Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, February 17, 2024

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 For A Laugh (IRE) 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Silent Heat 6.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Goldeneye 5.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 St. Elmo 8.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 Big Coupe 6.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Explain This Audit 2.50 6.6 12-1
7 7 Mo Rewards 10.00 7.9 15-1
6 6 Classic Creation 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Mr Big Bucks 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Last Call Paul 3.00 1.1 2-1
6 6 Twilight Moon 4.00 2.9 6-1
1 1 Mystic Spirit 8.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 R Awesome Kid 12.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 T One D Flour Free 12.00 4.4 8-1
8 8 I Will Be King 20.00 7 13-1
7 7 Final Storm 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Beer Money 6.00 1 2-1
8 8 Shady Tiger 3.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Catmansue 5.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Immelmann 8.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Stagger Lee 12.00 5.8 11-1
1 1 Stay On the Fence 8.00 6 11-1
3 3 Where It’s At 2.50 6.5 12-1
5 5 Prince Prancealot 5.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Thirsty Lov 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Ringtone 5.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 Audible Silence 5.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Sense 2.50 2.5 5-1
5 5 Letshaveonemore 8.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 Mongolian Spun 8.00 5.7 11-1
6 6 Ned 6.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Polis 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Respect the Crown 8.00 1 2-1
9 9 Ima Joker 4.00 1.4 3-1
3 3 Laudatory 2.50 2 4-1
5 5 Motet 5.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Blue Fashion 15.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 Tahini 5.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Ms McWhinney 15.00 5.4 10-1
4 4 Wynning Touch 12.00 7.6 14-1
1 1 Kathynmarissa 8.00 7.7 15-1
10 10 Matters 12.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 California Tiger 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Houndstooth 5.00 1.1 2-1
8 8 John Dunbar 5.00 2.3 4-1
1 1 Stop and a Tres 15.00 2.5 5-1
6 6 Meesh 6.00 3.2 6-1
5 5 Bendettijoe 3.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Pat’s Paddock Pick 4.00 4 7-1
2 2 Crypto Ride 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Baffle S.) – Baffle S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Hedwig 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Heart Headed 3.00 3 6-1
3 3 Stay Hot 2.50 3.7 7-1
7 7 Charge for Gold 6.00 5 9-1
6 6 Boltage 4.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Final Boss 12.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Always On Cay 10.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Patron d’Oro 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Oil Can Knight 3.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 Mitico 6.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Handr’sdream 6.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 El Diablo Rojo 5.00 3.9 7-1
9 9 Fast Per Se 15.00 5.6 11-1
10 10 Afternoon Heat 12.00 6.1 12-1
8 8 Mongolian Memory 12.00 6.6 12-1
6 6 Conch Daddy 20.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Rusty B Cause 12.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Quintecents 5.00 1 2-1
2 2 Ghost Coast 2.50 1.4 3-1
4 4 Caribbean King 4.00 2.7 5-1
1 1 Pinehurst (IRE) 6.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 Precision Strike 8.00 3.9 7-1
9 9 Six Magpies (IRE) 15.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Chrome to Riches 8.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Nobel Gary 30.00 7.6 14-1
5 5 Big Juanito 15.00 7.7 15-1
11 11 Get Kraken 12.00 10.2 19-1
10 10 Finally an Eddie 15.00 11 21-1

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.