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 1.4 3-1
1 1 Slice 3.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Apples Y Peaches 4.00 2.2 4-1
6 6 Mizumi 6.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 All in the Game 10.00 7 13-1
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 1.2 2-1
1 1 Yacowlef (IRE) 3.00 1.3 2-1
4 4 Irish Royalty 3.50 1.3 3-1
6 6 Dhitjari (GB) 10.00 2.5 5-1
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
6 6 Mongolian Max 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Mighty Kai 2.50 1.1 2-1
4 4 Duran 3.50 1.4 3-1
3 3 Kingmeister 5.00 1.8 3-1
2 2 Broadway Unions 8.00 2.5 5-1
8 8 Tiz’s Harbor 15.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Irish Element 15.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 J T’s Watch 30.00 8 15-1

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 1.4 3-1
8 8 Novinophobia 4.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Stagger Lee 5.00 1.9 4-1
5 5 One Step Beyond 10.00 3.1 6-1
2 2 Meeking 20.00 5.6 11-1
4 4 James J. Braddock 30.00 8 15-1
3 3 Sir Nano 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Miso Phansy 1.40 1 2-1
7 7 Miss Practical 3.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Orange Thunder 4.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Pure Chaos 6.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Pavel’s Etoile 12.00 4 8-1
6 6 Headed for Om 15.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 Fibonaccis Ride 15.00 4.8 9-1
1 1 Mperfection 30.00 9 17-1
9 9 Celestial Skies 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
3 3 La Silenciosa 2.00 1.1 2-1
7 7 Redheaded Reba 4.00 1.7 3-1
1 1 My Love Caroline 6.00 2.4 4-1
5 5 Donttellmewhattodo 6.00 2.4 4-1
2 2 Memetic 20.00 7 13-1
4 4 Tapatia Mia 20.00 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
4 98 Gold Phoenix (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1
7 6 The Padre (IRE) 1.00 1.5 3-1
5 4 Mondego (GB) 3.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Hiding in Honduras 4.50 3.3 6-1
3 3 Seal Team (GB) 5.00 3.5 7-1
6 5 Balladeer 10.00 6 11-1
2 2 Flashiest 12.00 7 13-1

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
9 9 Heavenly Daredevil 3.00 1.3 2-1
6 6 Surfin the Coast 4.00 1.6 3-1
4 4 I’m No Swifty 6.00 2.3 4-1
7 7 Susan Yvonne 6.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 Dancing With Shari 8.00 2.9 6-1
8 8 Sally Says 20.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Backstage Drama 30.00 10 19-1
2 2 She Spendsalot 30.00 10 19-1
10 10 Grape Juice Too 30.00 10 19-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Dream From Within 3.00 1 2-1
9 9 Nerida (FR) 4.00 1.4 3-1
5 5 Soul Sister 4.50 1.6 3-1
4 4 Lookin At Diamond 5.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Medjugorje 8.00 2.9 5-1
11 11 Zuraya (GB) 10.00 3.6 7-1
8 8 Via de La Valle 12.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Ethereal Quality 15.00 5.4 10-1
3 3 Decisive Deception 15.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Daring Pursuit 20.00 7.3 14-1
2 2 Natural Diamond 30.00 11 21-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Big City Lights 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Extensive 2.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 Judge Miller 5.00 2.2 4-1
4 4 Modus Bestia 6.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Speedy Wilson 6.00 2.6 5-1
1 1 Momad 10.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Drop Um 15.00 6.1 11-1
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
8 8 Koekkoek (GB) 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Post Game 4.50 1.6 3-1
3 3 Melismatic (IRE) 4.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Flamboyant 5.00 1.7 3-1
11 11 Plagarist 6.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Constitution Andi 6.00 2.1 4-1
7 7 Postmodern 12.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Its the Bandit 30.00 11 21-1
10 10 Go Ralph 30.00 11 21-1
9 9 Stan Theman Musial 30.00 11 21-1
2 2 Che (IRE) 30.00 11 21-1

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.