Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 23, 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 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 America’s Mark 2.00 1 2-1
8 8 Christel Clean 3.50 2.9 5-1
10 10 Pure Chaos 12.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Long Mayshe Reign 10.00 3.2 6-1
9 9 Kikuride 5.00 3.4 6-1
11 11 Chilly Philly 20.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Tam’s Little Angel 20.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Idessia 20.00 6.2 12-1
4 4 Pavel Is Appealing 20.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Neezer Dalton 20.00 10 19-1
5 5 Goodnight Nellie 8.00 SCRATCH
13 12 Pavel’s Etoile 20.00 SCRATCH
12 98 Celestial Skies 0.00 SCRATCH
14 13 Cashed 8.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Free Closer 1.80 1 2-1
7 7 Thirsty Caitlin 2.50 5 9-1
1 1 I’m Smoken Hot 3.50 6 11-1
4 4 Lihue Princess 4.50 6.4 12-1
10 10 Potica 8.00 7.5 14-1
3 3 Sauced Up 8.00 7.5 14-1
8 8 Glorys Morning 30.00 7.5 14-1
9 9 Pay One More Dream 20.00 8 15-1
11 11 Lipstick Lies 10.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Babys Gone Country 20.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Quick Up 20.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Soo Bronx 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Thor’s Echo S.) – Thor’s Echo S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Book Smart 4.50 1 2-1
5 5 Big City Lights 1.20 1.1 2-1
3 3 Uncle Chilly 10.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Lonesome Stew 2.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Drop Um 15.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Thirsty Rebel 20.00 6 11-1
1 1 Pure Madness 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Fran’s Valentine S.) – Fran’s Valentine S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Grand Slam Smile 1.00 1 2-1
2 2 Prancingthruparis 6.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Om N Joy 5.00 3 6-1
1 1 Take Another Card 5.00 4 8-1
5 5 Mars Magic 30.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Sunset Grazen 12.00 6.2 12-1
6 6 Quick Kate 30.00 7 13-1
4 4 O K Rose 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Carl Erskine 4.00 1 2-1
5 5 Trojan Mafia 2.50 1.1 2-1
4 4 Star of Delhi 3.00 2 4-1
6 6 Stage Run 6.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Son of Oneeyedmama 20.00 5.1 10-1
8 8 My Man Joe Roldan 3.50 5.1 10-1
1 1 Fire Chief 30.00 7 13-1
2 2 Mr Akin 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Crystal Water S.) – Crystal Water S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 On the Whim 5.00 1 2-1
7 7 Flyover 1.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Prince Dolce 8.00 2 4-1
9 9 Call Me Sir 8.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Santa Barbarian 10.00 3.8 7-1
8 8 Curlin’s Kaos 30.00 6.4 12-1
5 5 Stamp My Passport 20.00 7 13-1
6 6 Canani 15.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Cali Cat 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Melair S.) – Melair S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Run With Liberty 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Mohaven 0.60 2.9 5-1
2 2 Good Golly Dolly 30.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Lino’s Angel 30.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Troisieme Etoile 8.00 5 10-1
5 5 Cecilia Street 12.00 6 11-1
1 1 Holdthatrainbow 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Snow Chief S. Presented By City National Bank) – Snow Chief S. Presented By City National Bank

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Unrivaled Time 3.50 1 2-1
7 7 Third Beer 6.00 2.3 4-1
9 9 Fionello 30.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 He’s a Knockout 1.20 4.4 8-1
6 6 Ventry Strand 4.50 4.8 9-1
4 4 Trump Era 15.00 6.9 13-1
8 8 John Metcalfe 20.00 7 13-1
10 10 Scatalotadingdong 15.00 7.6 14-1
5 5 Wave With Envy 30.00 8.3 16-1
2 2 Smoovin Saturday 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 King’s Ride 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 The Gypsy Cowboy 20.00 3.1 6-1
9 9 Sir Percival 10.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Majestic Palisades 6.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Cowboy Mike 4.50 4.9 9-1
5 5 Start the Ride 4.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 J T’s Watch 30.00 7.2 14-1
8 8 Spiritual Advisor 12.00 8 15-1
2 2 Known Idea 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Hungover 20.00 1 2-1
11 11 Flash of Lightning 3.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Lucky Sniper 20.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Throwthefirstpunch 8.00 3.7 7-1
2 2 Tight Dally 20.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Doing Time 15.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Oracle of Paradise 4.00 6.2 12-1
6 6 Farmer Tom 30.00 6.8 13-1
10 10 Off the Bench 30.00 7.1 13-1
4 4 Practical Blame 30.00 10.7 20-1
13 13 Big Vengeance 30.00 11 21-1
1 1 Robin Olds 4.50 SCRATCH
9 9 Gaines 3.50 SCRATCH
14 14 Booked Clubhouse 5.00 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.