Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, May 17, 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 Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Saharian 4.00 1 2-1
7 7 Chapter One 5.00 1.5 3-1
8 8 Dreamrider 10.00 4 7-1
2 2 Raging Inferno 6.00 4 8-1
3 3 Missile Cruiser 12.00 6.1 12-1
5 5 Unrivaled Hero 4.50 6.6 12-1
4 4 Running Spartan 2.00 7 13-1
6 6 Off Your Rocker 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Typhoon Tommy 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Millbo Baggins 4.00 3.1 6-1
6 6 Tiggrrr Whitworth 6.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Aloha Chrome 3.50 3.9 7-1
3 3 Mischief Moments 8.00 6.4 12-1
1 1 Audible Silence 5.00 7 13-1
2 2 Bandolero 6.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Cinema S.) – Cinema S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Iriseach (IRE) 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Bust Out 3.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Charlie’s Curlin 3.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Go Ralph 10.00 4 8-1
3 3 Later Than Planned (IRE) 1.60 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Can’t Say That 1.00 1 2-1
3 3 Miss Hot and Cold 3.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Springline 3.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Stormy Gal 10.00 6.1 12-1
2 2 Hot Rod Christine 30.00 6.6 12-1
6 6 Lady Ruth 8.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Magic Carpet Ride 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Hotrocket (IRE) 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 Central Dispatch 3.00 1.3 2-1
4 4 Tigerhon (FR) 3.50 1.5 3-1
7 7 Minister Shane 30.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Bob’s Blue Moon 10.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Malibu Coast 10.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Calm Sea 8.00 4.9 9-1
11 11 Commander (FR) 15.00 7.7 15-1
8 8 Elegant Life 30.00 9 17-1
9 9 Golden Ale 6.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Hot Chicks Only 30.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Tom Seaver 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Please Focus 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Chasin Munny 2.00 2 4-1
8 8 Too Much Info 5.00 3.1 6-1
3 3 Des Doigts 4.50 3.7 7-1
9 9 Levon 20.00 4.1 8-1
4 4 Run for Kidder 20.00 6.3 12-1
7 7 Alan’s Conquest 30.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Shady Appeal 8.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Autism Puzzle 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Miyako 8.00 1 2-1
1 1 Andiamo Ragazza 5.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Shining River (GB) 15.00 2.2 4-1
4 4 Midnight Horizon (IRE) 2.00 5.2 10-1
9 9 Saariselka (GB) 30.00 5.2 10-1
7 7 Not A Sinner (GB) 6.00 5.3 10-1
3 3 Rethink 3.50 5.3 10-1
5 5 Sweet Gal of Mine 5.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Forum Confidential 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Thirty Two Chunk 1.50 1 2-1
3 3 Ahrens 4.50 1.6 3-1
4 4 Joker Went Wild 15.00 2.3 4-1
7 7 Day At the Track 5.00 3.7 7-1
8 8 Map Me Sexy 4.50 3.8 7-1
2 2 Twelfth Night 20.00 3.9 7-1
6 6 Cruisin for Cali 4.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Noble Minded 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Volcanologist 12.00 1 2-1
1 1 Let It Begin 4.50 5.7 11-1
6 6 Last Chance Darcy 12.00 5.8 11-1
8 8 Forza Palermo 4.50 5.9 11-1
7 7 Goje 3.00 5.9 11-1
10 10 Just Mendelssohn 8.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Come On Om 15.00 6.7 13-1
9 9 Mo Cheeky 15.00 9 17-1
2 2 Janz Joy 4.00 9.8 19-1
3 3 Howmanymoretimes 15.00 10 19-1
11 11 Snapshot 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 She’s No Quant 1.20 SCRATCH
14 14 Hot Day Girl 12.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Lyndee’s Dream 15.00 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.