Daily Picks

Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — June 12, 2026

Friday, June 12, 20269 racesSanta Anita

Beautiful weather at the San Gabriel Valley on Friday — clear skies, 86 degrees, and the San Gabriel Mountains doing their thing in the background. Ideal conditions for a nine-race card that mixes turf sprints, maiden battlegrounds, and a legit stakes feature to close out the afternoon.

Five of today's nine races are run on the grass, so turf form is going to be the name of the game. With firm footing expected in this heat, speed figures from recent turf sprints carry a little extra weight today — horses that can rate off a quick pace and kick home on a hard surface have a built-in edge.

Three races are open to all TrackWiz readers, covering the early part of the card. The back half — including Race 7's stakes feature — is reserved for subscribers. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

A maiden turf sprint where two horses hold a clear class edge over the field, setting up a likely duel at the top — but the morning line tells you exactly where the market stands.

win4Zip Me UpML 6/5

Zip Me Up draws the bulk of our TrackWiz rating at 59.67 and comes in as the 6/5 morning line favorite off trainer Carla Gaines, who knows how to condition a maiden for a first out. The avg speed figure of 56 ties for the top mark in this field, and on a 5-furlong turf sprint where quick turnover to the front can be decisive, that raw speed edge matters. Jockey Hector Isaac Berrios gets the call, and this horse profiles as the one to beat.

place6Sacred SoundML 2/1

Sacred Sound sits right behind the top choice with a TrackWiz rating of 57.59 and an avg speed of 55 for trainer Peter Miller, who is always dangerous in maiden grass routes. The 2/1 morning line reflects legitimate market respect, and with Berrios' book full on the favorite, Juan J. Hernandez aboard gives this one a quality rider capable of a stalking trip.

show2Zuzu's Classic GalML 4/1

Zuzu's Classic Gal is the interesting piece here at 4/1 — she's a Mark Glatt trainee, and Glatt consistently fires debutants ready on the grass. The TrackWiz rating of 55 without a posted avg speed figure is a flag that she lacks a traditional line to analyze, but first-timers from this barn deserve respect, and at 4/1 she offers real show value in exotics.

Race 2

8:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

One horse dominates this maiden claiming mile on dirt — the question isn't whether the chalk wins, it's how much value you can extract from the underneath pieces.

win4Can't Say ThatML 3/5

Can't Say That carries a massive TrackWiz rating of 90 in this spot — the highest number on today's card by a significant margin at this class level. Trainer George Papaprodromou and jockey Kazushi Kimura are a sharp combination, and at 3/5 on the morning line the market agrees this is a standout. At a mile on the dirt, a horse with this kind of rating gap over the field should be an overwhelming part of any vertical play.

place5Lady RuthML 2/1

Lady Ruth rates second best here at 69.05, a full 21 points behind the favorite but a full 11 ahead of the third choice. Trainer O.J. Jauregui and jockey Tiago Josue Pereira team up at 2/1 on the morning line, and this filly's profile as the most likely beneficiary if Can't Say That hits any kind of trouble makes her the clear place play. At a mile, pace scenarios can get messy, and Lady Ruth is worth keying underneath.

show2Stormy GalML 5/1

Stormy Gal rates 58.30 and is one of two Ruben Gomez trainees in the field, which can sometimes indicate an in-barn battle plan. At 5/1, jockey Armando Aguilar gives this one a capable guide, and her show position in our analysis is supported by the meaningful gap between her rating and the next runner down. She's a reasonable third piece in exacta and trifecta tickets.

Race 3

9:02 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

An allowance optional claiming field on the turf at 6 furlongs where a class standout confronts a wide-open group — pace will sort out the top half, and two horses rate well above the rest.

win1Tiger of the SeaML 4/1

Tiger of the Sea tops our TrackWiz ratings at 85.62, a sizeable edge over the field, and that's supported by a career win rate of 12% in a competitive allowance condition that punishes horses below their class ceiling. Trainer Brian J. Koriner saddles this one at 4/1 on the morning line with Emisael Jaramillo aboard — a sharp combination on the grass. An avg speed figure of 56 matches the best in the field, and on a 6-furlong turf sprint the pace scenario should suit a horse with this profile.

place5Bessie ColemanML 6/1

Bessie Coleman is a legitimate contender at 70.72 on our TrackWiz scale, and Steven Miyadi's 18% career win rate suggests consistent, quality placement. Antonio Fresu gets the call at 6/1 morning line odds, making this a genuine value play for place. She's the type of closer who can capitalize if the front end gets loose in a field this competitive.

show3She's No QuantML 8/5

She's No Quant profiles differently from a pure rating standpoint — a 59 TrackWiz rating is third here — but her 50% career win rate is the highest in the field and demands respect. Edward R. Freeman trains and Juan J. Hernandez rides, and for a 6-furlong turf sprint at 8/5 on the morning line, she'll likely attract heavy show action. She's a solid third piece in the exotic pool.

