Daily Picks

Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — June 11, 2026

Thursday, June 11, 20269 racesSanta Anita

Santa Anita is open for business on a gorgeous Thursday afternoon — clear skies, 86 degrees, and not a cloud in sight over the San Gabriel Mountains. Conditions like this tend to produce fast, true surfaces, and with nine races spread across both dirt and turf, there's plenty of opportunity to find edges today.

The card is a nice mix of conditions — two Stakes races anchor the program, with Maiden Special Weights, Allowances, and a Claiming opener rounding things out. Turf features heavily (five of nine races run on the green), so if there's a surface you like to attack, today's card is built for it.

TrackWiz analysis has identified strong top picks across all nine races. Three are unlocked and free for every reader — Races 1, 2, and 3 — with the remaining six available to subscribers. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Turf

A two-horse battle looks likely on this 6½-furlong turf claimer, with Code Duello and Doncic separating themselves from a modest supporting cast — but the pace setup could matter more than the morning line suggests.

win1Code DuelloML 2/1

Code Duello earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 88.54, and that 40% career win rate speaks volumes — nearly one out of every two-and-a-half starts ends in victory for this horse. Trainer Craig Dollase knows his way around Santa Anita, and Hector Isaac Berrios gets the call from the rail. At 2/1 on the morning line, the price isn't flashy, but the profile is about as solid as it gets in a claiming turf sprint.

place6DoncicML 9/5

Doncic checks in with an 80.46 TrackWiz rating and a 28% career win mark — respectable numbers that make him a natural exacta partner with the top pick. Jeff Mullins has him primed and Juan J. Hernandez is one of the meet's most reliable pilots. The 9/5 morning line suggests the market agrees he belongs near the top, even if our analysis slots him just behind Code Duello.

show2VancougarML 10/1

Vancougar at 10/1 is the kind of price that makes trifecta players lean in. The TrackWiz rating of 52.81 is modest, but trainer Jeff Bonde and jockey Antonio Fresu give him a professional team, and that 11% career win rate in a field this shallow means he can sneak into the frame. If the top two hook each other early, Vancougar could be picking up the pieces at a generous price.

Race 2

8:33 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

A stakes sprint on the dirt that looks like Magnificat's race to lose — but don't overlook Revera and Nooni, who both carry legitimate credentials and could make this a genuine three-way fight in the stretch.

win4MagnificatML 7/5

Magnificat is the standout here with a 89.42 TrackWiz rating, the highest in this field, and an eye-catching 50% career win percentage — this horse wins half its starts, which is elite by any measure. Trainer Richard E. Mandella is one of the most respected conditioners in the country, and Antonio Fresu gets the mount. The 7/5 morning line reflects the consensus view, and our numbers firmly back it up.

place3ReveraML 5/1

Revera at 5/1 is where the value lives in this stakes field. Joel Rosario takes the mount for John Sadler — a trainer-jockey tandem that consistently delivers in Southern California, and Revera's 76.37 TrackWiz rating with a 28% career win rate shows this is a legitimate contender, not a hopeful. If Magnificat faces any trouble or gets compromised by pace, Revera is poised to pounce.

show2NooniML EVN

Nooni is the morning-line co-favorite at even money and posts a 73.54 TrackWiz rating, but the 52 average speed figure is a tick below the top two contenders. Bob Baffert keeps this filly sharp and Juan J. Hernandez rode a big book on the meet — if Nooni finds clear running room, she'll fight for the minor awards at minimum. Use her underneath in trifectas.

Race 3

9:06 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

The morning-line favorite isn't our top pick in this allowance optional claiming turf sprint — Flamingo Star at 5/1 earns the highest TrackWiz number in the field, setting up a potential upset of the even-money chalk.

win5Flamingo StarML 5/1

Flamingo Star earns an 84.17 TrackWiz rating — the best in the field — and trainer Peter Miller is one of the sharpest turf handlers on the West Coast, posting consistently strong numbers with horses at this level. Tyler Baze knows the Santa Anita turf course intimately, and the 5/1 morning line represents genuine value against an even-money favorite. At six furlongs on grass, this profile fits snugly.

place1Will HappenML 2/1

Will Happen posts an 82.99 TrackWiz rating — nearly as strong as the top pick — and trainer Richard Baltas has this horse well-placed in an allowance optional claiming spot. Armando Ayuso rides from the rail, and the 2/1 morning line will make this the crowd's pick, but our analysis sees Flamingo Star as the edge. Will Happen is a strong exacta play and shouldn't be left off your tickets.

show2Queen BayML 6/1

Queen Bay at 6/1 brings a 33% career win percentage, which stands out in a field where several horses have spotty records. Simon Callaghan conditions her and Antonio Fresu picks up the mount — a positive combination at this oval. The 62.56 TrackWiz rating gives her a real edge on the bottom half of the field, making her a sensible show play and trifecta anchor.

