Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 2, 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 Saucier 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Bad Manners 3.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 All in the Game 10.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Apples Y Peaches 4.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Slice 3.50 4.7 9-1
6 6 Mizumi 6.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Molly E 10.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Anmer Hall 1.60 1 2-1
5 5 Listenupshance 2.50 1.7 3-1
4 4 Irish Royalty 3.50 2.5 5-1
1 1 Yacowlef (IRE) 3.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Dhitjari (GB) 10.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 Go Joe Won 30.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Broadway Unions 8.00 1 2-1
4 4 Duran 3.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 Mighty Kai 2.50 1.3 3-1
6 6 Mongolian Max 2.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 J T’s Watch 30.00 3.8 7-1
3 3 Kingmeister 5.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Tiz’s Harbor 15.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Irish Element 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Just Deal 1.20 1 2-1
7 7 Next Trick 3.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 Novinophobia 4.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Sir Nano 30.00 3.6 7-1
6 6 Stagger Lee 5.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Meeking 20.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 One Step Beyond 10.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 James J. Braddock 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Pure Chaos 6.00 1 2-1
4 4 Orange Thunder 4.00 1.3 2-1
7 7 Miss Practical 3.00 1.9 4-1
5 5 Miso Phansy 1.40 2.5 5-1
6 6 Headed for Om 15.00 3.7 7-1
8 8 Pavel’s Etoile 12.00 4.1 8-1
9 9 Celestial Skies 30.00 5.4 10-1
3 3 Fibonaccis Ride 15.00 8.6 16-1
1 1 Mperfection 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Cashed 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 My Love Caroline 6.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 La Silenciosa 2.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Memetic 20.00 6.3 12-1
4 4 Tapatia Mia 20.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 Redheaded Reba 4.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Donttellmewhattodo 6.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Charles Whittingham S. Presented By Fanduel Tv) – Charles Whittingham S. Presented By Fanduel Tv

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 6 The Padre (IRE) 1.00 1 2-1
2 2 Flashiest 12.00 2.4 5-1
1 1 Hiding in Honduras 4.50 2.7 5-1
6 5 Balladeer 10.00 3.1 6-1
5 4 Mondego (GB) 3.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Seal Team (GB) 5.00 SCRATCH
4 98 Gold Phoenix (IRE) 0.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Vegas Nightclub 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Surfin the Coast 4.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Heavenly Daredevil 3.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 She Spendsalot 30.00 6.4 12-1
10 10 Grape Juice Too 30.00 6.7 13-1
7 7 Susan Yvonne 6.00 7.2 14-1
4 4 I’m No Swifty 6.00 8.5 16-1
8 8 Sally Says 20.00 9 17-1
3 3 Backstage Drama 30.00 9.8 19-1
5 5 Dancing With Shari 8.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Nerida (FR) 4.00 1 2-1
5 5 Soul Sister 4.50 1.9 4-1
3 3 Decisive Deception 15.00 1.9 4-1
6 6 Medjugorje 8.00 2.8 5-1
11 11 Zuraya (GB) 10.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Ethereal Quality 15.00 4.4 8-1
7 7 Dream From Within 3.00 5.3 10-1
4 4 Lookin At Diamond 5.00 5.7 11-1
10 10 Daring Pursuit 20.00 6.4 12-1
8 8 Via de La Valle 12.00 6.6 13-1
2 2 Natural Diamond 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Extensive 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Speedy Wilson 6.00 1.2 2-1
7 7 Big City Lights 2.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Drop Um 15.00 2 4-1
5 5 Judge Miller 5.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Modus Bestia 6.00 3 6-1
1 1 Momad 10.00 6.4 12-1
3 3 Deer District 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Post Game 4.50 1 2-1
11 11 Plagarist 6.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Postmodern 12.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Constitution Andi 6.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Che (IRE) 30.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Flamboyant 5.00 4.4 8-1
3 3 Melismatic (IRE) 4.50 5.6 11-1
10 10 Go Ralph 30.00 6.3 12-1
9 9 Stan Theman Musial 30.00 7 13-1
1 1 Its the Bandit 30.00 7.3 14-1
8 8 Koekkoek (GB) 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.