Daily Picks

Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — May 29, 2026

Friday, May 29, 20269 racesSanta Anita

It's a beautiful Friday at Santa Anita — partly cloudy skies, 71°F, and the kind of mild late-May weather that keeps the track playing fair and fast. Nine races are on the board today, mixing claiming sprints, maiden events, and a couple of turf routes that should reward the patient handicapper.

The card leans heavily on the dirt, but Races 5, 7, and 9 give grass lovers plenty to dig into. With conditions as close to ideal as you'll find at The Great Race Place this time of year, don't expect many excuses from the field today — horses should run their number.

We've got three free previews to get you started and six premium races behind the paywall for subscribers who want the full picture. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A tight three-way battle shapes up at the top of this mile claiming opener, with two horses carrying nearly identical TrackWiz ratings and the morning line offering a potential overlay at the top.

win1Hondo CrouchML 5/2

Hondo Crouch tops our ratings at 87.81 despite carrying a modest 5% career win rate — a number that suggests he's been competitive without closing the deal, and Mark Glatt often spots these types for a breakthrough. At 5/2 on the morning line, there's real value here if Glatt has him pointed correctly. Abel Lezcano picks up the mount, and the mile on dirt suits a horse who figures to settle nicely off whatever pace develops. The rating edge over the field is meaningful, and this looks like the spot.

place5RedialML 2/1

Redial comes in with a matching 87.46 TrackWiz rating and a 16% career win percentage, giving him a legitimate shot to beat Hondo Crouch outright. The morning line favorite at 2/1, Peter Eurton has this one ready — the question is whether Tiago Josue Pereira can get him into the right position around one turn. At minimum, he should be fighting for the exacta.

show4Silver I AmML 3/1

Silver I Am at 3/1 brings a 70.82 rating and a 16% career win rate, which makes Philip D'Amato's runner a solid exotic piece. Antonio Fresu has been around Santa Anita regularly and knows how to get horses settled on this track. He fills out the trifecta box nicely as a capable third option against the top two.

Race 2

8:30 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

Wolf Hill is a prohibitive morning-line favorite in this maiden special weight mile, but the Richard Mandella barn has a pair of runners that could complicate things and make the exotics interesting.

win4Wolf HillML 4/5

Wolf Hill sits at the top of our ratings with a 90.0 score — the highest in this field — and the morning line has him at 4/5, which reflects just how far ahead of these he projects. Leonard Powell has him with Antonio Fresu up, and while a 4/5 shot rarely excites the wallet, the rating gap here is too large to fade. In maiden company, a horse with this kind of profile edge usually gets the job done.

place5Bad MannersML 5/2

Bad Manners is the other standout in the field with a 70.96 rating and the backing of Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who wins at a high clip when he targets these maiden spots. Tyler Baze is a savvy hand around Santa Anita, and at 5/2 morning line, Bad Manners figures to be the main threat to Wolf Hill while offering real exacta value if the favorite runs into any trouble.

show3Apples Y PeachesML 9/2

Apples Y Peaches checks in at 54.17 on our ratings — third-best in the field — with Kazushi Kimura in the irons for Mike Puype. At 9/2 on the morning line, she's a reasonable show bet and trifecta fill. In maiden races, form can be unpredictable, and she gives you a live third option at a workable price.

Race 3

9:02 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Doug O'Neill sends out two horses in this 5½-furlong dirt claiming sprint, and his barn's internal battle between Joker Went Wild and Rollinwithpolan sets the tone for the entire race.

win1Joker Went WildML 9/5

Joker Went Wild leads the field with an 88.83 TrackWiz rating and gets Antonio Fresu, one of the more in-form riders at Santa Anita right now. His 14% career win rate understates his competitiveness — these O'Neill barn types often run well in shorter sprints, and 5½ furlongs on dirt is a distance that rewards raw speed. At 9/5, it's not a screaming price, but the numbers back him as the most complete horse in here.

place2RollinwithpolanML 6/5

Rollinwithpolan is Joker Went Wild's stablemate under the same O'Neill barn, carrying a 72.83 rating and an impressive 33% career win rate. Emisael Jaramillo gets the call, and that career win percentage is one of the highest in today's entire card — this horse knows how to finish. At 6/5 morning line, he'll likely be well-backed, but he's a strong exacta partner with his barnmate.

show4One Step BeyondML 12/1

One Step Beyond is the longshot play here at 12/1 on the morning line, but his 61.77 rating — third-best in the field — makes him worth a look as a show play or trifecta fill. Ali Husain rides for Jorge Periban, and in a race where the two favorites may push each other hard up front, a closer profile could benefit. Don't invest heavily, but he's not without merit in the exotics.

