Expert Handicapper’s Picks for Santa Anita – Sunday, February 22, 2026
The card has 9 races, first post 12:30 PM PT, with a mix of turf and dirt, claiming, maiden special weight, starter optional claiming, allowance, and stakes (Pasadena 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: Claiming, 6F Dirt, $28,000, Fillies & Mares 4YO+ (Par ~75)
• #4 Not A Sinner (GB) (2/1 ML, last Beyer 95) – Top pick: High Beyer, Callaghan trainer hot, Fresu jockey (18% wins). Good post speed.
• #5 Wildfire Princess (5/1 ML, last Beyer 96) – Second: Hess Jr. trainer turf-to-dirt, Hernandez jockey. Consistent stalker.
• #1 A Fleet Ride (8/1 ML, last Beyer 89) – Third: Hanson trainer, Jaramillo jockey value. Rail if pace melts.
• #8 Deep Blue (6/1 ML, last Beyer 89) – Fourth: Blacker trainer, Ayuso jockey. Value closer.
Race 2: Maiden Special Weight, 1M Turf, $70,000, Open 4-5YO (Par ~85)
• #7 Romantic Ride (3/1 ML, last Beyer 94) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Cerin trainer, Hernandez jockey hot. Stalk post.
• #3 Benny and the Jet (5/1 ML, last Beyer 88) – Second: Lewis trainer, Demuro jockey. Good figures, rail value.
• #5 Lucky Sniper (6/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Third: Blacker trainer, Fresu jockey. Debut potential.
• #10 Hungover Halladay (12/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Fourth: Hanson trainer, Escobedo jockey. Longshot speed.
Race 3: Starter Optional Claiming, 6F Dirt, $26,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~80)
• #1 Russells Hustle (7/2 ML, last Beyer 107) – Top pick: High Beyer, Glatt trainer, Fresu jockey. Rail speed.
• #9 Del Mar Jerry (5/2 ML, last Beyer 113) – Second: Miyadi trainer, Kimura jockey hot. Highest figures.
• #4 Jimmy Blue Jeans (6/1 ML, last Beyer 108) – Third: Papaprodromou trainer, Frey jockey value. Consistent.
• #3 Ah Jeez (5/1 ML, last Beyer 106) – Fourth: O’Neill trainer, Jaramillo jockey. Stalk if pace hot.
Race 4: Allowance Optional Claiming, 1M Turf, $70,000, Fillies & Mares 4YO+ (Par ~95)
• #7 Del Mar Jerry (4/1 ML, last Beyer 113) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Miyadi trainer turf strong, Kimura jockey. Good post.
• #4 Balladeer (5/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Second: Papaprodromou trainer, Desormeaux jockey. Consistent stalker.
• #9 Grogu (10/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Third: Powell trainer, Herrera jockey value. Closer potential.
• #8 Lahaina Flavor (8/1 ML, no last Beyer) – Fourth: Gallagher trainer, Kimura jockey. Value speed.
Race 5: Claiming, 6 1/2F Dirt, $26,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~80)
• #6 Maximus (4/1 ML, last Beyer 79) – Top pick: Solid Beyer, DeAlba trainer, Herrera jockey. Good post, class fit.
• #1 Mighty Kai (2/1 ML, last Beyer 100) – Second: O’Neill trainer, Jaramillo jockey. Highest Beyer, rail.
• #3 Tee N Off (5/2 ML, last Beyer 89) – Third: Knapp trainer, Kimura jockey hot. Consistent.
• #4 Mischief Moments (12/1 ML, last Beyer 77) – Fourth: Gomez trainer, Aguilar jockey. Longshot closer.
Race 6: Maiden Claiming, 1M Turf, $35,000, Fillies 3YO (Par ~75)
• #6 Blame Eve (3/1 ML, last Beyer 80) – Top pick: High Beyer, Powell trainer, Hernandez jockey. Good post stalk.
• #3 Thatsalrightmama (5/1 ML, last Beyer 84) – Second: McCarthy trainer, Gonzalez jockey. Highest figures.
• #1 Greta’s Ghost (7/2 ML, last Beyer 67) – Third: Papaprodromou trainer, Geroux jockey value. Rail speed.
• #2 Vronaway (4/1 ML, last Beyer 67) – Fourth: Baker trainer, Lezcano jockey. Value if pace melts.
Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming, About 6 1/2F Hillside Turf, $70,000, Fillies & Mares 4YO+ (Par ~95)
• #1 Infinitum (5/2 ML, last Beyer 105) – Top pick: Highest Beyer, Glatt trainer, Hernandez jockey. Rail value.
• #8 Bro Bro (4/1 ML, last Beyer 92) – Second: O’Neill trainer, Ayuso jockey. Good post, consistent.
• #2 Clever Clover (6/1 ML, last Beyer 98) – Third: McCarthy trainer, Baze jockey. Stalk potential.
• #3 Billy Joe Shaver (9/2 ML, last Beyer 94) – Fourth: DeAlba trainer, Berrios jockey hot. Speed.
Race 8: Pasadena S., 1M Turf, $100,000, Open 3YO (Par ~95)
• #2 Explora (3/1 ML, last Beyer 103) – Top pick: High Beyer, D’Amato trainer turf expert, Hernandez jockey. Good post.
• #3 Miss Jagger (5/1 ML, last Beyer 98) – Second: Baffert trainer, Kimura jockey hot. Consistent stalker.
• #1 Meaning (8/1 ML, last Beyer 98) – Third: McCarthy trainer, Prat jockey. Rail value, closer.
• #4 Maymun (4/1 ML, last Beyer 102) – Fourth: Baffert trainer, Jaramillo jockey. Speed edge.
Race 9: Starter Optional Claiming, 6F Dirt, $35,000, Open 4YO+ (Par ~90)
• #5 Sorrento Sky (IRE) (4/1 ML, last Beyer 112) – Top pick: High Beyer, D’Amato trainer, Kimura jockey. Stalk post.
• #1 Sumter (2/1 ML, last Beyer 117) – Second: Mandella trainer, Prat jockey hot. Highest figures, rail.
• #6 Flyover (6/1 ML, last Beyer 107) – Third: Sadler trainer, Geroux jockey. Consistent.
• #2 Yellow Card (5/1 ML, last Beyer 110) – Fourth: McCarthy trainer, Jaramillo jockey value. If pace hot.