Santa Anita Picks: Buena Vista Stakes (02/28/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sat Feb 28, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Santa Anita Picks Turf

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

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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis

Santa Anita Picks: Buena Vista Stakes (02/28/2026)

Santa Anita Picks: Buena Vista Stakes (02/28/2026)

Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM PT; Claiming $28k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.

  • #6 CHURCH LADY (5-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Barn has been solid.
  • #2 WITH LOVE (8-5): Major Player. Geroux puts this one in with a chance.
  • #3 MOTET (3-1): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
  • #1 TRUE PATRIOT (9-2): Major Player. Could be griding down the competition late. Ayuso puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 1

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 6,2,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $35k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

  • #3 MILLBO BAGGINS (6-5): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Should still have something in the tank late.
  • #1 GILCHRIST (5-2): Contender. Baze puts this one in with a chance. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
  • #5 QUALITY GOLD (10-1): Fringe Contender. Should sit a good trip. Speed figs match up nicely.
  • #4 SUNK COST FALLACY (3-1): Fringe Contender. Recent races are solid.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 7-5

Exacta: 3/ 1,4

Pick 3 (races 2-4): #3 with #3 with # 1,4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $37k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #3 ISSA COURT (3-2): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #8 DEA MATRONA (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Jaramillo and Baltas team up on this one.
  • #2 CORPORAL VIOLETTE (5-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late.
  • #7 CAMERON SLOUGH (6-1): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 2 – 7

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Exacta: 3/ 8,2

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:01 PM PT; Starter Allowance $18.5k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #1 UFFDA (2-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Races competitive with the top contenders.
  • #4 AUDITORY (5-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Payeras and Flores team up on this one.
  • #7 RYAN'S GIRL (8-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #5 SENSATIONAL Z Z (4-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 7 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-2

Exacta: 1/ 4,7

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:33 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $70k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #3 BIG BILL (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Looks good based on the 84 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Should be able to work out a trip. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #1 LITTLE RAYMOND (8-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #5 CURLIN COMMAND (6-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #4 SCENE BY ME (9-2): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 4-1

Exacta: 3/ 1,5,4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:06 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #2 BINGING (5-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #5 YA'LL COME (3-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Pereira puts this one in with a chance.
  • #4 TEE N OFF (15-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #8 CUPID'S CRUSADER (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 4 – 8

The Plays

Win: #2 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 2,5

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:39 PM PT; Buena Vista Stakes $200k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.

  • #2 GRAND SLAM SMILE (3-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #4 PRINCESA MOCHE (5-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #7 VIBEZ (7-2): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
  • #1 THOUGHT PROCESS (9-5): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #2 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 2,4,7,1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:09 PM PT; Claiming $35k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #1 DARLIN SUGAREE (8-5): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #4 TAMMY BABY (7-2): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #8 DAKOTA'S SHADOW (9-2): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 VICTORIA'S JEWEL (12-1): Fringe Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 8 – 3

The Plays

Win: #1 at 2-1

Exacta Box: 1,4,8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:39 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $70k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

  • #1 NOVITA DOMINGA (3-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #2 LERIOS (6-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape.
  • #8 SOUL SISTER (12-1): Major Player. This one's a fighter in the late stages. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #9 SHAHAR (8-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 8 – 9

The Plays

Win: #1 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 1,2,8

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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