Unlock the other 6 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — October 2, 2026

October 2, 20269 racesAll Santa Anita picks

It's a scorcher at Santa Anita today — 99°F under clear skies with the San Gabriel Mountains baking in the background. That kind of heat can take the edge off late runners, so keep pace scenario front of mind all afternoon. Track management will be watching the turf closely, but for now all grass races are expected to run on schedule.

We've got a nine-race card that mixes Allowance, Claiming, and Maiden company across both dirt and turf. Five of the nine races go on the grass, so turf form is the name of the game today. Whether you're playing a few singles or trying to thread a Pick 5, there's plenty to dig into here.

TrackWiz has the full card covered — three races are open to everyone, and six premium races are waiting for subscribers. Let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

A heavy favorite dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this turf sprint, but a pair of live underlays could make the exotics interesting if the morning-line chalk stumbles.

win2UnbindingML EVN

Unbinding is the class of this field and it isn't particularly close — a TrackWiz rating of 90 towers over the competition, and a 60% career win rate is elite by any standard. Trainer Mark Glatt has a strong record with turf sprinters at Santa Anita, and Umberto Rispoli is one of the sharpest grass riders in Southern California. At even money on the morning line, there's not much value, but this is the kind of horse you have to beat — and the field doesn't look equipped to do it.

place4MayacamaML 5/1

Mayacama brings a solid 41% career win rate into this spot and figures to be close early, which suits the six-furlong turf distance under Juan J. Hernandez. The TrackWiz rating of 76.08 is a clear second-best in the field, making the #4 a logical place ticket in any exotic. Trainer Jeff Mullins keeps runners sharp and Santa Anita turf has historically rewarded his barn.

show5Comeback GirlML 9/2

Comeback Girl at 9/2 on the morning line represents a reasonable third wheel for exotics, posting a TrackWiz rating of 66.19 and a competitive average speed figure of 58 — tied for tops in the field. Trainer Leonard Powell sends her out with Armando Ayuso up, and the 20% career win rate suggests she's capable of showing up in the right spot. She's a natural inclusion in trifectas underneath the top two.

Race 2

8:29 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A tight two-horse battle shapes up at the top of the ratings in this one-mile dirt claimer, with a potential pace-setter lurking underneath at a price.

win2Joint VentureML 9/5

Joint Venture earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 88.83, and while trainer Steve Sherman doesn't always light up the win column at big prices, the 9/5 morning line reflects genuine confidence from the morning clockers. Kyle Frey gets the call and the 20% career win rate for this horse is respectable in a claiming context. The mile on dirt should suit a horse likely to stalk the pace and pounce late.

place1Mighty KaiML 3/1

Mighty Kai is right there on the ratings at 84.38 — only a nose behind Joint Venture — and Doug O'Neill's barn has a history of putting horses in position to earn checks. The 3/1 morning line makes this a solid place play, and with Tiago Josue Pereira guiding him, expect a hard-trying effort through the lane. He might not get the win, but he figures to be competitive enough to hit the board.

show3Soi NgernML 10/1

Soi Ngern at 10/1 is worth including in the exotics as a show play despite a modest 17% career win rate. The TrackWiz rating of 75.97 is third best in this field and his average speed figure of 55 is actually the highest in the race. If the top two horses stack each other up, Alfredo Bautista could steer him to a quiet third in a wide-open claimere.

Race 3

9:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

Philip D'Amato sends out a short-priced powerhouse in this turf sprint starter optional claimer, but a pair of solid alternatives make the exacta worth building out.

win8ArrakisML 6/5

Arrakis checks in with a TrackWiz rating of 89.71 — the best number in this field by a comfortable margin — and goes postward as the 6/5 morning-line choice. Philip D'Amato is one of the premier turf trainers in California and Umberto Rispoli is a perfect partner for a grass specialist at this distance. The 22% career win rate is modest, but the quality of the rating and the connections suggest this is the horse everyone will need to beat.

place1Opus UnoML 6/1

Opus Uno gives trainer Peter Miller and jockey Joel Rosario a live shot at 6/1, with a TrackWiz rating of 79.3 and a 25% career win rate that shows he knows how to win. Miller is one of the most accomplished grass trainers on the West Coast, and Rosario's tactical ability could put this horse in a great spot behind any early pace. He's the most logical exacta partner underneath Arrakis.

show5Burning RubberML 7/2

Burning Rubber at 7/2 earns a TrackWiz rating of 78.57 and gets Juan J. Hernandez for trainer Sean McCarthy — a capable combo on the turf. The 16% career win rate isn't flashy, but the average speed figure of 56 is competitive with the top contenders. He's a natural trifecta inclusion and could outrun his odds if the pace heats up early.