The first three races give us plenty to work with. Race 1 sends a turf sprint field over five furlongs, and our top choice Zip Me Up opens at 6/5 on the morning line — not a steal at that price, but the TrackWiz rating of 59.67 suggests this is a tighter maiden field than it might look on paper, so watch for the pace shape before pulling the trigger. Race 2 flips to a one-mile dirt maiden claimer, and Can't Say That (3/5 ML, rating 90) is the standout of the early card — that 90 rating is the highest among our free-race selections and tells you this horse has a significant edge on the field if he runs to his profile. Don't overthink it.

Race 3 is where the value hunters should perk up. Tiger of the Sea goes postward in a six-furlong turf Allowance Optional Claiming at 4/1 on the morning line with an 85.62 rating — that combination of morning-line price and strong TrackWiz score is exactly the kind of angle that pays off over a long betting season. On a firm turf course under clear skies, a horse with class and tactical speed has every right to win at a price.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:32 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

First-time starters on the dirt at 5 furlongs — a complete unknown scenario where morning line odds and trainer reputations do most of the handicapping work.

win1NayarML EVN

Nayar gets the top TrackWiz rating of 60 and draws the rail under Juan J. Hernandez for trainer Bob Baffert, who historically is one of the most dangerous conditioners in the game with debut runners. The even-money morning line reflects the market's confidence, and at 5 furlongs on the dirt — a pure speed test — a Baffert-trained first-timer breaking from post 1 with a Hall of Fame-caliber rider deserves top billing.

place2Clear and PresentML 5/2

Clear and Present rates 57.50 and is trained by Philip D'Amato, who has a strong record developing young horses for debut starts. Antonio Fresu picks up the mount at 5/2 morning line odds, and the tight gap between the top two horses in the field makes this a logical place horse. In a first-out sprint where even the best-prepared favorites can be caught napping, having D'Amato's runner underneath is smart construction.

show6Billy GoatML 5/1

Billy Goat from Doug O'Neill's barn comes in at 5/1 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 53.33, slotting in third on our scale. O'Neill is a volume trainer who routinely wins at solid clips, and Emisael Jaramillo is one of the stronger riders on the Southern California circuit. In a debut sprint where the pace can get messy, this horse is a reasonable show alternative and a worth inclusion on trifecta tickets.

Race 5

10:02 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden turf route at 6.5 furlongs where one horse has a massive ratings edge, but a large field of first-timers means the exotic payoffs could be substantial underneath.

win10Booked ClubhouseML 9/5

Booked Clubhouse is the standout here — a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 in a maiden field is a major edge, and trainer Sean McCarthy, a consistent performer on the Southern California turf circuit, has this one ready. Juan J. Hernandez is one of the top jockeys in this barn's rotation, and at 9/5 morning line the market agrees. At 6.5 furlongs on the grass, this is the type of horse that can sit just off the pace and sweep by late.

place2High KingML 4/1

High King rates second in the field at 66.43 for trainer Gary Stute, with Antonio Fresu in the irons at 4/1. The gap between High King and the rest of the field below him is meaningful — there's a real ratings cliff after the top two — which supports his place projection. In a wide-open maiden turf route, he's the horse most likely to be in the mix at the wire if the heavy favorite gets caught in traffic.

show6OwlML 5/1

Owl comes in at 5/1 on the morning line for trainer Neil Drysdale — a legendary horseman who knows the Santa Anita turf as well as anyone. With an avg speed of 56 tied for the best in the field and a TrackWiz rating of 53.33, Armando Ayuso's mount is well-positioned pace-wise to stalk and pounce in the final turn. At 5/1, the show value here is real, and Drysdale-trained firsters deserve respect.

Race 6

10:32 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint on the dirt where the top-rated horse is lurking at generous odds, creating a potential overlay situation in a race where the chalk has drawn significant attention.

win9Tess of HemetML 5/1

Tess of Hemet posts our highest TrackWiz rating in this field at 84.17 — a full 20 points ahead of the next horse — yet the morning line has her at 5/1, which creates an interesting potential overlay. Trainer Hector O. Palma sends her out with Tiago Josue Pereira in the irons, and her avg speed of 54 is solid for the maiden claiming level. When a horse rates this far ahead of the field on our model but doesn't attract heavy morning line favoritism, that's worth noting.

place5Texas WildcatML 6/1

Texas Wildcat rates 63.82 for trainer Philip Oviedo and draws Kyle Frey at 6/1 on the morning line. With an avg speed of 55 to match the top of the pack, she's got the raw numbers to factor in the stretch of a 5.5-furlong dirt sprint. As the second-rated horse in the field, she's a natural underneath piece and a logical place option if Tess of Hemet draws heavy action.

show6Attack NowML EVN

Attack Now is the morning line favorite at even money for trainer Michael W. McCarthy, but our TrackWiz rating of 55.85 places her third in the field — creating a potential situation where she gets overbet relative to her edge. Emisael Jaramillo is a quality rider who can keep her in contention, and she belongs in show wheels, but the overlay may actually be elsewhere in this race.

