Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Friday, February 27, 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
1 1 Can’t Say That 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Velvet Lilly 4.00 1.2 2-1
7 7 Channel Place 4.50 1.3 3-1
9 9 Springline 6.00 1.9 3-1
2 2 Photogenic 6.00 1.9 3-1
6 6 Heavenly Belle 8.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Chasing Numbers 8.00 2.5 5-1
10 10 Split 10.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 Specialty 20.00 6.6 12-1
4 4 Ibiza Flavor 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Deep Blue 1.20 1 2-1
1 1 Willow Cove 2.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Booster Club 2.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Pretty Cecy 8.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Crypto Crush 10.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Trusty Rusty 1.40 1 2-1
5 5 Please Focus 3.50 1.7 3-1
2 2 So I’m Told 4.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Maniatic (IRE) 5.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Druidic 6.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Brutto 12.00 4.4 8-1
7 7 Mongolian Apple 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Bandolero 1.40 1 2-1
5 5 Oswald 2.50 2 4-1
2 2 Bossing Mo 3.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Itsnotrocket 5.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Tonys Fever 6.00 5 9-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 98 Orange Thunder 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Mayacama 2.50 1.9 4-1
7 6 She’s a Joker 3.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Quantum Innergy 4.50 2.7 5-1
11 10 Just a Kiss 5.00 2.8 5-1
8 7 Lady Mendelssohn 5.00 2.8 5-1
9 8 Green Zone 8.00 3.9 7-1
10 9 Pavel’s Etoile 12.00 5.4 10-1
5 5 Fibonaccis Ride 20.00 8.3 16-1
3 3 Mendelssohns Angel 20.00 8.3 16-1
4 4 California Rocks 30.00 12 23-1
12 11 Ryan’s Girl 30.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Tiger Fire 1.60 1 2-1
4 4 Maniae 3.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Eltonsingsanother 4.00 2.4 5-1
5 5 Toulouse Detrac 4.50 2.7 5-1
1 1 Coralgableskaylin 5.00 3 6-1
2 2 Bottom Dollar 10.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Son of a Birch 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Proof He Rides 5.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Cuban Confusion (GB) 5.00 1.8 3-1
9 9 Charlie’s to Blame 6.00 2.4 4-1
5 5 Dhitjari (GB) 6.00 2.4 4-1
1 1 Nesso’s Lastharrah 8.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Supersonic Blue 8.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 Mischief River 10.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Fomo Joe 12.00 5.6 11-1
3 3 Drop Um 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Winston Ave 1.80 1 2-1
3 3 Cherokee Nation 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Latitude 2.50 1.2 2-1
6 6 Eruption 8.00 2.3 4-1
7 7 Fausto 12.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Midway Lane 12.00 3.2 6-1
5 5 Attack Now 30.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Biggiebiggiebiggie 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Keagman (IRE) 3.50 1.3 2-1
7 7 Prime Artist (FR) 5.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Nezha 6.00 2.9 6-1
11 11 Sands of Time 8.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Mendel’s Tune 8.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Like and Subscribe 10.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Azario 10.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Saturday 12.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Off Your Rocker 12.00 6.8 13-1
12 12 Saharian 15.00 8.8 17-1
9 9 Dreamrider 20.00 12 23-1

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.