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Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — October 9, 2026

October 9, 20269 racesAll Santa Anita picks

It's a gorgeous Friday afternoon at Santa Anita Park — clear skies, 88°F, and the kind of Southern California sunshine that draws a crowd and keeps the turf course playing fast. Nine races are on the board today, and the card leans heavily green: five of nine races are contested on the grass, which means surface form and turf pedigree are going to do a lot of heavy lifting in your handicapping.

The dirt races offer their own intrigue, mixing short sprint action at six furlongs with a pair of longer dirt routes. Whether you're building a Pick 4 ticket or just looking for a couple of solid single-race plays, there's plenty to dig into. TrackWiz has you covered on all nine — three races are fully open to everyone, and the remaining six are available to subscribers.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

A heavy favorite looms large on the turf at 1 1/8 miles, but two live bombs lurk underneath — the question is whether the chalk is as bulletproof as the morning line suggests.

win3Sogno Di VinoML 4/5

Sogno Di Vino is the clear top selection here, carrying a TrackWiz rating of 90 — the highest in the field by a comfortable margin. Joel Rosario climbs aboard, a jockey who knows how to navigate turf routes and get the most out of horses at a distance like 1 1/8 miles. Trainer Peter Miller has a strong history with grass runners, and Sogno Di Vino's average speed figure of 55 leads the field. At 4/5, the value isn't there for straight win play, but this is your anchor in any exotic tickets.

place1Raging InfernoML 6/1

Raging Inferno at 6/1 is the most interesting underneath play in this field. With a TrackWiz rating of 80.01 — a massive 27-point gap over the third-ranked horse — Raging Inferno profiles as a clear second-best on paper. Kazushi Kimura is a sharp rider who can position this horse to run a big race even if the favorite wires the field, and a 16% career win rate shows this horse knows how to compete.

show5Love the PressureML 2/1

Love the Pressure (No. 5) is a logical show play, slotting in at a TrackWiz rating of 69.19 and a morning line of 2/1 under Juan J. Hernandez. Trainer Michael W. McCarthy is a proven handler at Santa Anita, and this horse's average speed of 54 keeps it competitive with the pace dynamics of this field. Use it in the third spot of trifectas as a reliable finisher.

Race 2

8:29 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A short-priced standout dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this 6-furlong Starter Optional Claiming sprint on dirt, but a pair of live prices give the exotic players plenty to work with underneath.

win2Practical JackML 3/5

Practical Jack is the overwhelming top selection, posting a TrackWiz rating of 90 — the best mark in the field — and figures to be heavily backed down from the 3/5 morning line. Trainer Val Brinkerhoff sends this horse in with a 25% career win rate, and Tiago Josue Pereira takes the mount on a horse that matches the field's best average speed figure of 56. In a 6-furlong sprint on dirt, early position matters, and this horse profiles as the class of the field.

place5Here's Some MoreML 10/1

Here's Some More is a genuine value underneath play at 10/1 on the morning line. The TrackWiz rating of 67.03 makes this horse the third-best ranked in the field, and Kazushi Kimura — who has been firing at Santa Anita — takes the mount for Michael W. McCarthy. A 16% career win rate is respectable in this company, and at double-digit odds, this is a horse that could pay handsomely in exactas if it runs up to its figure.

show1Carolina LegacyML 3/1

Carolina Legacy brings the most impressive career win percentage in the field at a remarkable 50%, which tells you this horse runs hard when it's right. Trainer Mark Glatt is consistently one of the sharper conditioners at Santa Anita, and Ricardo Gonzalez gives this horse a capable pilot. At 3/1, it's worth tucking into your trifecta as the show finisher.

Race 3

8:59 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

A maiden turf route goes to post with a clear top contender, but Philip D'Amato has TWO horses in the race and the second-stringer could be the one to beat — it's a stable management puzzle worth solving.

win4Silkie SeveiML 9/5

Silkie Sevei tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.83 in a field where everyone is still looking for that first career win. The 9/5 morning line reflects sharp confidence, and Juan J. Hernandez is a proven performer on the Santa Anita turf. Trained by Philip D'Amato — one of the best turf conditioners in Southern California — Silkie Sevei posts an average speed figure of 55, tied for the best in the field, and projects as the most likely winner in this maiden event.

place6CavesML 5/2

Caves is the other D'Amato runner, and at 5/2 morning line, the barn clearly has two live shots here. Julien R. Leparoux, one of the most accomplished turf jockeys in the country, gets the call on Caves, which carries a TrackWiz rating of 74.56 — second best in the race. Same average speed figure as the top pick (55), meaning if the stable is splitting its best pair, this one could easily reverse the form.

show7Jet Black JewelML 6/1

Jet Black Jewel at 6/1 is the third-best TrackWiz-rated horse in this field at 69.35 and posts a solid average speed figure of 55. Trainer Robert B. Hess, Jr. is a savvy conditioner, and Armando Ayuso gives this horse every chance to run an honest race. In a maiden field where the top horses haven't broken through yet, Jet Black Jewel is a smart exotics inclusion for the third slot.