Race 7

11:02 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 1/4 mi · Turf

A stakes test at 1.25 miles on turf where three horses are genuinely separated from the rest of the field — this sets up as a battle of quality with real intrigue in the exotic pools.

win2ResolveML 4/1

Resolve tops our TrackWiz ratings at 84.93 for trainer Leonard Powell, who regularly competes at the stakes level on the turf. Kazushi Kimura has been one of the busiest and most effective jockeys in Southern California, and at 4/1 on the morning line, the market has this horse nicely positioned. A 13% career win rate doesn't scream dominant, but in a 9-horse stakes field at a mile and a quarter — a true test of stamina — quality profiling matters more than raw winning percentage.

place3InnovativeML 5/1

Innovative rates 75.10 for Philip D'Amato and brings a sparkling 40% career win rate into this stakes spot — the highest among the top contenders. Ricardo Gonzalez gets the mount at 5/1 morning line, and D'Amato's barn consistently places horses at their best in graded and stakes company. She's the type that could easily be the winner here, and at 5/1, using her for place is excellent value in any multi-race or exotic construction.

show8Hey JessieML 7/2

Hey Jessie matches Innovative's 40% career win rate and posts a solid 71.70 TrackWiz rating for trainer Sean McCarthy. Emisael Jaramillo is up at 7/2 morning line, making her one of the shorter-priced runners in the field outside the top two. At 1.25 miles on the turf, she's a confirmed stayer with a race shape that should suit this distance, and she rounds out a logical top-three grouping.

Race 8

11:32 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A competitive starter optional claiming sprint on the dirt where the morning line favorite rates just behind the top horse on our model — expect a honest pace from multiple speed types.

win6GettinbyML 8/5

Gettinby heads our TrackWiz ratings at 73.40 and brings a strong 35% career win rate to a spot where class consistency is a major factor. Trainer Sean Williams and jockey Juan J. Hernandez form a formidable combination, and at 8/5 on the morning line, the public agrees this is the class of the field. The avg speed of 56 matches the top of the pack, and in a 6-furlong dirt sprint where sustained speed matters, this profile is exactly what you want.

place4Mega MoonML 4/1

Mega Moon rates 70.99 — just a tick below the top choice — and brings a 15% career win rate for trainer Ronald Ellis with Hector Berrios in the irons at 4/1. The slight ratings deficit behind Gettinby is minor enough that a pace scenario shift or a traffic-free trip could easily put Mega Moon on top. She's a natural place play and worth using actively in exacta keys.

show1PokerknightatveesML 7/2

Pokerknightatvees rates 69.55 — third best in the field — with a 23% career win rate for trainer Sean Williams, the same barn as the top pick. When a trainer doubles up in a race, the second horse often draws less attention at the windows, and at 7/2 on the morning line, Pokerknightatvees represents show value in a race where the top three are tightly bunched on our model.

Race 9

12:02 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

A deep 12-horse starter optional claiming turf sprint where our model has a clear standout but multiple overlays lurk underneath — the exotic payoffs in this field could be substantial.

win8ShangrilamaML 5/2

Shangrilama dominates our TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 in a competitive field, and the 30% career win rate for trainer Ruby Thomas speaks to consistent competence. Emisael Jaramillo handles the mount at 5/2 on the morning line, and with an avg speed of 57 tied for the top in the field, this horse profiles as a powerful pace-pressing type on a 6-furlong turf course. That combination of model dominance and speed figure edge makes Shangrilama our top selection with conviction.

place9Lady RiderML 5/1

Lady Rider is a fascinating piece — a 44% career win rate is the highest among any contender in this race, and at 5/1 on the morning line for trainer Vladimir Cerin, she's a potential overlay underneath. Armando Ayuso picks up the mount, and while her TrackWiz rating of 70.96 is well behind the top choice, that win rate is a signal of a horse that consistently fires when pointed at a spot. She's the play to back under Shangrilama.

show4Miss MeagherML 5/1

Miss Meagher comes in at 5/1 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 70.54 for trainer Gus Headley, and Edwin Maldonado pilots a horse who posted a 55 avg speed figure on the grass. In a field this large, show positions can pay meaningful prices, and at 5/1 with this level of analytical support, Miss Meagher is a solid third selection in trifecta constructions.

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Today's card is anchored by value early — Tiger of the Sea in Race 3 is the free-play we'd point casual bettors toward first — and a juicy stakes feature in Race 7 where Resolve at 4/1 is our pick to watch. It's a well-rounded Friday card on a gorgeous Southern California afternoon, and the turf-heavy lineup rewards prep work. Full analysis, pace maps, and exotic strategies for all nine races are available to TrackWiz subscribers at /pricing. Good luck out there.

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