Daily Picks

Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — May 22, 2026

Friday, May 22, 20269 racesSanta Anita

It's a beautiful Friday at Santa Anita Park — clear skies, 76°F, and the kind of Southern California afternoon that makes you want to be nowhere else but the track. Nine races are on tap, split across dirt and turf, and the conditions couldn't be more cooperative. With no weather interference in the forecast, speed figures should translate cleanly and pace scenarios should play out close to script.

Today's card has a nice mix of race types to dig into — Maiden Special Weights, Claiming sprints, an Allowance Optional Claimer going a route of ground on the turf, and a Starter Optional Claimer to kick things off. The turf course figures to be playing fast under these conditions, which is worth keeping in mind as you build your tickets. Five of the nine races are contested on the grass, so turf form is the name of the game today.

Our TrackWiz analysis has flagged strong angles across the full card, including a couple of morning-line overlays worth targeting in the exotics. Three races are open to all readers — Races 1, 2, and 3 — and the premium full-card breakdown covers everything from Race 4 through the finale.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A clear class separator emerges in this Starter Optional Claiming mile on the turf, but there's enough pace pressure in the middle of the field to keep the outcome honest.

win1RehearsalML 2/1

Rehearsal sits at the top of our TrackWiz ratings with an 88.54 — a full 21 points clear of the next horse — and that kind of separation in a field like this demands attention. Philip D'Amato is one of Santa Anita's sharpest turf conditioners, and having Antonio Fresu in the irons gives this horse a reliable partner who knows how to rate over the grass. The morning line of 2/1 is fair given the class advantage, but don't be surprised if this one firmed up even tighter by post time. An avg speed figure of 55 is competitive in this spot, and the TrackWiz model sees a horse that fits the race conditions squarely.

place2Orange ThunderML 9/2

Orange Thunder (No. 2) is the second-highest rated horse in the field at 67.46 and draws the rail-adjacent post with Kazushi Kimura, who has been one of the hotter riders at Santa Anita. The 9/2 morning line offers a bit of value for a horse rated well above the bottom half of this field, and Craig Anthony Lewis typically has his horses ready to fire fresh. At a one-mile turf trip, pace management matters, and Kimura's tactical ability gives Orange Thunder a realistic shot at the exacta.

show5LanillaML 6/1

Lanilla (No. 5) carries the second-best career win percentage in the field at 33% — that's a number that stands out in a wide-open starter field. Trainer Vladimir Cerin has quietly developed a knack for placing horses in the right spots, and the 6/1 morning line makes Lanilla an attractive show option for exotics players. The TrackWiz rating of 64.15 confirms she belongs in the conversation, and at that price, she's worth threading into your trifectas.

Race 2

8:30 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

Maiden special weight on the dirt at six furlongs, and one horse has a stranglehold on the TrackWiz ratings — but this is a maiden race, so surprises are always in the mail.

win3Otto's MagicML EVN

Otto's Magic opens as the even-money favorite and backs it up with a 90.0 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark of any horse on today's card. Philip D'Amato ships in the hot hand Ricardo Gonzalez, and this barn consistently delivers first-out maidens at Santa Anita when they're ready. An avg speed figure of 56 is solid for a six-furlong dirt sprint, and in a field where several runners have no recorded speed figures at all, the experience edge here is real. At even money, the value is modest, but the case for Otto's Magic leading at every call is compelling.

place2Here On BusinessML 5/2

Here On Business (No. 2) is the second choice at 5/2 and posts a respectable TrackWiz rating of 57.5 despite no recorded avg speed figure — suggesting this horse's ceiling may still be unknown. Dean Pederson has a steady hand with debut and lightly-raced horses, and Tiago Josue Pereira gives the connections a capable pilot in a short field. If Otto's Magic encounters any traffic or stumbles at the break, Here On Business is positioned to capitalize.

show4MickeyML 5/1

Mickey (No. 4) checks in at 53.33 on the TrackWiz scale and is trained by Val Brinkerhoff, who also saddles Delaneys Dreamer in the same race — always worth noting when a trainer doubles up in a maiden field, as it can signal confidence in the barn's overall form. The 5/1 morning line offers some cushion, and without a speed figure on record, there's genuine mystery about how high Mickey's ceiling could be. A show play at that price in a six-horse maiden field is a reasonable exotic hedge.

