Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 La Canada Stakes (01/24/2026)

Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM PT; Claiming $26k; 6 F Turf; Field of 6 runners.

• #1 THE OLD NINE (9-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #6 BELLY UP (5-2): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #3 BOLT SUPREMACY (6-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup. Jaramillo puts this one in with a chance.
• #4 BILLY JOE SHAVER (7-2): Underneath. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-1

Exacta: 1 / 6,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $21k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #3 ONE STEP BEYOND (9-5): Prime Win Player. Solid breeding for this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #5 GOLDEN CHASER (2-1): Fringe Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #4 MATTS ADVISOR (6-1): Fringe Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Likely in the mix early.
• #6 MR. TARIFF (4-1): Underneath. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 6

The Plays

Win: #3 at 2-1

Exacta: 3 / 5,4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:32 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $35k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 5 runners.

• #4 A DAY TO REMEMBER (9-5): Top pick. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance. Lezcano puts this one in with a chance.
• #3 PROUDLY HAILED (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #5 BURNING RUBBER (2-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 POTITO (5-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 5 – 2

The Plays

Win: #4 at 2-1

Exacta Box: 4 / 3 / 5

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:05 PM PT; Starter Allowance $18.5k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #4 UFFDA (2-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Strong early pace figs.
• #1 AUDITORY (3-2): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #3 ROUSING JEWEL (7-2): Contender. This one's a fighter in the late stages. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
• #6 OUTRAGEOUS (6-1): Fringe Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 3 – 6

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 4 / 1 / 3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:34 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $70k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 6 runners.

• #4 VICTORIOUS DREAM (2-1): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Solid closing kick.
• #2 ISLAND HOME (3-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #1 VELVET DREAM (5-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
• #5 SHANE'S THE BRAINS (6-1): Major Player. Bloodlines fit this race. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 1 – 5

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 4 / 2 / 1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:04 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $35k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

• #4 WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE (6-5): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Maldonado and Hanson team up on this one. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #1 EMIRATES AFFAIR (5-2): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #3 DON'T JU FORGET (6-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #5 THIRSTY TRICKSTER (3-1): Underneath. Could be griding down the competition late. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 3 – 5

The Plays

Win: #4 at 6-5

Exacta: 4 / 1,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:34 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #7 TAKE A BREATH (4-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 94 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Race may setup for this runner.
• #10 RESOLVE (9-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #5 WILLA T (7-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Could wear these ones down late.
• #3 ROYAL CHARTER (9-2): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 7 – 10 – 5 – 3

The Plays

Win: #7 at 9-2

Exacta: 7 / 10,5,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:04 PM PT; La Canada Stakes $100k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #3 SO THERE SHE WAS (9-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #4 BRILLIANTLY (7-5): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Top connections on the circuit with Hernandez and Baffert.
• #5 NAFISA (5-1): Major Player. Speed figs match up nicely. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 JANE AUSTEN (6-1): Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 5 – 6

The Plays

Win: #3 at 2-1

Exacta Box: 3 / 4 / 5

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:34 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

• #9 SHEZMISBEHAVING (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Fits well with this group. Races competitive with the top contenders. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #7 MENDELSSOHNS ANGEL (6-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Lezcano and Galvin. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #6 FANCY FACTS (7-2): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
• #1 GOODNIGHT NELLIE (4-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 9 – 7 – 6 – 1

The Plays

Win: #9 at 7-1

Exacta Box: 9 / 7 / 6