Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — May 24, 2026

King Kameha lands the second-best rating in the field at 57.5 and is listed at 5/2 — making this a logical place target for bettors who want some insurance on the chalk. Trainer Steve R. Knapp has a solid record with young horses and Armando Ayuso is a capable rider who won't get outrun early in a short sprint. In a first-time-starter race, having two horses from well-regarded barns on top is exactly the kind of structure that suits exacta plays.

Keepsmesane is the third choice in our ratings at 53.33 and comes in at 5/1 on the morning line with Edwin A. Maldonado up for trainer Doug O'Neill. O'Neill is a high-volume operation that hits at a solid clip with debut horses, and 5/1 provides a little more cushion if the favorite and second choice handle this race as expected. A trifecta including this one at a reasonable price could pay nicely.

Moonlit Sonata sits at 7/2 on the morning line with a 79.65 TrackWiz rating — second best in the field — and has Kazushi Kimura up for trainer Tim Yakteen. The average speed figure of 56 is tied for the top mark in this race, which is significant when you're stretching out to route distance where sustained output matters. If Rostovsky gets away on the front end or mid-pack, Moonlit Sonata looks like a strong place backup.

Amplitude goes at 9/2 with Joel Rosario aboard for John W. Sadler — and when Rosario is on one of Sadler's turf horses, you pay attention even at a third-place projection. The 62.76 rating slots in behind the top two but well clear of the lower half. A 10% career win rate in route company is acceptable, and the 9/2 price makes this a solid show or exacta anchor rather than a win play.

Is That You Wing slots in right behind the top choice on ratings at 56.67 and goes at 3/1 with Armando Ayuso up for trainer Dan Blacker. In a tight maiden field, these two horses at the top of our model are separated by less than three points — which means this one represents strong place value at a slightly better price. Ayuso is a capable pilot who can draft a good trip from the two-post.

Lease Instead draws the rail and gets Joel Rosario — and that's a compelling combination even at 7/2 with a 55.83 rating. Trainer Doug O'Neill is a consistent presence with maiden sprinters, and Rosario knows how to use a rail trip to his advantage in short fields. With the ratings at the top so tightly bunched, the one-hole with a Hall of Fame-caliber jockey could easily flip the script and outrun the morning line.

Chase N Ryan comes in at 5/1 with a 76.02 rating — the second-best figure in this field — and Kazushi Kimura rides for trainer Steve R. Knapp. A 22% career win rate shows this horse competes with consistency, and the average speed figure of 56 matches the favorite's output. At 5/1 on the morning line, there's genuine place value here; if the chalk stumbles or faces a pace duel, Chase N Ryan is well positioned to collect a piece.

Uecker checks in at 6/1 with a 72.05 rating for trainer Ryan Hanson and Adrian Escobedo aboard — a capable combination that often hits at solid prices. The 16% career win rate is modest but in a short turf sprint field at the allowance level, a horse with a 54 average speed figure and a legitimate rating can sneak into the exotics. At 6/1, Uecker is worth tossing into trifectas as a third-place option if you're trying to build a bigger ticket.

Tab Walker is a notably interesting second-place projection — Joel Rosario riding for Peter Miller in a maiden claiming mile is not a throwaway angle. The 70.24 rating is second best in the field at 5/1 on the morning line, representing real place value if you can key Lorenzo Bernini on top. The average speed figure of 53 is slightly below the leaders but Rosario's ability to find a clean trip around two turns makes up for plenty.

Rich Night comes in at 6/1 with a 53.95 rating for trainer Victor L. Garcia, with Emisael Jaramillo up. The average speed figure of 54 is respectable and Jaramillo is a consistent pilot who doesn't lose many races due to errors in judgment. At this price, Rich Night is a legitimate trifecta piece — not a horse you'd want to single in multi-race bets, but one who could easily fill out the third spot at a generous payoff.

Unbridled Scholar is the TrackWiz sleeper in this race — a 69.58 rating at 15/1 on the morning line is a significant disconnect that our analysis flags as a potential value overlay. Kyle Frey rides for trainer Blaine D. Wright, a barn that keeps horses competitive without always getting the market respect they deserve. A 16% career win rate matches the top choice, and an average speed figure of 53 on the turf mile makes this horse a genuinely compelling place play and exotic inclusion at a big price.

Deep Blue goes as the 2/1 morning-line second choice with Emisael Jaramillo up for Victor L. Garcia — a combination that won't sneak up on anyone. The 64.0 rating is the third-best in the field, and a 20% career win rate speaks to a horse who has learned how to compete. The average speed figure of 55 is the best among our top three picks, and while the show price won't be generous, Deep Blue's consistency makes this one a reliable anchor in trifecta structures.