Our three free best bets span the early portion of the card and hit both surfaces. Unbinding opens the day in Race 1 — an Allowance Optional Claiming sprint on the turf — and comes in as the morning-line favorite at even money with a sharp TrackWiz rating of 90. Don't let the short price scare you off; favorites in AOC turf sprints at Santa Anita hit at a solid clip. Race 2 shifts to the dirt for a one-mile Claiming, where Joint Venture (9/5 ML, 88.83 rating) looks well-positioned in what shapes up as a pressured pace scenario — exactly the kind of setup that can favor a stalker with a strong closing kick. Round out the free card with Arrakis in Race 3, a 6-furlong turf Starter Optional Claiming where the 6/5 morning line understates how much we like the overall profile.

One angle tying these three together: with the heat extreme and the card turf-heavy, watch how horses handle the warm-up. Horses that ship in fresh — rather than those coming off multiple hard recent efforts — may get an edge as the day wears on. Hydration and body condition matter more than people think on days like this.

Send me tomorrow's free Santa Anita card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

This maiden claimer at 5½ furlongs on the dirt is a wide-open affair of first-time and lightly-raced runners — form is thin across the board and the ratings are tightly bunched at the top.

win6Papa SantosML 5/1

Papa Santos earns the highest TrackWiz rating in this maiden claimer field at 67.08 and is sent out at a fair 5/1 on the morning line. Tiago Josue Pereira gets the mount for trainer Daniel Dunham, and with an average speed figure of 55, this horse has shown enough in the mornings and in past efforts to suggest a competitive debut or return. In a wide-open maiden claimer like this, having the top rating is meaningful — he's the most logical win choice TrackWiz lands on.

place5Mystic MosesML 10/1

Mystic Moses offers genuine value at 10/1 despite posting the third-highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 61.15 — and his average speed figure of 56 is actually the co-best in the race. Steven Miyadi isn't afraid to win with fresh or lightly-raced horses, and Armando Aguilar knows this track well. If the favorite gets beat, Mystic Moses looks like a prime beneficiary.

show4Delaneys DreamerML 4/1

Delaneys Dreamer draws the #4 hole at 4/1 and presents an interesting profile — an average speed figure of 55 and a TrackWiz rating of 59.99, just a hair below the top two picks. Val Brinkerhoff has shown a steady hand with maiden claimers and Alfredo Bautista is a reliable pilot in these spots. She's a natural trifecta inclusion and could easily outperform her morning-line odds.

Race 5

10:01 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Turf

Two horses clearly separate themselves from the field in this maiden special weight turf sprint, setting up a potential two-horse battle at the top — with a handful of unproven types making the trifecta tricky.

win1SuturaML 8/5

Sutura draws the rail with a TrackWiz rating of 88.03 — the highest in the race — and trainer Jack Sisterson has a strong reputation for placing debut or lightly-raced horses where they can win. The 8/5 morning line reflects strong support, and Hector Isaac Berrios gets a live mount on a horse whose average speed figure of 56 measures up well in this MSW company. In a maiden turf sprint where form is limited, the top rating usually matters.

place9First Or LastML 5/2

First Or Last is the other heavyweight here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — only a whisker behind Sutura — at a morning line of 5/2. Umberto Rispoli takes the mount for Doug O'Neill, and both are capable of waking up a lightly-raced horse on debut or in a return. An average speed figure of 56 matches up directly with the favorite, and this one has the look of a horse that could easily flip the top two around.

show7Novita DomingaML 6/1

Novita Dominga at 6/1 with Joel Rosario up for trainer John Sadler is hard to overlook in the exotics. The TrackWiz rating of 67.89 is a clear third in the field and an average speed figure of 56 puts her in the same conversation on raw ability. Sadler and Rosario are a dangerous pair when pointed at turf maidens, and at 6/1, she offers real value for trifecta tickets.

Race 6

10:33 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Tapalo looks like the class standout on paper in this dirt claiming sprint, but a legitimate second choice and a potential pace setup make this race worth digging into.

win8TapaloML 5/2

Tapalo leads all comers with a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 and draws in at 5/2 on the morning line — solid value for a horse this far clear of the field on paper. Trainer Steve Knapp and jockey Kazushi Kimura have teamed up effectively in recent months, and Tapalo's average speed figure of 56 is tied for best in the race. At 5½ furlongs on the dirt, speed figures and early foot matter, and this horse looks like it has both.

place7Ya'll ComeML 6/1

Ya'll Come at 6/1 is an interesting spot underneath — a TrackWiz rating of 71.62, a 20% career win rate, and an average speed figure of 56 all check the right boxes for a horse that could sit just off the pace and pounce. Trainer Andy Mathis sends him out with Armando Ayuso, and this one could outrun his morning-line number in a field that's relatively thin behind Tapalo. He's a logical exacta wheel underneath the top selection.

show2Doo Wop DonML 5/1

Doo Wop Don brings a 27% career win rate into this field — one of the better marks in the race — and trainer Jeff Mullins typically keeps his horses fit. The TrackWiz rating of 63.95 is third best in this field and Joel Rosario's presence in the irons is always a plus at Santa Anita. He's a natural show play and a fair trifecta inclusion at 5/1.

