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
5 5 Honey’s Choice 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Plettenberg Bay 5.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Chapter One 8.00 5.5 10-1
11 11 Work 30.00 6.1 12-1
8 8 B G Bullet 15.00 6.5 12-1
12 12 Dutton’s Song 12.00 7.3 14-1
1 1 Ruler of Law 6.00 7.8 15-1
7 7 Toby’s Honor 30.00 8.1 15-1
6 6 Postmodern 5.00 8.1 15-1
3 3 Airliner 20.00 8.7 16-1
10 10 Ahrens 30.00 10.3 19-1
13 13 Dinkum 4.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Fort Griffin 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Texas Wildcat 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 It’s Time 1.00 1.2 2-1
4 4 Original One 3.00 1.4 3-1
2 2 Maximum Gladiator 8.00 2 4-1
3 3 Itsnotrocket 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Skatingthroughlife 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Aloha Dreamin 6.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 Darlin Tami 6.00 3.3 6-1
3 3 Willow Cove 4.00 5.4 10-1
4 4 Mars Magic 12.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Sei Bella 8.00 7.2 14-1
7 7 Girlcanthelpit 8.00 7.4 14-1
8 8 Freya 15.00 8.7 16-1
10 10 Cloudy Rose 15.00 8.8 17-1
12 12 Pretty Cecy 30.00 9.7 18-1
9 9 Newport Dreamz 30.00 10.4 20-1
5 5 Booster Club 12.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Tiggrrr Whitworth 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Bandolero 1.60 3.2 6-1
3 3 Chief Resident 3.50 3.3 6-1
7 7 Lake Smokin 10.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 I’malwaysthirsty 12.00 5.6 11-1
1 1 Straight Buzzin 6.00 6 11-1
4 4 Bossing Mo 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Baela 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Dare to Fly 4.00 1.6 3-1
8 8 Invincible Molly (GB) 12.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Mizzyaan 20.00 6.1 12-1
6 6 Helga Brandt (IRE) 10.00 6.2 12-1
2 2 Marian Cross (GB) 2.50 6.8 13-1
1 1 Madonna of Loreto 6.00 7 13-1
5 5 Misleading 5.00 7.5 14-1
3 3 Source (GB) 30.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Latitude 1.00 1 2-1
4 4 Running With Chaos 3.50 2.8 5-1
1 1 The Last Straw 12.00 3.5 7-1
6 6 Taif 1.50 3.6 7-1
2 2 Imagineer 30.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Silver Ice 30.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 City Exile (GB) 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Dicey Mo Chara (GB) 8.00 5.7 11-1
11 11 Moonlit Sonata 6.00 6.1 12-1
10 10 Baldoro 15.00 6.5 12-1
1 1 El Rey Rey 15.00 6.7 13-1
2 2 One of These Days (IRE) 6.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Centrodelantero 4.00 6.8 13-1
5 5 Time Song 8.00 7.5 14-1
4 4 Enterdadragon 12.00 9.1 17-1
9 9 Theodore George 20.00 9.5 18-1
8 8 Rimprotector 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Contrary Chieftain 1.60 1 2-1
3 3 Northern Quest 5.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Mother’s Prayer 4.50 4.5 8-1
7 7 Smarty Nose 8.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Autism Puzzle 6.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Union Wave 12.00 6 11-1
6 6 Alpine Thunder 4.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Musical Song 12.00 1 2-1
12 12 Holly Goquickly (FR) 12.00 1.6 3-1
6 6 Winika 3.50 2.3 4-1
9 9 Authentic Grace 8.00 2.8 5-1
10 10 Global Consort 5.00 3.6 7-1
3 3 Interplay 8.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Ghostess 4.50 4.3 8-1
8 8 Angelica Bay (IRE) 6.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Silver Flirt 20.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Blame Eve 15.00 5.9 11-1
11 11 My Cherry Pie 30.00 6.6 12-1
1 1 Nakota (IRE) 20.00 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.