Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, April 4, 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
2 2 Marjoram 2.50 1 2-1
1 1 Mo’ Em Down 3.00 1.3 2-1
3 3 Still Unwritten 4.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 Struck By Her (IRE) 5.00 2.4 5-1
7 7 Cosmic Heat 6.00 3 6-1
6 6 Will Happen 8.00 4.1 8-1
4 4 Bear’s Board 15.00 8 15-1
5 5 South Bay 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 March of Time 1.80 1 2-1
5 5 Crude Velocity 2.00 1.1 2-1
1 1 Comedy Town 4.00 2 4-1
6 6 Santarena 5.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 For All Mankind 10.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Deer District 15.00 7 13-1
3 3 Its a Cinch 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Winston Ave 1.50 1 2-1
4 4 Captain Shreve 2.50 1.2 2-1
1 1 Duke Silver 5.00 1.7 3-1
3 3 Yautown 5.00 1.7 3-1
5 5 Mo Koko 6.00 2 4-1
6 6 Raikkonen 10.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Bull Tiz 30.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Echo Eddie S. Presented By Daily Racing Form) – Echo Eddie S. Presented By Daily Racing Form

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Thirsty Rebel 1.50 1 2-1
5 5 Sammy Davis 1.60 1.1 2-1
1 1 Galloping Ghost 6.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Tommy Norris 6.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Southern Melodee 8.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Fionello 10.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Jimmy Blue Jeans 4.50 1 2-1
1 1 Pioneer Prince 5.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Vantastic 6.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Russells Hustle 6.00 1.7 3-1
4 4 Zalamo (FR) 8.00 2.7 5-1
9 9 Hotrocket (IRE) 8.00 2.7 5-1
12 12 Kawazaki (IRE) 10.00 3.6 7-1
3 3 Cathal (IRE) 10.00 3.6 7-1
11 11 Ah Jeez 12.00 4.5 9-1
10 10 Jeweled Shillelagh 15.00 5.9 11-1
13 13 Don’t Swear Dave 20.00 8.3 16-1
7 7 Maniatic (IRE) 20.00 8.3 16-1
8 8 J T’s Watch 30.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Santa Anita Oaks Presented By Surfside) – Santa Anita Oaks Presented By Surfside

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Meaning 0.60 1 2-1
1 1 Forced Entry 4.00 1.7 3-1
3 3 French Blue 5.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Brooklyn Blonde 6.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Hypergamy 20.00 5 9-1
2 2 Bank Shot 20.00 5 9-1
6 6 Red Cherry 30.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Oracle of Paradise 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Eugene Sledge 3.00 1.2 2-1
3 3 Booked Clubhouse 4.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Gaines 8.00 2.8 5-1
9 9 Doing Time 10.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Tight Dally 10.00 3.5 7-1
10 10 Big Vengeance 12.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Halninethousand 12.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Farmer Tom 15.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Passion D Oro 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Evening Jewel S. Presented By Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) – Evening Jewel S. Presented By Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Mohaven 1.00 1 2-1
5 5 Another Zero 3.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Too Sassy 6.00 2.8 5-1
1 1 Cee Drew 8.00 3.6 7-1
3 3 Cecilia Street 8.00 3.6 7-1
8 8 Tapatia Mia 15.00 6.2 12-1
2 2 Lino’s Angel 20.00 8 15-1
4 4 Donttellmewhattodo 20.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Call Me Sir 3.50 1 2-1
8 8 King of Dragons 4.00 1.2 2-1
7 7 Warm Sun and Brew 4.50 1.4 3-1
1 1 Stylishlyacclaimed 6.00 2 4-1
11 11 Sabertooth 6.00 2 4-1
9 9 Please Focus 10.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Cullen J 12.00 4.5 9-1
10 10 Prince Dolce 12.00 4.5 9-1
4 4 Freeport Joe 20.00 7.9 15-1
6 6 Highplainsdrifter 30.00 12 23-1
3 3 Speed of Elon 30.00 12 23-1
2 2 Zagreus 30.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Santa Anita Derby) – Santa Anita Derby

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Potente 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Cherokee Nation 2.50 1.1 2-1
5 5 So Happy 3.50 1.3 2-1
7 7 Intrepido 3.50 1.3 2-1
4 4 Robusta 8.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Vitruvian Man 15.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Start the Ride 30.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Monrovia S. Presented By Don Julio) – Monrovia S. Presented By Don Julio

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Queen Maxima 0.80 1 2-1
3 3 Love Appeals 3.00 1.9 4-1
2 2 Tirupati 6.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 Princesa Moche (PER) 8.00 4 8-1
7 7 Spirited Boss 12.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Amorita 12.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Sareeha (IRE) 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 12 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
13 98 Decisive Deception 0.00 1 2-1
8 98 Amor Secreto 0.00 1 2-1
5 98 Thriving Autism 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 High Society U 2.50 2.1 4-1
11 9 Somerset West 3.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Silkie Sevei (IRE) 4.50 3 6-1
1 1 Cortina d’Amprezzo (IRE) 6.00 3.6 7-1
12 10 Maddog 10.00 5.3 10-1
14 11 Greys Over Bays 12.00 6.2 12-1
9 7 Peppermint Dash 12.00 6.2 12-1
10 8 Daring Pursuit 15.00 7.5 14-1
6 5 Subatomic Law 20.00 9.7 18-1
7 6 Whatastarr (IRE) 20.00 9.7 18-1
3 3 Lookin At Diamond 30.00 14 26-1

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.