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
4 4 Candy Bar 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Dea Matrona (FR) 3.00 1.2 2-1
7 7 Lady Rider 3.50 1.5 3-1
3 3 Cameron Slough 4.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Free and Humble 4.50 2 4-1
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
5 5 Dream Quest 1.80 1.1 2-1
7 7 Pay One More Dream 6.00 2 4-1
6 6 Potica 8.00 2.4 5-1
3 3 She’s My Star 8.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Thirsty Caitlin 15.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 Soo Bronx 30.00 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
3 3 Grey’s Boy 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Universal Sound 3.50 1.5 3-1
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 5.3 10-1
7 7 Luck Lucky (IRE) 20.00 7 13-1

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 1.4 3-1
2 2 Gigi’s Girl 5.00 2 4-1
1 1 City Glitter 8.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Cee’s the Image 8.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Crypto Crush 20.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Northern Rose 30.00 8 15-1
5 5 Dress Rehearsal 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Cloudy Women 1.20 1 2-1
6 6 Deep Blue 2.50 1.4 3-1
3 3 Preem 3.50 1.6 3-1
9 9 Infinity Dream 6.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 Violences Ohr 12.00 4 8-1
2 2 Walk’n the Beach 12.00 4 8-1
1 1 Cooling Off 15.00 4.8 9-1
8 8 Pretty Cecy 15.00 4.8 9-1
7 7 Sparkle Sweetly 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Shady Gem 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Trojan Mafia 4.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Colonel Slade 4.50 1.6 3-1
8 8 Charmz Away 5.00 1.8 3-1
1 1 Readytoboard 6.00 2.4 4-1
2 2 Sunk Cost Fallacy 8.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 My Man Joe Roldan 10.00 4.6 9-1
6 6 Dane the Great 15.00 7.3 14-1
3 3 Courtside Action 15.00 7.3 14-1
10 10 Rowdybarfight 20.00 10 19-1

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
4 4 Sareeha (IRE) 4.00 2.1 4-1
5 5 Kentucky Gal (IRE) 4.50 2.4 4-1
6 6 Hannah Buckle (IRE) 5.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Janey Creed 6.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 Baltic Fire 8.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Surf Song 10.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 Ima Joker 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Betty Pack 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Molly Jensen 3.50 1.3 2-1
3 3 Savannahs Big Girl 4.50 1.5 3-1
8 8 Only Reputation 5.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Cloudy Rose 6.00 1.9 4-1
5 5 Love Lock 6.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Dustem Too 8.00 2.4 5-1
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
9 9 Justivar 2.50 1 2-1
10 10 Fire Ban 3.00 1.2 2-1
3 3 Tipitap 3.50 1.4 3-1
6 6 Winika 4.00 1.6 3-1
8 8 Egyptian Mistress 4.50 1.8 3-1
11 11 Dats Ms. Blame 6.00 2.4 5-1
5 5 Springline 8.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Kintrigue 8.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Sugar Reign 10.00 4 8-1
1 1 Specialty 20.00 8 15-1
4 4 Global Consort 30.00 12 23-1
12 12 Smokem Hot Girl 30.00 12 23-1

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.