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Santa Anita Picks & Predictions — October 31, 2026

October 31, 202610 racesAll Santa Anita picks

This card ran on October 31, 2026.

Best bets at Santa Anita, October 31, 2026

Race 16Ima Track StarML 6/13:30 PM EDT

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Happy Halloween from Santa Anita, where the ghouls and goblins have nothing on a 10-race card that's got plenty of tricks — and a few treats — baked in. Cloudy skies and a comfortable 66°F have settled over the San Gabriel Mountains, conditions that should keep the dirt playing fairly and the turf course in solid shape throughout the afternoon.

Today's card is a nice blend of raw talent and class, spanning six furlongs to a mile and an eighth, across both dirt and turf. We've got three stakes races anchoring the card, a pair of maiden specials, and a handful of claiming and allowance spots where sharp angles can pay big dividends. In short, there's something for every kind of player today.

TrackWiz has broken down all 10 races, and we're giving you three best bets free — headlined by that heavy chalk in Race 3 — with the full seven-race premium card waiting for subscribers who want the complete picture.

Best Bets

Race 1

3:30 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A starter optional claimer going six furlongs on the dirt, and the TrackWiz ratings tell a clear story — one horse grades out significantly above the field while the chalk is overbet at 2/1.

win6Ima Track StarML 6/1

Ima Track Star is our top-rated horse in this field with an 82.71 TrackWiz score, and that 60% career win rate is the kind of number that makes you sit up straight. Trainer Steve Knapp sends this one out at 6/1 on the morning line — that's a generous number for a horse with those credentials. Ricardo Gonzalez gets the call, and with an average speed figure of 56 matching the top cluster in this field, the raw ability is clearly here. At six furlongs on the dirt, this should be a pace-friendly setup for a horse with this kind of win percentage.

place2See Through ItML 2/1

See Through It is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and backs it up with a 76.93 rating and a 31% career win rate, which is legitimately strong. Trainer Genaro Vallejo has this one sharp, and Hector Isaac Berrios is a capable pilot who won't let the horse get into trouble early. The concern is whether the 2/1 price offers much value when Ima Track Star grades out seven points higher — but as a place horse, See Through It is a reliable underneath piece.

show4B GraysonML 8/1

B Grayson checks in at a respectable 68.18 rating for trainer Steve Knapp — interestingly, Knapp also trains our win pick, so the barn clearly has firepower in this race. The 25% career win rate is solid for this level, and at 8/1 on the morning line, there's genuine value if you're constructing exactas or trifectas. An average speed figure of 56 ties with the top group in the field, so the ability to compete is there.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

4:01 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden special weight mile on the turf with an all-first-out or lightly-raced field — the kind of race where trainer pedigree and workouts do heavy lifting since race records are thin.

win3Royal PearlML 2/1

Royal Pearl gets our top nod here with a 73.31 rating — the highest in the field — coming out of the Michael W. McCarthy barn, which is one of the more reliable outfits for turf maidens on the Southern California circuit. At 2/1 on the morning line, the public agrees with us, but the rating gap between Royal Pearl and the rest of the field is real enough to justify the price. Emmanuel Esquivel has the mount, and with a one-mile turf trip, tactical positioning will matter; Esquivel is capable of rating a horse off a pace and pouncing late.

place6D'yquemML 7/5

D'yquem is the morning-line favorite at 7/5 and sports a 59.33 TrackWiz rating, though Royal Pearl grades out nearly 14 points higher, which is why we have D'yquem slotted underneath. That said, the McCarthy-trained Royal Pearl and D'yquem being in the same barn is NOT the case here — D'yquem runs for McCarthy while Royal Pearl also runs for McCarthy, meaning the trainer may be splitting attention. Jamie P. Spencer aboard D'yquem is an accomplished jockey, and a one-mile turf route suits a closer's profile. The 7/5 price makes D'yquem tough to play on top, but place money seems reasonable.

show5RosauraML 7/2

Rosaura exits the John W. Sadler barn at 7/2, and Sadler is perennially one of the top trainers for turf routes at Santa Anita. A 55.83 rating slots her third in our rankings, and with Armando Ayuso aboard, she has a steady hand in the irons. In a wide-open maiden field where first-out horses are always a wildcard, getting Rosaura underneath at 7/2 in the exotics is a play worth making.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

The three free previews today cover some of the most compelling spots on the card. Race 1's Ima Track Star jumps out as a genuine value angle at 6/1 morning line in the Starter Optional Claiming sprint — that kind of price on a horse with our rating of 82.71 is exactly where TrackWiz analysis earns its keep. Race 2 sends a maiden field a mile on the turf, where Royal Pearl draws attention as the 2/1 morning-line choice, though maiden turf routes are notoriously tricky reads. And then there's Race 3, the first stakes showdown of the day — Early Encore sits at a big 2/5 on the morning line, and with a TrackWiz rating of 90, our numbers back up the crowd's enthusiasm in full.

