Santa Anita Picks- 2025 California Cup Stakes

The racing action from Santa Anita Park on Saturday features the California Cup. @HandicappingT3 has all the Santa Anita Park picks for the entire card!

Full Card Analysis

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Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 11:30 AM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #8 MILES FINCH (4-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 72 speed rating, which is among the top in the group. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #5 GIANT LUTHER (6-1): Major Player. Comes home strong. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
• #1 FIX IT QUICK (12-1): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
• #4 THREE GEORGES (30-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 1 – 4

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:01 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $14k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #6 TRUE MANTRA (9-5): Top pick. Odds suggest this gelding is ready to fire on debut. Barn has been solid.
• #5 P TWENTYTWO (2-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #1 UNUSUAL MEMORIES (10-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #4 SILVERCROSS (15-1): Fringe Contender. The price is worth a shot on this runner.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 1 – 4

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 12:32 PM PT; Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes Presented by John Deere $125k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill turf; Field of 6 runners.

• #3 ANDIAMO RAGAZZA (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Race sets up perfectly. Top 5 rider aboard. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
• #1 STAY AND SCAM (2-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Speed figures match this group well.
• #6 SATELLITE HEART (20-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 MOMENT’S PLEASURE (7-2): Fringe Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 6 – 2

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:02 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $33k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 MAYACAMA (4-5): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #3 MISS MICHE LADA (5-1): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #6 BE A GOLDFISH (20-1): Worth a look. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #1 OUR LOVIN FEELIN (12-1): Fringe Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Should still have enough in the reserves in the final furlong.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 6 – 1

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 1:32 PM PT; Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes $125k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

• #2 BIG CITY LIGHTS (2-5): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Looks good based on the 101 speed rating, which is among the top in the group. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #1 SMILING BEAST (8-1): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #5 CLOVISCONNECTION (5-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 GEEZER (10-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 4

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:02 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $33k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

• #2 THE GYPSY COWBOY (12-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Strong early pace figs.
• #6 PAX A PUNCH (8-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #8 SANTA BARBARIAN (4-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
• #7 CITIZEN BARRETT (12-1): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 8 – 7

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:32 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #5 CULLEN J (7-5): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #7 HOTHEAD (6-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #6 GLASS OF JAMESON (10-1): Major Player. Having this jockey up can only help the chances. Should step forward from the first start.
• #9 LORD DUNMORE (5-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 6 – 9

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:02 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

• #8 OUR BUCKY CHARM (5-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Looks good based on the 86 speed rating, which is among the top in the group.
• #9 DEVIL AMONG US (6-1): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #4 LONESOME STEW (2-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #7 WINDRIBBON (5-1): Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 9 – 4 – 7

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:34 PM PT; Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes Presented by City National Bank $175k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #10 OLD PAL (8-5): Top pick. Races that could beat these. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #11 ALIGATO (3-1): Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #2 ON THE WHIM (10-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 BARELY FUNCTIONAL (20-1): Fringe Contender. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 10 – 11 – 2 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 4:04 PM PT; California Chrome Cal Cup Derby $175k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #8 STYLE CAT (6-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly.
• #4 R HEISMAN (2-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #3 SHEA BRENNAN (5-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. May be able to find the right setup.
• #1 I’M A BAD BOY (3-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 3 – 1

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 4:34 PM PT; Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks $175k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #1 TEQUILAANDTHERAPY (6-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Race sets up perfectly.
• #7 LESS IS MORE (6-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #11 HEY JESSIE (4-1): Worth a look. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
• #5 CHILLY PHILLY (20-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 11 – 5

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

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Saturday Analysis

• Aqueduct Picks featuring the Ladies Stakes
• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Sunshine Classic Stakes
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the California Cup
• Tampa Bay Downs Picks featuring the Wayward Lass

Sunday Analysis

• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes