Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Friday, January 23, 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 Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Velvet Lilly 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Improbable U 1.20 1.9 4-1
1 1 Photogenic 5.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Tiyara 4.50 4.8 9-1
7 7 Flamingo Star 15.00 6.6 13-1
2 2 Definitely Prbable 8.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Specialty 10.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Tee N Off 5.00 1 2-1
5 5 Bowtie Boys 1.80 1.4 3-1
3 3 Smiling Tizzy 4.00 1.9 3-1
4 4 Spun Not Stirred 1.60 2.5 5-1
1 1 Mischief Moments 8.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Do It for Dave 20.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Miss Donna 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Springline 2.00 3.4 6-1
5 5 Chasing Numbers 5.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Angel Baby 4.50 4.2 8-1
1 1 Heavenly Belle 5.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Darlin’ Duchess 15.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Mischievous Bev 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Optional Claiming) – Maiden Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Sharons Beach 1.80 1 2-1
3 3 Bay Cruiser 2.50 1.2 2-1
1 1 Sharons Angels 5.00 2.7 5-1
5 5 Ghostwritten 8.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Liam Smith 3.00 4.5 9-1
2 2 Midnight Ambush 10.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Speed Boat Beach 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 St Anthony 3.50 2.5 5-1
4 4 Son of a Birch 3.00 2.7 5-1
6 6 Gran Oriente (CHI) 4.50 4 8-1
1 1 Vlahos 6.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Nesso’s Lastharrah 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Shady Stripes 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Cash in Toknight 4.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 Tammy Baby 3.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Twisted Humor 3.50 2.7 5-1
2 2 Grape Juice Too 15.00 5 9-1
1 1 Aguila Azul 30.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Gogotiz 8.00 5.5 10-1
8 8 Valentina Jan 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Tapatia Mia 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 My Kat 2.50 2.2 4-1
4 4 Libel Proof 5.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 My Love Caroline 3.50 3 6-1
5 5 Memetic 8.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Lino’s Angel 5.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Pasalubong 6.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Tariff 4.50 1 2-1
2 2 Captain Choochies 4.00 2 4-1
4 4 Geometry 10.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 Lammas (GB) 2.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Living Life 20.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Twirling Point 3.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Hotrocket (IRE) 5.00 SCRATCH
8 98 Suchet (FR) 0.00 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.