the favorites. I don’t like playing horses to place but bet to place on Penelope. Place bet on No. 2 Penelope.

Race 2 —  Winners of one race lifetime for Arabians. I like horses with less races and more upside so … No. 5 Seattle Sounder has won her only lifetime start. Win on No. 5.

Race 3 — They didn’t used to have races for just four horses but … I’ll take No. 3 Aqua de Fuego shipping from the north country.

Race 4 — Watch out for Los Alamitos shippers at Ferndale. This is a competent jockey and nice cushy odds. No. 4 Lucky Dar C is the long shot of the day

Race 5 — A bunch of old-timers racing at seven Furlongs. Great race to bet all of them on first leg of pick 4. Decent connections and decent odds makes No. 3 Know Pepper my top pick.  Win on No. 3.

Race 6 — This nice supplemental purse drew 12 horses so it was split. This is by far the stronger half of the split. I’ll take a shot on No. 3 Studly Perfection to try to go gate to wire for another nice price. Win on No. 3.

Race 7 — The weaker half of the last race in my opinion. No. 4 Shifty Dancer has been claimed in four straight races. No. 5 Mon Camo is a nice horse that has won here before. Mon Camo has better odds and an equal chance. No. 5 Mon Camo to win over Shifty Dancer.

Race 8 — The nightcap is a wide-open affair. I like No. 7 Many Lights from the outside but she needs a good start. Don’t be surprised if No. 1 Dancing Sunset wakes up and runs a huge race here from the rail. Play the exotics keying on the  No. 1 and No. 7.

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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.