Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, September 28, 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
9 9 Crime Lord 5.00 1 2-1
7 7 Zagreus 4.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Fight Back 3.50 4.4 8-1
6 6 Mav Man 2.50 5.2 10-1
1 1 Kiss for Lulu 10.00 6.6 13-1
3 3 Star of Delhi 20.00 7.4 14-1
11 11 Brahms Mendelssohn 15.00 7.4 14-1
10 10 Benny’s Puzzle 20.00 7.9 15-1
8 8 Foreroyal 30.00 8.3 16-1
2 2 Irish Element 12.00 8.4 16-1
4 4 Fleet Brotato 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Optional Claiming) – Maiden Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 A Friend of Mine 1.00 1 2-1
4 4 Gathered 2.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Joyful Mischief 5.00 4 8-1
5 5 Music Lady 15.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Deep Blue 4.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Violet Storm 12.00 1 2-1
4 4 Ole Silver 2.00 1.1 2-1
1 1 Ivory Moon 2.50 1.3 2-1
3 3 Twilight Empire 1.60 SCRATCH
5 98 Zeyaraat 0.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Sunglow (IRE) 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 Dare to Fly 5.00 1.2 2-1
7 7 Yellow Sun Dress 4.00 1.3 2-1
8 8 The Wild Grazer (IRE) 4.50 1.5 3-1
9 9 Invincible Molly (GB) 6.00 3.6 7-1
10 10 Tight Squeeze 5.00 4.2 8-1
4 4 Madonna of Loreto 8.00 4.3 8-1
3 3 Princesa Moche (PER) 20.00 6.1 12-1
1 1 Ariri (GB) 30.00 7.4 14-1
2 2 Chai 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Empress of Grace 6.00 1 2-1
6 6 Sei Bella 4.50 1.5 3-1
1 1 Lil’ Boom Boom 4.50 4 8-1
8 8 Maximun Gold 3.00 4.5 8-1
5 5 Approval Rating 5.00 5.3 10-1
4 4 Misty Heart 12.00 5.3 10-1
7 7 Headstrong Ways 8.00 7.2 14-1
2 2 Lena Lindgard 5.00 7.2 14-1
9 9 Kool Tap Dancer 20.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Mo Holland Drive 4.50 1 2-1
11 11 Another Bulleit 6.00 4 8-1
6 6 Mystic Moses 10.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Eye of the Smiley 5.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Booked Clubhouse 4.00 5.3 10-1
3 3 Sagunto 8.00 5.7 11-1
7 7 Scatalotadingdong 6.00 6.1 12-1
5 5 Dark Blue 12.00 6.5 12-1
10 10 Senor Tequilas 30.00 6.6 12-1
9 9 Cal’s Goal 12.00 7.4 14-1
1 1 Debbies Gettinghot 20.00 8.2 16-1
12 12 Throwthefirstpunch 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Zenyatta S.) – Zenyatta S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Cavalieri 1.40 1 2-1
5 5 Richi (CHI) 1.50 2.8 5-1
2 2 La Kika (PER) 4.50 3 6-1
4 4 Howin 8.00 4.5 9-1
1 1 Sugar Fish 6.00 5 9-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Lady Mendelssohn 4.50 1 2-1
11 11 Garden Party 5.00 1.5 3-1
2 2 Hello Kid O Kid O 6.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Princesa Del Tigre 8.00 3.6 7-1
12 12 True Patriot 6.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 We the Hobby 12.00 4.2 8-1
4 4 Practical Dazzle 30.00 4.3 8-1
10 10 Quantum Innergy 4.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Lavender Love 5.00 7 13-1
9 9 California Rocks 20.00 7.1 13-1
1 1 Waltz Across Texas 10.00 8.7 16-1
14 14 Issa Court 4.50 SCRATCH
13 13 Dontmesswithtess 20.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Miss Will 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. Presented By Estrella Jalisco) – Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. Presented By Estrella Jalisco

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Imagination 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Straight No Chaser 1.40 2.6 5-1
1 1 Dr. Venkman 3.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Wound Up 15.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Mbagnick (CHI) 12.00 4.1 8-1
5 5 Speed Boat Beach 10.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Awesome Rhythm 12.00 6.3 12-1
4 4 Smooth Cruisein 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Slick (IRE) 3.50 1 2-1
8 8 Ribbons 6.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 Resolve 15.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Edge of Mali (IRE) 5.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Miss Artois 8.00 6.1 12-1
9 9 Hey Jessie 10.00 6.4 12-1
5 5 Atia 20.00 6.5 12-1
4 4 Take A Breath (GB) 2.50 7.3 14-1
3 3 Cat The Confidante (IRE) 12.00 7.3 14-1
11 11 Hey Lil Lady 30.00 7.4 14-1
10 10 Lila 30.00 8.6 16-1
14 14 Precise Timing 20.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Delightful Laura 3.50 SCRATCH
12 12 Aleramo (IRE) 15.00 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.