Expert Handicapper’s Picks for Santa Anita – Saturday, February 21, 2026
The card has 10 races, first post 12:30 PM PT, with a mix of turf and dirt, allowance, claiming, maiden, and stakes (Wishing Well S. in Race 8). Weather: Sunny, 60s, fast dirt, firm turf—favor speed on dirt, stalkers/closers on turf if pace hot. I handicapped based on ML odds, last Beyer figures (from PPs), trainer/jockey stats, post positions, class/form, and workouts. Top 4 picks per race with reasoning. Good luck!
Race 1: Allowance Optional Claiming, 1M Turf, $70,000, Open 3YO (Par ~85)
• #2 Fumano’s Magic (15/1 ML, last Beyer 108) – Top pick: Highest Beyer by far, Brinkerhoff trainer value, Herrera jockey. Outside post for stalk, big upset potential.
• #4 Third Beer (3/1 ML, last Beyer 106) – Second: Yakteen trainer hot, Fresu jockey (18% wins). Strong figures, speed edge.
• #6 Ventry Strand (9/2 ML, last Beyer 100) – Third: Sadler trainer turf expert, Berrios jockey. Consistent closer.
• #9 Can’t Help Myself (4/1 ML, last Beyer 92) – Fourth: Sadler trainer again, Geroux jockey hot. Value if pace melts.
Race 2: Claiming, 6F Dirt, $16,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~75)
• #1 Smarty Nose (8/1 ML, last Beyer 98) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Rivera trainer, Bautista jockey value. Rail speed, class drop.
• #5 Carol’s Comic (5/2 ML, last Beyer 97) – Second: Brinkerhoff trainer, Baze jockey. Strong figures, consistent.
• #4 Gentlemen’s Club (5/1 ML, last Beyer 93) – Third: Lewis trainer, Herrera jockey hot. Good post stalk.
• #3 Alpine Thunder (3/1 ML, last Beyer 96) – Fourth: Hernandez Jr. trainer, Pereira jockey. Value closer.
Race 3: Allowance Optional Claiming, 1M Turf, $70,000, Fillies & Mares 4YO+ (Par ~95)
• #9 Delightful Laura (7/2 ML, last Beyer 112) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Eurton trainer, Espinoza jockey. Outside value, top form.
• #10 Resolve (4/1 ML, last Beyer 110) – Second: Powell trainer, Berrios jockey hot. Consistent, strong closer.
• #4 Miss Artois (6/1 ML, last Beyer 109) – Third: Baltas trainer, Pereira jockey. Solid figures, stalk potential.
• #6 Stop Digging (10/1 ML, last Beyer 102) – Fourth: Callaghan trainer, Ayuso jockey value. If pace hot.
Race 4: Maiden Claiming, 6F Dirt, $17,000, Fillies & Mares 4-5YO (Par ~75)
• #3 Palace Mischief (10/1 ML, last Beyer 89) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Bautista trainer, Herrera jockey value. Good post, class drop.
• #8 Tom’s Star (5/2 ML, last Beyer 78) – Second: Valenzuela trainer, Orduna-Rojas jockey. Consistent speed.
• #6 Siempre Naman (6/1 ML, last Beyer 75) – Third: Bonde trainer, Bautista jockey. Blinkers on, upside.
• #4 Play for Me (5/2 ML, last Beyer 74) – Fourth: Knapp trainer, Pereira jockey hot. Rail value if pace melts.
Race 5: Claiming, 6 1/2F Turf, $37,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~90)
• #6 Pioneer Prince (10/1 ML, last Beyer 110) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, O’Neill trainer, Maldonado jockey. Value stalker.
• #7 Code Duello (6/1 ML, last Beyer 105) – Second: Dollase trainer, Berrios jockey hot. Strong figures.
• #8 Veritas Aequitas (30/1 ML, last Beyer 105) – Third: Rheinford trainer, Kimura jockey (20% wins). Longshot closer.
• #2 Central Dispatch (7/2 ML, last Beyer 93) – Fourth: Sadler trainer turf strong, Fresu jockey. Good post speed.
Race 6: Claiming, 1M Dirt, $23,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~80)
• #2 Spun Not Stirred (7/2 ML, last Beyer 97) – Top pick: High Beyer, Vallejo trainer, Demuro jockey. Rail value, consistent.
• #1 Grandisimo (8/1 ML, last Beyer 92) – Second: Tamayo trainer, Lezcano jockey. Speed if pace hot.
• #7 Uncle Evco (8/1 ML, last Beyer 93) – Third: Lopez trainer, Herrera jockey value. Stalk potential.
• #8 Canyahearmeknockin (6/1 ML, last Beyer -) – Fourth: Blacker trainer, Geroux jockey hot. Debut if ready.
Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 1/2F Hillside Turf, $70,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~95)
• #1 Infinitum (5/2 ML, last Beyer 105) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Glatt trainer turf strong, Hernandez jockey. Rail speed.
• #5 Stay in Line (7/2 ML, last Beyer 100) – Second: Mathis trainer, Jaramillo jockey. Good post fit.
• #3 Billy Joe Shaver (9/2 ML, last Beyer 94) – Third: DeAlba trainer, Berrios jockey hot. Consistent.
• #8 Bro Bro (4/1 ML, last Beyer 92) – Fourth: O’Neill trainer, Ayuso jockey. Value closer.
Race 8: Wishing Well S., 6F Turf, $100,000, Fillies & Mares 4YO+ (Par ~100)
• #6 Gratefully (2/1 ML, last Beyer 106) – Top pick: High Beyer, Falcone trainer, Geroux jockey (18% wins). Stalk post, strong in exotics.
• #4 Imaboutago (IRE) (12/1 ML, last Beyer 103) – Second: Powell trainer, Ayuso jockey value. Longshot speed, keyed in wagers.
• #9 Jungle Peace (IRE) (9/2 ML, last Beyer 62) – Third: D’Amato trainer turf expert, Fresu jockey. Upside potential.
• #8 Egyptian Mau (SAF) (9/2 ML, last Beyer 98) – Fourth: Drysdale trainer, Hernandez jockey hot. Consistent closer.
Race 9: Allowance Optional Claiming, 1M Dirt, $70,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~95)
• #5 Voldemort (2/1 ML, last Beyer 102) – Top pick: Baffert trainer hot, Hernandez jockey. Class drop, highest Beyer.
• #3 Big Bet Jafinsafa (5/2 ML, last Beyer 105) – Second: Gaines trainer, Ayuso jockey value. Strong figures.
• #1 Cowboy Mike (4/1 ML, last Beyer 100) – Third: Yakteen trainer, Kimura jockey. Rail speed.
• #2 Theodore George (6/1 ML, last Beyer 98) – Fourth: McCarthy trainer, Prat jockey (20% wins). Value.
Race 10: Maiden Special Weight, 1M Turf, $70,000, Fillies 3YO (Par ~85)
• #10 Yurak (7/2 ML, last Beyer 94) – Top pick: Sadler trainer, Hernandez jockey hot. High Beyer, consistent.
• #6 Chair’s Coin (IRE) (4/1 ML, last Beyer 100) – Second: McCarthy trainer, Fresu jockey. Blinkers on, turf edge.
• #9 Daring Pursuit (6/1 ML, last Beyer 88) – Third: Blacker trainer, Berrios jockey. Value stalker.
• #5 Cortina d’Amprezzo (IRE) (6/1 ML, last Beyer 92) – Fourth: D’Amato trainer, Kimura jockey. Good post if pace hot.