One thread connecting the free races: the dirt seems to be playing honest today given the mild, overcast conditions, which should reward horses with genuine early foot. Keep that pace scenario in mind as you handicap the 6-furlong openers.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

4:33 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

A stakes race on the dirt at seven furlongs with a massive favorite drawing most of the attention — the real handicapping question is who's most likely to pick up the pieces behind a monster morning line.

win1Early EncoreML 2/5

Early Encore is listed at 2/5 on the morning line for a reason — a 90 TrackWiz rating leads this field by a country mile, and a 66% career win rate in a stakes field is the kind of stat that makes a short price feel justified. John W. Sadler conditions the horse, and Armando Ayuso gets the call — both are routinely among the best at this level in Southern California. At seven furlongs on the dirt, a horse with this speed profile and class advantage should be on the lead or right off it, making pace a non-issue. The only real question is whether the 2/5 odds leave any value for straight win wagering.

place5Golden ClubML 5/1

Golden Club is the most logical horse to fill the exacta underneath Early Encore — a 72.09 rating is a full 20 points clear of the rest of the supporting cast, and a 33% career win rate is genuine stakes-level competence. Hector Isaac Berrios pilots for trainer Craig Anthony Lewis, and an average speed figure of 56 gives Golden Club real ammunition on the front end. At 5/1 on the morning line, this one offers decent value for second money.

show7Cupid CowboyML 20/1

Cupid Cowboy at 20/1 is our longshot show option, and the 51.86 rating actually puts this one in the conversation for third money in a race where the chalk is heavily bet. Trainer Edwin G. Alvarez sends this one out at a massive price, and for trifecta players looking to save underneath the 2/5 favorite, Cupid Cowboy represents affordable firepower in the bottom slot. The 16% career win rate is modest, but at 20/1, you're not buying a certainty — you're buying a live ticket at a big number.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 4

5:15 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

This maiden claimer on the turf mile features an unusually clear standout on the TrackWiz ratings — but in a ten-horse field of maidens, upsets are always lurking.

win5Dr. FilkinsML 7/5

Dr. Filkins enters as the morning-line favorite at 7/5 and backs it up with an 89.42 TrackWiz rating — the best in this field by more than 22 points. Trainer Sean McCarthy has this one positioned at the top of the class in what is essentially a maiden claiming field, and Armando Ayuso is one of the more reliable riders at the meet. At one mile on the turf, stamina and trip will matter; a horse rating this high suggests the talent to handle both. The price is short, but when a horse grades out this far ahead of the competition, the chalky play is often the right one.

place7Chaotic NeutralML 5/1

Chaotic Neutral comes in at 5/1 with a 67.02 rating — second best in the field — and trainer Mike Puype has this one primed with an average speed figure of 55 that compares favorably with the better horses here. Welfin R. Orantes gets the call, and in a turf mile where pace can be contested, a horse with this kind of rating should be in the hunt late. At 5/1, the place money on Chaotic Neutral makes solid sense in exactas behind Dr. Filkins.

show9Low Key CoolML 7/2

Low Key Cool is an interesting show play — Philip D'Amato is one of the elite turf trainers in Southern California, and Jamie P. Spencer is an accomplished turf rider with strong European credentials. The 55.83 rating slots Low Key Cool third in our rankings, and at 7/2 on the morning line, there's some public support here too. Worth noting that no average speed figure is listed for this horse, which adds a layer of uncertainty — but the D'Amato-Spencer combination on a turf maiden is a combo that demands respect.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 5

5:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A full field of twelve goes six furlongs on the dirt in a claiming race that features a tight battle at the top between two horses rating in the mid-to-upper 80s — pace figures to be hotly contested.

win10Dirty WordsML 2/1

Dirty Words tops our TrackWiz ratings at 88.54 and draws the 10-hole in a crowded field going six furlongs. Kyle Frey has the mount for trainer Ruby Thomas, and a 26% career win rate gives this horse a legitimate win profile at this level. An average speed of 56 ties with several others at the top of the field, but the overall rating advantage is real. At 2/1 on the morning line, you're not getting a steal, but you are getting the best horse.