Our free picks cover the first three races on the card, and there's a clear theme: front-runners and pace-pressers figure to have an edge on what looks like a surface playing true. Hondo Crouch kicks things off in Race 1's claiming mile at a workable 5/2 morning line, while Joker Went Wild in Race 3 — a 5½-furlong dirt sprint — shapes up as a prime pace scenario play at 9/5. In between, Wolf Hill enters Race 2 as a heavy 4/5 favorite in the Maiden Special Weight, and with a TrackWiz rating of 90.0 he's earned that chalk status.

The through-line here is straightforward: clean breaks and early position could be decisive. Keep an eye on how the opening races develop — if speed is holding through the early going, it'll inform how you approach the rest of the card.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:32 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This maiden claiming sprint is wide open with all first-time or winless runners, and our top-rated horse carries a massive morning-line overlay that makes this race a potential value jackpot.

win2Quality GoldML 15/1

Quality Gold is our top-rated horse in the race at 69.58 — and somehow the morning line has him at 15/1. That's a significant overlay by any measure, and Edwin Alvarez has him ready to pop a big number for the exotics players willing to trust the TrackWiz rating over the oddsmaker. Maiden claiming races can produce surprises, and an average speed figure of 53 keeps expectations measured, but the rating advantage here is real and worth playing.

place3SaguntoML 2/1

Sagunto is the morning-line second choice at 2/1 with a 61.25 rating, and he's one of only two horses in this field who has flashed an average speed figure of 56 — suggesting he's been working sharply. Ryan Hanson sends him out with Edwin Maldonado aboard, and this horse figures to be competitive at or near the front end of the pace. He's the logical exacta partner if you're keying Quality Gold.

show4Fair QuestionML 5/2

Fair Question at 5/2 checks in at 57.5 on our ratings with another 56 average speed figure — matching Sagunto's best measured work. Brian Koriner has been patient with this one, and Armando Ayuso knows this track well. In a wide-open maiden claimer, Fair Question provides a dependable third option to round out your trifecta tickets.

Race 5

10:02 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

The turf allowance optional claiming at 6 furlongs features a lopsided top pick versus a flipping morning-line favorite, making the pace scenario and surface form critical to sorting out the exotics.

win1GojeML 3/1

Goje leads our ratings at 87.08 — by a wide margin over the rest of this field — and George Papaprodromou has him sharp for Antonio Fresu. His 25% career win rate is solid for this level, and the 3/1 morning line represents genuine value when the rating gap is this clear. On the Santa Anita turf course at 6 furlongs, Goje's profile screams top-choice, and we're comfortable anchoring tickets here.

place5HoldthatrainbowML EVN

Holdthatrainbow is an eye-catching entry at even money on the morning line, boasting a perfect 100% career win rate — though that figure must come from a very limited sample. Carla Gaines trains her with Juan Hernandez up, and a 60.0 rating with a 56 average speed figure keeps her firmly in the picture. She should press or stalk the pace and could absolutely run Goje down if anything goes wrong at the front.

show7What's a Good NameML 5/2

What's a Good Name brings Joel Rosario — one of the top riders in the country — and a 25% career win rate to a spot where she's been installed as the 5/2 morning-line third choice. Peter Miller runs a tight operation, and a 51.94 rating with a 56 average speed figure shows she can produce sharp efforts on the lawn. At that price, she's the right show selection to round out your ticket.

Race 6

10:32 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Proud Racer enters this maiden claiming sprint as a heavy favorite with a dominant rating, but the question for bettors is how much value is left at 6/5 and whether anything in the field can rattle the chalk.

win6Proud RacerML 6/5

Proud Racer tops the field with an 89.71 TrackWiz rating — among the highest on today's entire card — and Joel Rosario is as good a pilot as you'll find at this track. Peter Miller consistently puts horses in spots where they're meant to win, and in a maiden claiming sprint, the combination of elite jockey and top rating is hard to ignore. Yes, 6/5 is thin, but the numbers say this is the right horse.

place3Danzing Wild CatML 3/1

Danzing Wild Cat rates at 59.49, second-best in the field, and Juan Hernandez gets the mount for trainer Brendan Galvin. His 55 average speed figure matches several others in here, but the rating advantage over the rest of the non-Proud Racer field is meaningful. At 3/1 morning line, he's the most logical exacta partner and should comfortably hold second if the favorite runs to his number.

show7Ride the TigerML 4/1

Ride the Tiger checks in at a 55.0 rating with a 55 average speed, and Brian Koriner has him priced at 4/1 on the morning line. Armando Ayuso takes the mount — a competent rider who can get horses positioned well in sprint races. In a field where several entrants are lightly raced or unproven, Ride the Tiger's profile makes him a reasonable show play and trifecta piece.

