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Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — September 27, 2026

September 27, 20269 racesAll Santa Anita picks

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Santa Anita — partly cloudy skies, 83°F, and the kind of late-September weather that keeps the turf course playing true and the dirt track in prime condition. Nine races on the board, and this card has some real teeth to it.

You've got two stakes races anchoring the middle and back half of the card, a pair of turf maiden specials bookending the day, and a mix of claiming and allowance action in between. Whether you're here to play the whole card or pick your spots, there's plenty to work with today.

TrackWiz has full analysis locked and loaded. The first three races are on us — free picks, ratings, and reasoning for every casual bettor who wants a head start. Premium subscribers get the complete nine-race breakdown, including pace scenarios, exotic tickets, and our best multi-race wager strategies.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden turf mile where the morning-line favorite doesn't hold the top TrackWiz rating — creating a potential overlay situation with a lightly regarded runner showing the strongest numbers in the field.

win5Danzing DaisyML 8/1

Danzing Daisy owns the highest TrackWiz rating in this field at 74.43 — a significant gap over the second-best horse — yet trainer Sean McCarthy has her going off at 8/1 on the morning line, suggesting the market isn't fully on board yet. That kind of rating-to-odds discrepancy is exactly the value spot we look for in maiden turf routes. Tyler Baze gets the call, and he knows this Santa Anita lawn as well as anyone. In a field of first-time starters and lightly-raced maidens, her profile stands out clearly.

place4AlittletoofabulousML 6/5

Alittletoofabulous draws the most attention from bettors at 6/5 on the morning line, and Carla Gaines is a sharp conditioner who knows how to have horses ready. Her 58 average speed figure is the best in the field, and Kazushi Kimura is one of the hottest riders in Southern California right now. Even if she doesn't win outright, she's a strong place-ticket anchor.

show7Platinum GrooveML 8/5

Platinum Groove at 8/5 morning line gives trainer Jeff Mullins another live runner to throw into the mix — Mullins consistently fires with well-prepared turf runners. Her TrackWiz rating of 59 closely mirrors the favorite's 59.67, and with a 56 average speed figure she has the raw numbers to hit the board. A useful show-ticket inclusion in what could be a competitive tri.

Race 2

8:33 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Big Soiree's scratch tightens this claiming mile on dirt to five runners, and a heavy favorite with a 30% career win rate looks tough to beat — though the top two are separated by less than a point in TrackWiz ratings.

win6TheresasilverlininML 4/5

Theresasilverlinin is as close to a standout as you'll find in a claiming field — a 30% career win rate is elite at this level, and her TrackWiz rating of 88.39 leads the field. She's the 4/5 morning-line favorite for a reason, with trainer Steve Knapp getting the most out of claiming horses time and again. Armando Ayuso has been riding with confidence, and the one-mile dirt trip looks tailored to her profile.

place4Perfect LifeML 3/1

Perfect Life is the logical main threat at 3/1, posting a 87.08 TrackWiz rating that's just a whisker behind the top pick. Armando Aguilar takes the mount for trainer Jose Valdez, and that 12% career win rate shows some ability to hit the board. If Theresasilverlinin gets into any trouble or ties up late, Perfect Life figures to be right there.

show1Rythem GirlML 4/1

Rythem Girl rounds out a logical top three with a solid 80.78 rating and a 17% career win rate that says she earns her checks regularly. Trainer Bill McLean drops her in here at 4/1 on the line, and Tiago Josue Pereira brings reliable hoof to the saddle. She's a safe show-ticket play in what looks like a three-horse race.

Race 3

9:05 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

This allowance optional claiming turf mile sets up as a clash of styles — a lightly-raced runner with the top rating squares off against a short-priced D'Amato trainee and a Mandella horse with an eye-catching win percentage.

win1Dare GreatlyML 8/1

Dare Greatly tops the TrackWiz ratings at 79.79 despite going off at a generous 8/1 morning line — that's the kind of gap that gets handicappers excited. Trainer Peter Miller is one of the most consistent turf conditioners in California, and Hector Isaac Berrios has been riding with purpose. A 10% career win rate won't blow you away, but in a competitive AOC field, the rating edge is real and the price is attractive.

place6Cortina d'AmprezzoML 8/5

Cortina d'Amprezzo brings the Phil D'Amato barn credentials that automatically command respect on the Santa Anita turf, and her 25% career win rate backs that up with results. Umberto Rispoli is her pilot and he's a masterful grass jockey who gets horses into position. At 8/5, she's the right price to anchor a place slot even if her 66.37 rating trails the top pick.

show2Soul SisterML 6/1

Soul Sister has a 12% career win rate and a 59.95 TrackWiz rating that makes her legitimate on paper, even if the morning line has her at 6/1. Trainer Karen Headley sends her out here with Tiago Josue Pereira aboard, and her 54 average speed figure keeps her competitive at this distance. She's worth including in the exotics as a hedge behind the top two.

