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Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — October 18, 2026

October 18, 20269 racesAll Santa Anita picks

It's a beautiful Sunday at Santa Anita Park — clear skies, 84°F, and the San Gabriel Mountains doing their thing in the background. Conditions don't get much better than this for a full nine-race card, and the turf courses figure to be running quick on a dry, sun-baked afternoon.

Today's card is a solid mix of maiden events, allowance company, and optional claiming spots that give horseplayers plenty of angles to work with. Three races span a mile or longer, so pace shape and stamina questions are front and center. Meanwhile, the six-furlong sprints dominate the dirt — and with a fast, unbiased track expected, early speed could be a real weapon today.

We've got three free previews to kick things off, plus six premium breakdowns covering the back half of the card where the most interesting betting opportunities are hiding.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden claimer on the turf with zero career wins across the board, but TrackWiz ratings reveal a clear two-horse separation at the top — with a pair of co-favorites carrying very different profiles.

win8Velvet ReignML 2/1

Velvet Reign earns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54 — a meaningful gap above her nearest competition — and she shares the 2/1 morning line with Zuraya despite that edge in our model. Trained by Doug F. O'Neill, who consistently fires maiden turfers first or second off the bench, this filly projects to sit close to the pace over 6 1/2 furlongs with an average speed figure of 54. In a field this inexperienced, the horse with the clearest edge in our composite rating is exactly where you want to anchor your exotics.

place6ZurayaML 2/1

Zuraya sits second on the TrackWiz board at 66.14 — well clear of the rest of the field — and comes in under the capable Michael W. McCarthy barn, which knows how to spot maiden turfers when they're ready. She posts the field's top average speed figure of 55 and draws a clean post at #6 with Umberto Rispoli up. At 2/1 on the morning line, she's not a bargain, but her consistency profile makes her a reliable place contender in a field this green.

show9Storm LadyML 5/1

Storm Lady at 5/1 is a reasonable third wheel here, rating third on the TrackWiz board at 53.33 under Carla Gaines, a trainer who places her horses well at this level. She also clocks an average speed of 54, right in the middle of the field's pack, and Kazushi Kimura — one of Santa Anita's sharper grass riders — is a nice add. In a maiden turf sprint with this much uncertainty, she's a sensible show play or underneath piece in exactas and trifectas.

Race 2

8:29 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

This one-mile dirt allowance optional claimer has a clear class standout, but a sneaky pace scenario could set up for the closers if the favorites get tangled early.

win5Angel BabyML 9/5

Angel Baby is the standout here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 — the highest in the field by a comfortable margin — and going to post as the 9/5 morning-line favorite under Kazushi Kimura for Jeff Mullins. Her average speed of 55 matches several rivals, but the model gap separating her from the field is what stands out. Mullins hits at a solid clip with allowance types, and Kimura has been razor-sharp at Santa Anita this meet.

place2Sweet Gal of MineML 3/1

Sweet Gal of Mine is an interesting place contender who actually leads this field with the top average speed figure of 58 — a number that stands alone. Mike E. Smith in the irons is never a bad sign, and Richard Baltas does well routing on the main track. The 3/1 morning line is fair value for a horse with this kind of raw speed, even if her career win rate of 7% suggests she's been a bridesmaid before.

show3MedjugorjeML 5/2

Medjugorje brings the credibility of the Richard E. Mandella barn into a one-mile dirt route, and a 16% career win rate is solid for this level. Her average speed of 54 is a tick below the top two, which slots her naturally as a show contender — likely to be running on late if the pace is honest. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's not offering huge value, but Mandella rarely enters a horse that isn't pointed for a solid effort.

Race 3

8:59 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

A six-furlong turf sprint where one horse dominates the TrackWiz ratings and the pace looks to set up for a presser — but Queen Bay could make this a real battle in the stretch.

win4My Girl MiaML 9/5

My Girl Mia checks every box our model looks for: a field-best TrackWiz rating of 88.83, a 20% career win rate, and an average speed of 55 that ties the top mark in the field. Doug F. O'Neill sends her out with Emisael Jaramillo up — a sharp pairing at this meet — and the 9/5 morning line reflects the market's confidence. In starter optional claiming company on the turf, this profile is hard to beat.

place3Queen BayML 5/2

Queen Bay rates second in the field at 72.87 and brings a 20% career win rate of her own — matching My Girl Mia on that front. Simon Callaghan is a trainer who knows the Santa Anita turf course inside and out, and an average speed of 55 keeps her in the same conversation as the top horses. At 5/2, she offers genuine place value and could easily reverse the order if My Girl Mia has an off trip.

show1Little MoML 9/2

Little Mo represents a solid third option here — 65.77 on our rating board and a 16% career win rate for the Peter Eurton stable, which is always a name to respect at this venue. She checks in with an average speed of 54 and draws the inside post, which on a turf sprint at Santa Anita can be an asset with clean early position. At 9/2 on the morning line, she's a value-conscious show play and a worthy trifecta piece.

