Santa Anita Picks: Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes (9/27/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sun Sep 27, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
Santa Anita picks are here for a 9-race card topped by the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes. Below you will find full Santa Anita picks and analysis for every race on the September 27, 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: Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes (9/27/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #3 UNUSUALEXIS (20-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Improving with each start. Figures fit comfortably at this level. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #7 PLATINUM GROOVE (8-5): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Top connections on the circuit with Berrios and Mullins.
- #5 DANZING DAISY (8-1): Contender. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
- #4 ALITTLETOOFABULOUS (6-5): Contender. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try. The 1 speed rating is among the top in the group.
Selections: 3 – 7 – 5 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-2
Exacta: 3 / 7,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:33 PM PT; Claiming $8k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #1 RYTHEM GIRL (4-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #4 PERFECT LIFE (3-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Valdez and Aguilar team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #2 MASTERY KAT (20-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Works suggest readiness off the layoff.
- #6 THERESASILVERLININ (4-5): Contender. Record over this surface and trip stands out. Strong connections with Knapp sending out Ayuso.
Selections: 1 – 4 – 2 – 6
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,4 / 1,4,2,6 / 1,4,2,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:05 PM PT; Claiming $80k; 1 M Turf; Field of 6 runners.
- #6 CORTINA D'AMPREZZO (8-5): Best Bet of the Card. Outruns the class par more often than not. Damato has the barn rolling and keeps Rispoli aboard. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #2 SOUL SISTER (6-1): Major Player. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #4 MESMERIZE (9-5): Contender. Speed numbers are right there with the top group. Recent form lines measure up to these.
- #1 DARE GREATLY (8-1): Contender. On a steady upward trend. The Miller barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
Selections: 6 – 2 – 4 – 1
The Plays
Win: #6 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 3-5): #6 with #5,1,2 with #1,4,9
Exacta: 6 / 2,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:35 PM PT; Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes $200k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #5 MAXIMUM BOURBON (6-5): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #1 LISTENUPSHANCE (2-1): Major Player. Has won at a higher level than this. Best late pace figure in the field at 100.
- #2 IMAGINATION (5-2): Contender. Has handled this exact setup before. Hernandez takes the mount for Baffert, which is worth noting.
- #4 MARCH OF TIME (12-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,1 / 5,1,2,4 / 5,1,2,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:05 PM PT; Claiming $16k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #1 MILLBO BAGGINS (30-1): Major Player. Beaten better than these in the past. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #4 TESSUTO (6-5): Major Player. Class edge on the field if the form holds.
- #9 FIGHT BACK (4-1): Contender. Drops to a level that should suit. Closing kick is the strongest of this group.
- #8 FOMO JOE (3-1): Contender. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here. A 7.3 is plenty fast for this spot.
Selections: 1 – 4 – 9 – 8
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Exacta: 1 / 4,9
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:35 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $20k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #5 HOOSICK FALLS (4-1): Major Player. Form lines read well against this group.
- #3 WHYNOTANOTHERONE (7-5): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #7 SHARONS MAXFIELD (7-2): Contender. No class question at this level. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
- #6 FREDDY FIVE FOUR (8-1): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix. Beaten only 11 lengths last out against similar.
Selections: 5 – 3 – 7 – 6
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,3 / 5,3,7,6 / 5,3,7,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:05 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 6 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #1 GOLDEN CLUB (3-1): Major Player. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots.
- #11 CHISELED IN STONE (5-2): Major Player. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
- #2 LITTLE KING (5-1): Contender. Sharp drop in class is the story.
- #7 BO DIDDLEY (15-1): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
Selections: 1 – 11 – 2 – 7
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,11 / 1,11,2,7 / 1,11,2,7
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:35 PM PT; Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 MAGNIFICAT (4-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out.
- #1 MAJESTIC OOPS (7-2): Major Player. Has won at a higher level than this.
- #4 OM N JOY (2-1): Contender. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #2 SHE'S NO QUANT (15-1): Contender. Has been beating the par for the class by 2 points.
Selections: 7 – 1 – 4 – 2
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,1 / 7,1,4,2 / 7,1,4,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:05 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 1 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.
- #7 FEELING LUCKY (5-2): Major Player. Improving with each start.
- #8 WE CAN (10-1): Major Player. Has been running against better than this.
- #9 CAL'S GOAL (6-1): Contender. Course and distance record is the strongest here. Trainer angle here has been profitable.
- #2 MISS JO'S CURLIN (10-1): Contender. The class edge on paper is real.
Selections: 7 – 8 – 9 – 2
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,8 / 7,8,9,2 / 7,8,9,2
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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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