Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, February 21, 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 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Ventry Strand 4.50 1 2-1
4 4 Third Beer 3.00 1.1 2-1
9 9 Can’t Help Myself 4.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Dark Blue 5.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Dark Omen 3.50 2.9 5-1
5 5 Cruise Home 8.00 4 8-1
2 2 Fumano’s Magic 15.00 4.8 9-1
7 7 Maker and Sons 30.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Arkadelphia 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Morello 1.20 1 2-1
5 5 Carol’s Comic 2.50 1.7 3-1
3 3 Alpine Thunder 3.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Smarty Nose 8.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Gentlemen’s Club 5.00 5 9-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Going Deep 10.00 1 2-1
6 6 Stop Digging 10.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 Princess Em Too 5.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Miss Artois 6.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Baltic Fire 6.00 6.4 12-1
1 1 Lila 8.00 6.5 12-1
3 3 Claire Austin 12.00 6.5 12-1
9 9 Delightful Laura 3.50 9.2 17-1
5 5 Preem 30.00 9.4 18-1
10 10 Resolve 4.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Tom’s Star 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Play for Me 2.50 1.9 4-1
1 1 Smiling Rapper 6.00 2.2 4-1
6 6 Siempre Naman 6.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Daddygaveittome 4.50 4.1 8-1
3 3 Palace Mischief 10.00 7 13-1
5 5 My Eliana 30.00 7.6 14-1
2 2 Bitter Truth 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Central Dispatch 3.50 1 2-1
11 11 Harcyn 8.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 Doncic 4.50 2.2 4-1
6 6 Pioneer Prince 10.00 2.7 5-1
1 1 Tigerhon (FR) 5.00 3.6 7-1
12 12 Don’t Swear Dave 12.00 3.8 7-1
9 9 Mucho Del Oro 8.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Code Duello 6.00 4.5 8-1
4 4 Hacking It Up 12.00 5.8 11-1
10 10 Commander (FR) 30.00 6.6 12-1
5 5 Dakota Country 30.00 7.3 14-1
8 8 Veritas Aequitas 30.00 8 15-1
14 14 Autism Puzzle 30.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Hotrocket (IRE) 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Bowtie Boys 2.00 1 2-1
7 7 Uncle Evco 8.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Grandisimo 8.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 Irish Element 5.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Smiling Tizzy 6.00 4.7 9-1
8 8 Canyahearmeknockin 6.00 5.1 10-1
4 4 Aloha Chrome 30.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Spun Not Stirred 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Wishing Well S.) – Wishing Well S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Jungle Peace (IRE) 4.50 1 2-1
8 8 Egyptian Mau (SAF) 4.50 1.2 2-1
6 6 Gratefully 2.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 Imaboutago (IRE) 12.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Amorita 15.00 4 7-1
5 5 Miss Lizzy 10.00 4.9 9-1
7 7 Nay V Belle 6.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Saratoga Special (IRE) 5.00 7.9 15-1
1 1 Antifona (FR) 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Twisted Humor 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Meridian Mae 4.50 2 4-1
5 5 Shady Stripes 3.50 2.3 4-1
2 2 Can You Dream 20.00 4.4 8-1
6 6 Cammy’s Girl 4.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Lyndee’s Dream 15.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Voices of Autism 10.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Lil Tessa 15.00 6.4 12-1
10 98 Susie’s Loaded 0.00 SCRATCH
9 9 California Cat 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Burning Rubber 8.00 1 2-1
6 6 Helicity 15.00 1.3 3-1
10 9 Anmer Hall 2.50 1.9 4-1
5 5 Yacowlef (IRE) 6.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Double Jab 10.00 2.9 5-1
1 1 Moonlit Sonata 8.00 3.3 6-1
9 8 Crazy Cavalier 6.00 3.3 6-1
8 7 Shady Tiger 12.00 3.5 7-1
12 11 Ballyvaughan Gig 12.00 3.8 7-1
13 12 Charge for Gold 12.00 4.4 8-1
2 2 Lyle The Crocodile (IRE) 10.00 4.4 8-1
11 10 Decapo 15.00 4.8 9-1
14 13 Beef Winslow 6.00 SCRATCH
7 98 I’m Otter Here 0.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Yurak 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Darya (IRE) 8.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Cortina d’Amprezzo (IRE) 6.00 5.6 11-1
6 6 Chair’s Coin (IRE) 4.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 Channel Place 10.00 6.4 12-1
8 8 Shane’s the Brains 12.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Essential Lady 20.00 7.1 13-1
11 11 Egyptian Mistress 30.00 7.7 15-1
9 9 Daring Pursuit 6.00 8.3 16-1
3 3 Zuraya (GB) 12.00 8.3 16-1
2 2 Split 20.00 9.9 19-1
14 14 Lerios 10.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Soul Sister 12.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Nerida (FR) 12.00 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.