Our three free races set the table nicely. Velvet Reign (Race 1, 2/1 ML) opens the card on the turf at six and a half furlongs — a surface and distance combo that rewards horses who can settle early and kick late, and our TrackWiz rating of 88.54 puts her at the top of a wide-open maiden claiming field. In Race 2, Angel Baby (9/5 ML) steps into a one-mile allowance optional claimer on dirt, and that 88.83 rating is the highest on the free portion of the card — she's our most confident free play of the day. My Girl Mia rounds out the freebies in Race 3, another 9/5 morning line shot going six furlongs on the turf in a starter optional claiming spot.

The common thread across all three? Horses that project well at their respective distances with ratings clustering tightly around 88-89 — a sign of a competitive but readable opening sequence. If you're building a Pick 3 to start the day, these three form a logical foundation.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:29 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The six-furlong dirt allowance optional claimer features a fascinating clash between a morning-line favorite and a TrackWiz model standout — and the pace scenario could favor the horse with the best tactical speed.

win3Mr. MachupicchuML 3/1

Mr. Machupicchu tops the TrackWiz board at 87.08 despite going off at 3/1 — meaning the market isn't fully pricing in what our model sees. He leads the field with a top average speed figure of 57, and trainer Steve R. Knapp has him pointed right for this spot. A 7% career win rate might give some bettors pause, but in allowance company the class profile and speed edge matter more — and this horse has both.

place1SupernalML 7/2

Supernal is a compelling second option at 7/2 with the highest career win rate in the race at 26% — a figure that tells you this horse knows how to finish the job. Ronald W. Ellis has him in at a comfortable spot, and an average speed of 56 keeps him competitive throughout. He rates 73.93 on our board and is likely to be forwardly placed from the inside post, which adds tactical versatility.

show6Got'm Cot'mML EVN

Got'm Cot'm is the morning-line favorite at even money, which makes the show line less attractive from a pure payout standpoint — but the 71.14 TrackWiz rating and 56 average speed confirm she belongs here. Val Brinkerhoff doesn't enter horses that aren't fit, and Tiago Josue Pereira is a capable rider who can save ground from post 6. If you're building trifecta tickets, she's a reasonable bottom.

Race 5

10:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

A deep ten-horse turf sprint at the starter optional claiming level, with a sharp pace scenario developing between two well-rated horses — and one standout closer who could make a big move from off the pace.

win10Known IdeaML 2/1

Known Idea is the top-rated horse in the field at 88.54 and pairs that with a 30% career win rate — one of the stronger records in today's card. George Papaprodromou has this horse primed for a big effort, and Juan J. Hernandez in the irons adds another layer of confidence. The 2/1 morning line is fair, and an average speed of 56 keeps her right in the thick of this pace.

place9Regal PatriotML 3/1

Regal Patriot brings the most impressive career win rate in this field — an eye-catching 45% — and backs it up with the top average speed figure of 58 and a TrackWiz rating of 80.16. Doug F. O'Neill sends him out with Emisael Jaramillo, a pairing that has been clicking at this meet, and the 3/1 price makes him an attractive place play if you think the favorite gets beaten. This is a horse that wins races, and his numbers support a strong showing.

show2Code DuelloML 6/1

Code Duello is worth including in the exotics at 6/1 morning line — a 38% career win rate is the second-highest in the field, and trainer Jesus J. Uranga does well with horses in this spot. Kazushi Kimura takes the mount, adding elite-level tactical awareness, and an average speed of 55 keeps him competitive. The TrackWiz rating of 67.87 slots him comfortably into the third tier of this field.

Race 6

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden special weight sprint on dirt with a wide-open top, but TrackWiz ratings point clearly to one horse carrying a standout profile — while the morning-line favorite rates significantly lower in our model.

win5Genuine GraceML 7/2

Genuine Grace rates 86.35 on the TrackWiz board — the top mark in the field by a significant margin — and goes with Joel Rosario, one of the most accomplished riders in the country. Trainer Anthony K. Saavedra places his maiden special weight types carefully, and an average speed of 54 in debut or early work lines puts her right in the frame. The 7/2 morning line actually understates her model advantage here, making this one of the more interesting value plays on the card.

place2Zuzu's Classic GalML 9/5

Zuzu's Classic Gal is the second-highest rated horse in the field at 72.84 and posts the best average speed in the race at 56 — a combination that makes her a serious contender to land in the exacta. Mark Glatt sends her out with Abel Lezcano, a trainer-jockey pairing with strong mutual chemistry at this level. At 9/5 on the morning line, she's expected to go off as co-favorite, and the speed figure edge is real.

show4AnyaML 10/1

Anya rates 68.84 on our board — third best in the field — and draws interesting attention at 10/1 on the morning line under the Gloria Haley barn. An average speed of 54 puts her in the competitive cluster, and that double-digit price creates real value for exacta and trifecta coverage. In a maiden sprint with this much uncertainty, a horse rated this highly at this price is exactly the kind of show hedge worth including.

