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
1 1 Sakura Flavor (IRE) 3.00 1.2 2-1
5 5 Sweet Delta Dawn 4.00 1.6 3-1
4 4 True Patriot 4.50 1.8 3-1
3 3 Exington 6.00 2.4 5-1
6 6 Step It Out (IRE) 8.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Lady Lithesome 20.00 8 15-1
8 8 Union Heiress 20.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Billie Holiday 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Christa McAuliffe 3.00 1.2 2-1
5 5 A Great Shaking 3.50 1.3 3-1
1 1 Goje 4.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Goodgollytizmolly 5.00 1.9 4-1
2 2 Meridian Mae 10.00 3.6 7-1
6 6 Gogotiz 20.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 La Ville Lumiere 1.60 1 2-1
6 6 Latte Luv 2.50 1.3 3-1
3 3 Peanutbutterbombe 4.00 1.9 4-1
5 5 Wild Like the West 4.50 2.1 4-1
2 2 Hypergamy 5.00 2.3 4-1
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
1 1 Lubie’s Music 2.50 1.2 2-1
7 7 Convo 3.50 1.5 3-1
6 6 Manhattan Beauty 6.00 2.1 4-1
5 5 Sparrow 10.00 3.1 6-1
3 3 Mad Pursuit 10.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Thatsalrightmama 30.00 8 15-1
2 2 Tupelo 30.00 8 15-1

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
1 1 Sketchy 3.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 Cathal (IRE) 3.50 1.2 2-1
6 6 American Glory (GB) 4.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Captain Choochies 5.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 The Old Nine (IRE) 12.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Spearfish 15.00 5.9 11-1
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
4 4 Tessuto 1.80 1 2-1
5 5 Scatify 3.00 1.3 2-1
7 7 Ballyhooligan 4.00 1.6 3-1
1 1 Thirty Two Chunk 4.50 1.7 3-1
2 2 Uncle Chilly 6.00 2 4-1
8 8 Mr. Machupicchu 12.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 B Grayson 30.00 8 15-1
6 6 Maximus 30.00 8 15-1

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
1 1 Imagination 3.50 1.3 2-1
8 8 El Potente 5.00 2 4-1
9 9 Gas Me Up 5.00 2 4-1
3 3 Sorrento Sky (IRE) 6.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Unconquerable Keen (IRE) 8.00 3.6 7-1
5 5 Yellow Card 12.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Zio Jo 15.00 7.2 14-1
15 15 First Peace 15.00 7.2 14-1
11 11 Awesome Rhythm 20.00 9.8 19-1
10 10 Sumter 20.00 9.8 19-1
12 12 Schwarzmeier 20.00 9.8 19-1
14 14 Son of a Birch 30.00 15 28-1
4 4 Flyover 30.00 15 28-1
13 13 Feel the Magic 30.00 15 28-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Mr. Disrespectful 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Oubabe 4.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Known Idea 5.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Team Player 5.00 1.5 3-1
2 2 Left Hand Man 6.00 1.9 3-1
1 1 Austonian 8.00 2.5 5-1
10 10 Keithing Thunder 10.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Strongerthanbefore 12.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 The Gypsy Cowboy 15.00 4.9 9-1
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
11 11 Medici 4.00 1.8 3-1
5 5 Charlie’s Curlin 4.00 1.8 3-1
2 2 Keagman (IRE) 4.50 2 4-1
1 1 Mendel’s Tune 5.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Essos 6.00 2.6 5-1
10 10 Biggiebiggiebiggie 12.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 American King 15.00 6.1 12-1
3 3 House of Mischief 20.00 8.1 15-1
12 12 Chapter One 20.00 8.1 15-1
7 7 Nezha 30.00 12 23-1
6 6 Saharian 30.00 12 23-1

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.