Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, December 31, 2022

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 (Joe Hernandez S.) – Joe Hernandez S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Hit the Road 6.00 1 2-1
6 6 Air Force Red 6.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Gregorian Chant (GB) 5.00 2.5 5-1
10 10 Smooth Like Strait 4.00 2.7 5-1
7 7 Front Run the Fed 12.00 4.1 8-1
2 2 Irideo (ARG) 15.00 4.5 8-1
1 1 Lane Way 6.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 Kiss Today Goodbye 20.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 Whatmakessammyrun 3.50 5.2 10-1
11 11 Sigiloso 12.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 Super Ocho (CHI) 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Impossible Task 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Order and Law 3.50 1.7 3-1
5 5 All Eyes West 6.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 Bold Endeavor 2.50 1.8 3-1
1 1 Baladi 5.00 1.9 3-1
4 4 Royal Act 12.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Direct Line 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Robert J. Frankel S.) – Robert J. Frankel S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Bipartisanship (GB) 6.00 1 2-1
10 10 Queen Goddess 2.50 3 6-1
9 9 Avenue de France (FR) 6.00 3.2 6-1
5 5 England’s Rose 3.50 3.5 7-1
8 8 Island of Love (IRE) 20.00 3.5 7-1
11 11 Quattroelle (IRE) 6.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Closing Remarks 8.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Warrens Candy Girl 15.00 7.4 14-1
4 4 New Heat 20.00 7.6 14-1
6 6 Scarabea 20.00 8.3 16-1
3 3 Burgoo Alley (IRE) 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Agador Spartacus 6.00 1 2-1
8 8 Straighttodasource 5.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Samba Flavor 8.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Curly Esa 6.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Wegonahavagoodtime 3.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 American Grit 2.50 4.4 8-1
3 3 Norwester 10.00 4.5 9-1
1 1 Boomer Justice 8.00 4.6 9-1
9 98 Western Cape 0.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Valiancer 6.00 1 2-1
9 9 Lasmuigh (GB) 3.50 1.6 3-1
7 7 Nielson 4.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Phosphorescence (FR) 6.00 5 9-1
1 1 Midnight Taxes 8.00 5.3 10-1
4 4 Johannes 6.00 5.4 10-1
5 5 Donttestyourluck 20.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Street Mogul 12.00 6 11-1
10 10 Sir Pistolero 6.00 6.1 12-1
2 2 Duran 8.00 8.8 17-1
11 11 Tapit Down 20.00 10.5 20-1
14 14 Texthelegend 5.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Calm Sea 15.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Storm the Night 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Encode 5.00 1 2-1
3 3 Street Art 8.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 American Refugee 4.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Oncoming 12.00 2.9 5-1
7 7 Kant Beat the Rock 12.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Bright Leaf 2.50 4.1 8-1
2 2 American Cat 6.00 5.1 10-1
6 6 Houndstooth 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Katerini 0 0-1
7 7 Real Fire 2.50 1 2-1
10 10 Katerini 4.00 1.1 2-1
5 5 Albayaader (IRE) 5.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Saddle Up Jessie 15.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Olivia’s Choice (IRE) 5.00 4.1 8-1
4 4 Buy American 15.00 4.3 8-1
9 9 Cailin Diana 15.00 5.2 10-1
2 2 Above Suspicion 5.00 6.6 12-1
1 1 Amage 20.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Agree to Settle 8.00 6.9 13-1
12 12 Missing Penny 30.00 9.4 18-1
11 11 Side by Side 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Las Flores S.) – Las Flores S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Samurai Charm 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Lexington Humor 12.00 5.1 10-1
7 7 Lady T 3.50 5.6 11-1
1 1 Classical Romance 20.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Manorelli 8.00 6.9 13-1
8 8 Doris Mae 5.00 7.3 14-1
6 6 Violent Runner 4.00 7.8 15-1
5 5 Anacapa 4.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Creative Peak 12.00 1 2-1
8 8 Commander Khai 6.00 2 4-1
1 1 Lovesick Blues 4.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Code Duello 10.00 4.2 8-1
11 11 I’ll Stand Taller 12.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Exceed Speed Limit 6.00 4.4 8-1
10 10 Doitforandrew (GB) 5.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Square Cat 10.00 7.3 14-1
2 2 Law Abiding 6.00 8.1 15-1
9 9 Virat 8.00 9.5 18-1
5 5 Altruist 6.00 11 21-1
12 12 Augusta Melody 6.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Tulsa Tornado 10.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Recall and Reload 6.00 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.