Race 3

9:02 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

The top two horses in this six-furlong turf claimer are separated by barely more than a point on the TrackWiz scale, setting up what could be a compelling stretch duel between the two morning line favorites.

win1Cosmo FridayML 8/5

Cosmo Friday edges to the top of our TrackWiz model at 87.74 and is trained by Doug F. O'Neill, who boasts a strong 20% career win rate from this horse. The 8/5 morning line reflects genuine market confidence, and Emisael Jaramillo is one of the most effective riders at Santa Anita on the grass. With an avg speed figure of 56 matching the field's best marks, Cosmo Friday has the raw numbers to control or press the pace and still have plenty left in the tank at the wire.

place2Eva LeaML EVN

Eva Lea (No. 2) is the honest alternative here — a 33% career win rate is the best in the field and speaks to a horse that has figured things out over its career. Joel Rosario, one of the best turf riders in the country, takes the mount for John Sadler, and that's a combination that tends to outperform morning lines. Opening at even money despite a slightly lower TrackWiz rating than Cosmo Friday (86.54 vs. 87.74) is a sign the market respects this one's talent, and she should be part of every exacta combination.

show3Stars HollowML 10/1

Stars Hollow (No. 3) is the biggest surprise in this analysis at 10/1 on the morning line, but a 76.88 TrackWiz rating and a remarkable 40% career win percentage tell a different story than that big price. Armando Aguilar gets the call for trainer Jerry Wallace II, and this horse's form numbers suggest it's dropping into a spot where it can be competitive. At 10/1, this is the show play of the race — and a prime candidate for the trifecta key if you believe the top two run 1-2.

Our three free best bets today give you a solid foundation to start the card. Rehearsal (2/1 ML) opens the day in a Starter Optional Claiming mile on the turf — a surface and distance combo that rewards horses with tactical versatility, and our rating of 88.54 puts this one firmly on top. In Race 2, Otto's Magic is right at even money on the morning line in a 6-furlong Maiden Special Weight on the dirt, and an elite TrackWiz rating of 90.00 makes the favorite tag feel well-earned here. Then Cosmo Friday (8/5 ML) closes out the free preview in Race 3, a 6-furlong turf Claimer — and with the grass playing quick today, a horse with strong turf figures should be hard to catch.

The connecting thread across all three free picks? Horses that project to control or sit close to the pace on a day when the turf figures to favor forward-running types. On firm, fast turf under sunny skies, we're not looking to get creative — we're backing horses who can dictate terms or respond when asked. These three fit that profile cleanly.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:32 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

Bob Baffert saddles two in this mile maiden on the dirt, but the TrackWiz model points in a different direction — toward a pair of well-regarded runners who could make this a wide-open affair at generous prices.

win4BroheimML 6/1

Broheim (No. 4) tops the TrackWiz ratings in this field at 82.71 despite going off at 6/1 on the morning line — a potential overlay situation you won't want to ignore. Trainer Michael W. McCarthy has consistently developed maidens into stakes horses at this circuit, and Ricardo Gonzalez has been riding with confidence all meet. With an avg speed figure of 55 and a mile trip on the dirt that suits a horse with a closer profile, Broheim has the profile of a horse whose best is still coming. The gap between his rating and the 2/1 morning line favorite Decisive Win is notable — our model says the public may be underestimating him.

place3GhostwrittenML 5/1

Ghostwritten (No. 3) is just a tick behind at 79.26 on the TrackWiz scale and is trained by Tim Yakteen, who has a well-documented record of producing sharp debut runners at Santa Anita. Kazushi Kimura knows how to get position out of the gate and set a horse up for a strong late run on the dirt, which is critical going a mile first time out. At 5/1, Ghostwritten represents genuine each-way value and is a must-include in any exacta or trifecta construction around this race.

show5Decisive WinML EVN

Decisive Win (No. 5) is the public's choice at even money, and with Doug F. O'Neill in the trainer's box and an avg speed figure of 56 — the best in the field — the case for the morning line favorite showing up isn't hard to make. Our model has this one slightly behind the top two at 60.0, which suggests the price may be a touch short, but a show wager or including in vertical exotics still makes sense as a hedge against our top selections. Antonio Fresu is a reliable pilot in spots like this.

