Like most exotic wagers in California, the $1 Super High Five is expensive – the takeout rate is 23.68 percent. Picking the first five finishers, in order, is tough and pricey.

But this winter, SHF carryovers essentially eliminated takeout on a handful of occasions. In those instances, the SHF became the least expensive wager on the menu.

It happened when the SHF carried from the last race (typically the day's biggest SHF pool) to the first race the following day. Three times this meet, the SHF carried from the last race to the first race. All three times, more money was paid to winning bettors than was wagered into that day’s pool.

Dec. 29 payouts: $74,071 returned, from $59,294 pool ($28,818 c/o)

Dec. 31 payouts: $14,874 returned, from $8,157 pool ($8,649 c/o)

Jan. 11 payouts: $47,726 returned, from $44,340 pool ($13,886 c/o)

All three times a carryover was offered in the first race, more money was paid to winning bettors than was in that day’s pool.

Which brings us to Friday at Santa Anita, where the SHF carryover for the first race is $13,357. Only eight can start in the turf mile for 4-year-old fillies, $50,000 claiming. The SHF is less difficult in a small field. The turf course Friday is labelled “good.”

Goseecal (8) and War Moccasin (4) are top contenders; Aura Rose (1) and program favorite Looking At Thelake (6) figure. The sample $1 SHF ticket below costs $32:

4, 8 with 1, 4, 8 with 1, 4, 6, 8 with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 with 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8

If there is a right time to play the SHF, it is when a carryover is at stake in the first race.

Post time 1 p.m.