Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, January 15, 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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Central Dispatch 2.50 1 2-1
1 1 Beef Winslow 2.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Doncic 5.00 5 9-1
6 6 Tigerhon (FR) 6.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Phosphorescence (FR) 10.00 6.8 13-1
2 2 Its a Cinch 8.00 7 13-1
4 4 Charge for Gold 6.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Singlemore 1.00 1 2-1
5 5 English Icon 3.50 1.9 4-1
1 1 Eagles Dare 10.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Brahms Mendelssohn 8.00 3.4 6-1
2 2 Love Da Gig 8.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Palo Alto 30.00 4.9 9-1
4 4 Guaguarero 4.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Special Club 5.00 1 2-1
3 3 Grazed 4.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Bro Bro 3.50 2.8 5-1
4 4 Otro Mas 30.00 3.4 6-1
6 6 Gold Council 8.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Jetovator 1.80 3.5 7-1
5 5 Jaguar Jon 4.50 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Flamingo Star 3.50 1 2-1
7 7 Darlin’ Duchess 5.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Tulavia’s World 8.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Heavenly Princess 3.00 2.8 5-1
2 2 Memetic 8.00 3 6-1
8 8 My Girl Mia 6.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Long Range Pursuit 5.00 4.6 9-1
5 5 Hot Rod Christine 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Dark Blue 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Debbies Gettinghot 8.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Flash of Lightning 6.00 3 6-1
6 6 Columnist 2.50 3.8 7-1
4 4 Lucky Tiger 10.00 4.3 8-1
9 9 Rocky Colavito 5.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Desert Hawk 4.50 5.8 11-1
8 8 Joey Where’d It Go 30.00 6.3 12-1
7 7 Passion D Oro 30.00 6.6 13-1
11 11 Carl Erskine 12.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Smokeintheair 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Charmz Away 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Solo Gano 1.60 1.2 2-1
4 4 Sunk Cost Fallacy 4.50 2.9 5-1
7 7 Stage Run 8.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Go Trigger Cut 20.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Millbo Baggins 6.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 All About Babes 30.00 6.6 12-1
8 8 Gilchrist 5.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Berlin Wall 1.80 1 2-1
2 2 Check’s On the Way 2.50 4.1 8-1
6 6 Warm Sun and Brew 3.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Irish Royalty 6.00 5.4 10-1
8 8 Clever Clover 15.00 5.6 11-1
4 4 Galland de Besos 20.00 6 11-1
1 1 Cardiff Crack 10.00 6.1 11-1
7 7 Highplainsdrifter 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Love Our Family 1.80 1 2-1
8 8 Big Celebration 3.50 2.5 5-1
7 7 Ryan’s Girl 3.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 Unbridled Scholar 5.00 5.4 10-1
3 3 Chokechery Shari 20.00 6.1 11-1
2 2 Misty Dancer 6.00 6.7 13-1
5 5 Princess Daddy 15.00 7.3 14-1
1 1 Violet Storm 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Big Bill 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Hardtobebetternow 1.50 1.4 3-1
3 3 Island Paradise 12.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Shapoval 6.00 3.9 7-1
10 10 Irish Element 8.00 4 7-1
5 5 Vron by You 10.00 4.2 8-1
7 7 Benny’s Puzzle 50.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 Star of Delhi 15.00 5.6 11-1
9 9 Strait Up Country 12.00 5.9 11-1
11 11 High King 12.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Maul 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.