Race 5

10:02 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 6 fur · Turf

A stacked Starter Allowance field takes to the six-furlong turf strip, with four horses bunched tightly in the mid-80s on the TrackWiz scale — pace scenario and trip luck could decide this one as much as raw ability.

win9Liam SmithML 3/1

Liam Smith (No. 9) leads all TrackWiz ratings in the field at 87.08 and carries the most eye-catching stat of the day: a 66% career win rate. That number is extraordinary in a starter allowance context, and it tells you this horse has shown a consistent ability to close out races when the conditions are right. Jeff Mullins is a seasoned trainer who knows how to keep a horse sharp on the turf, and Joel Rosario — landing from the outer post — will ensure Liam Smith gets a clean run regardless of early traffic. At 3/1, this is our best bet of the race.

place1Money Makes MoneyML 5/2

Money Makes Money (No. 1) draws the inside post and posts a 33% career win rate to go along with a 84.86 TrackWiz rating — the second-best mark in a very competitive field. Trainer Mark Glatt is among the top conditioners in Southern California and particularly dangerous in turf sprints, and Ricardo Gonzalez is ideally positioned to take full advantage of that inside draw. The 5/2 morning line reflects justified market respect, and this horse's avg speed figure of 57 ties for the best in the race.

show5News At TenML 9/2

News At Ten (No. 5) also carries an avg speed figure of 57 — among the field's best — and Peter Eurton has a consistent track record of delivering horses that are fit and ready in these allowance-level sprint turf events. At 9/2, the morning line offers a touch of value for a horse rated 84.40 by TrackWiz. Emisael Jaramillo gives this one a live outside chance if the pace sets up for a presser, and including News At Ten in trifecta bets is a smart hedge in a race this tightly packed at the top.

Race 6

10:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Five and a half furlongs on the dirt for claimers, and the top three horses on the TrackWiz scale are all within eight points of each other — this looks like a genuine three-way battle down the lane.

win5OutrageousML 7/2

Outrageous (No. 5) leads the TrackWiz model at 86.35 and pairs that with a 36% career win rate — one of the best conversion numbers on the board today. Trainer Marcia Stortz has this horse placed perfectly in a claiming sprint, and Cristobal Herrera brings confidence to the saddle in a race where front-end speed will be at a premium. The 7/2 morning line is a fair price for the top-rated horse, and in a short-field dirt sprint, positional advantage from post 5 is manageable.

place1Sensational Z ZML 3/1

Sensational Z Z (No. 1) is the morning line favorite at 3/1 with a strong 35% career win rate and a TrackWiz score of 82.33. Trainer Francisco Rodriguez has this filly — or mare — sitting inside with Kazushi Kimura, who is extremely effective at converting from the rail in sprint races at Santa Anita. The pace scenario here likely involves multiple horses wanting the front, which could set things up for Sensational Z Z if Kimura can find a clean position early.

show7Ro TownML 4/1

Ro Town (No. 7) rounds out our TrackWiz top three at 78.67 with a 28% career win rate and the best avg speed figure in the field at 56. Ricardo S. Ramirez keeps the mount for trainer Sergio Morfin, and at 4/1 morning line, this horse is legitimate value on the show end of the ticket. If the two favorites lock horns in a speed duel, Ro Town may be the one coasting into frame late.

Race 7

11:02 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/4 mi · Turf

A route on the turf at a mile and a quarter — the longest trip on the card today — with a legitimate class standout lurking at a price that should get the attention of every trifecta player.

win7Crazy CavalierML 7/2

Crazy Cavalier (No. 7) tops the TrackWiz model at 86.35 and delivers a 21% career win rate in a field where most runners are in the teens or lower. Doug F. O'Neill conditions this one, and Juan J. Hernandez — arguably the meet's most dependable turf jockey — gets the call. At 7/2 on the morning line, Crazy Cavalier is solid value given the rating gap, and the outer post at a mile and a quarter on the turf is not a disadvantage — horses frequently improve their position around the first two turns in routes like this.

place3None Above the LawML 5/1

None Above the Law (No. 3) carries a 70.32 TrackWiz rating — the second-best in the field — and Joel Rosario is rarely a throwout in any turf route at Santa Anita. Trainer Peter Miller is one of the most accomplished grass conditioners in California, and his horses routinely outperform their morning lines in longer turf routes. At 5/1, there's genuine value on the place end, and a 14% career win rate in a competitive allowance optional claiming field is nothing to dismiss.

show1Living LifeML 9/2

Living Life (No. 1) posts a 60.67 TrackWiz score and draws the inside post at a route distance — a legitimate advantage if Hector Isaac Berrios can park this horse in a ground-saving trip. Trainer Ronald W. Ellis has a knack for stretching horses out in turf routes, and at 9/2 on the morning line, Living Life is a reasonable exotics piece. In a seven-horse field at a mile and a quarter, trips tend to cluster, and a horse on the rail with a tactical rider often ends up in the money.

