Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 18, 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 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Miss Rockette 0.80 1 2-1
5 5 Ms Bo J 2.00 1.2 2-1
3 3 Hymnal 5.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 Petite Ange 12.00 2.6 5-1
4 4 Tiz Silver 6.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Teen Drama 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Inner Beauty (IRE) 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Aventapp 4.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Dancing Soul 8.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 A Real Jewel 8.00 3 6-1
7 7 Wrong Turn Cupid 20.00 3.8 7-1
3 3 True Friend 20.00 6 11-1
5 5 Jibber Jabber (IRE) 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Instinct D’ Oro 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Winsitwell 3.50 1.7 3-1
5 5 Striking Thunder 8.00 2.3 4-1
7 7 Square D’ Oro 5.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Thirsty Lov 5.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Dapitan Star 15.00 4.4 8-1
3 3 Aloha Chrome 5.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Audible Silence 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Western Power 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Magic Account 3.00 1.3 2-1
2 2 Speed of the Nile 8.00 2.1 4-1
5 5 Getemdusty 3.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Unusual Win 8.00 3.8 7-1
1 1 Cir Johnny 20.00 6.2 12-1
3 3 Vilified 5.00 7.1 13-1
7 7 Brainiac 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Dr. Soulfire 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 Pinehurst (IRE) 3.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Quagmire Magic 12.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Vorpal 4.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 Petesoldfashioned 4.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Phoenician Ghost 20.00 4.4 8-1
4 4 Blame George 20.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Sky Cloud 6.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Gostoso 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Tahini 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Apple Fest 5.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Desert Rhapsody 3.50 1.6 3-1
1 1 Well Funded 3.00 2.5 5-1
8 8 She’s Muy Muy 6.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Bolt d’Vine 4.00 5 9-1
4 4 Fire Ban 12.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 Grainne O’Malley 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Mizdirection S.) – Mizdirection S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Getthemoney 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 Lucky Girl (IRE) 6.00 1.2 2-1
5 5 Miss Lizzy 4.00 1.4 3-1
6 6 Chismosa 12.00 3 6-1
8 8 Adaay In Asia (GB) 6.00 4.6 9-1
3 3 Selenaia (IRE) 6.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 The Wild Grazer (IRE) 3.00 7.3 14-1
7 7 Rebalation 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Mc Vay 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Winterfell 4.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Metro 5.00 3.3 6-1
2 2 Fame 6.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 Leading 12.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Middleburg 12.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Pony Express 15.00 4.4 8-1
5 5 Wise Counsel 6.00 8.1 15-1
6 6 Magnify 5.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Precision Strike 4.00 1 2-1
4 4 Dual Threat 6.00 1.6 3-1
1 1 De’ Medici 1.80 1.6 3-1
8 7 Vegas Burner 2.50 1.8 3-1
7 6 Mischelof (CHI) 6.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 Letshaveonemore 30.00 1.9 4-1
5 98 My Ransom 0.00 SCRATCH
6 5 Crypto Ride 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Miz Clubcali 6.00 1 2-1
1 1 Fascinator 50.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Annie’s Hope 6.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Runamileinmyshoes 1.80 3.7 7-1
4 4 Pippa Philipa 12.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Ashleys Sandcastle 5.00 5.9 11-1
12 12 Girlcanthelpit 20.00 7.5 14-1
10 10 Last Elizabethan 50.00 7.6 14-1
11 11 Warren’s Paradice 6.00 9.6 18-1
9 9 Nothing Is Forever 6.00 10.9 21-1
5 5 Glacier Rim 20.00 11.6 22-1
7 7 Mineral Rights 20.00 12 23-1

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.