Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, March 8, 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
8 8 Blame Eve 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Ghostess 3.50 1.4 3-1
6 6 Makenarita 4.00 1.6 3-1
1 1 Vronaway 6.00 2 4-1
3 3 Watershed Moment 6.00 2 4-1
5 5 Greta’s Ghost 8.00 2.5 5-1
7 7 Celestial Skies 15.00 4.3 8-1
2 2 Aguila Azul 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (China Doll S.) – China Doll S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Himika 0.80 1 2-1
1 1 Yours Sincerely (IRE) 3.50 3.1 6-1
4 4 Peanutbutterbombe 4.50 3.9 7-1
2 2 Counterbalance 5.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Hypergamy 6.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Another Zero 1.20 1 2-1
8 8 Christa McAuliffe 4.00 2 4-1
2 2 La Silenciosa 4.50 2.2 4-1
1 1 Surprise D’ Oro 6.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Kaffy 10.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Little Originaire 12.00 5 9-1
3 3 Susan Yvonne 12.00 5 9-1
5 5 Lyndee’s Dream 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Incanto (IRE) 1.80 1 2-1
2 2 Smart Code 3.00 1.6 3-1
4 4 Vancougar 3.50 1.8 3-1
5 5 Re Armed Jon 4.50 2.2 4-1
3 3 Gregory’s Pride 8.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Spearfish 10.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Unbridled Vision 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Scatify 1.40 1 2-1
9 9 No More Ding Dongs 3.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Magic Connection 3.50 1.7 3-1
7 7 Novinophobia 8.00 3.1 6-1
10 10 Typhoon Tommy 12.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Aloha Chrome 20.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Canyahearmeknockin 20.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Pat Can’t Count 30.00 10 19-1
1 1 Grey Power 30.00 10 19-1
8 8 Tiger Strength 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Voldemort 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Berlin Wall 3.00 1.6 3-1
3 3 Magnify 4.00 2.2 4-1
2 2 Mc Vay 5.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Ghazaaly 6.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Big Bet Jafinsafa 10.00 5.8 11-1
7 7 Cowboy Mike 12.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Sammy Davis 1.80 1 2-1
8 8 Honey’s Choice 3.50 1.9 4-1
5 5 Track Tiger 4.50 2.4 5-1
6 6 Ventry Strand 5.00 2.7 5-1
1 1 Caro Buono (FR) 5.00 2.7 5-1
2 2 Won for Lou 15.00 8 15-1
7 7 Lucky and Gone 15.00 8 15-1
4 4 Classico 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Santa Ysabel S.) – Santa Ysabel S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Super Corredora 1.00 1 2-1
5 5 Forced Entry 4.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 French Blue 4.50 2.5 5-1
1 1 Cee Drew 5.00 2.7 5-1
7 7 My Love Caroline 10.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Bank Shot 12.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Piney Woods 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Bint Al Dandy (IRE) 2.00 1 2-1
8 8 Lubie’s Music 4.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Victorious Dream (IRE) 4.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Vow to Resiliency 6.00 2.8 5-1
9 9 Surf Song 8.00 3.7 7-1
2 2 Improbable U 8.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Lilo Lil 12.00 5.4 10-1
1 1 Sandy Street 15.00 6.8 13-1
4 4 Tipitap 20.00 9 17-1

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.