Race 8

11:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A full claiming field on the dirt mile with Union Heiress scratched, leaving a competitive 10-horse battle — and the TrackWiz model identifies a potential overlay at the top while the market circled a different horse.

win6MakenaritaML 5/2

Makenarita (No. 6) leads the TrackWiz ratings at 85.38 and is trained by George Papaprodromou, one of Santa Anita's most effective conditioners in dirt routes. Kazushi Kimura is in the irons and has a proven ability to rate horses in one-mile claiming events where pace can get messy. The 5/2 morning line is fair, and despite an avg speed figure of 52 that sits on the lower end of the field, the TrackWiz model's holistic rating suggests this horse brings more to the table than raw figures alone reveal.

place4Definitely PrbableML 6/1

Definitely Prbable (No. 4) comes in second on our ratings scale at 82.71 and is trained by Vann Belvoir, who quietly posts solid numbers in claiming dirt routes at this level. At 6/1 on the morning line, this could be the value play of the race — a horse rated just three points below the top pick but going off at nearly double the odds. Ricardo Gonzalez has the ability to position a horse patiently in a big field and strike late, which is exactly the profile for a one-mile claiming contest.

show9A Fleet RideML 3/1

A Fleet Ride (No. 9) checks in at 77.35 on the TrackWiz scale and goes off at 3/1 morning line — reflecting genuine market respect for trainer Ryan Hanson's entry. Edwin A. Maldonado is a capable hand in spots like this, and a horse with no career wins on record that still carries a 77-plus TrackWiz rating suggests there's untapped upside here. Post 9 in a 10-horse field means traffic management is key, but at 3/1, A Fleet Ride fits comfortably into your show parlay or trifecta backup.

Race 9

12:02 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Turf

An 11-horse maiden special weight on the six-furlong turf to close out the card — the field is deep and inexperienced, but the TrackWiz model has found a standout that the morning line echoes loud and clear.

win4Marla HoochML 7/2

Marla Hooch (No. 4) leads this maiden field by a wide margin at 86.35 on the TrackWiz scale — the same top figure shared by Crazy Cavalier and Outrageous earlier today, and those horses were legitimate contenders in their respective races. Philip D'Amato is one of the most respected trainers at Santa Anita for maiden grass events, and Armando Ayuso is a smart pick to handle a first-time turf runner going six furlongs. The 7/2 morning line is competitive given the field size, and an avg speed figure of 56 ties for the field's best among horses with recorded figures.

place8She's No QuantML 9/5

She's No Quant (No. 8) opens as the 9/5 second choice on the morning line and backs it up with a 58.67 TrackWiz rating and an avg speed figure of 56 — matching Marla Hooch at the top of the recorded figures. Trainer Edward R. Freeman has this filly fit and ready according to the market, and Juan J. Hernandez from post 8 is well positioned to stalk early and pounce in the stretch. In an 11-horse maiden field on the turf, post position can be a factor, and an outside draw in a sprint often keeps horses out of traffic.

show6Zip Me UpML 9/2

Zip Me Up (No. 6) sits at 54.17 on the TrackWiz scale with an avg speed figure of 56 — and Carla Gaines is a trainer worth watching in maiden grass sprints at Santa Anita. Hector Isaac Berrios takes the call from post 6, a neutral position in an 11-horse field that allows for tactical flexibility. At 9/2 on the morning line, Zip Me Up is a live show play and a reasonable trifecta piece if you're constructing a bottom half around the top two picks.

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Santa Anita is giving us a pristine Friday card — great weather, five turf races on a fast course, and real angles throughout. Start with Rehearsal, Otto's Magic, and Cosmo Friday as your free best bets, and if you want the full story on Races 4–9 — including that Broheim overlay angle and our exotic ticket breakdowns — the complete analysis is waiting for subscribers. Good luck today, and as always, bet smart.

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