Our three free races span both surfaces and give you a real taste of what today's card has to offer. On the turf, Sogno Di Vino opens the card as a heavy morning-line favorite at 4/5 in the Race 1 claiming route at 1 1/8 miles — the TrackWiz rating of 90 backs up that short price. Race 3 brings another turf route at the same distance, where maiden claimer Silkie Sevei catches our eye at a more digestible 9/5 morning line. Between them, the Race 2 dirt sprint at six furlongs features Practical Jack, another 90-rated play who comes in as a heavy chalk at 3/5 in the Starter Optional Claiming ranks.

With two of the three free picks rated at 90 and the firm turf likely to favor closers on the grass, keep pace scenario in mind — a fast early fraction on a quick course can set up a big late run. Lean into form, not just price.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:30 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The morning-line favorite doesn't match the TrackWiz top rating in this 6.5-furlong allowance optional claimer on dirt — that's a classic vulnerable chalk situation, and Convo is the horse the sharp money should be on.

win4ConvoML 4/1

Convo carries the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 85.62 and goes postward at a generous 4/1 morning line, which represents real value in an allowance field. Joel Rosario — one of the premier jockeys in the country — takes the mount for John W. Sadler, a trainer with a tremendous record in this condition. A 33% career win rate is elite, and an average speed figure of 55 keeps Convo right at the top of the speed pack. This is our top win bet of the race.

place1Clubhouse CutieML 9/2

Clubhouse Cutie posted a 27% career win rate, which holds up well in allowance company, and Tyler Baze knows this track as well as anyone. Trainer Ian Kruljac sends this horse out with a TrackWiz rating of 61.81, good for second in our model, and the 9/2 morning line offers some place value if the chalk runs below expectations. This horse's consistency makes it a safe underneath play.

show5HimariML 6/5

Himari is the 6/5 morning-line favorite, but our rating of 59.67 — ranking only fifth in the field — flags this as a potentially overbet horse. That said, a 50% career win rate is hard to ignore, and Bob Baffert horses at short prices rarely go begging. Juan J. Hernandez handles the riding duties. Use Himari in the show slot of your trifecta while leaning against it in exactas.

Race 5

10:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

The morning-line favorite gets outrated by two horses in this turf mile claimer, setting up a race where the public money and the TrackWiz analysis are pointing in different directions — a potential overlay situation.

win2Cameron SloughML 5/1

Cameron Slough checks in at a TrackWiz rating of 84.17, tops in this field, yet goes off at 5/1 on the morning line — that's the kind of overlay that gets our attention. Abel Lezcano is a capable jockey who can settle a turf horse and make a sustained run, and trainer Blaine D. Wright sends this horse in with a 15% career win rate. An average speed figure of 55 matches the class of this field and makes Cameron Slough the clear TrackWiz top selection.

place3Corporal VioletteML 5/2

Corporal Violette is listed at 5/2 morning line and rates second in the TrackWiz model at 81.06 — nearly as strong as the top pick. Kazushi Kimura pilots this one for trainer Mark Rheinford, and a 15% career win rate mirrors the top selection almost perfectly. The close rating gap between the top two horses suggests this shapes up as a true 1-2 finish, making Corporal Violette a solid play to land second.

show4Catalina CocktailML 8/1

Catalina Cocktail is a logical show selection at 8/1, offering real value in the exotics for trainer John W. Sadler — one of the best in the business at placing horses correctly. A 22% career win rate shows this horse competes, and a TrackWiz rating of 73.04 makes it the third-ranked horse in the field. The 8/1 morning line means the show payoff could be worth chasing in trifectas and superfectas.

Race 6

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A wide-open maiden dirt mile features a clear TrackWiz top choice but an intriguing second tier that could scramble the exacta — maiden races are inherently unpredictable, and this one has multiple logical outcomes.

win2Lucky SniperML 7/5

Lucky Sniper is the TrackWiz top selection in this maiden field with a rating of 83.37, well clear of the rest of the group. Kyle Frey takes the mount for trainer Dan Blacker, and at 7/5 morning line, the public agrees this is the horse to beat. An average speed figure of 54 is solid, and in a maiden field where nearly everyone is searching for career win number one, having the best figures and the best rating is a strong starting point.

place6HalninethousandML 7/2

Halninethousand rates second in the TrackWiz model at 72.92 and goes off at a juicy 7/2 morning line for trainer Ryan Hanson. Adrian Escobedo takes the mount on a horse that profiles as a natural underneath runner — the TrackWiz rating suggests real talent even if the win hasn't come yet. In a maiden race where form is hard to predict, a double-digit place price on a well-rated horse is exactly the kind of value play we're looking for.

show9Desert HawkML 6/1

Desert Hawk at 6/1 rounds out the TrackWiz top three with a rating of 69.28 for trainer Jose Hernandez, Jr. Armando Ayuso is an active rider who has been getting horses home at Santa Anita, and the 6/1 price makes Desert Hawk a compelling show bet and trifecta inclusion. The horse's average speed of 53 is slightly below the top two, but in maiden company, the right trip can make up for a lot.

