Santa Anita Picks- 2024 Sunday, December 28 Analysis

The racing action from Santa Anita Park on Saturday features the Joe Hernandez Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Santa Anita Park picks for the entire card!

Full Card Analysis

 

Bet all of today's selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 11:30 AM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #6 DETTORI (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #11 STARGELL (20-1): Major Player. Productive recent form.
• #4 SCIPIO (2-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Potential to kick home late.
• #1 WAR TO REMEMBER (7-2): Major Player. Recent races are solid. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 6 – 11 – 4 – 1

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:01 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $13.5k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #7 BEGIN AGAIN (7-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #6 BRUISER (2-1): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
• #1 NOTCH (12-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #8 DORADUS (4-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 8

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 12:31 PM PT; Claiming $22k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 STELLAR CAP (8-5): Best bet of the card. Should be able to work out a trip. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #1 PERFECT IN GRAY (5-2): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #7 PUTT FOR DOUGH (4-1): Worth a look. May be able to find the right setup.
• #6 FLY A FANTASY (6-1): Fringe Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 7 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:01 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $33k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #4 CONCORD BRIDGE (4-1): Top pick. Solid closing kick. Race sets up perfectly.
• #7 EMPIRE'S CLASSIC (6-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Running well of late.
• #9 KAWAZAKI (8-1): Contender.
• #11 SPEARFISH (3-1): Fringe Contender. Should still have enough reserves in the final furlong. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 9 – 11

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 1:33 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #1 UNCLE CHILLY (3-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
• #3 THE G M (7-2): Major Player. Can run with these. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #4 TROTSKY (8-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. May be able to find the right setup.
• #6 KING OF CLUBS (5-2): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 4 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:04 PM PT; Joe Hernandez Stakes $200k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #6 MOTORIOUS (5-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #5 UNCONQUERABLE KEEN (5-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #1 AIR FORCE RED (9-2): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. May be able to find the right setup.
• #9 SORRENTO SKY (6-1): Fringe Contender. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 1 – 9

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:35 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #2 MOMAD (9-5): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #5 ZEUS' WAR (6-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #6 BARTHOLDY (2-1): Major Player. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. Could wear these ones down late.
• #1 BOOK SMART (5-2): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 6 – 1

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:06 PM PT; Blue Norther Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #4 SEA RUNNER (6-1): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #5 SUPA SPEED (3-1): Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #7 RESOLVE (4-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #8 CASALU (6-1): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 7 – 8

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:46 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $23k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #5 BUSY MAKING MUNNY (9-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #9 RYAN'S GIRL (4-1): Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #1 EXPECT LOVE (2-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late.
• #7 BLING IT (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 9 – 1 – 7

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 4:18 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

• #10 LOTTERY PICK (6-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #9 PACKS A WAHLOP (9-2): Major Player. Can run with these.
• #7 BRITISH ISLES (3-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Previous success in similar race types.
• #1 PHOSPHORESCENCE (6-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 10 – 9 – 7 – 1

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don't miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week's biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week's upcoming big races:

Thursday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring full card analysis for opening day which includes a number of stakes including the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes

Friday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 Bobby Frankel Stakes

Saturday

• Aqueduct Picks featuring the Alex M. Robb Stakes
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes
• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes