Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, January 18, 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
2 2 Chapter One 0.00 1 2-1
13 13 Dinkum 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Work 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 Ahrens 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Toby’s Honor 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Plettenberg Bay 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Airliner 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Ruler of Law 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Postmodern 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 B G Bullet 0.00 1 2-1
12 12 Dutton’s Song 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Fort Griffin 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Honey’s Choice 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Itsnotrocket 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 It’s Time 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Original One 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Maximum Gladiator 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Texas Wildcat 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Willow Cove 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Mars Magic 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Skatingthroughlife 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Aloha Dreamin 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Girlcanthelpit 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Booster Club 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Sei Bella 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Newport Dreamz 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Darlin Tami 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Freya 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 Cloudy Rose 0.00 1 2-1
12 12 Pretty Cecy 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Chief Resident 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Bandolero 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Tiggrrr Whitworth 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Lake Smokin 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 I’malwaysthirsty 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Straight Buzzin 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Bossing Mo 0.00 1 2-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Mizzyaan 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Misleading 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Dare to Fly 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Baela 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Madonna of Loreto 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Marian Cross (GB) 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Source (GB) 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Invincible Molly (GB) 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Helga Brandt (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Taif 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Imagineer 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Latitude 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Silver Ice 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 The Last Straw 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Running With Chaos 0.00 1 2-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Baldoro 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Rimprotector 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Centrodelantero 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Time Song 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Moonlit Sonata 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 El Rey Rey 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Enterdadragon 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Theodore George 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Dicey Mo Chara (GB) 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 One of These Days (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 City Exile (GB) 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Northern Quest 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Alpine Thunder 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Smarty Nose 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Union Wave 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Contrary Chieftain 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Mother’s Prayer 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Autism Puzzle 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Silver Flirt 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Interplay 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Ghostess 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Blame Eve 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Authentic Grace 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Musical Song 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 My Cherry Pie 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 Global Consort 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Winika 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Nakota (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1
12 12 Holly Goquickly (FR) 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Angelica Bay (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1

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.