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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
3 3 She’s No Quant 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Midnight Cowgirl 4.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Christa McAuliffe 5.00 2.2 4-1
2 2 Holdthatrainbow 5.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Melba Montgomery 6.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Risky Pleasure 6.00 2.6 5-1
4 4 Little Gator 15.00 6.1 11-1
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
5 5 Liam Smith 1.00 1 2-1
4 4 Cody Boy 3.50 1.5 3-1
3 3 Tessuto 4.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Tapalo 5.00 1.8 3-1
1 1 Kid Dynasty 8.00 2.5 5-1
6 6 Spearfish 30.00 7 13-1
2 2 Unbridled Vision 30.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Track Tiger 1.60 1 2-1
3 3 Later Than Planned (IRE) 1.80 1.1 2-1
1 1 Iriseach (IRE) 2.00 1.2 2-1
2 2 Caro Buono (FR) 8.00 4.1 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
1 1 She’s Splendid 4.00 2.2 4-1
6 6 Ryan’s Girl 4.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Love Our Family 6.00 3.2 6-1
5 5 Unbridled Scholar 8.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Rousing Jewel 8.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Mastery Kat 10.00 5.4 10-1
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
6 6 Marla Hooch 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 The Loan Exchange 3.50 1.5 3-1
1 1 Jacklyn Lucas 4.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Impressionistic 6.00 2.6 5-1
4 4 Fancy Danzing 8.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Magic Carpet Ride 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Surprise D’ Oro 12.00 5.3 10-1
9 9 Hot Day Girl 12.00 5.3 10-1
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
12 12 Bitter Truth 3.50 1.7 3-1
11 11 Play for Me 6.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Lovely Medaglia 10.00 4.5 8-1
10 10 Vronaway 10.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Julia Street 10.00 4.5 8-1
13 13 Tina’s Princess 12.00 5.3 10-1
9 9 Duchess Cat 15.00 6.6 13-1
8 8 Spicy Rosso 20.00 8.7 17-1
4 4 Kambree’s Flyer 20.00 8.7 17-1
2 2 Bernie’s Big Baby 20.00 8.7 17-1
5 5 Palace Mischief 30.00 13 25-1
6 6 Despite 30.00 13 25-1

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
2 2 Sumter 2.50 1.2 2-1
3 3 King of Gosford (GB) 3.50 1.7 3-1
6 6 Seal Team (GB) 5.00 2.4 4-1
7 7 Genius Jimmy 8.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Captain Choochies 10.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Twirling Point 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 White Mountain 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Irish Element 2.50 1.1 2-1
1 1 Typhoon Tommy 3.50 1.4 3-1
5 5 Aloha Chrome 6.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Audible Silence 8.00 2.7 5-1
8 8 Macho Man 12.00 3.9 7-1
7 7 Bandolero 12.00 3.9 7-1
6 6 Fincairn 30.00 9 17-1
4 4 Mischief Moments 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Mars Magic 4.50 1 2-1
8 8 Rethink 4.50 1 2-1
1 1 Andiamo Ragazza 5.00 1.5 3-1
7 7 Marian Cross (GB) 5.00 1.5 3-1
9 9 Tequilaandtherapy 6.00 2.6 5-1
2 2 Yoga Master (GB) 6.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Bette Davis Eyes (IRE) 8.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Saariselka (GB) 8.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Shining River (GB) 12.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Legal Heir 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 McGregor 3.50 1.3 2-1
3 3 Diaghilev 5.00 2.1 4-1
9 9 Bright Eye Bungle (IRE) 5.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Kelce 8.00 3.7 7-1
10 10 Fan Base 10.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Tiz All That 12.00 5.8 11-1
1 1 Monumental 12.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Bako Country 15.00 7.4 14-1
8 8 Conquer We Must (IRE) 20.00 10 19-1

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.

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