Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, January 17, 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
7 7 Danzing Daisy 10.00 1 2-1
6 6 Up for the Hunt 12.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Cash in Toknight 5.00 2.2 4-1
9 9 Vicky Lyn 8.00 5 9-1
1 1 Still Unwritten 6.00 5 9-1
4 4 Lil Tessa 20.00 6.4 12-1
10 10 Willow in the Wind 15.00 6.4 12-1
11 11 Marla Hooch 6.00 7.1 13-1
3 3 Maggles McGee 5.00 7.2 14-1
2 2 Starship Pacific 30.00 7.3 14-1
12 12 Training Good 8.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Balaza 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S.) – Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Man O Rose 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 Book Smart 2.50 1.4 3-1
4 4 Speedy Wilson 3.00 1.8 3-1
2 2 Drop Um 20.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Big City Lights 2.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 A Great Shaking 5.00 1 2-1
7 7 Troisieme Etoile 4.50 4.9 9-1
10 10 Good Golly Dolly 8.00 5.7 11-1
11 11 Stars Hollow 2.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 Run On Om 20.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Risky Pleasure 6.00 6 11-1
1 1 Famous Forza 20.00 6.5 12-1
9 9 Meridian Mae 10.00 6.9 13-1
4 4 Alix 10.00 7.2 14-1
6 6 Atina Liz 30.00 7.7 14-1
5 5 Go Prancealot 30.00 8 15-1
12 12 Christa McAuliffe 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Remember April 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Om Time Gal 3.00 1.7 3-1
9 9 She’s Back 20.00 2.5 5-1
6 6 Susie’s Loaded 6.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Smokin Hot Chick 8.00 4.2 8-1
4 4 Sweetest Measure 15.00 4.6 9-1
10 10 Love Lock 8.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 E Z Reward 30.00 6.5 12-1
2 2 Real Lucky in Love 12.00 SCRATCH
7 7 California Cat 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented By City National Bank) – Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented By City National Bank

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Stamp My Passport 8.00 1 2-1
1 1 Hey Jessie 4.50 3.7 7-1
8 8 Vodka Vodka 1.80 3.9 7-1
2 2 Mr. Disrespectful 4.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 None Above the Law 3.50 4.8 9-1
6 6 Call Me Sir 6.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Freeport Joe 30.00 7.8 15-1
5 5 Stop Digging 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Coach Cronin 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Mr. Machupicchu 12.00 1 2-1
6 6 Titanic Thompson 1.60 1.1 2-1
8 8 Refocus 8.00 1.4 3-1
10 10 Rich Reward 10.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Horizon Wildcat 6.00 2 4-1
2 2 Ya’ll Come 15.00 3.8 7-1
9 9 Cody Boy 20.00 6.7 13-1
1 1 Unbridled Vision 30.00 8.9 17-1
5 5 Runkerry 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks) – Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Cashed 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Eighties 10.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Cecilia Street 6.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Cee Drew 4.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 Too Sassy 2.50 2.6 5-1
1 1 Crunchy 10.00 2.9 5-1
2 2 Tiger Lady 15.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Final Table Lady 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (California Chrome Cal Cup Derby) – California Chrome Cal Cup Derby

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Sammy Davis 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 My Boy Stan 6.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Smoovin Saturday 5.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 John Metcalfe 12.00 4.5 9-1
5 5 Almost There 30.00 4.6 9-1
10 10 Fionello 30.00 5.5 10-1
9 9 Pavlovian 15.00 5.8 11-1
11 11 Cruise Home 12.00 6.4 12-1
3 3 Start the Ride 30.00 8.8 17-1
8 8 Can’t Help Myself 8.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Ocean Bear 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Sunshine Millions Filly And Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented By John Deere) – Sunshine Millions Filly And Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented By John Deere

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Grand Slam Smile 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 Prancingthruparis 3.50 1.1 2-1
6 6 Tina Turner 10.00 2.3 4-1
4 4 Going Deep 10.00 2.7 5-1
8 8 Take Another Card 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Tequilaandtherapy 15.00 4.1 8-1
9 9 Issa Court 8.00 5 9-1
7 7 Moment’s Pleasure 12.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Sneaker 6.00 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.