Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, May 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 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Nell’s Legacy 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Coralgableskaylin 10.00 2.1 4-1
7 7 Kikuride 1.20 2.2 4-1
6 6 How About Pavel 4.50 3.1 6-1
2 2 Chilly Philly 3.50 3.4 6-1
4 4 Broadway Venus 20.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Booster Club 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Isabel Ludlow 1.20 1 2-1
5 5 Annie’s Joy 4.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 Thirsty Destiny 6.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Liquid Spirit 3.50 4 8-1
6 6 Ryder’s Candy 20.00 5.7 11-1
3 3 Toulouse Detrac 4.50 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Cash Call 0.80 1 2-1
3 3 Border Control 15.00 2.4 5-1
6 6 Hot Girl Walk 4.50 2.8 5-1
7 7 Sea Runner 3.50 2.9 5-1
2 2 Happy Sue 10.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Knightwithlouis 8.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Big Soiree 30.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Honeymoon S.) – Honeymoon S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Jungle Peace (IRE) 1.20 1 2-1
5 5 Atia 12.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Miso Phansy 5.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Schilflied 6.00 4 8-1
4 4 Firenze Flavor 10.00 4.5 8-1
2 2 As Catch Can 2.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Empress of Grace 6.00 1 2-1
8 8 Joyful Mischief 10.00 1.1 2-1
6 6 Brandon’s Girl 4.00 1.6 3-1
5 5 Tiger Fire 3.00 1.6 3-1
3 3 Mis Alacar 15.00 3 6-1
4 4 Royal Dusty 4.50 3 6-1
7 7 Hurricane Layla 6.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Arya’s Ride 5.00 6.9 13-1
1 1 Greta’s Ghost 20.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Regal Patriot 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Whatmakessammyrun 3.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Sharp Aza Tack 2.50 2.3 4-1
3 3 Doncic 4.00 2.9 5-1
8 8 Commander (FR) 12.00 5.9 11-1
2 2 One Flew South 10.00 6.4 12-1
7 7 Don’t Swear Dave 8.00 6.8 13-1
5 5 My Ransom 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Devil Among Us 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Supernal 2.50 1.3 2-1
7 7 Piper’s Causeway 4.50 1.8 3-1
8 8 Disobey 6.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Carol’s Comic 10.00 4.6 9-1
2 2 Cody Boy 20.00 4.9 9-1
6 6 Runkerry 30.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Unbridled Vision 12.00 6.1 11-1
1 1 Lord Tripping 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Nation 1.80 1 2-1
7 7 Crazy Cavalier 5.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Ghost Coast 3.50 4.2 8-1
4 4 Uncle Evco 6.00 4.4 8-1
11 11 Supreme Coast 12.00 6.8 13-1
2 2 Goodbye Dal 30.00 7.2 14-1
10 10 Tapit Dynasty 10.00 7.5 14-1
9 9 Glass of Jameson 20.00 7.7 15-1
5 5 Djoser 20.00 7.8 15-1
1 1 Bigredsandribeyes 15.00 8.5 16-1
3 3 Honor the Cat 30.00 8.9 17-1
12 12 Cano for the Win 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Brother o’ Brien 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Supermazel 3.50 3.1 6-1
4 4 Abadon 8.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Chief Jackson 30.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Adios Nicanor 5.00 3.8 7-1
8 8 Union Wave 6.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Midnight Metal 30.00 4.8 9-1
5 5 Wild Wager 30.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Mischief’s Thirsty 15.00 5.9 11-1
10 10 Vinny the Coin 5.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Madonna of Loreto 4.50 1 2-1
2 2 She’z the Law 6.00 3.1 6-1
9 9 Sunglow (IRE) 1.80 4.1 8-1
7 7 Storm Lady (GB) 8.00 4.5 8-1
12 12 Vinalia (GB) 8.00 4.9 9-1
11 11 Harmonique 20.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 Gladly 30.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Auntie 5.00 7.6 14-1
8 8 Arrogarsi 12.00 8.2 15-1
4 4 Snoozeulose 30.00 8.3 16-1
5 5 Icons Only 30.00 9.8 18-1
14 14 Current Affair 4.50 SCRATCH
13 13 Comeback Girl 15.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Neema 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.