The free portion of today's card is genuinely compelling. We open with Code Duello (2/1 morning line) in a 6½-furlong Claiming turf sprint — a distance and surface combo that favors horses who can settle and kick late, and our rating of 88.54 gives him a clear edge. Race 2 is the headliner of the free picks: Magnificat at 7/5 in a Stakes sprint on dirt. That's a short price, but an 89.42 TrackWiz rating is the highest mark on the entire card, and favorites in Stakes sprints at Santa Anita on fast-track days cover at a strong clip. Race 3 shifts back to turf for a 6-furlong Allowance Optional Claiming, where Flamingo Star at 5/1 represents genuine overlay value — that morning line feels generous for a horse rated 84.17.

The throughline connecting these three free picks: turf form matters a lot today. With two of the three free races on the lawn and the warm, dry conditions keeping the going firm underfoot, horses with consistent turf back-classes are your friends. Don't let the short price on Magnificat in Race 2 scare you — sometimes the right play is the obvious one.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:36 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

Wide-open maiden special weight chaos on the dirt at five furlongs — this is a debut-heavy field where small edges in trainer pattern and morning-line confidence separate the contenders from the also-rans.

win1Pro PayneML 3/1

Pro Payne tops our TrackWiz ratings in this maiden field at 56.67, and Emisael Jaramillo is one of the sharper riders on the grounds. Trainer Val Brinkerhoff puts this one out at 3/1 on the morning line, suggesting connections expect a big effort. In a race where career stats are zeros across the board, the ratings edge and jockey confidence become the deciding factors — and Pro Payne has both.

place3PickitupthatsgoodML 7/2

Pickitupthatsgood draws support at 7/2 morning line and a 55.83 TrackWiz rating just a hair behind the top pick. Michael W. McCarthy is a trainer who hits at a high rate with well-prepared first-time starters, and Ricardo Gonzalez provides a quality rider boost. In maiden sprints, McCarthy's barn is always worth taking seriously — this one looks like a genuine contender for top honors.

show6Janie Not JeanieML 4/1

Janie Not Jeanie checks in at 4/1 with a 55.0 TrackWiz rating and the backing of trainer Doug F. O'Neill, who consistently gets his maidens competitive in their early starts. Antonio Fresu takes the mount, adding another layer of confidence. In a field this evenly matched, Janie Not Jeanie has the pieces to land in the exotics even if she can't quite get to the winner's circle.

Race 5

10:06 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden turf mile packed with firsters and lightly-raced types — Fire Ban stands out with a dominant TrackWiz rating, but the race is far from straightforward with an eight-horse field and plenty of unknown quantities.

win7Fire BanML 5/1

Fire Ban's 84.17 TrackWiz rating towers over this maiden turf field — the next closest runner is more than 26 points behind. That kind of separation in a maiden field is significant, and trainer Brian J. Koriner has him at a 5/1 morning line that offers real value given how strongly he profiles. Armando Ayuso gets the call, and on a one-mile turf route where pace can sort things out, Fire Ban's form profile sets him up well.

place8Cortina d'AmprezzoML 5/2

Cortina d'Amprezzo is the second choice on the morning line at 5/2, backed by one of the most accomplished rider-trainer combos in the race — Joel Rosario for Philip D'Amato, who is perennially one of the top turf trainers in California. The 57.5 TrackWiz rating is solid for a maiden, and D'Amato's horses tend to arrive ready to run. A natural exacta target underneath Fire Ban.

show5AstronomicallyML 4/1

Astronomically at 4/1 brings a 55.0 TrackWiz rating and the services of Juan J. Hernandez, who is riding at a high level on the meet. Trainer Patrick Gallagher has this one positioned to run a competitive race, and a one-mile turf route can favor closers who find their best stride late. Use Astronomically in trifectas to cover the scenario where pace collapses in the stretch.

Race 6

10:36 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A sprawling 14-horse maiden claiming sprint on the dirt where the morning-line favorite isn't our top pick — Kiki Ride at 10/1 tops our TrackWiz numbers and represents the kind of value play that makes these big fields interesting.

win10Kiki RideML 10/1

Kiki Ride is our top-rated horse in this race at 76.88 — nearly 18 points clear of the morning-line favorite — and the 10/1 price makes this a legitimate value play. Trainer Craig Anthony Lewis and jockey Armando Ayuso team up here, and in maiden claiming races on dirt, that kind of ratings separation from a double-digit price is the scenario TrackWiz analysis was built to find. Don't let the program number fool you — this is the one to beat.

place1Pecos RiverML 7/5

Pecos River is the heavy morning-line favorite at 7/5, and Bob Baffert's name in the conditions box earns respect — the Hall of Fame trainer doesn't spot horses in bad spots, and Juan J. Hernandez aboard only adds confidence. The 59.33 TrackWiz rating places him second in the field, and while our analysis prefers the value of Kiki Ride on top, Pecos River is an obvious place-bet anchor in any exotic structure.

show11Shady GemML 6/1

Shady Gem at 6/1 grades out at 57.13 on our ratings — third-best in a large field — and trainer Jeff Bonde has experience placing horses effectively at this level. Armando Aguilar keeps the horse in capable hands, and a 5½-furlong dirt sprint can be kind to a horse who breaks cleanly and gets a good early position. A reliable trifecta fill at a workable price.

