Santa Anita Picks: Opening Day Malibu Stakes (12/28/2025)

Published: Sun Dec 28, 2025, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

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

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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis

Santa Anita Picks: Opening Day Malibu Stakes (12/28/2025)

Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 11:00 AM PT; Maiden Special Weight $70k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

#12 RAMAYANA (3-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Favorable class relief in this spot.
#2 IMPROBABLE U (7-2): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#8 CHAIR'S COIN (9-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
#3 SPRINGLINE (12-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 12 – 2 – 8 – 3

The Plays

Win: #12 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 12 / 2 / 8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 11:31 AM PT; Maiden Special Weight $70k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

#1 WINSTON AVE (9-5): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
#4 NEWTON (5-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#6 PLAGARIST (10-1): Major Player. Pedigree fits in this spot. Lezcano and Glatt team up on this one.
#3 SECURED FREEDOM (8-1): Contender. Bloodlines fit this race. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 6 – 3

The Plays

Win: #1 at 2-1

Exacta Box: 1 / 4 / 6

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 12:01 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

#6 ROYAL CHARTER (12-1): Top pick. Race may setup for this runner. Races competitive with the top contenders.
#1 CORPORAL VIOLETTE (12-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
#4 RUNAMILEINMYSHOES (7-2): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. May be able find the right setup.
#11 STARTS NOW (15-1): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 4 – 11

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 6 / 1 / 4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 12:33 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

#13 WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE (5-1): Prime Win Player. Could be ready for a top effort. Stamina to outlast the competition.
#3 MISS PRACTICAL (9-2): Contender. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Trainer is having a great meet.
#6 TIMEKEEPER'S CHARM (6-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
#10 CLUBHOUSE BRIDE (10-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 13 – 3 – 6 – 10

The Plays

Win: #13 at 11-2

Exacta: 13 / 3,6,10

Pick 3 (races 4-6): #13 with #7, 2,5,3 with #1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 1:05 PM PT; Mathis Mile Stakes $200k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

#7 MAAZ (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Barn has been solid. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
#2 TEMPUS VOLAT (9-2): Major Player. Running well of late. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
#5 FRIENDLY CONFINES (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Previous success in similar race types.
#3 NAMARON (3-2): Major Player. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 5 – 3

The Plays

Win: #7 at 6-1

Exacta Box: 7 / 2 / 5

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 1:37 PM PT; Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

#1 NYSOS (3-5): Best bet of the card. Proven competitor at this configuration. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Baffert. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
#6 INDISPENSABLE (8-1): Contender. Running well of late. Good race flow for this runner.
#3 NEVADA BEACH (2-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
#5 BRITISH ISLES (30-1): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 3 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 3-5

Exacta: 1 / 6,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:10 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill turf; Field of 14 runners.

#1 ANMER HALL (7-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Should be able to work out a trip.
#7 YACOWLEF (8-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#8 MUCHO DEL ORO (6-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level.
#10 HOTROCKET (8-1): Major Player. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 8 – 10

The Plays

Win: #1 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 1 / 7 / 8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 2:43 PM PT; La Brea Stakes presented by Don Julio $300k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

#9 FORMULA ROSSA (3-1): Top pick. Decent form of late. Stamina to outlast the competition.
#5 USHA (9-2): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
#3 FIVE G (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Could wear these ones down late.
#10 MAGNIFICAT (20-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 9 – 5 – 3 – 10

The Plays

Win: #9 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 9 / 5 / 3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:16 PM PT; San Gabriel Stakes $100k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

#4 STAY HOT (4-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fits well with this group.
#2 MONDEGO (8-1): Major Player. Prat puts this one in with a chance. Trainer is having a great meet.
#8 ASTRONOMER (9-2): Major Player. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
#7 SUCHET (6-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 8 – 7

The Plays

Win: #4 at 9-2

Exacta Box: 4 / 2 / 8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 3:49 PM PT; Malibu Stakes $300k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

#10 GOAL ORIENTED (5-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
#9 BARNES (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Ortiz and Baffert team up on this one.
#8 CORNUCOPIAN (7-2): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Could wear these ones down late.
#3 MADAKET ROAD (5-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 10 – 9 – 8 – 3

The Plays

Win: #10 at 11-2

Exacta Box: 10 / 9 / 8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 4:20 PM PT; American Oaks presented by Cygames $300k; 1 1/4 M Downhill turf; Field of 11 runners.

#5 SLICK (20-1): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Proven competitor at this configuration.
#6 TAKE A BREATH (15-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape.
#3 CLIFFS (6-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Speed figs match up nicely.
#2 WILL THEN (7-2): Major Player. Debuting here, this filly is at short odds. Potential for talent. Could be griding down the competition late.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 3 – 2

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 5 / 6 / 3

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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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