Our three free races today span both surfaces and cover a nice range of conditions — a turf maiden special weight to open the card, a dirt claimer in Race 2, and a turf allowance optional claimer in Race 3. That variety actually works in your favor as a handicapper, because the pace dynamics on the Santa Anita turf course tend to set up differently than the dirt, and today's conditions favor both.

Danzing Daisy at 8/1 in the opening turf maiden is the kind of morning-line price that catches our eye — a TrackWiz rating of 74.43 in a wide-open field suggests she's live at a generous number. In Race 2, Theresasilverlinin comes in as the morning-line favorite at 4/5 with a strong 88.39 rating — that's a horse the market agrees with and our model backs up. Dare Greatly rounds out the free picks in Race 3, another 8/1 overlay worth a long look on the turf. Don't sleep on the value in these early races.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:35 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

A five-horse stakes sprint on dirt that looks like a two-horse battle at the top — but Ahrens at 8/1 brings a staggering 60% career win rate that deserves serious attention in the exotics.

win5Maximum BourbonML 6/5

Maximum Bourbon edges out the field with the highest TrackWiz rating at 88.88 and a 57% career win rate that speaks for itself — he wins more often than he loses when he shows up. Philip D'Amato is a top-tier trainer who aims horses for spots they can handle, and Umberto Rispoli is the perfect partner on a six-furlong speed track. At 6/5 on the morning line, the market agrees he's the one to beat.

place1ListenupshanceML 2/1

Listenupshance is a very close second in the ratings at 88.54, and Doug O'Neill horses a 33% win rate here makes this a legitimate threat to win outright. Emisael Jaramillo is a pressure jockey who can dictate pace on a short track — the pace scenario in a six-furlong stakes often comes down to who controls the early fractions. At 2/1, the value isn't massive but he's a lock for the place slot.

show3AhrensML 8/1

Ahrens is the horse bettors shouldn't overlook — a 60% career win rate is the best in the field by a wide margin, and John Sadler conditions this one for a barn that wins stakes races regularly. Joel Rosario is no accident hire either. At 8/1, if there's any pace meltdown up front between the top two, Ahrens could close into the exacta or better.

Race 5

10:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A nine-horse claiming mile on dirt where one horse separates himself from the pack on ratings — but the field is deep enough that the exotics could pay nicely if the chalk gets into trouble.

win4TessutoML 6/5

Tessuto leads all comers with a 89.71 TrackWiz rating — the clearest margin over any second horse in today's card at this level. Joel Rosario picks up the mount for Peter Miller, a combo that wins at a high clip when it shows up. The 6/5 morning line reflects public confidence, but with a 10% career win rate, there's some risk that ability hasn't always translated to results — still, the numbers say he's the one.

place7Hondo CrouchML 6/1

Hondo Crouch sits second in the ratings at 76.95 with Abel Lezcano up for trainer Mark Glatt, and Glatt is a Santa Anita specialist who points horses precisely. At 6/1 on the morning line, this is a legitimate place value — his 9% career win rate is modest but this looks like a step up in preparation. He could easily land in the top two.

show8Fomo JoeML 3/1

Fomo Joe brings a 25% career win rate that's the best in this field, suggesting he knows how to finish the job when conditions suit. Edwin Maldonado rides for Ryan Hanson, and the 3/1 morning line says the market respects this one. His 73.48 TrackWiz rating and 54 average speed figure make him a logical show-ticket addition in what could be a contested affair.

Race 6

10:35 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

An eleven-horse maiden claiming mile on dirt is notoriously tricky to solve, but one horse separates from the pack with a dominant rating — the question is whether a 7/5 chalk in maiden claiming can be trusted to run back to her figures.

win3WhynotanotheroneML 7/5

Whynotanotherone owns a 89.42 TrackWiz rating that dwarfs the field in this maiden claiming marathon — the nearest rival, Hoosick Falls, checks in at 77.44. Trainer Robert Hess Jr. sends her out with Armando Ayuso, who rides with a lot of patience in longer maiden races. In a race where experience and class preparation matter, she looks like the clear standout.

place5Hoosick FallsML 4/1

Hoosick Falls is the natural main rival, rated second in the field at 77.44 for trainer Jeff Mullins — one of the savvier conditioners when it comes to placing horses in maiden claiming spots. Kyle Frey gets the call and he's comfortable on this circuit. At 4/1 on the morning line, she represents real value as a place horse behind the favorite.

show7Sharons MaxfieldML 7/2

Sharons Maxfield brings the best average speed figure in the field at 56 — a detail worth noting when horses are breaking from the maiden ranks for the first time. Trainer Richard Baltas keeps horses sharp, and Epifanio Garcia has ridden enough maiden races at Santa Anita to navigate a big field efficiently. At 7/2, she's a viable show option for anyone constructing trifectas.

