Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, April 18, 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 Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Christa McAuliffe 5.00 1 2-1
7 7 Risky Pleasure 6.00 2.7 5-1
8 8 Melba Montgomery 6.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Midnight Cowgirl 4.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Little Gator 15.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 She’s No Quant 2.00 7.2 14-1
2 2 Holdthatrainbow 5.00 7.8 15-1
1 1 Kitty Mac 20.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Tessuto 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Kid Dynasty 8.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Tapalo 5.00 2.2 4-1
4 4 Cody Boy 3.50 3.4 6-1
2 2 Unbridled Vision 30.00 3.9 7-1
6 6 Spearfish 30.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Liam Smith 1.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (John Shear S.) – John Shear S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Iriseach (IRE) 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Track Tiger 1.60 1.2 2-1
3 3 Later Than Planned (IRE) 1.80 3.6 7-1
2 2 Caro Buono (FR) 8.00 4 8-1
4 4 Won for Lou 10.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Theresasilverlinin 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Rousing Jewel 8.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Love Our Family 6.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 She’s Splendid 4.00 4.6 9-1
6 6 Ryan’s Girl 4.00 5.6 10-1
5 5 Unbridled Scholar 8.00 6 11-1
8 8 Mastery Kat 10.00 6.6 12-1
2 2 Perfect Life 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Jacklyn Lucas 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Marla Hooch 2.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Magic Carpet Ride 8.00 4.8 9-1
9 9 Hot Day Girl 12.00 5.5 10-1
8 8 The Loan Exchange 3.50 6.3 12-1
7 7 Impressionistic 6.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Surprise D’ Oro 12.00 7.1 13-1
4 4 Fancy Danzing 8.00 7.8 15-1
3 3 Lyndee’s Dream 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Twisted Humor 1.80 1 2-1
11 11 Play for Me 6.00 3.8 7-1
10 10 Vronaway 10.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Palace Mischief 30.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Spicy Rosso 20.00 4.8 9-1
12 12 Bitter Truth 3.50 4.9 9-1
4 4 Kambree’s Flyer 20.00 6 11-1
2 2 Bernie’s Big Baby 20.00 6.1 12-1
6 6 Despite 30.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Julia Street 10.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Lovely Medaglia 10.00 7.3 14-1
9 9 Duchess Cat 15.00 7.3 14-1
13 13 Tina’s Princess 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (American S.) – American S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Almendares (GB) 2.00 1 2-1
7 7 Genius Jimmy 8.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Sumter 2.50 1.8 3-1
3 3 King of Gosford (GB) 3.50 2.2 4-1
6 6 Seal Team (GB) 5.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Captain Choochies 10.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Twirling Point 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Irish Element 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 White Mountain 2.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Typhoon Tommy 3.50 2.1 4-1
8 8 Macho Man 12.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Aloha Chrome 6.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Fincairn 30.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Audible Silence 8.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Bandolero 12.00 6 11-1
4 4 Mischief Moments 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Rethink 4.50 1 2-1
7 7 Marian Cross (GB) 5.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Andiamo Ragazza 5.00 2.6 5-1
3 3 Mars Magic 4.50 3.8 7-1
6 6 Bette Davis Eyes (IRE) 8.00 4.3 8-1
9 9 Tequilaandtherapy 6.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Yoga Master (GB) 6.00 6.8 13-1
4 4 Shining River (GB) 12.00 8.2 15-1
5 5 Saariselka (GB) 8.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Diaghilev 5.00 1 2-1
5 5 McGregor 3.50 1.9 4-1
2 2 Bako Country 15.00 3.8 7-1
8 8 Conquer We Must (IRE) 20.00 3.9 7-1
10 10 Fan Base 10.00 4.1 8-1
9 9 Bright Eye Bungle (IRE) 5.00 5.2 10-1
1 1 Monumental 12.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Tiz All That 12.00 6.1 12-1
4 4 Kelce 8.00 7 13-1
6 6 Legal Heir 3.00 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.