Santa Anita Picks: Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes (10/3/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Oct 03, 2026, 9:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
Santa Anita picks are here for the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes card. @HandicappingT3 has all the analysis and plays for the 10 race October 3, 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: Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes (10/3/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 ABSOLUTION (2-1): Major Player. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #6 FEDERATION (8-1): Major Player. Bred to appreciate the change of surface. The 18 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #1 DREAM SEEKER (3-1): Contender. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #2 HOAXER (5-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Top connections on the circuit with Rosario and Baffert.
Selections: 5 – 6 – 1 – 2
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,6 / 5,6,1,2 / 5,6,1,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:29 PM PT; Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes $100k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #1 THERMAL (2-1): Major Player. Outruns the class par more often than not. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
- #5 TOASTER (6-5): Major Player. Has been exceeding what the level demands. Baffert and Hernandez team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #4 PARADISE CITY (7-2): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. Strong connections with Joseph sending out Husbands.
- #3 OUR MOONLIGHT (6-1): Contender. Improving with each start. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
Selections: 1 – 5 – 4 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,5 / 1,5,4,3 / 1,5,4,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:01 PM PT; Grade 2 Oak Leaf Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #2 HOLMBY (9-5): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Baffert has the barn rolling and keeps Gonzalez aboard.
- #1 QUATTRO PASSI (5-2): Major Player. No class question at this level. Recent form lines measure up to these.
- #4 FREE CLOSER (6-1): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #5 JANIE NOT JEANIE (20-1): Contender. Beaten only 72 lengths last out against similar. Needs to bounce back from a dull effort.
Selections: 2 – 1 – 4 – 5
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Trifecta: 2,1 / 2,1,4,5 / 2,1,4,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:32 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 6 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 FRANK BULLITT (2-1): Major Player. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots. Best late pace figure in the field at 107.
- #5 JETOVATOR (5-1): Major Player. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #4 OWL (5-2): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight. The Drysdale barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
- #8 POKERKNIGHTATVEES (8-1): Contender. Meaningful class relief today. A 4.5 is plenty fast for this spot.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 8
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,5 / 3,5,4,8 / 3,5,4,8
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:02 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #4 EMPIRE OF ASH (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Form lines read well against this group. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #2 ANGEL'S EMBER (6-5): Contender. Figures fit comfortably at this level. Hernandez takes the mount for Garcia, which is worth noting.
- #5 D'S FOUR THUMBS UP (7-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #3 SMOKEM THIRSTY (12-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently.
Selections: 4 – 2 – 5 – 3
The Plays
Win: #4 at 3-1
Trifecta: 4,2 / 4,2,5,3 / 4,2,5,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:34 PM PT; Speakeasy Stakes $100k; 5 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #6 ARCTIC WOLF (2-1): Major Player. Drops to a level that should suit. Closing kick is the strongest of this group.
- #2 OMAHA SPIRIT (8-5): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #3 HIGH PRONTO (10-1): Contender. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here.
- #5 BELLEZA LATINA (12-1): Contender. Sharp drop in class is the story.
Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,2 / 6,2,3,5 / 6,2,3,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:04 PM PT; Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes $300k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #2 HUGHES (4-5): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Finishes better than anything else entered.
- #1 DANG SON (12-1): Major Player. On a steady upward trend.
- #3 NET PAR (12-1): Contender. Much better than the last line indicates.
- #4 IMPERIAL HONOR (9-5): Contender. The 93 speed rating is among the top in the group.
Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 4
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Trifecta: 2,1 / 2,1,3,4 / 2,1,3,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:36 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #7 GOT'M COT'M (3-1): Best Bet of the Card. Improving with each start. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #5 MOMENT OF VALOR (4-1): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #9 SAUL ELLIOTT (8-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight.
- #6 RODRIGOKNOWS (8-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
Selections: 7 – 5 – 9 – 6
The Plays
Win: #7 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 8-10): #7 with #5,7,2 with #1,3,8
Exacta: 7 / 5,9
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:06 PM PT; Claiming $50k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #5 TASHIE (2-1): Major Player. Has been running against better than this.
- #7 BREAKAWAY BABE (12-1): Major Player. The class edge on paper is real.
- #2 STRIDENT MISS (30-1): Contender. Ran into trouble last out and deserves another look. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
- #6 STAY BOSSY (5-1): Contender. On a steady upward trend. A 83 late-pace number leads the field.
Selections: 5 – 7 – 2 – 6
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,7 / 5,7,2,6 / 5,7,2,6
Santa Anita Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:36 PM PT; Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes $200k; 1 1/4 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #1 THOUGHT PROCESS (4-5): Major Player. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #3 DONA CLOTA (15-1): Major Player. Steps down into a far more manageable spot.
- #8 VICTORIOUS DREAM (20-1): Contender. Improving with each start.
- #7 HEY JESSIE (10-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight.
Selections: 1 – 3 – 8 – 7
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,3 / 1,3,8,7 / 1,3,8,7
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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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