Santa Anita Picks: California Flag Handicap (10/10/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Oct 10, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
Santa Anita picks are here for a 10-race card topped by the California Flag Handicap. Below you will find full Santa Anita picks and analysis for every race on the October 10, 2026 program, including a best bet, a live longshot and suggested wagers for each event.
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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis
Santa Anita Picks: California Flag Handicap (10/10/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Claiming $50k; 6 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 MATT AT FIVE (8-5): Major Player. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try. Best late pace figure in the field at 103.
- #2 PRIVATE GEM (7-2): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #1 VALIANT SON (12-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Sets up well if the front end folds.
- #5 DECAPO (4-1): Contender. Improving with each start. Works suggest readiness off the layoff.
Selections: 7 – 2 – 1 – 5
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,2 / 7,2,1,5 / 7,2,1,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #5 CHEEVER (2-1): Major Player. Much better than the last line indicates. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #1 COLLMUS (5-2): Major Player. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest. Top connections on the circuit with Jaramillo and Baffert.
- #3 UNDER THE BIG SKY (12-1): Contender. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Has been drilling steadily into the debut.
- #4 ROAST (9-5): Contender. Ran into trouble last out and deserves another look. Outruns the class par more often than not.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 3 – 4
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,1 / 5,1,3,4 / 5,1,3,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #3 CLUBHOUSE BRIDE (6-1): Major Player. Should get loose on an uncontested lead. The 0.5 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #9 MAGGLES MCGEE (3-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight. Papaprodromou and Rispoli team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #4 TROISIEME ETOILE (6-1): Contender. Proven competitor at this configuration. Strong connections with O'Neill sending out Jaramillo.
- #8 NELL'S LEGACY (20-1): Contender. Bred to appreciate the change of surface. Training pattern points to a live return.
Selections: 3 – 9 – 4 – 8
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Exacta: 3 / 9,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:30 PM PT; Starter Allowance $50k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #3 RED FLAG (2-1): Major Player. Record over this surface and trip stands out. Mullins has the barn rolling and keeps Pereira aboard.
- #6 MR. DISRESPECTFUL (4-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
- #2 MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH (7-2): Contender. Drops to a level that should suit. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
- #4 MIDWAY LANE (5-2): Contender. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here. The Sadler barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
Selections: 3 – 6 – 2 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Exacta: 3,6 / 3,6,2,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:00 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #1 FAMOUS FORZA (4-1): Major Player. Has handled this exact setup before. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #2 SACRED SOUND (9-2): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Recent form lines measure up to these.
- #4 ELLEN JORTH (4-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. Looks good based on the 3.5 speed rating.
- #6 THE LOAN EXCHANGE (7-2): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Hernandez takes the mount for Garcia, which is worth noting.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Pick 3 (Races 5-7): #1,2 with #3 with #9,7
Exacta: 1 / 2,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:30 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $50k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 I'M SMOKEN HOT (5-2): Best Bet of the Card. No class question at this level. Connections are as strong as any in the race. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #7 VEGAS DEL ORO (3-1): Major Player. Has the numbers to be involved late. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #2 MAMA LOVES VEGAS (6-1): Contender. A 66 is plenty fast for this spot. Form lines read well against this group.
- #5 SMOKEM JEANNINE (15-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
Selections: 3 – 7 – 2 – 5
The Plays
Win: #3 at 8-5
Exacta: 3 / 7,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #9 GOING NOWHERE (7-2): Major Player. Course and distance record is the strongest here.
- #7 SIR DAGONET (30-1): Major Player. The barn wins with first-time starters at a rate that demands respect. Serious work pattern behind this first start.
- #3 THROWTHEFIRSTPUNCH (5-1): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
- #6 HE'S PROOF OF JOY (12-1): Contender. Beaten only 80 lengths last out against similar. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots.
Selections: 9 – 7 – 3 – 6
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-2
Trifecta: 9,7 / 9,7,3,6 / 9,7,3,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:30 PM PT; Claiming $13k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.
- #2 DRAGON KAT (10-1): Major Player. On a steady upward trend. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
- #13 MISCHIEVOUS BEV (7-2): Major Player. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #4 DARLIN TAMI (9-2): Contender. Knows the surface and the trip, which counts for plenty.
- #5 REMEMBER APRIL (10-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 2 – 13 – 4 – 5
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Exacta: 2 / 13,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:00 PM PT; California Flag Handicap $100k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #2 ON THE WHIM (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Has won at a higher level than this. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #4 FLYOVER (4-1): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #6 BIG CITY LIGHTS (9-2): Contender. The 101 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #1 LONESOME STEW (6-5): Contender. Improving with each start.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 6 – 1
The Plays
Win: #2 at 7-2
Exacta: 2 / 4,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:30 PM PT; Claiming $50k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #10 CALL ME SIR (9-2): Major Player. Beaten better than these in the past.
- #2 MARCOS PERFORMANCE (15-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight. Freshened up and the works have been sharp.
- #4 SANTA BARBARIAN (3-1): Contender. Has done its best running under these exact conditions.
- #7 IN THE TANK (6-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two.
Selections: 10 – 2 – 4 – 7
The Plays
Win: #10 at 5-2
Trifecta: 10,2 / 10,2,4,7 / 10,2,4,7
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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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