Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, April 30, 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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Cameron Slough 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Free and Humble 4.50 1.9 4-1
6 6 Dea Matrona (FR) 3.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Candy Bar 2.50 3.6 7-1
7 7 Lady Rider 3.50 3.7 7-1
1 1 She’s Splendid 12.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Moonlit Courage 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Lihue Princess 1.20 1 2-1
6 6 Potica 8.00 1.1 2-1
3 3 She’s My Star 8.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Dream Quest 1.80 2.3 4-1
7 7 Pay One More Dream 6.00 6 11-1
2 2 Soo Bronx 30.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Thirsty Caitlin 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Decapo 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Money Makes Money 5.00 2 4-1
1 1 Steak Fries 8.00 3 6-1
5 5 Punto Forty 15.00 3 6-1
3 3 Grey’s Boy 2.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Luck Lucky (IRE) 20.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Universal Sound 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Falabella 1.00 1 2-1
6 6 Harney Lane 2.50 4.4 8-1
4 4 Cee’s the Image 8.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 Gigi’s Girl 5.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Dress Rehearsal 30.00 6.5 12-1
1 1 City Glitter 8.00 6.7 13-1
3 3 Crypto Crush 20.00 6.8 13-1
7 7 Northern Rose 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Preem 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Violences Ohr 12.00 2.3 4-1
4 4 Cloudy Women 1.20 2.4 5-1
1 1 Cooling Off 15.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Sparkle Sweetly 30.00 3.6 7-1
6 6 Deep Blue 2.50 4 7-1
2 2 Walk’n the Beach 12.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Pretty Cecy 15.00 5.9 11-1
9 9 Infinity Dream 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Sunk Cost Fallacy 8.00 1 2-1
1 1 Readytoboard 6.00 2.2 4-1
7 7 Shady Gem 3.50 2.9 5-1
5 5 Colonel Slade 4.50 3 6-1
8 8 Charmz Away 5.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Courtside Action 15.00 4.5 8-1
6 6 Dane the Great 15.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Trojan Mafia 4.00 5.3 10-1
10 10 Rowdybarfight 20.00 SCRATCH
4 4 My Man Joe Roldan 10.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 My Perfect Wave 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Kentucky Gal (IRE) 4.50 1.1 2-1
4 4 Sareeha (IRE) 4.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Ima Joker 15.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Surf Song 10.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Hannah Buckle (IRE) 5.00 5.2 10-1
8 8 Baltic Fire 8.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 Janey Creed 6.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Molly Jensen 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Savannahs Big Girl 4.50 1.4 3-1
5 5 Love Lock 6.00 2.7 5-1
8 8 Only Reputation 5.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Dustem Too 8.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Betty Pack 2.50 6.1 12-1
2 2 Cloudy Rose 6.00 7.4 14-1
1 1 Keep the Pavels 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Winika 4.00 1 2-1
9 9 Justivar 2.50 2.1 4-1
8 8 Egyptian Mistress 4.50 4.4 8-1
7 7 Sugar Reign 10.00 4.4 8-1
5 5 Springline 8.00 4.5 8-1
3 3 Tipitap 3.50 4.8 9-1
4 4 Global Consort 30.00 5 9-1
1 1 Specialty 20.00 6.1 11-1
2 2 Kintrigue 8.00 6.5 12-1
10 10 Fire Ban 3.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Smokem Hot Girl 30.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Dats Ms. Blame 6.00 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.