Race 7

11:05 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A fascinating dynamic plays out here — the morning-line chalk isn't the top-rated horse, and a potential overlay could flip this allowance turf route on its head.

win6GoodiesML 3/1

Goodies enters at 3/1 on the morning line with the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.08, and a 50% career win rate — identical to the favorite — that tells you this horse flat-out knows how to win. Trainer Philip D'Amato is among the best at placing turf horses at Santa Anita and Hector Isaac Berrios has been riding with confidence. The one-mile turf suits a D'Amato runner with a high win percentage, and if this horse fires on the day, 3/1 looks generous.

place2Canto Della TerraML 3/2

Canto Della Terra is the 3/2 morning-line choice and figures to draw plenty of support, backed by a TrackWiz rating of 82.8 and a 50% career win rate. Trainer Philip D'Amato sends out both top picks — always worth noting when a barn has the best two horses in a race. Rispoli is a class rider on the grass and the mile suits this horse's profile, making a solid place or exacta play quite realistic.

show5Raw AbilityML 5/2

Raw Ability at 5/2 with Joel Rosario for trainer John Sadler is a logical third option in this field. The TrackWiz rating of 63.3 and a 28% career win rate paint a picture of a horse that earns checks consistently — exactly what you want from a show play. Rosario and Sadler are a strong one-two punch on turf at Santa Anita, and if either D'Amato runner underperforms, Raw Ability is perfectly positioned to fill out the trifecta.

Race 8

11:37 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A big field of a dozen runners in this allowance optional claimer on the dirt makes for a challenging puzzle — but the TrackWiz ratings find a clear top pair pulling away from the pack.

win9Redheaded RebaML 9/2

Redheaded Reba carries the top TrackWiz rating in this sprawling field at 84.9 and goes postward at 9/2 on the morning line — a price worth embracing for a horse this far clear on the numbers. Trainer Daniel Dunham has Kazushi Kimura aboard, one of the hotter jockeys in Southern California right now. A 16% career win rate in a tough spot like AOC isn't alarming, and the average speed figure of 55 is solid for a 6½-furlong dirt sprint.

place1TiosimageML 5/1

Tiosimage is the most intriguing profile in the race — a 75% career win rate is remarkable, and trainer Blaine Wright gives Kyle Frey a strong shot in the #1 hole. The TrackWiz rating of 79.99 is a clear second-best in the field and an average speed figure of 57 — highest in the race — suggests this horse has real early foot in a sprint. She's a natural exacta play underneath the top pick and could easily turn this around.

show5Christa McAuliffeML 8/1

Christa McAuliffe at 8/1 offers genuine value with a TrackWiz rating of 69.12 — third best in a twelve-horse field — and an average speed figure of 56 that competes with the top choices. Trainer Steven Miyadi sends her out with Emisael Jaramillo, and at 8/1 in a big field, the trifecta upside is real. A horse with this kind of rating getting overlooked at this price is exactly the type of show play TrackWiz loves to include in exotics.

Race 9

12:07 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

This one-mile turf maiden special weight closes out the card with a compelling upset angle — the top TrackWiz pick is a massive overlay against a well-supported morning-line favorite.

win7MooberryML 15/1

Mooberry at 15/1 is the TrackWiz value play of the card — the top rating in this field at 64.43 belongs to a horse going postward at a price most bettors will ignore. Trainer Doug O'Neill regularly wins with turf maidens at Santa Anita, and Emisael Jaramillo is a capable pilot who can navigate a one-mile grass route. The average speed figure of 54 is competitive in this spot, and when the top-rated horse is a double-digit price, that's exactly the overlay TrackWiz was built to find.

place3VendettaML 8/5

Vendetta comes in as the 8/5 morning-line choice for trainer Richard Mandella — arguably the finest turf horseman in California — and that alone earns respect. The TrackWiz rating of 59.0 and an average speed figure of 54 give Kazushi Kimura a workable platform over one mile on the lawn. Mandella doesn't go to the post with turf maidens he doesn't believe in, so this one will be tough to keep off the board.

show4Royal PearlML 5/2

Royal Pearl at 5/2 represents the second Michael McCarthy entry in this field — a barn that has consistently found the winner's circle at Santa Anita. The TrackWiz rating of 57.5 is third best in the race and Juan J. Hernandez is a reliable partner in these spots. As a show play against a potential longshot winner, Royal Pearl provides a solid safety net for trifecta construction.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Bottom line: Unbinding, Joint Venture, and Arrakis are your free best bets to kick off the afternoon. The heat is real, the turf is where the action is, and the value is hiding in a couple of spots that the public might overlook. For Redheaded Reba, Sutura, Goodies, and the rest of the premium card — along with full exotic ticket breakdowns — subscribe to TrackWiz and don't go in blind. Good luck at the windows.

← All Santa Anita picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 9 races free