Santa Anita Picks: Wishing Well Stakes Analysis (2/21/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sat Feb 21, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Santa Anita Stretch - San Juan Capistrano Stakes

horses

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

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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis

Santa Anita Picks: Wishing Well Stakes Analysis (2/21/2026)

Santa Anita Picks: Wishing Well Stakes Analysis (2/21/2026)

Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

  • #6 VENTRY STRAND (9-2): Top pick. Berrios and Sadler team up on this one. Looks good based on the 90 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #8 DARK OMEN (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #4 THIRD BEER (3-1): Major Player. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Speed figs match up nicely.
  • #3 DARK BLUE (5-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 4 – 3

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 6,8,4

Pick 3 (races 1-3): #6,8,4 with #2 with #10,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:03 PM PT; Claiming $16k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #2 MORELLO (6-5): Best bet of the card. Could be ready for a top effort. Top connections on the circuit with Maldonado and Harri. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #3 ALPINE THUNDER (3-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Pereira puts this one in with a chance.
  • #5 CAROL'S COMIC (5-2): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Baze and Brinkerhoff team up on this one.
  • #4 GENTLEMEN'S CLUB (5-1): Fringe Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Recent races are solid.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 1-1

Exacta: 2/ 3,5

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

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

  • #10 RESOLVE (4-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #3 CLAIRE AUSTIN (12-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #6 STOP DIGGING (10-1): Contender. Has experience at this level. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #7 BALTIC FIRE (6-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 10 – 3 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #10 at 9-2

Exacta: 10/ 3,6

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:07 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $17k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #4 PLAY FOR ME (5-2): Top pick. Should improve off the debut. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #7 DADDYGAVEITTOME (9-2): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
  • #6 SIEMPRE NAMAN (6-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Hard to argue with the recent races.
  • #2 BITTER TRUTH (8-1): Major Player. Bloodlines fit this race. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 6 – 2

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 4,7,6

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:37 PM PT; Claiming $37k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.

  • #9 MUCHO DEL ORO (8-1): Top pick. Decent form of late. Barn has been solid.
  • #13 HOTROCKET (10-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Speed figures match this group well.
  • #3 DONCIC (9-2): Major Player. Potential to kick home late. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #1 TIGERHON (5-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 9 – 13 – 3 – 1

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 9,13,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:07 PM PT; Claiming $23k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #2 SPUN NOT STIRRED (7-2): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #5 BOWTIE BOYS (2-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Kimura puts this one in with a chance.
  • #6 SMILING TIZZY (6-1): Major Player. May be able find the right setup. Has experience at this level.
  • #7 UNCLE EVCO (8-1): Major Player. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #2 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 2,5,6

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:37 PM PT; Wishing Well Stakes $100k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.

  • #6 GRATEFULLY (2-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #7 NAY V BELLE (6-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #8 EGYPTIAN MAU (9-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #9 JUNGLE PEACE (9-2): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 8 – 9

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 6,7,8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:07 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $35k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #5 SHADY STRIPES (7-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 82 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #8 TWISTED HUMOR (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #7 MERIDIAN MAE (9-2): Major Player. May be able find the right setup. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #6 CAMMY'S GIRL (4-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 7 – 6

The Plays

Win: #5 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 5,8,7

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:37 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $70k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill turf; Field of 14 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #14 BEEF WINSLOW (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Geroux and Hess team up on this one. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #10 ANMER HALL (5-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #5 YACOWLEF (6-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Berrios puts this one in with a chance.
  • #9 CRAZY CAVALIER (6-1): Major Player. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 14 – 10 – 5 – 9

The Plays

Win: #14 at 4-1

Exacta: 14/ 10,5,9

Santa Anita Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:07 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $70k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

  • #5 CORTINA D'AMPREZZO (6-1): Top pick. Race may setup for this runner. Barn has been solid.
  • #6 CHAIR'S COIN (4-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #14 LERIOS (10-1): Major Player. Potential to kick home late. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #10 YURAK (7-2): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 14 – 10

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 5,6,14

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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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