Santa Anita Picks: Royal Heroine Stakes Analysis (4/25/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Apr 25, 2026, 10:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
horses
The racing action from Santa Anita on Saturday features the Royal Heroine Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Santa Anita picks for the entire card!
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Santa Anita Park Full Card Analysis
Santa Anita Picks: Royal Heroine Stakes Analysis (4/25/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $35k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 KOKOSAN (6-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #7 MOONLIT SONATA (3-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Good race flow for this runner.
- #3 ROSTOVSKY (7-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Could wear these ones down late.
- #1 SAND BAGGER (20-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race shape gives this one an edge.
Selections: 5 – 7 – 3 – 1
The Plays
Win: #5 at 6-5
Exacta: 5/ 7,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Claiming $37k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #1 SENDIT MO (4-5): Top pick. Fresu puts this one in with a chance.
- #2 ROLLINWITHPOLAN (4-1): Major Player. Can run with these. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #4 STRAIGHT BUZZIN (3-1): Fringe Contender. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
- #3 TIGGRRR WHITWORTH (8-1): Underneath. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 4-5
Exacta: 1/ 2,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:03 PM PT; Maiden Optional Claiming $36k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #4 DREAMING ON (6-5): Top pick. Should improve off the debut. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance.
- #6 PACER (9-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Fresu puts this one in with a chance.
- #3 WOODSON (2-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup.
- #1 KORE KINETIC (10-1): Fringe Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 4 – 6 – 3 – 1
The Plays
Win: #4 at 6-5
Exacta Box: 4,6,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:36 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $35k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #4 PRIME ARTIST (7-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #3 GALLATIN (5-2): Major Player. Kimura and Miller team up on this one. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #7 SAVAGE WARDEN (4-1): Major Player. This one's a fighter in the late stages. Previous success in similar race types.
- #1 FUMANO'S MAGIC (5-1): Major Player. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 4 – 3 – 7 – 1
The Plays
Win: #4 at 4-1
Exacta Box: 4,3,7
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:09 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $37k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #2 RED FLAG (8-5): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #4 MEGA MOON (5-1): Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #5 BALADI (10-1): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. The 94 speed rating is among the best in the field.
- #6 HEY BROTHER (6-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 5 – 6
The Plays
Win: #2 at 9-5
Exacta: 2/ 4,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:39 PM PT; Allowance $67k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #6 LONESOME STEW (8-5): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #3 ON THE WHIM (9-2): Major Player. Productive recent form. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #5 BRO BRO (5-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Has experience at this level.
- #2 SIR ROCKET (6-1): Major Player. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 6 – 3 – 5 – 2
The Plays
Win: #6 at 9-5
Exacta Box: 6,3,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:09 PM PT; Claiming $18k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
Longshot Play of the Day
- #6 CAN'TDEALWITHIT (8-1): Longshot play of the day. Fits well with this group. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #5 EXINGTON (7-2): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
- #7 LIL'S COFFEE (8-5): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Previous success in similar race types.
- #8 VICTORIA'S JEWEL (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 6 – 5 – 7 – 8
The Plays
Win: #6 at 4-1
Exacta: 6/ 5,7
Pick 3 (races 7-9): #6,5 with #3 with #9
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:39 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #3 UNCLE CHILLY (3-1): Prime Win Player. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fits well with this group.
- #5 MICI'S EXPRESS (6-1): Contender. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #10 COWBOY MIKE (3-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #7 CRYPTO RIDE (10-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 10 – 7
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-2
Exacta: 3/ 10,5,7
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:09 PM PT; Royal Heroine Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
Best Bet of the Card
- #9 GRAND SLAM SMILE (5-2): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Barn has been solid. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #2 TIRUPATI (9-2): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #5 MAY DAY READY (9-2): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
- #8 TAKE A BREATH (4-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 9 – 2 – 5 – 8
The Plays
Win: #9 at 1-1
Exacta: 9/ 2,5,8
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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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