place4Midnite MusketML 4/1

Midnite Musket is our place selection at 4/1 with an 84.79 rating — only 3.75 points behind Dirty Words and very much in contention here. Edwin A. Maldonado rides for Jorge Periban, and a 23% career win rate in claiming company reflects a consistent, competitive runner. The average speed of 56 matches the top group, and in a twelve-horse field where traffic can be an issue going six furlongs, having Midnite Musket underneath in the exacta is strong insurance.

show2Doo Wop DonML 4/1

Doo Wop Don at 4/1 checks in with a 68.27 rating and a 29% career win rate — the highest win percentage among our top three picks. Jeff Mullins conditions this one, and Armando Aguilar has been a steady presence at the meet. With an average speed of 55, Doo Wop Don is a tick off the pace of the top horses, but in a large field going six furlongs, closers can find lanes and the 29% win rate suggests this horse knows how to finish. Solid show anchor.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 6

6:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A ten-horse maiden claimer on the turf mile where the ratings sharply divide the field — one horse sits well above everyone else, but at 2/1, the price is fair rather than inviting.

win10Doing TimeML 2/1

Doing Time draws the 10-hole and tops this field with an 88.54 rating — same elite number as Dirty Words in Race 5, but here the gap over the second-best horse (Milken Cookies at 57.5) is enormous. Trainer Felix Rondan has this one primed at 2/1 on the morning line, and Abel Lezcano gets the call — a jockey perfectly capable of navigating from an outside post on a turf course. In a maiden claimer, this kind of rating separation is as close to a lock as this sport offers, which still means it doesn't always happen. Trust the data here.

place5Milken CookiesML 5/2

Milken Cookies is our place pick at 5/2 — a 57.5 rating is second-best in this field, and trainer Philip D'Amato with jockey Jamie P. Spencer is one of the more potent turf pairings on the Southern California circuit. Spencer's European experience gives him a particular edge on grass, and D'Amato regularly gets maidens competitive right out of the gate on the turf. This pairing at 5/2 is arguably worth a win play of its own if you're looking for an upset angle.

show7Papa SantosML 8/1

Papa Santos at 8/1 brings a 54.83 rating — third-best in the field — and trainer Daniel Dunham sends this one out with Tyler Baze in the irons. An average speed of 55 is the best in this field outside of the top two selections, and at 8/1, the trifecta value is genuinely appealing. In a turf maiden claimer where the leader can get caught up in traffic from the outside post, Papa Santos lurking at 8/1 in the third spot of a trifecta is a worthwhile inclusion.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 7

7:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

An eleven-horse maiden special weight dash at 5.5 furlongs on the dirt — most of the field appears to be first-out, with speed figures scarce and ratings tightly bunched, making this one of the tougher calls on the card.

win3Swift AppealML 5/2

Swift Appeal gets our win nod at 5/2 with a 57.5 TrackWiz rating — the best in the field — and is one of the few horses in here showing an actual average speed figure of 56. Trainer Peter Miller is one of the best at developing young horses, particularly sprinters, and Armando Aguilar is a capable hand going five and a half furlongs. In a maiden field where most horses have no speed data at all, Swift Appeal's measurable performance edge is significant.

place10Calvin GrahamML 5/1

Calvin Graham comes in at 5/1 with a 53.33 rating for trainer Steven Miyadi, and Manuel Americano pilots from the 10-hole. With no average speed figure on record, there's genuine mystery here, but the Miyadi barn has shown an ability to get first-out runners ready, and the 5/1 price offers real value if this one has been working well behind the scenes. In a race where most horses are guesses, Calvin Graham is a well-priced guess.

show1Freddie BlassieML 6/1

Freddie Blassie at 6/1 rounds out our tickets with a 51.67 rating — tied with M C Dreams at the bottom of our picks group, but Ryan Hanson's horse draws the rail and in a five-and-a-half furlong sprint, post position one can be an advantage when the gate opens. Welfin R. Orantes gets the call, and with no speed figure on record, there's uncertainty — but the rail post in a sprint and the 6/1 price make Freddie Blassie a reasonable show anchor in trifecta tickets.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

Race 8

7:30 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Turf

A turf stakes mile with an eleven-horse field that sets up as a genuine puzzle — the horse with the highest rating isn't even the favorite, and a longshot with a 42% win rate lurks at 15/1.

win5Bojaca BlessingML 5/1

Bojaca Blessing tops our TrackWiz ratings at 79.45 and goes postward at 5/1 for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo with Hector Isaac Berrios up. A 23% career win rate in stakes company is respectable, and the rating gap over the morning-line favorite Ambaya (51.88) is substantial. An average speed of 54 is consistent with the field's majority, and in a one-mile turf stakes, tactical positioning and a pace setup that suits a router will be key. At 5/1, this is our best value play among the top contenders.

