Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, January 18, 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
2 2 Giant Luther 5.00 1 2-1
8 8 Three Georges 6.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Lord Dunmore 1.60 4.5 8-1
5 5 Fix It Quick 15.00 6.3 12-1
4 4 Giant Luther 10.00 7.2 14-1
3 3 Shapoval 4.50 7.4 14-1
6 6 Millbo Baggins 15.00 7.7 14-1
9 9 Twilight Time 20.00 7.8 15-1
1 1 Throwin Heat 20.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Brahms Mendelssohn 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Captain Willis 0 0-1
6 6 Caviar Cowboy 4.50 1 2-1
7 7 Walk the Cat 15.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 P Twentytwo 1.20 4 8-1
1 1 Captain Willis 12.00 4.1 8-1
4 4 Shake the Dust 5.00 4.8 9-1
5 5 Unusual Memories 6.00 6.1 11-1
3 3 Highland Echo 15.00 6.5 12-1
2 2 Your Sweet Baby 10.00 7 13-1
9 9 Jeffrey On the Run 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Mayacama 0.60 1 2-1
3 3 Miss Miche Lada 4.50 3.4 6-1
4 4 Naturally Blonde 3.00 4.9 9-1
6 6 Spicy Ride 30.00 5.1 10-1
1 1 Be a Goldfish 20.00 5.4 10-1
5 5 Our Lovin Feelin 6.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S.) – Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Clovisconnection 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Big City Lights 0.40 1.1 2-1
3 3 Smiling Beast 6.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Haywood 30.00 2.7 5-1
2 2 Geezer 10.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Miles Finch 1.20 1 2-1
3 3 Cullen J 1.40 2.2 4-1
7 7 Got Soul 8.00 5 10-1
5 5 Hothead 15.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 James J. Braddock 20.00 6.1 12-1
2 2 Master Jacques 30.00 6.3 12-1
9 9 Glass of Jameson 12.00 7 13-1
8 8 Benny’s Puzzle 20.00 8.1 15-1
1 1 Dawkins 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Lonesome Stew 1.40 1 2-1
6 6 Bob’s Blue Moon 6.00 1.1 2-1
5 5 Our Bucky Charm 2.50 1.5 3-1
1 1 Duty First 15.00 1.5 3-1
8 8 Devil Among Us 4.50 1.5 3-1
4 4 Windribbon 8.00 3 6-1
3 3 Mr. Disrespectful 20.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Shady Appeal 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Sunshine Millions Filly And Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented By John Deere) – Sunshine Millions Filly And Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented By John Deere

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Stay and Scam 1.20 1 2-1
5 5 Andiamo Ragazza 10.00 1.1 2-1
8 8 Safa 2.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 Moment’s Pleasure 8.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Shocking Grey 15.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Barbera 20.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Quantum Innergy 20.00 5.5 10-1
3 3 Elegant Sway 20.00 5.5 10-1
4 4 Satellite Heart 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Pax a Punch 0 0-1
8 8 Pax a Punch 4.50 1 2-1
3 3 The Gypsy Cowboy 3.50 1.5 3-1
5 5 Citizen Barrett 12.00 3.7 7-1
9 9 Day At the Track 15.00 5.1 10-1
7 7 Check’s On the Way 20.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Dancing Dillon 10.00 6.4 12-1
11 11 Marc the Money Man 10.00 7 13-1
1 1 Petrified 30.00 7.3 14-1
4 4 Jennys Tiz 20.00 10 19-1
10 10 Oscar’s Mark 4.00 10.9 21-1
12 12 Santa Barbarian 6.00 11.8 22-1
6 6 Western Freedom 12.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented By City National Bank) – Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented By City National Bank

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Old Pal 1.60 1 2-1
6 6 Fast Buck 15.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 On the Whim 5.00 4.2 8-1
11 11 Barely Funtional 20.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 Aligato 6.00 6.6 12-1
4 4 Jimmy Blue Jeans 10.00 6.9 13-1
9 9 Takes Three 12.00 7.7 15-1
10 10 Coalinga Road 8.00 8.1 15-1
2 2 None Above the Law 10.00 8.6 16-1
5 5 We Can 15.00 10.5 20-1
8 8 Keep Movin’ On 20.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (California Chrome Cal Cup Derby) – California Chrome Cal Cup Derby

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Shea Brennan 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Whiskyginandbrandy 12.00 2.9 6-1
3 3 Style Cat 5.00 3.1 6-1
8 8 Got’m Cot’m 10.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Drop Um 6.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 I’m a Bad Boy 3.50 3.3 6-1
6 6 R Heisman 3.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Accidental Genius 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks) – Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Tequilaandtherapy 6.00 1 2-1
12 12 In the Air Tonight 12.00 1.1 2-1
10 10 Hey Jessie 2.50 2.1 4-1
1 1 Less Is More 12.00 3.9 7-1
8 8 Miso Phansy 8.00 4.2 8-1
7 7 We the Hobby 20.00 4.6 9-1
11 11 Pavel Is Appealing 12.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Chilly Philly 30.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Take Another Card 4.50 5.1 10-1
4 4 Big Soiree 30.00 5.9 11-1
3 3 Sunset Grazen 20.00 6.2 12-1
13 13 Musical Number 20.00 6.3 12-1
9 9 Grateful My Love 5.00 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.