Race 7

11:05 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Turf

An eleven-horse maiden turf sprint is pure chaos on paper — all career win percentages are zero — but the TrackWiz ratings spread wide and two horses at bigger prices could blow up the exotics.

win2Little KingML 5/1

Little King posts the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 73.82 for trainer George Papaprodromou, who has quietly become one of the more reliable maiden turf trainers in Southern California. Umberto Rispoli is an outstanding grass rider and will get the most out of this horse in a sprint. At 5/1 on the morning line, there's genuine value here compared to his position atop the ratings.

place7Bo DiddleyML 15/1

Bo Diddley is the value bomb of the day — rated second in the field at 65.96 yet going off at 15/1 on the morning line. Doug O'Neill has had success sneaking horses into maiden fields at prices the public overlooks, and Emisael Jaramillo gives him a strong riding partner. If there's a longshot to key in exotics, this is the one — the gap between his rating and his odds is substantial.

show11Chiseled in StoneML 5/2

Chiseled in Stone has the best average speed figure in the field at 57 and is the morning-line second choice at 5/2 for Steve Knapp. Armando Ayuso — who also rides for Knapp in Race 6 — handles turf well and will be comfortable in a six-furlong sprint. As the logical second betting choice, he anchors show tickets and provides a hedge if Little King faces any trouble.

Race 8

11:35 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

This stakes route on dirt features a horse with a perfect 100% career win rate — small sample or not, that kind of unbeaten record in a stakes field commands full attention and shapes the entire betting structure.

win6RabeebaML 5/2

Rabeeba is undefeated in her career, a 100% win rate that makes her a compelling figure regardless of sample size — and the Bob Baffert barn doesn't run unbeaten horses in stakes unless they're pointed and ready. Her 87.81 TrackWiz rating leads this field, and Juan Hernandez is a trusted pilot for Baffert on the big occasions. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's not a value overlay, but she's the right horse to build tickets around.

place7MagnificatML 4/1

Magnificat brings a 55% career win rate — second best in the field — and trainer Richard Mandella is a Hall of Fame conditioner who knows how to have horses peaking for stakes assignments. Mike Smith rides, and at his stage of his career, Smith takes only mounts he believes in. The 4/1 morning line offers fair value as a place ticket alongside the favorite.

show1Majestic OopsML 7/2

Majestic Oops gets the Philip D'Amato treatment with Umberto Rispoli in the irons — a trainer-jockey duo that places stakes horses confidently. Her 21% career win rate and 62.78 TrackWiz rating make her an honest contender for the minor awards in a quality field. At 7/2, she's a workable show-ticket inclusion for trifecta construction.

Race 9

12:05 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A sprawling thirteen-horse allowance optional claiming turf mile to close out the card — deep enough that finding three horses in order could produce a big trifecta payoff, and the TrackWiz ratings point to a clear top trio hiding at overlaid prices.

win9Cal's GoalML 6/1

Cal's Goal leads the field with an 82.71 TrackWiz rating and a 50% career win rate — the latter figure is outstanding for an allowance turf horse and suggests he translates talent into results consistently. Tim Yakteen sends him out at 6/1 on the morning line, which looks like a generous price for a horse sitting atop both the ratings and the career win percentage leaderboard. Armando Ayuso picks up the mount and brings plenty of turf experience. In a thirteen-horse field, having the top rating and the best win rate is exactly the kind of edge that wins races.

place6Lucky N SmartML 9/2

Lucky N Smart is a Carla Gaines trainee with a 40% career win rate — that's elite, frankly, for any level of allowance horse. Kazushi Kimura handles the riding duties, and Gaines saddles both the #6 and #9 in this race, which is always an interesting dynamic worth noting. At 9/2 on the morning line, the 80.54 rating and the 40% win rate combine for legitimate place value in a big field.

show7Feeling LuckyML 5/2

Feeling Lucky has a 33% career win rate and a 76.68 TrackWiz rating that puts him squarely in the hunt for the trifecta. Joel Rosario rides for trainer Brian Koriner — Koriner also saddles the #8 We Can — and Rosario is the type of jockey who doesn't waste trips on horses he doesn't think can run. At 5/2 morning line, he'll likely be the betting public's show anchor, and the ratings support that instinct.

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Today's Santa Anita card is one worth playing deep. Two stakes races, strong turf conditions, and several legitimate overlay opportunities — including a couple of 8/1 morning-line prices our model genuinely likes. Start with Danzing Daisy, Theresasilverlinin, and Dare Greatly in the free races, then let the premium analysis guide you through the rest. Full card breakdowns, exotic wager strategies, and pace projections are all waiting for subscribers — check out TrackWiz Premium and get the complete picture before post time.

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