Expert Handicapper’s Picks for Santa Anita – Saturday, January 31, 2026
Race 1: Maiden Special Weight, 6f Turf, $70,000, Open 4-5YO (Par ~85)
• #7 Maury Wills (9/5 ML, last Beyer 101) – Top pick: Highest Beyer (101), D’Amato trainer (25% turf maidens), Ayuso jockey value. Good speed from outside post.
• #5 Omnificent (9/2 ML, last Beyer 91) – Second: O’Neill trainer (18% maidens), Jaramillo jockey reliable. Solid figures, should stalk.
• #6 Just a Graze (5/1 ML, last Beyer 88) – Third: Puype trainer (15% turf), Berrios jockey strong. Value if pace melts.
Race 2: $10,000 Claiming, 6f Dirt, $20,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~75)
• #5 Captain Sparrow (9/5 ML, last Beyer 107) – Top pick: Highest Beyer (107), Glatt trainer (16% claimers), Gonzalez jockey fits. Class drop, speed from mid-pack post.
• #3 Horizon Wildcat (2/1 ML, last Beyer 97) – Second: Galvin trainer solid, Kimura jockey (21% wins). Good figures, rail speed.
• #4 Broadway Unions (4/1 ML, last Beyer 105) – Third: Palma trainer, Pereira jockey value. High Beyer, could press early.
Race 3: $25,000 Claiming, 1m Turf, $28,000, F&M 4YO+ (Par ~85)
• #2 With Love (GB) (8/5 ML, last Beyer 110) – Top pick: Dominant Beyer (110), Sadler trainer (22% turf), Berrios jockey. Class drop, loves distance.
• #3 Sakura Flavor (IRE) (5/2 ML, last Beyer 100) – Second: Gallagher trainer, Hernandez jockey (18% wins). Strong figures, good post for stalk.
• #5 True Patriot (9/2 ML, last Beyer 98) – Third: Hess Jr. trainer, Ayuso jockey hot. Consistent, value in mid-pack.
Race 4: San Pasqual S. (G2), 1 1/8m Dirt, $200,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~110)
• #5 Pony Express (9/5 ML, last Beyer 132) – Top pick: Sadler trainer (stakes specialist), Berrios jockey. High Beyer (132), class proven, perfect post.
• #1 Midnight Mammoth (9/2 ML, last Beyer 133) – Second: Dollase trainer, Ayuso jockey value. Highest Beyer, rail draw for speed.
• #3 Getaway Car (2/1 ML, last Beyer 112) – Third: Baffert trainer (25% stakes), Hernandez jockey. Solid figures, could wire if loose.
Race 5: $20,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1m Turf, $70,000, F&M 4YO+ (Par ~95)
• #6 Nanci Griffith (8/1 ML, last Beyer 108) – Top pick: Miyadi trainer, Maldonado jockey. High Beyer (108), value, good turf form.
• #5 Mayacama (5/2 ML, last Beyer 98) – Second: Mullins trainer (15% turf), Hernandez jockey hot. Consistent, mid-pack post.
• #4 She’s a Joker (4/1 ML, last Beyer 104) – Third: Miller trainer (15% allowances), Jaramillo jockey. Strong figures, class drop.
Race 6: Maiden Special Weight, 6f Dirt, $70,000, Open 3YO (Par ~85)
• #8 Captain Shreve (3/1 ML, last Beyer 109) – Top pick: Papaprodromou trainer, Frey jockey. Highest Beyer (109), good post for speed.
• #3 Crude Velocity (5/2 ML, no last Beyer) – Second: Baffert trainer (25% maidens), Hernandez jockey. Debut, strong pedigree.
• #7 Potente (7/2 ML, no last Beyer) – Third: Baffert trainer again, Kimura jockey (21% wins). Debut value, inside draw.
Race 7: Megahertz S. (G3), 1m Turf, $100,000, F&M 4YO+ (Par ~100)
• #2 Public Assembly (5/2 ML, last Beyer 101) – Top pick: D’Amato trainer (turf expert), Berrios jockey. Solid Beyer, good post.
• #7 Vibez (9/2 ML, last Beyer 103) – Second: Eurton trainer, Hernandez jockey hot. High Beyer (103), closing kick.
• #1 My Perfect Wave (6/1 ML, last Beyer 112) – Third: Yakteen trainer, Jaramillo jockey value. Highest Beyer, rail draw.
Race 8: $50,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 1/2f Dirt, $70,000, 4YO+ Open (Par ~95)
• #5 Cornucopian (6/5 ML, no last Beyer) – Top pick: Baffert trainer, Hernandez jockey. Class drop, good speed.
• #7 Simple Song (5/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Second: Glatt trainer, Kimura jockey hot. Consistent, value.
• #9 See Through It (10/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Third: Miller trainer, Gonzalez jockey. Dangerous closer.