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Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 17, 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 Nafisa 1.80 1 2-1
8 8 Runyon Canyon 4.50 4.9 9-1
3 3 Church Lady (IRE) 5.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Time to Shine 6.00 6.8 13-1
7 7 Double Cappuccino 20.00 7.4 14-1
4 4 Authentic Grace 30.00 7.6 14-1
1 1 Innovative 5.00 7.9 15-1
5 5 Prestige Fungson 8.00 8.1 15-1
9 9 Eastwick 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Winds of Freedom 1.60 1 2-1
5 5 Cardinal Spirit 5.00 1.8 3-1
1 1 Panuco 1.80 1.9 4-1
3 3 Nijinsky Halo 8.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Cascabel 4.50 4.1 8-1
2 2 Heber 15.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Right Hand Ryder 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Always On Cay 2.50 2.7 5-1
4 4 Trinidad 3.00 3 6-1
3 3 El Diamante Negro 10.00 5.8 11-1
7 7 Momo’s Kiddo 6.00 6.6 12-1
5 5 Littlebrotherjoey 15.00 7 13-1
1 1 Devilnthebluegras 3.50 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Special Flower 2.50 SCRATCH
5 5 Kitty Kitana (GB) 4.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Ace Ace Baby 3.50 4.3 8-1
1 1 Free and Humble 4.50 4.8 9-1
6 6 Diamond Bar Gal 8.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Vegas Love 6.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Dorie Miller 8.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Begin Again 4.00 1 2-1
4 4 Klimt A. P. 10.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Audible Silence 3.50 3.7 7-1
1 1 Fincairn 2.50 3.9 7-1
6 6 Daddy’s Quest 5.00 5 9-1
8 8 Alan’s Conquest 4.50 5.7 11-1
5 5 War Council 12.00 7.5 14-1
7 7 Mr. Hussar 20.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Just a Graze 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 Titanic Thompson 2.50 1.2 2-1
11 11 Big Notion 20.00 1.4 3-1
6 6 Bonneville Jim 3.00 1.9 4-1
10 10 Highplainsdrifter 12.00 2.7 5-1
9 9 Brahms Mendelssohn 10.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Throwin Heat 12.00 5.2 10-1
4 4 Smiling Capote 15.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 Drop the Bit 30.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Big Bill 10.00 7.1 13-1
2 2 Oakley’s Smile 15.00 7.1 13-1
12 12 Mav Man 30.00 9.7 18-1
13 13 Curlin Command 4.50 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 King of Clubs 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Windribbon 2.50 2.6 5-1
6 6 Touchdown Brown 6.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Mining District 4.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Kerry Gold 5.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Shortman 10.00 6.6 12-1
2 2 Royal ‘n Rando 20.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Money Makes Money 3.50 1 2-1
6 6 Our Bucky Charm 8.00 2.6 5-1
3 3 Mystic Spirit 5.00 2.9 6-1
2 2 Yacowlef (IRE) 2.00 3 6-1
1 1 Kangaroo Court 10.00 3.6 7-1
8 8 Daniel’s Magic 6.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Final Storm 12.00 5.1 10-1
4 4 Hawker 20.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Natural Fighter (IRE) 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Nameless 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Atomic Drop 3.00 2 4-1
6 6 Happy Does 20.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Kingmeister 8.00 4.4 8-1
2 2 Druidic 8.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Zimba Warrior 5.00 4.7 9-1
10 10 Upstart Yankee 30.00 5.1 10-1
9 9 Crown Magic 15.00 5.5 10-1
3 3 Contrary Chieftain 15.00 7.3 14-1
5 5 Sea Dog 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Mizdirection S.) – Mizdirection S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Valence 10.00 1 2-1
9 9 Lunar Impact (GB) 6.00 1.2 2-1
2 2 Miss Roberts (GB) 3.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Venganza 8.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Tahini 20.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Chismosa 6.00 3 6-1
7 7 Granny Budgie (GB) 5.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Ang N Ash 10.00 4.4 8-1
3 3 Uncorked (AUS) 6.00 4.8 9-1
8 8 Beyond Lucky 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.

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