Race 7

11:06 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 6 fur · Turf

A deep starter allowance on the turf at six furlongs where Not A Sinner tops our numbers but faces a field full of proven winners — Nikolina's 40% career win rate and Miss Mandalay's top speed figure make this a three-way race worth dissecting.

win9Not A SinnerML 4/1

Not A Sinner earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 85.62, and that score carries weight in a competitive starter allowance field. Trainer Simon Callaghan is one of the better turf handlers in the barn area, and Antonio Fresu takes the mount — a combination that tends to show up ready. The 4/1 morning line is fair value given the field depth, and the 57 average speed figure ties for the best in the race.

place4NikolinaML 5/1

Nikolina's 40% career win percentage is the standout number in this race — four wins out of every ten starts at this level is genuinely impressive for a starter allowance. Philip D'Amato conditions her and Kyle Frey picks up the mount, which is a solid combination on the Santa Anita turf. The 78.2 TrackWiz rating confirms she's a major player here, and the 5/1 morning line offers a touch of value for exotics.

show7Miss MandalayML 7/2

Miss Mandalay grades out at 66.84 on our TrackWiz model and posts the highest average speed figure in the field at 57 — matching Not A Sinner. Juan J. Hernandez rides for trainer Robert B. Hess Jr., who has two horses in this race, suggesting the barn found a good spot. The 7/2 morning line makes her a near-co-favorite, and with a 20% career win rate in this company, she's a legitimate show threat and exacta saver.

Race 8

11:36 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A stakes route on the dirt at 1 1/16 miles that looks like a three-way battle between Secured Freedom, One More Freud, and Court of Appeal — but the real intrigue is a potential longshot play at 15/1 tucked in the field.

win3Secured FreedomML 8/5

Secured Freedom checks in with an 81.98 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this stakes field — and trainer Tim Yakteen has been a consistent presence at the top of Southern California racing. Joel Rosario takes the mount, and in a route race on dirt, having one of the best big-race jockeys aboard matters. The 8/5 morning line puts this squarely in the public eye, and our numbers back up the favoritism.

place6Court of AppealML 15/1

Court of Appeal is the value play in this race at a generous 15/1 morning line, backed by a 69.58 TrackWiz rating that ranks third in the field — not far off the top two contenders. Trainer Vladimir Cerin spots horses quietly and effectively, and Juan J. Hernandez can get a horse to fire on a big day. A 40% career win rate at this level is a quietly impressive number, and at those odds, Court of Appeal deserves a prominent place in your exactas.

show1One More FreudML 3/1

One More Freud brings a remarkable 66% career win percentage — by far the best in this field — and trainer Robert B. Hess Jr. has him at 3/1 with Mike E. Smith in the irons. Smith's experience in big dirt routes at Santa Anita is unquestioned. The TrackWiz rating of 67.8 places him third, but that career win record suggests a horse who knows how to finish — he's a natural show bet and trifecta anchor.

Race 9

12:06 AM EDT

Allowance · 6 1/2 fur · Turf

An 11-horse allowance turfed at 6½ furlongs where our top two picks — Warm Sun and Brew and Jimmy Winkfield — both rate well above the morning-line favorite Frank Bullitt, setting up a potential overlay situation at the windows.

win8Warm Sun and BrewML 5/2

Warm Sun and Brew tops all comers with an 86.32 TrackWiz rating and a 25% career win percentage — solid production in what figures to be a competitive allowance field. Trainer Mark Glatt is one of the most reliable turf conditioners in the West, and Antonio Fresu gets the mount. The 5/2 morning line reflects legitimate public support, and our numbers confirm this is the right horse to anchor your tickets.

place5Jimmy WinkfieldML 5/1

Jimmy Winkfield earns an 84.17 TrackWiz rating — just two points behind the top pick — and brings a 33% career win rate that speaks to a horse who competes consistently at this level. Trainer Steve Knapp sends Armando Ayuso out on this one, and at 5/1 on the morning line, Jimmy Winkfield offers genuine value as an exacta partner. In an 11-horse turf field, having two closely-rated horses at different prices is a bettor's dream.

show10Frank BullittML 2/1

Frank Bullitt is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and earns a 75.9 TrackWiz rating, but with only a 9% career win percentage, there's a real chance he runs well without winning. Joel Rosario takes the mount for Debbie Winick, which adds class, and the average speed figure of 56 is competitive. Given the slight ratings gap behind our top two, Frank Bullitt fits best as a show play or underneath in trifectas — the price will be short, but the board spot is reliable.

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Bottom line for Thursday at Santa Anita: Magnificat in Race 2 is the marquee play of the free card, Flamingo Star at 5/1 in Race 3 is the best value among the unlocked picks, and the turf bias running through today's program is a real angle worth leaning on. For the full nine-race breakdown — pace projections, exotic strategies, and every top pick — subscriber analysis is available now at TrackWiz Premium. Good luck out there.

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