Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, January 4, 2025

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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Baldoro 1.60 1 2-1
5 5 Hot Legs Romolo 3.50 1.8 3-1
1 1 Tallis 8.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Andreadytorumble 5.00 2.9 5-1
7 7 Oobubbakakayo 10.00 3 6-1
6 6 Cupid’s Crusader 4.50 4.7 9-1
8 8 Dazzle the Command 12.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Bear Hunt 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Rodriguez 0 0-1
4 4 Rank 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Rodriguez 0.80 2 4-1
5 5 Baeza 6.00 4.5 9-1
2 2 Cornhuskerchris 20.00 5 9-1
3 3 Going Viral 8.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 The Last Straw 5.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Duran 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Petesoldfashioned 6.00 2.5 5-1
5 5 Be Punctual 2.50 4.2 8-1
7 7 Light the Beam 3.50 4.7 9-1
6 6 Thrust 10.00 6.1 11-1
1 1 Devilnthebluegras 10.00 6.6 12-1
4 4 Sippin Whiskey 8.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Ketonia (FR) 0 0-1
1 1 Annie’s Joy 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Katerini 5.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Ketonia (FR) 8.00 5.2 10-1
4 4 Velocious 15.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Cameron Slough 10.00 6 11-1
2 2 Starts Now 4.00 6.4 12-1
6 6 Tirupati 3.00 7.3 14-1
9 9 Strange Addiction 12.00 8 15-1
8 8 Free and Humble 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (San Vicente S.) – San Vicente S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Barnes 0 0-1
Romanesque 0 0-1
5 5 Bullard 0.80 1 2-1
1 1 McKinzie Street 10.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Barnes 1.60 2.1 4-1
3 3 Romanesque 5.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Smooth Cruisein 12.00 5 9-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Orange Thunder 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 Tropical Rain Day 12.00 2.9 6-1
9 9 Miso Phansy 1.20 3 6-1
4 4 Maria Tallchief 8.00 3.4 6-1
5 5 Nepal 20.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Butterfly Beach 12.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 Bebop Lady 15.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Tapatia Leah 20.00 6.3 12-1
12 12 Forest Dazzle 10.00 6.4 12-1
10 10 Go Cami Oh 30.00 6.6 12-1
11 11 Kapalua Ride 15.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Saint Shelia 30.00 7.2 14-1
13 13 Co Heart 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Eagles Flight 0 0-1
4 4 Mirahmadi 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Eagles Flight 1.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 New King 3.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Ghazaaly 20.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Invigorated 8.00 4.8 9-1
1 1 Mici’s Express 30.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Demotivate 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Afternoon Nap 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Double Jab 3.00 1.6 3-1
13 13 Jetovator 3.50 2 4-1
8 8 Piper’s Causeway 5.00 2.3 4-1
4 4 Refocus 6.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Straight Luck 8.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Chromeflash 12.00 5.6 11-1
12 12 Uncle John 10.00 6.4 12-1
10 10 Last Call London 15.00 7.7 14-1
3 3 Havoc 20.00 8.2 15-1
11 11 Prince Prancealot 20.00 8.5 16-1
14 14 Kerry Gold 20.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Chick’s Dig It 20.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Blazing Peme 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Las Flores S.) – Las Flores S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Pleasant 0.60 1 2-1
3 3 Richi (CHI) 1.60 3.4 6-1
7 7 Irish Wahine 15.00 4.5 9-1
5 5 Don’t Bring Crazy 30.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Wine On Tap 30.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Anywho 15.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Pushiness 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 El Potente 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Sarwar (FR) 6.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Game Time 12.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Call Me Harry 3.50 3 6-1
1 1 Siennois (IRE) 8.00 4.2 8-1
7 7 Escape Artist 12.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 Eye On Ry 10.00 4.8 9-1
10 10 Irish Prophet 10.00 5 9-1
3 3 Fearless Soldier 15.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Maltese Falcon (IRE) 12.00 5.7 11-1
12 12 Living Life 20.00 8 15-1
6 6 Mbagnick (CHI) 30.00 8.3 16-1
13 13 Calm Sea 20.00 SCRATCH

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.