place9Mo' Em DownML 15/1

Mo' Em Down is a legitimate standout at 15/1 on the morning line — a 69.58 rating is third-best in the field, and that 42% career win rate is the second highest among all horses in this race. Peter Miller trains, Armando Aguilar rides, and an average speed of 58 is the highest in the entire field. The 15/1 morning line price feels like a gift given those numbers, which makes Mo' Em Down an excellent value underneath in exactas and potentially worth a small win play.

show3May Day ReadyML 5/1

May Day Ready at 5/1 brings a 67.01 rating and a 35% career win rate for the Richard E. Mandella barn — one of the most respected names in Southern California racing. Drayden Van Dyke gets the call, and Van Dyke has been among the leading riders at Santa Anita. An average speed of 55 is right in the mix with the top horses, and the Mandella connection in a stakes race is always worth a look. Solid show anchor and a legitimate trifecta consideration.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

Race 9

8:00 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

A twelve-horse dirt stakes at seven furlongs that features a wide-open top of the ratings, with multiple horses bunched between 54 and 60 points and several at huge odds showing 100% career win rates — a tricky betting puzzle on Halloween night.

win7Free CloserML 7/2

Free Closer leads our TrackWiz ratings at 60.06 and draws post 7 at 7/2 for trainer Michael W. McCarthy with Hector Isaac Berrios aboard. A 40% career win rate is among the better figures in this field, and McCarthy is a trainer who consistently delivers at stakes level on the Southern California circuit. At seven furlongs on the dirt, a horse with 'closer' in its name and a 40% win rate suggests this one knows how to finish — and the pace in a twelve-horse field should set things up for a late run.

place8Ember RoyaleML 6/5

Ember Royale is the morning-line favorite at 6/5 and comes in with a perfect 100% career win rate — if you're unbeaten and listed as the chalk, there's clearly a reason. The 59.67 TrackWiz rating is just a tick below Free Closer, and an average speed of 57 is the best in this field. Armando Aguilar has the call for trainer Jeff Bonde. The 6/5 price is tough to justify on top in a twelve-horse field, but Ember Royale underneath in exactas and trifectas is essentially mandatory.

show5ManeeML 10/1

Manee at 10/1 is our show selection — a 56.42 rating, a 50% career win rate, and an average speed of 55 for trainer Gary Stute. Tyler Baze rides, and Baze is a savvy veteran who knows how to get horses into position from mid-pack in sprint-to-two-turn dirt races. In a race where the top two are closely matched and 10/1 looks generous for a 50% winner, Manee is a solid third-spot inclusion in trifectas at an attractive price.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 10

8:30 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

Closing out the card with an allowance optional claimer going a mile and an eighth on the turf — a route race with a clear top two on the TrackWiz scale and a legitimate third option hiding at 6/1.

win5Prince DolceML 4/1

Prince Dolce leads our ratings at 85.62 and goes at 4/1 on the morning line for trainer Steve Knapp with Ricardo Gonzalez up. A 23% career win rate at the allowance level is consistent, and an average speed of 55 is right at the top of this field. At a mile and an eighth on the turf, Knapp's horse will need to demonstrate route stamina, but the rating edge over every horse in the field except Magnify (83.15) is real and meaningful. The 4/1 price represents fair value for the top-rated horse.

place1MagnifyML 3/1

Magnify is our place pick at 3/1 — an 83.15 rating for Tim Yakteen with Victor Espinoza, and while the 11% career win rate looks modest, some horses are consistent money earners without winning every time out. Espinoza is one of the most experienced hands on the circuit, especially in turf routes, and Yakteen has been a steady presence in the allowance ranks. At 3/1, Magnify is actually the shorter price compared to our win pick Prince Dolce, which makes the exacta combining these two a logical play in both directions.

show7Sir RocketML 6/1

Sir Rocket at 6/1 brings a 69.77 rating — third-best in the field — for the legendary Neil D. Drysdale barn, with Armando Ayuso aboard. An average speed of 57 is the best in this entire field, which suggests Sir Rocket is capable of posting fast fractions when everything clicks. A 18% career win rate is modest, but in a turf route where pace can get complicated, a horse with elite raw speed numbers lurking at 6/1 is exactly the kind of show anchor that pays nicely in trifectas.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

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Bottom line on Halloween at Santa Anita: Early Encore is the horse to beat in the day's first stakes, Ima Track Star offers genuine value in the opener, and the turf-heavy back half of the card is loaded with opportunity for players willing to dig in. Our top free plays give you a strong foundation, and the premium full-card breakdown takes it the rest of the way. Good luck out there — and watch your step in those starting gates.

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