Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 Santa Maria Stakes (04/19/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sun Apr 19, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
horses
The racing action from Santa Anita on Sunday features the Santa Maria Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Santa Anita picks for the entire card!
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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis
Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 Santa Maria Stakes (04/19/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Claiming $35k; 5 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #4 TIGERHON (5-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
- #5 DISKO TRIBUTE (4-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #10 BALLYVAUGHAN GIG (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #14 MALIBU COAST (6-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 4 – 5 – 10 – 14
The Plays
Win: #4 at 3-1
Exacta Box: 4,5,10
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Maiden Optional Claiming $36k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #3 MIDWAY LANE (7-5): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #5 FAUSTO (2-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #4 MONTANA JET (9-2): Fringe Contender. Top connections on the circuit with Hernandez and Miller. Likely in the mix early.
- #1 GHOSTWRITTEN (6-1): Underneath. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 1
The Plays
Win: #3 at 8-5
Exacta: 3/ 5,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $35k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #2 NIKOLINA (7-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid.
- #4 EMPRESS MATILDA (4-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Desormeaux and Hess. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
- #6 WILDFIRE PRINCESS (4-1): Major Player. Potential to kick home late.
- #5 EVA LEA (4-1): Major Player. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Could be ready to hit a peak performance.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 6 – 5
The Plays
Win: #2 at 4-1
Exacta Box: 2,4,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:30 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #2 BALLYHOOLIGAN (2-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid.
- #6 MONGOLIAN MAX (9-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Fresu and Aguirre team up on this one.
- #3 CUPID'S CRUSADER (6-1): Major Player. Likely in the mix early.
- #1 LAST CALL PAUL (9-2): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 2 – 6 – 3 – 1
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Exacta Box: 2,6,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:00 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #6 HE'S A KNOCKOUT (7-5): Top pick. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance.
- #5 SCATALOTADINGDONG (7-2): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
- #8 ALLEQUIN SUMMER (10-1): Fringe Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
- #3 ROLLINWITHPOLAN (5-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 6 – 5 – 8 – 3
The Plays
Win: #6 at 8-5
Exacta: 6/ 5,3
Pick 3 (race 5-7): #6,5 with #7 with 7,10,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:30 PM PT; Claiming $16k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
Best Bet of the Card
- #7 WINDRIBBON (9-5): Best bet of the card. Looks good based on the 96 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Ayuso puts this one in with a chance. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #2 MORELLO (2-1): Contender. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
- #5 CAROL'S COMIC (7-2): Underneath. Could wear these ones down late. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #4 JAMES J. BRADDOCK (15-1): Underneath. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 7 – 2 – 5 – 4
The Plays
Win: #7 at 1-1
Exacta: 7/ 2,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:00 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
Longshot Play of the Day
- #7 CITY EXILE (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Fits well with this group. Should be able to work out a trip. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #10 CALL ME CORY (6-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Good race flow for this runner.
- #2 BALDORO (7-2): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
- #9 RASTAMAN VIBE (8-1): Contender. Gonzalez puts this one in with a chance. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 7 – 10 – 2 – 9
The Plays
Win: #7 at 4-1
Exacta Box: 7,10,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:30 PM PT; Santa Maria Stakes $100k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #5 NAFISA (7-5): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #4 SIMPLY JOKING (6-5): Major Player. Jaramillo and Mccarthy team up on this one. Good race flow for this runner.
- #2 LEMON MUFFIN (7-2): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Has experience at this level.
- #1 CATALINA COCKTAIL (12-1): Underneath. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 5 – 4 – 2 – 1
The Plays
Win: #5 at 8-5
Exacta: 5/ 4,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.
- #9 FLASH OF LIGHTNING (3-1): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #3 ROBIN OLDS (9-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
- #13 BOOKED CLUBHOUSE (4-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Potential to kick home late.
- #11 DOING TIME (8-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 9 – 3 – 13 – 11
The Plays
Win: #9 at 7-2
Exacta Box: 9,3,13
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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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