Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, December 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
12 12 Ramayana 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Improbable U 3.50 1.2 2-1
8 8 Chair’s Coin (IRE) 4.50 1.7 3-1
4 4 Island Home 5.00 2 4-1
10 10 Luckiest 6.00 2.4 5-1
14 14 Bailarina 6.00 2.4 5-1
3 3 Springline 12.00 5.3 10-1
13 13 Soul Sister 15.00 6.8 13-1
5 5 Authentically 20.00 9.2 17-1
6 6 Heavenly Belle 20.00 9.2 17-1
9 9 Ibiza Flavor 30.00 14 26-1
11 11 Angel Baby 30.00 14 26-1
1 1 Photogenic 30.00 14 26-1
7 7 Split 30.00 14 26-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Winston Ave 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Newton 2.50 1.4 3-1
7 7 Captain Shreve 4.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Liam Smith 6.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 Secured Freedom 8.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Plagarist 10.00 5.8 11-1
5 5 Commissioned 12.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Runamileinmyshoes 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Toes 5.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Delightful Laura 5.00 1.6 3-1
10 10 My Perfect Wave 6.00 2 4-1
3 3 Candy Bar 8.00 2.9 5-1
9 9 Miss Artois 10.00 3.7 7-1
12 12 Take Another Card 12.00 4.5 9-1
1 1 Corporal Violette (IRE) 12.00 4.5 9-1
6 6 Royal Charter (GB) 12.00 4.5 9-1
11 11 Starts Now 15.00 5.8 11-1
8 8 Queen Sienna (ARG) 20.00 7.9 15-1
2 2 Firsttimeinforever 30.00 12 23-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Rizzleberry Rose 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Miss Practical 4.50 1.5 3-1
13 13 Wishtheyallcouldbe 5.00 1.7 3-1
12 12 Diva Cat 6.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Timekeeper’s Charm 6.00 2.1 4-1
10 10 Clubhouse Bride 10.00 3.9 7-1
8 8 Honey Bucket 12.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Cayucos 15.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 Brookys Gal 20.00 8.5 16-1
11 11 Sexy Blue 20.00 8.5 16-1
4 4 Cloudy Rose 30.00 13 25-1
7 7 Buds N Suds 30.00 13 25-1
5 5 Perfect Life 30.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Mathis Mile S.) – Mathis Mile S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Namaron (GER) 1.50 1 2-1
5 5 Friendly Confines 3.50 2.1 4-1
2 2 Tempus Volat 4.50 2.7 5-1
7 7 Maaz (FR) 5.00 3 6-1
1 1 Hiding in Honduras 6.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Geometry 12.00 7 13-1
6 6 Lyle The Crocodile (IRE) 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Laffit Pincay, Jr. S.) – Laffit Pincay, Jr. S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Nysos 0.60 1 2-1
3 3 Nevada Beach 2.00 1.3 2-1
6 6 Indispensable 8.00 2.5 5-1
7 7 Bartholdy 12.00 3.3 6-1
2 2 Vodka Vodka 15.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 British Isles 30.00 7 13-1
4 4 Cornishman 30.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Anmer Hall 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Winning Patriot 5.00 2.7 5-1
8 8 Mucho Del Oro 6.00 3.8 7-1
14 14 Doncic 6.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Yacowlef (IRE) 8.00 6.1 12-1
10 10 Hotrocket (IRE) 8.00 6.1 12-1
4 4 Proof He Rides 10.00 8.4 16-1
12 12 Katonah 10.00 8.4 16-1
13 13 Charge for Gold 10.00 8.4 16-1
5 5 Legitimate 12.00 10.6 20-1
9 9 I’mgonnabesomebody 15.00 14 26-1
11 11 Ballyvaughan Gig 15.00 14 26-1
2 2 Sneaking Candy 15.00 14 26-1
6 6 Mescalero 15.00 14 26-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (La Brea S. Presented By Don Julio) – La Brea S. Presented By Don Julio

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Formula Rossa 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Five G 3.50 1.1 2-1
5 5 Usha 4.50 1.3 2-1
8 8 Her Laugh 6.00 1.6 3-1
6 6 Brilliantly 6.00 1.6 3-1
11 11 Silent Law 10.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 So There She Was 15.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Artisma 15.00 3.6 7-1
10 10 Magnificat 20.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Simply Joking 20.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Schilflied 50.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (San Gabriel S.) – San Gabriel S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Stay Hot 4.00 1 2-1
8 8 Astronomer 4.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 St Anthony 5.00 1.4 3-1
3 3 Endlessly 6.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Suchet (FR) 6.00 1.8 3-1
9 9 Cabo Spirit 8.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Mondego (GB) 8.00 2.5 5-1
11 11 Nineeleventurbo 10.00 3.3 6-1
10 10 Flashiest 20.00 7.2 14-1
1 1 Twirling Point 20.00 7.2 14-1
6 6 Nesso’s Lastharrah 30.00 11 21-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Barnes 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Cornucopian 3.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 Midland Money 3.50 1.2 2-1
3 3 Madaket Road 5.00 1.7 3-1
10 10 Goal Oriented 5.00 1.7 3-1
1 1 Modus Bestia 15.00 5 9-1
4 4 Speedy Wilson 15.00 5 9-1
6 6 Berlin Wall 20.00 6.7 13-1
7 7 Smooth Cruisein 30.00 10 19-1
2 2 Spenard 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (American Oaks Presented By Cygames) – American Oaks Presented By Cygames

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Atsila (IRE) 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Will Then 3.50 1.4 3-1
8 8 Totally Justified 5.00 1.9 4-1
3 3 Cliffs 6.00 2.3 4-1
9 9 As Catch Can 8.00 3 6-1
4 4 Ambaya 8.00 3 6-1
11 11 Ribbons 15.00 5.6 10-1
6 6 Take A Breath (GB) 15.00 5.6 10-1
5 5 Slick (IRE) 20.00 7.4 14-1
7 7 Resolve 30.00 11 21-1
1 1 A Thousand Miles 30.00 11 21-1

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.