Santa Anita Picks: Mizdirection Stakes (05/16/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sat May 16, 2026, 10:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Santa Anita Stretch - San Juan Capistrano Stakes

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

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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis

Santa Anita Picks: Mizdirection Stakes (05/16/2026)

Santa Anita Picks: Mizdirection Stakes (05/16/2026)

Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.

  • #3 LEGAL HEIR (3-2): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #1 BAKO COUNTRY (6-1): Major Player. Jaramillo puts this one in with a chance. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #7 BUCKS ACTION (8-1): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #6 TIZ ALL THAT (12-1): Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Maldonado and Baltas team up on this one.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 7 – 6

The Plays

Win: #3 at 6-5

Exacta: 3 / 1,7

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:33 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $37k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

  • #3 GHAZAALY (8-5): Top Pick. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #4 CLOUSEAU (5-2): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
  • #5 WHISKYGINANDBRANDY (7-5): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
  • #2 COOLWIND (15-1): Underneath. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 5 – 2

The Plays

Win: #3 at 6-5

Exacta: 3 / 4,2

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:04 PM PT; Claiming $35k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.

  • #7 SHANGRILAMA (6-5): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Kimura puts this one in with a chance.
  • #1 LADY RIDER (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #5 INVINCIBLE MOLLY (9-2): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 SPECIAL FLOWER (6-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Maldonado puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 5 – 3

The Plays

Win: #7 at 6-5

Exacta: 7 / 1,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:34 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

  • #3 BALLYHOOLIGAN (3-2): Top Pick. Races that could beat these. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #5 LAST CALL PAUL (6-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Ayuso and Knapp team up on this one.
  • #1 GRANDISIMO (2-1): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Could wear these ones down late.
  • #4 TEE N OFF (5-1): Contender. Kimura puts this one in with a chance. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 6-5

Exacta: 3 / 5,4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:06 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 6 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.

  • #8 GRAZED (2-1): Top Pick. Solid closing kick. Looks good based on the 89 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #5 MILES FINCH (6-1): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #7 FRANK BULLITT (7-2): Contender. Potential to kick home late. May be able to find the right setup.
  • #1 MIO BAMBINO (8-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #8 at 7-5

Exacta: 8 / 5,1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:39 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $16k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #1 TWISTED HUMOR (2-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Favorable class relief in this spot.
  • #2 PLAY FOR ME (6-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #7 VRONAWAY (6-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
  • #3 CAMMY'S GIRL (3-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 7 – 3

The Plays

Win: #1 at 7-5

Exacta: 1 / 2,7

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:18 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

  • #6 CITY EXILE (8-5): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 96 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #1 RE ARMED JON (10-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. Seems to be up against the right competition.
  • #7 BALDORO (6-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Speed figs match up nicely.
  • #3 LAHAINA FLAVOR (8-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 7 – 3

The Plays

Win: #6 at 6-5

Exacta: 6 / 1,7,3

Pick 3 (Races 7-9): #6,1 with #7,2 with #6

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:50 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $16k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #7 TATE BATZ (1-1): Prime Win Player. Strong early pace figs. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #2 SHE'S BACK (8-1): Underneath. Should take a liking to the race shape. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #1 BACKSTAGE DRAMA (30-1): Underneath. Has been running well enough recently.
  • #8 LIVELY GIRL (5-1): Underneath. Top connections on the circuit with Ayuso and Cerin. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 1 – 8

The Plays

Win: #7 at 1-1

Exacta: 7 / 2,8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:20 PM PT; Mizdirection Stakes $100k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill Turf; Field of 9 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #6 QUEEN MAXIMA (4-5): Best Bet of the Card. Barn has been solid. Race sets up perfectly. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #8 SPIRITED BOSS (5-1): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #3 AMORITA (6-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #9 CERTITUDE (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 3 – 9

The Plays

Win: #6 at 1-1

Exacta: 6 / 8,3,9

Santa Anita Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:50 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

  • #10 TIS SUNRISE (2-1): Top Pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #8 ALL IN THE GAME (3-1): Major Player. Comes home strong. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #4 MELBA MONTGOMERY (12-1): Major Player. This one's a fighter in the late stages. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
  • #9 BIG MISS (15-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 10 – 8 – 4 – 9

The Plays

Win: #10 at 7-5

Exacta: 10 / 8,4

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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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