Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Monday, December 29, 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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Aleramo (IRE) 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 True Patriot 4.50 3.6 7-1
1 1 Sakura Flavor (IRE) 3.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Exington 6.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Step It Out (IRE) 8.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Sweet Delta Dawn 4.00 7 13-1
8 8 Union Heiress 20.00 7.5 14-1
2 2 Lady Lithesome 20.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 A Great Shaking 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Meridian Mae 10.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Goje 4.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 Gogotiz 20.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Goodgollytizmolly 5.00 4 8-1
7 7 Billie Holiday 2.50 4.2 8-1
4 4 Christa McAuliffe 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Blue Norther S.) – Blue Norther S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Hypergamy 5.00 1 2-1
4 4 La Ville Lumiere 1.60 2 4-1
6 6 Latte Luv 2.50 2.6 5-1
3 3 Peanutbutterbombe 4.00 2.9 6-1
5 5 Wild Like the West 4.50 3 6-1
1 1 Total Val 15.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Into the Hall 1.60 1 2-1
6 6 Manhattan Beauty 6.00 2.9 6-1
1 1 Lubie’s Music 2.50 3.7 7-1
2 2 Tupelo 30.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Mad Pursuit 10.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Convo 3.50 4.7 9-1
5 5 Sparrow 10.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Thatsalrightmama 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Mr. Leasure 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Cathal (IRE) 3.50 3.5 7-1
1 1 Sketchy 3.50 3.6 7-1
4 4 Captain Choochies 5.00 6 11-1
6 6 American Glory (GB) 4.00 6.1 11-1
8 8 The Old Nine (IRE) 12.00 6.6 12-1
7 7 Spearfish 15.00 7.6 14-1
2 2 Oobubbakakayo 20.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Thirty Two Chunk 4.50 1 2-1
5 5 Scatify 3.00 1.9 4-1
4 4 Tessuto 1.80 2.5 5-1
2 2 Uncle Chilly 6.00 3 6-1
8 8 Mr. Machupicchu 12.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Maximus 30.00 4.9 9-1
7 7 Ballyhooligan 4.00 5.1 10-1
3 3 B Grayson 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Joe Hernandez S.) – Joe Hernandez S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Motorious (GB) 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Sorrento Sky (IRE) 6.00 2 4-1
5 5 Yellow Card 12.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 El Potente 5.00 5.3 10-1
10 10 Sumter 20.00 7 13-1
9 9 Gas Me Up 5.00 7.3 14-1
2 2 Zio Jo 15.00 7.8 15-1
4 4 Flyover 30.00 8.4 16-1
12 12 Schwarzmeier 20.00 8.8 17-1
11 11 Awesome Rhythm 20.00 10.5 20-1
14 14 Son of a Birch 30.00 SCRATCH
15 15 First Peace 15.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Imagination 3.50 SCRATCH
13 13 Feel the Magic 30.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Unconquerable Keen (IRE) 8.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Known Idea 5.00 1 2-1
3 3 The Gypsy Cowboy 15.00 2.5 5-1
9 9 Oubabe 4.00 4.2 8-1
2 2 Left Hand Man 6.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 Austonian 8.00 4.5 9-1
5 5 Team Player 5.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Strongerthanbefore 12.00 5.8 11-1
7 7 Mr. Disrespectful 3.50 6.1 11-1
10 10 Keithing Thunder 10.00 9.1 17-1
6 6 Speed Grazy 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Rio Grande 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Charlie’s Curlin 4.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Keagman (IRE) 4.50 3.9 7-1
11 11 Medici 4.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Essos 6.00 4.5 8-1
3 3 House of Mischief 20.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Mendel’s Tune 5.00 6.7 13-1
10 10 Biggiebiggiebiggie 12.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Nezha 30.00 7.1 13-1
6 6 Saharian 30.00 8.9 17-1
9 9 American King 15.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Chapter One 20.00 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.