Race 7

11:00 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A full field of twelve goes 1 mile on the turf in this allowance optional claimer — the top TrackWiz rating and the morning-line favorite don't match, creating a layering opportunity across multiple tiers of the exotics.

win7Pavel Is AppealingML 5/1

Pavel Is Appealing is our TrackWiz top selection at a rating of 84.17 and a morning line of 5/1 — that's a horse outrated above the public's favorite and priced at fair value. Emisael Jaramillo is the pilot for trainer Doug F. O'Neill, a barn that knows how to win at this level. A 25% career win rate and an average speed figure of 56 both rank among the best in this twelve-horse field, and the 5/1 price makes this a genuine best-bet candidate.

place6Tiger of the SeaML 8/5

Tiger of the Sea is the 8/5 morning-line chalk and carries a TrackWiz rating of 81.6 with the field's best average speed figure of 57. Joel Rosario is aboard for trainer Brian J. Koriner, and a 16% career win rate in a tough allowance field shows this horse is competitive. Our model likes it slightly behind Pavel Is Appealing, but the speed figure edge is real — this horse could easily land on top if the pace scenario sets up right.

show4GojeML 9/2

Goje at 9/2 brings a TrackWiz rating of 75.4 and a 14% career win rate for trainer George Papaprodromou. Juan J. Hernandez takes the mount on a horse that averages a speed figure of 55, consistent with the class of this field. In a twelve-horse turf field where trips can make or break a race, Goje's rating gives it a solid shot to hit the board even if the top two run to their figures.

Race 8

11:30 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Nobody in this 6.5-furlong maiden optional claimer on dirt has broken their maiden yet, and the spread in TrackWiz ratings is moderate — the morning-line favorite doesn't top our model, making this a prime upset-alert race.

win6Boss Man BoltML 5/1

Boss Man Bolt tops our TrackWiz ratings at 65.42 despite going off at 5/1 on the morning line, while the public's favorite sits lower in our model — that's a key divergence. Armando Ayuso handles the riding duties for trainer Mick Ruis, Sr., and an average speed figure of 54 is competitive in this field. In maiden races, having the top TrackWiz rating combined with a fair price is about as good a case as you can make — Boss Man Bolt is our top win selection.

place1FractiousML 2/1

Fractious is the 2/1 morning-line favorite and rates second in our model at 58.33, so there's legitimate talent here even if we like another horse better on top. Joel Rosario is as good a jockey as you'll find in Southern California, and trainer Doug F. O'Neill knows how to spot soft spots for maiden breakers. A speed figure of 54 keeps Fractious right in the mix, and a place bet here is a reasonable hedge.

show8Magic WaveML 4/1

Magic Wave at 4/1 rates third in the TrackWiz model at 55.00, with the field's best average speed figure of 55 — a subtle but meaningful edge. Trainer Hector O. Palma puts Tiago Josue Pereira up on a horse that has the raw numbers to hit the board in a field where maiden form is unpredictable. The 4/1 morning line means the show payoff should still be worth collecting, and this rounds out your trifecta nicely.

Race 9

12:00 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A ten-horse turf mile starter optional claimer closes out the card with a classic top-heavy scenario — the TrackWiz model identifies a clear top three separated from the rest, but the morning-line favorite is NOT the highest-rated horse.

win4FrogML 9/2

Frog tops the TrackWiz ratings at 84.90 and goes off at 9/2 morning line — excellent value for a horse that our model identifies as the best in the field. Juan J. Hernandez takes the mount for Michael W. McCarthy, a trainer who has been placing horses perfectly all meet, and a standout average speed figure of 57 is the best in this field by a margin. A 16% career win rate is solid for this level, and the price makes this our best-bet candidate to close the card.

place2Cat The ConfidanteML 6/5

Cat The Confidante is the 6/5 morning-line favorite and rates second in our model at 79.23, which suggests the public has the right idea even if slightly ordering things differently than TrackWiz. Joel Rosario rides for John W. Sadler — a combination that wins at a high rate on the Santa Anita turf — and a 16% career win rate is consistent. This is a horse you need on your tickets even at a short price; it's the likely foil to our top pick.

show10JasmineML 5/2

Jasmine rounds out our top three at a TrackWiz rating of 67.92 and a 5/2 morning line for trainer Peter Eurton, a conditioner with a strong grass record in Southern California. Armando Ayuso gets the call on a horse that averages a speed figure of 55 and has won 14% of its career starts — respectable for this company. At 5/2, the show payoff may be modest, but Jasmine belongs in your trifecta as a reliable third option.

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Santa Anita is putting on a strong Friday show — firm turf, hot temps, and a card that rewards sharp handicapping over gut-feel wagering. Sogno Di Vino and Practical Jack headline the free plays as high-confidence top picks, while Silkie Sevei offers a touch more value in the maiden turf route. For the full nine-race breakdown — pace angles, exotic ticket construction, and our longshot flags — subscribe to TrackWiz Premium and get everything you need before the first post.

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