Race 7

11:02 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 1 mi · Turf

The turf mile starter allowance has a genuine two-horse battle at the top between I'm Otter Here and Savage Warden, with the rest of the field needing a significant upset to break up the party.

win4I'm Otter HereML 2/1

I'm Otter Here is our top-rated horse in Race 7 at 88.54, and the numbers jump off the page — a 57 average speed figure is the best in this field and paired with a 20% career win rate suggests consistent, quality efforts. Brian Koriner has him primed for Hector Isaac Berrios, and at 2/1 morning line, the price is fair for a horse with this kind of edge on grass at a mile. He's the play.

place3Savage WardenML 4/1

Savage Warden is the other standout with an 84.1 rating and a jaw-dropping 50% career win rate — this horse closes the deal when he's right. Philip D'Amato is one of the best turf trainers in the country, and Antonio Fresu is a capable partner on the lawn. At 4/1 morning line, Savage Warden offers better value than the favorite while posting nearly comparable numbers, making him a strong exacta play.

show6Sneaking CandyML 7/2

Sneaking Candy slots in at 67.25 on our ratings with a 33% career win rate — both figures that stand out in this field outside the top two. Mike Puype sends her out with Armando Ayuso, and at 7/2 morning line she looks like the most natural bridge between the top pair and the rest of the pack. She fills out your trifecta tickets nicely and could easily outperform her morning line.

Race 8

11:32 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Joel Rosario pilots the TrackWiz top choice in this allowance optional claiming sprint at 6½ furlongs, while the morning-line favorite wears different silks — setting up a classic public money vs. ratings conflict.

win1A. Z. WildcatML 5/2

A. Z. Wildcat tops our ratings at 87.81 and gets Joel Rosario — it doesn't get much better than that combination for a dirt sprint at Santa Anita. John Sadler is a proven southern California conditioner, and a 25% career win rate combined with a 55 average speed figure shows this filly has been delivering consistently. At 5/2 morning line, she's an overlay compared to Cipriani's 7/5 despite carrying a meaningfully higher TrackWiz rating.

place3Our MoonlightML 3/1

Our Moonlight rates at 81.46 — second in the field — and comes in at 3/1 morning line for trainer Dean Pederson with Tiago Josue Pereira up. His 55 average speed figure is right in the mix, and a 14% career win rate in what projects to be a competitive field shows he's been knocking on the door. If A. Z. Wildcat runs her number, Our Moonlight should be right there collecting.

show5Lubie's MusicML 5/1

Lubie's Music checks in at 69.64 on our ratings for Richard Mandella — one of the most respected barns in California — with Antonio Fresu in the tack. A 33% career win rate is among the best in this field, and Mandella horses at this level tend to fire when pointed at a spot. At 5/1 morning line, she's the right show selection and a live trifecta piece.

Race 9

12:02 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

An eleven-horse maiden claiming turf mile to close the card features two horses well clear of the field on ratings, setting up a potential top-two exacta play with a wide-open bottom for trifecta builders.

win9G'oroML 3/1

G'oro tops our ratings at 87.08 — matching Goje from Race 5 exactly — and Cesar Belmont gets the mount for Leonard Powell. At 3/1 morning line, he's priced as second choice despite carrying the highest TrackWiz number in the field by a healthy margin. In a large maiden turf field, having a clear ratings leader at a fair price is the angle you want to exploit, and we're going with G'oro on top of all tickets.

place7HumidityML 6/5

Humidity is a close second at 85.62 on our ratings — essentially a near-dead-heat at the top — and is installed as the 6/5 morning-line favorite, meaning the public is split from our top pick. Patrick Gallagher has her ready for Hector Isaac Berrios, and her 54 average speed figure is respectable. Whether she's first or second, Humidity belongs in every exacta combination you write in this race.

show3IntuitivebynatureML 9/2

Intuitivebynature comes in at 54.17 — third-best rating in the entire 11-horse field — for trainer Dean Pederson with Welfin Orantes up. At 9/2 morning line, she's a perfectly priced show bet and trifecta element in a race where the two favorites should dominate but the third spot is genuinely up for grabs. She's a solid bridge between the top pair and the longshot chaos below.

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Bottom line for today: Wolf Hill is the marquee free play, the turf races offer real handicapping angles for those who dig deeper, and the overall card is tighter than the morning lines suggest in spots. Our top free best bets are Hondo Crouch, Wolf Hill, and Joker Went Wild — subscribers get the full picture on all nine. Good luck at the windows.

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