Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, January 8, 2026

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
4 4 Sasafran 15.00 1 2-1
5 5 Warm Reception 2.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 French Moonlight 3.00 3.4 6-1
12 11 Silver Flirt 30.00 4.4 8-1
9 9 Danzig Til Dawn 15.00 4.5 8-1
8 8 Benster 6.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Mperfection 12.00 5.8 11-1
1 1 Green Zone 20.00 5.8 11-1
7 7 Suntory Time 3.50 6.1 12-1
6 6 Tis Sunrise 10.00 6.4 12-1
10 10 Syntax 5.00 6.7 13-1
11 98 Siempre Naman 0.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Maniatic (IRE) 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Resemblance 5.00 5 9-1
1 1 Contrary Chieftain 8.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Crypto Ride 3.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Big Juanito 6.00 6 11-1
8 8 Spun Not Stirred 5.00 6.8 13-1
6 6 Taishan 8.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Elegant Boy 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Eddie Logan S.) – Eddie Logan S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Plutarch 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Stark Contrast 1.40 1.8 3-1
3 3 Iriseach (IRE) 5.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Third Beer 10.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Brigante 20.00 5 9-1
4 4 Unrivaled Time 6.00 5.8 11-1
6 6 Caro Buono (FR) 12.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Cherry Cider 4.00 1 2-1
10 10 French Blue 2.50 2.6 5-1
7 7 Kizazi 5.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 Lady Detective 6.00 5.2 10-1
8 8 Ethereal Quality 20.00 6 11-1
6 6 Tokala 8.00 7 13-1
5 5 Red Cherry 8.00 7.8 15-1
4 4 Greys Over Bays 12.00 8.4 16-1
2 2 Feisty Red Head 12.00 8.6 16-1
1 1 Piney Woods 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Imaboutago (IRE) 6.00 1 2-1
7 7 Gratefully 1.80 1.4 3-1
5 5 Bit’s Tiger Magic 3.00 2.8 5-1
1 1 Hoshiana (FR) 10.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Marian Cross (GB) 5.00 3.6 7-1
8 8 Young Love 10.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Donttellourwives 15.00 6.4 12-1
6 6 Tahini 8.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Tommy Norris 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Joker Went Wild 4.00 2 4-1
5 5 Positive Times 15.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Benny and the Jet 5.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Tiggrrr Whitworth 15.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 My Bodacious Boy 6.00 5.7 11-1
7 7 Rand Good 20.00 6.7 13-1
10 10 Red Hot 3.50 7 13-1
8 8 Omission 30.00 8.7 17-1
2 2 Carl Erskine 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Robert J. Frankel S.) – Robert J. Frankel S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Public Assembly 1.80 1 2-1
5 5 Paradise Lake 2.00 1.9 4-1
2 2 Willa T 8.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 Watchtower 4.50 4 8-1
4 4 Hannah Buckle (IRE) 10.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Sun Of Hill (BRZ) 12.00 5.6 11-1
3 3 Ima Joker 15.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Starry Night 15.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Voldemort 5.00 1 2-1
8 8 Del Mar Jerry 3.50 3.4 6-1
9 9 Katonah 5.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Normandy Landing 2.50 6 11-1
2 2 Copp 15.00 6.1 11-1
4 4 Clooney 8.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Feel the Magic 6.00 7.1 13-1
6 6 Runaway Charlie 30.00 7.2 14-1
1 1 Big Bet Jafinsafa 10.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Mutaz 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Lorenzo Bernini 2.50 4.8 9-1
2 2 Sweet Odyssey 3.00 5.1 10-1
5 5 Both Sides of Bad 4.50 6.1 12-1
6 6 Fight Back 12.00 8.3 16-1
1 1 Grandisimo 20.00 8.7 16-1
9 9 Iron (FR) 8.00 9.1 17-1
4 4 Midway Lane 3.50 9.2 17-1
7 7 Missile Cruiser 20.00 9.5 18-1
8 8 Wasting Aces 20.00 9.6 18-1
11 11 Kiddo Light 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.