Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Friday, April 3, 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
2 2 Luck Lucky (IRE) 1.50 1 2-1
1 1 Throwthefirstpunch 3.00 1.8 3-1
5 5 Scorching Hot 10.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 Sterling Sea 3.50 3.6 7-1
6 6 Sigma Boy 6.00 4 7-1
4 4 Jetway 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Saturday 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Audible Silence 2.50 3.2 6-1
4 4 Another Juanito 1.60 4.1 8-1
5 5 Itsnotrocket 10.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Nickdaboss 30.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Bretts Acclaim 6.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 The Padre (IRE) 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Cabo Spirit 4.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Hiding in Honduras 4.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Mi Hermano Ramon 2.50 4.1 8-1
6 6 Astronomer 3.50 4.4 8-1
1 1 Gran Oriente (CHI) 6.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Darlin’ Duchess 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Mischievous Bev 1.60 1.4 3-1
5 5 Can You Dream 4.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Grape Juice Too 20.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Hot Rod Christine 8.00 5.8 11-1
1 1 Lively Girl 4.50 5.8 11-1
3 3 Hard Hearted 10.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Sand Bagger 8.00 1 2-1
3 3 Both Sides of Bad 4.50 1.1 2-1
1 1 Fight Back 4.50 1.3 2-1
6 6 Fausto 3.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Missile Cruiser 50.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Silver Ice 30.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Midway Lane 1.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Can’tdealwithit 5.00 1 2-1
5 5 Molly Jensen 2.00 1.2 2-1
3 3 Tough Virginia 30.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Subtle Knowledge 6.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Syntax 1.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Sheza Gemini Jewel 30.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 Keep the Pavels 30.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 All in the Game 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Jennys Wine Girl 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Mperfection 10.00 2.8 5-1
8 8 Warm Reception 4.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Joyful Mischief 20.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Little Sandy Bee 12.00 4 7-1
9 9 Judy Lynn Starr 30.00 5.7 11-1
3 3 G’oro 15.00 SCRATCH
6 6 First Light 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 So I’m Told 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 Duran 4.50 2.3 4-1
8 8 Leyas Candy 5.00 2.4 5-1
7 7 Druidic 6.00 3 6-1
1 1 Joint Venture 1.60 3.9 7-1
2 2 Mighty Kai 20.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Ballyhooligan 8.00 7.9 15-1
3 3 Crypto Ride 8.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Virat 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 Charlie’s to Blame 5.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Drop Um 15.00 2.8 5-1
10 10 Balladeer 15.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 American Hope 10.00 3.6 7-1
9 9 Nesso’s Lastharrah 10.00 4.2 8-1
2 2 War At Sea 12.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Son of a Birch 4.50 6.5 12-1
3 3 Dhitjari (GB) 8.00 7.2 14-1
5 5 Proof He Rides 4.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Anmer Hall 3.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Mischief River 30.00 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.