Santa Anita Picks: California Distaff Handicap (10/11/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sun Oct 11, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
Santa Anita picks are here for a 10-race card topped by the California Distaff Handicap. Below you will find full Santa Anita picks and analysis for every race on the October 11, 2026 program, including a best bet, a live longshot and suggested wagers for each event.
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Santa Anita Full Card Analysis
Santa Anita Picks: California Distaff Handicap (10/11/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 6 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #6 KLAEBO (5-1): Major Player. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Has been drilling steadily into the debut.
- #5 JIMMY'S WINCHESTER (9-2): Major Player. Serious work pattern behind this first start. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener.
- #2 ANOTHER WARRIOR (4-1): Contender. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #1 OCEAN CLUB (6-1): Contender. Outruns the class par more often than not. Top connections on the circuit with Rispoli and Papaprodromou.
Selections: 6 – 5 – 2 – 1
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,5 / 6,5,2,1 / 6,5,2,1
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:29 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #3 MY MEMORY (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness. Glatt and Smith team up, and that combination wins its share. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #2 KIVO (5-2): Major Player. Distance change should suit. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #4 CYPRUS AVENUE (6-1): Contender. Much better than the last line indicates. The 9 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #1 BOLD TYPE (4-5): Contender. Speed numbers are right there with the top group. Strong connections with Baffert sending out Hernandez.
Selections: 3 – 2 – 4 – 1
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-2
Trifecta: 3,2 / 3,2,4,1 / 3,2,4,1
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:59 PM PT; Claiming $32k; 6 F Turf; Field of 6 runners.
- #3 WANDERING KIRBY (1-1): Major Player. Improving with each start. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
- #1 TAM'S LITTLE ANGEL (3-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #5 SYNTAX (5-2): Contender. Has won at a higher level than this. Best late pace figure in the field at 100.
- #4 LA CHISMOSA (10-1): Contender. Drops to a level that should suit. Capestro has the barn rolling and keeps Baze aboard.
Selections: 3 – 1 – 5 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,1 / 3,1,5,4 / 3,1,5,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:29 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $20k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #4 ICONS ONLY (4-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight. Recent form lines measure up to these.
- #8 SWIMMINGLY (5-2): Major Player. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #5 HERE FOR THE BOOS (12-1): Contender. Bred to be effective on this surface right away. The Glatt barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
- #3 DEBBY'S GAL (9-5): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
Selections: 4 – 8 – 5 – 3
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Trifecta: 4,8 / 4,8,5,3 / 4,8,5,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:09 PM PT; Claiming $30k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.
- #9 MOTET (2-1): Major Player. On a steady upward trend. Berrios takes the mount for Miller, which is worth noting.
- #1 WITH LOVE (9-2): Major Player. Sharp drop in class is the story. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
- #2 CHILLY PHILLY (8-1): Contender. Proven competitor at this configuration. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #7 ANYWAYTHEWINDBLOWS (10-1): Contender. Has been running against better than this. Form lines read well against this group.
Selections: 9 – 1 – 2 – 7
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-2
Trifecta: 9,1 / 9,1,2,7 / 9,1,2,7
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:39 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $13k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 LAST CHANCE DARCY (7-2): Best Bet of the Card. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #7 STYLISH COLLEEN (10-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Competitive in the same class recently.
- #4 UNUSUAL CRAVING (2-1): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #2 NICO DIJO (20-1): Contender. No class question at this level.
Selections: 3 – 7 – 4 – 2
The Plays
Win: #3 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 6-8): #3 with #1,8,4 with #8,5,1
Exacta: 3 / 7,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:09 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #1 YEP (6-5): Major Player. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
- #8 RULER OF LAW (6-1): Major Player. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try.
- #4 BRAWLER (4-1): Contender. Bred to appreciate the change of surface.
- #2 HAZAKA (6-1): Contender. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots.
Selections: 1 – 8 – 4 – 2
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,8 / 1,8,4,2 / 1,8,4,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:39 PM PT; Claiming $13k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #8 SUNK COST FALLACY (10-1): Major Player. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
- #5 BATTLE SCHOOL (5-1): Major Player. Improving with each start.
- #1 PRINCE OF DEL MAR (5-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
- #10 MY MAN JOE ROLDAN (6-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently.
Selections: 8 – 5 – 1 – 10
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-2
Exacta: 8 / 5,1
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:09 PM PT; California Distaff Handicap $100k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #11 CHRISTEL CLEAN (7-2): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight.
- #6 GRAND SLAM SMILE (8-5): Major Player. Record over this surface and trip stands out.
- #4 ROSA PARKS (5-2): Contender. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #1 STILL UNWRITTEN (30-1): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
Selections: 11 – 6 – 4 – 1
The Plays
Win: #11 at 5-2
Trifecta: 11,6 / 11,6,4,1 / 11,6,4,1
Santa Anita Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:39 PM PT; Claiming $80k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #1 MAAZ (9-2): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Could wear these ones down late.
- #8 MOMAD (20-1): Major Player. Ran into trouble last out and deserves another look.
- #4 NAMARON (7-5): Contender. On a steady upward trend. Sets up well if the front end folds.
- #2 NINEELEVENTURBO (12-1): Contender. The class edge on paper is real. Works suggest readiness off the layoff.
Selections: 1 – 8 – 4 – 2
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,8 / 1,8,4,2 / 1,8,4,2
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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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