Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, January 16, 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 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Goodfella (IRE) 5.00 1 2-1
4 4 Over the Ocean 2.50 1.8 3-1
6 6 My Hero 4.00 3 6-1
1 1 Final Edition (IRE) 4.50 3.3 6-1
2 2 Nitti (IRE) 6.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Mysterious Husband 3.50 4.1 8-1
7 7 Midnight Strike 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Indian Carlie 0 0-1
6 6 Getemdusty 2.50 1 2-1
1 1 Tigersun 3.00 1.4 3-1
5 5 Moola Man 8.00 3.1 6-1
3 3 River’s Benchmark 6.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Cangrejo 3.50 4.2 8-1
2 2 Boston Burglar 10.00 5.4 10-1
4 4 Im Gunna 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Bobby Anton 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Our Expectation 2.00 2 4-1
6 6 Dr. Flash Dancer 6.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Titos With a Twist 5.00 4.1 8-1
5 5 Oh Great (IRE) 8.00 4.2 8-1
2 2 Donttestyourluck 4.50 5.5 10-1
7 7 Good Focus 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Victory Matters 0 0-1
4 4 Canani 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Desert Rocket 2.50 1.9 4-1
5 5 Danzing Wild Cat 10.00 2.5 5-1
6 6 Fight Back 3.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Toppers Wager 6.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Victory Matters 5.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Wound Up 3.50 1 2-1
11 11 Cajun Brother 1.60 2.8 5-1
9 9 No d’Oro 12.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Squalotoro 20.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Good Vibes Only 12.00 6.2 12-1
5 5 Major Tom 8.00 6.9 13-1
1 1 Wegonahavagoodtime 15.00 7.1 13-1
10 10 Satanta 15.00 7.2 14-1
6 6 Erebus 15.00 7.5 14-1
2 2 Grazen Sun 12.00 7.6 14-1
3 3 Rogue Son 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Invincible 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Rexford 2.00 1.3 2-1
1 1 Caribbean King 3.00 1.7 3-1
3 3 Blue Cheese Olive 15.00 3 6-1
5 5 Neon Lights (IRE) 20.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Yacowlef (IRE) 4.00 3.9 7-1
6 6 Tequila Talkin 20.00 4.6 9-1
2 2 Rhythem On Stage 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Ridegold 3.50 1 2-1
10 10 Gold Currency 3.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 My Sister Lilly 15.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Expect Love 4.50 3.4 6-1
7 7 Mia Pia 20.00 6.1 11-1
5 5 Lava Lucy 4.00 6.2 12-1
3 3 Darlin Tami 15.00 6.7 13-1
9 9 Clubhouse Cutie 6.00 7.2 14-1
8 8 Expressive Love 12.00 9.1 17-1
4 4 Sexy Blue 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Gem Mine 1.60 1 2-1
6 6 Jai Ho 4.50 1.3 2-1
2 2 Moonlight Tryst 8.00 2.3 4-1
10 10 Bold Choice 6.00 4.5 9-1
1 1 Rosie Forecast 15.00 4.8 9-1
8 8 Sabres 15.00 5.5 10-1
3 3 Amelia Bleu 5.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Corporal Violette (IRE) 20.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 Auditory 10.00 7.5 14-1
4 4 Smooth as Butter 30.00 10 19-1
12 12 Tianma 12.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Leopardess (GB) 8.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Mining District 6.00 1 2-1
7 7 Speed Grazy 2.50 2.7 5-1
2 2 Nauvoo 8.00 2.9 5-1
9 9 J Dutton 20.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Spiritual Advisor 12.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Pass the Baton 4.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Kerry Gold 20.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Mio Bambino 8.00 5.1 10-1
6 6 Lil Richards Bello 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Exultation 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Bizzee Channel 4.50 2.4 5-1
5 5 Great King (FR) 5.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Silent Heat 20.00 6.5 12-1
12 12 Sydney Street (GB) 5.00 7 13-1
9 9 Moody Jim (IRE) 10.00 7.2 14-1
2 2 Sbagliato 2.50 8 15-1
11 11 Fly the Sky 30.00 8.8 17-1
4 4 Man Friday 20.00 10.1 19-1
8 8 Bee Catcher 12.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Aurelian Man 30.00 SCRATCH
14 14 So I’m Told 20.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Eastbound 30.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Shot of Courage 10.00 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.