Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, December 31, 2023

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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Giovinazzo 5.00 1 2-1
3 3 Indian Peak 5.00 1.1 2-1
6 6 Flavius 2.50 1.5 3-1
2 2 For A Laugh (IRE) 6.00 1.8 3-1
5 5 Original 4.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Hurricane Cloud (GB) 4.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Sydney Street (GB) 2.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Grazen in the Sun 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 R Girl’s Werth It 1.80 2.5 5-1
3 3 Miss Commander 4.00 2.9 5-1
5 5 Three Point Oh 2.50 3 6-1
6 6 House of Targaryen 15.00 4.4 8-1
4 4 Wink Wish and Park 15.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Bolt’s Broad 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Princess Midnight 4.00 2.1 4-1
7 7 Thirty Carats 3.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Heron Bay 8.00 6 11-1
6 6 Machiavellique 4.00 6.4 12-1
3 3 No Way It’s Today (GB) 10.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 No No No Never (IRE) 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Professors’ Pride 4.50 1 2-1
5 5 Blessed Touch 3.00 1.7 3-1
1 1 Kristi’s Tiger 4.00 2.2 4-1
6 6 R Swirvin Girvin 12.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Vitalera (CHI) 30.00 5.9 11-1
3 3 Llorona 0.80 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Rugelach 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Inner Beauty (IRE) 4.00 1.9 4-1
1 1 Strange Addiction 8.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Fast Giselle 6.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 Little Liliana 12.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Gypsy Lynn 8.00 5.7 11-1
6 6 Ready Jet Go 6.00 5.9 11-1
7 7 Rvalentina 5.00 8.6 16-1
9 9 Ice Queen 12.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Mr. Mason 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Nauvoo 3.50 2.1 4-1
3 3 Handr’sdream 4.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Tom Bombadil 5.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Afternoon Heat 12.00 7 13-1
2 2 Heartfullofstars 5.00 7.5 14-1
8 8 Whoa Buddy 8.00 8 15-1
1 1 High Press 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Lady Of Shamrock S.) – Lady Of Shamrock S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 3 Ruby Nell 0.60 1 2-1
5 4 Princess Bettina 4.00 2.8 5-1
7 6 Justique 5.00 3.2 6-1
3 2 Irish Patsy 8.00 3.3 6-1
1 1 Cliquish 6.00 4.3 8-1
6 5 Anacaro 20.00 4.4 8-1
2 98 Luminiferous 0.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Arham 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Arrowthegreat 2.50 1.3 2-1
5 5 Ghost of Midnight 1.60 1.4 3-1
2 2 McLaren Vale 4.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 Oviatt Class 6.00 5 9-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 9 Baby Waylon 4.00 1 2-1
8 7 Kiss for Lulu 6.00 1.9 4-1
5 4 Drive for Show 8.00 2.5 5-1
4 3 Clements Ride 5.00 2.8 5-1
3 2 Takes Three 8.00 3.1 6-1
2 1 Twilight Moon 4.00 3.1 6-1
9 8 Run Bryce Run 20.00 4.3 8-1
11 10 Motivating Force 12.00 6.5 12-1
6 5 Jimmy’s Wild Boy 30.00 6.6 12-1
7 6 Stagger Lee 3.50 SCRATCH
1 98 Yellow Jacket 0.00 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.