Race 7

11:00 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/4 mi · Turf

A mile-and-a-quarter turf allowance optional claimer that shapes up as a pace test — with a clear model standout at even money and a pair of double-digit longshots who could complicate things over this demanding distance.

win7Divisible ByML EVN

Divisible By tops the TrackWiz model with a 90.0 rating — the highest of any horse on today's card — and pairs that with a 28% career win rate and even-money morning-line odds. Joel Rosario, one of the premier turf riders in the game, takes the mount for the Neil D. Drysdale barn, which is as respected a grass operation as you'll find at Santa Anita. Over 1 1/4 miles, a horse with this kind of class profile and a patient rider like Rosario figures to be very dangerous.

place5RostovskyML 10/1

Rostovsky is a genuinely interesting play at 10/1 morning line — rated 75.89 by TrackWiz, which slots him as the second-best horse in the race by our model. The Mark Glatt barn is very strong with turf routers, and Juan J. Hernandez understands the nuances of this course. A 7% career win rate might look light, but the model says he's been doing things right — this could be a breakout spot.

show2Sand BaggerML 6/1

Sand Bagger checks in at 74.80 on our ratings — just a hair behind Rostovsky — and posts a 15% career win rate that reflects consistent competitiveness. Tyler Baze knows the Santa Anita turf layout well, and trainer Sean McCarthy places horses astutely at this level. At 6/1, he offers solid show and exacta value as a stalker type who could benefit if the even-money favorite gets shuffled back in the early going.

Race 8

11:30 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The six-furlong dirt allowance optional claimer has the look of a two-horse race at the top, with a massive career win rate standing out for the top pick — but don't sleep on a live closer lurking at a double-digit price.

win5Danzing FlyerML 5/2

Danzing Flyer brings the most dominant career win rate on today's entire card — a jaw-dropping 57% — and backs it up with a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 and an average speed of 55. Trainer Sean Williams has this filly rolling, and Juan J. Hernandez is an excellent fit for a horse that likely likes to sit just off the pace. At 5/2 on the morning line, there's still some value here relative to what the numbers say.

place7Scary Fast RideML 3/2

Scary Fast Ride rates 81.77 on our board and carries a 21% career win rate — a solid record for allowance company — and goes as the morning-line favorite at 3/2 under Tyler Baze. Andy Mathis does well with horses in this spot, and an average speed of 55 keeps her right alongside the top pick in the pace picture. If Danzing Flyer has any trouble early, this horse is the one most likely to capitalize.

show1Hurricane LaylaML 6/1

Hurricane Layla at 6/1 merits a look as a show play and underneath exotic piece — a 70.39 TrackWiz rating and 20% career win rate are respectable, and she's in the right barn with Antonio C. Garcia. Ricardo Gonzalez gets the call from post 1, which sets up for ideal positioning in a six-furlong sprint where early position often matters. She's not going to outrun the top two on pure ratings, but she's a legitimate third option at a price worth including.

Race 9

12:00 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

The finale is a full-field maiden special weight on the turf at a mile — twelve horses, all winless, with the morning-line favorite carrying low odds despite not topping our ratings model, which opens the door for value plays.

win11Thirsty EternaML 10/1

Thirsty Eterna tops the TrackWiz board at 61.15 despite being listed at 10/1 on the morning line — one of the bigger model-versus-market discrepancies on today's card. Rolando Quinonez keeps this filly sharp, and Armando Aguilar is a capable hand on the grass. An average speed of 55 ranks among the best in this field, and in a wide-open maiden turf route, the horse our model likes at a double-digit price is exactly where you want to focus your attention.

place2Nyce ShotML 6/5

Nyce Shot is the 6/5 morning-line favorite and rates 59.67 on our board — competitive, but notably lower than the win pick in our model. Michael W. McCarthy and Umberto Rispoli is a formidable barn-and-rider combination, and they know how to spot a turf maiden when she's ready. She's a reasonable place play given the connections, even if the short price limits her upside in the win pool.

show7Miss Mo BrownML 5/2

Miss Mo Brown at 5/2 provides a sensible third option — rated 57.50 by TrackWiz with an average speed of 55 that matches several of the top contenders. Andy Mathis places horses thoughtfully, and Hector Isaac Berrios has been solid on the turf this meet. In a twelve-horse maiden field on grass, depth in your trifecta coverage is essential, and this filly's profile makes her a logical place to anchor the third spot.

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Bottom line: Angel Baby is our top free play of the day, Divisible By is the marquee premium selection at the top of our ratings, and the turf is likely to be the place to be on a warm, dry Sunday at Santa Anita. Three free previews are live right now — and if you want the full nine-race breakdown with pace projections and exotic strategies, the complete card analysis is available to TrackWiz subscribers at /pricing. Good luck out there, and let's cash some tickets.

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