Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes (10/31/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Oct 31, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
Santa Anita picks are here for a 10-race card topped by the Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes. Below you will find full Santa Anita picks and analysis for every race on the October 31, 2026 program, including a best bet, a live longshot and suggested wagers for each event.
Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!
Santa Anita Full Card Analysis
Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes (10/31/2026)
Santa Anita Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:30 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 HARD TO FIGURE (7-2): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #2 SEE THROUGH IT (2-1): Major Player. Outruns the class par more often than not. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
- #6 IMA TRACK STAR (6-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #5 SENDIT MO (3-1): Contender. Figures fit comfortably at this level. Needs to bounce back from a dull effort.
Selections: 3 – 2 – 6 – 5
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,2 / 3,2,6,5 / 3,2,6,5
Santa Anita Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:01 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 6 runners.
- #3 ROYAL PEARL (2-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
- #6 D'YQUEM (7-5): Major Player. Competitive in the same class recently. Recent form lines measure up to these.
- #2 ENDLESS SMOKE (12-1): Contender. Much better than the last line indicates. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #1 LUCILLE B (12-1): Contender. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try. Top connections on the circuit with Gonzalez and Damato.
Selections: 3 – 6 – 2 – 1
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,6 / 3,6,2,1 / 3,6,2,1
Santa Anita Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:33 PM PT; Golden State Juvenile Stakes $175k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #5 GOLDEN CLUB (5-1): Major Player. Improving with each start. Best late pace figure in the field at 86.
- #1 EARLY ENCORE (2-5): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Sadler and Ayuso team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #2 ANGEL'S EMBER (6-1): Contender. No class question at this level. Strong connections with Garcia sending out Espinoza.
- #4 THE MOE SHOW (20-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Exacta: 5 / 1,2
Santa Anita Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:15 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $50k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
Best Bet of the Card
- #5 DR. FILKINS (7-5): Best Bet of the Card. Proven competitor at this configuration. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #1 CHALKY'S GOLD (10-1): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Works suggest readiness off the layoff.
- #10 DUKE OF ORLEANS (12-1): Contender. Bred to appreciate the change of surface. Rodriguez has the barn rolling and keeps Americano aboard.
- #9 LOW KEY COOL (7-2): Contender. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. The Damato barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 10 – 9
The Plays
Win: #5 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 4-6): #5 with #4,2,10 with #6,5,8
Exacta: 5 / 1,10
Santa Anita Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:50 PM PT; Claiming $10k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #4 MIDNITE MUSKET (4-1): Major Player. On a steady upward trend. Form lines read well against this group.
- #2 DOO WOP DON (4-1): Major Player. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
- #10 DIRTY WORDS (2-1): Contender. Drops to a level that should suit. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
- #3 CHECK'S ON THE WAY (6-1): Contender. Record over this surface and trip stands out. Beaten only 8.8 lengths last out against similar.
Selections: 4 – 2 – 10 – 3
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Trifecta: 4,2 / 4,2,10,3 / 4,2,10,3
Santa Anita Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:30 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $50k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #6 JOE VITTORI (20-1): Major Player. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here. Aguilar takes the mount for Valdez, which is worth noting.
- #7 PAPA SANTOS (8-1): Major Player. Sharp drop in class is the story. Has questions to answer but the upside is there.
- #5 MILKEN COOKIES (5-2): Contender. Has been running against better than this. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #8 WICKED SPUD (30-1): Contender. The class edge on paper is real. Inconsistent, but the best race makes this interesting.
Selections: 6 – 7 – 5 – 8
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,7 / 6,7,5,8 / 6,7,5,8
Santa Anita Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #3 SWIFT APPEAL (5-2): Major Player. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots.
- #10 CALVIN GRAHAM (5-1): Major Player. Has been drilling steadily into the debut. Bred to be effective on this surface right away.
- #8 RYNE SANDBERG (20-1): Contender. Serious work pattern behind this first start. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener.
- #9 HIGH HULL GILL (8-1): Contender. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
Selections: 3 – 10 – 8 – 9
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,10 / 3,10,8,9 / 3,10,8,9
Santa Anita Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:30 PM PT; Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
Longshot Play of the Day
- #10 BALTIC FIRE (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Improving with each start. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #5 BOJACA BLESSING (5-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight.
- #3 MAY DAY READY (5-1): Contender. Has handled this exact setup before.
- #4 LITTLE JAMIE (10-1): Contender. Has won at a higher level than this.
Selections: 10 – 5 – 3 – 4
The Plays
Win: #10 at 7-2
Trifecta: 10,5 / 10,5,3,4 / 10,5,3,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:00 PM PT; Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes $175k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #7 FREE CLOSER (7-2): Major Player. Steps down into a far more manageable spot. Closing kick is the strongest of this group.
- #6 DAYTONA DIAMOND (9-2): Major Player. Ran at this level last out.
- #5 MANEE (10-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Trainer angle here has been profitable.
- #4 MS GRAINGER DANGER (30-1): Contender. On a steady upward trend.
Selections: 7 – 6 – 5 – 4
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,6 / 7,6,5,4 / 7,6,5,4
Santa Anita Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:30 PM PT; Claiming $50k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #3 STYLISHLYACCLAIMED (6-1): Major Player. Competitive in the same class recently.
- #4 IN THE TANK (10-1): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #8 MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH (30-1): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #5 PRINCE DOLCE (4-1): Contender. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
Selections: 3 – 4 – 8 – 5
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,4 / 3,4,8,5 / 3,4,8,5
More Horses News
Horse Betting News
Keeneland Picks Oct 31: Englishman Leads the Breeders' Cup Charge
Horse Betting News
Keeneland Picks: Breeders' Cup Championship Saturday (10/31/2026)
Horse Betting News
Keeneland Picks Oct 30: Hughes Leads My Breeders Cup Picks
Horse Betting News
Keeneland Picks: Breeders' Cup Future Stars Friday Analysis (10/30/2026)
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Don't miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Check out our full card analysis for this week's upcoming big races.
Friday Analysis
- Keeneland Breeders' Cup Future Stars Friday Picks featuring the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Stakes on Dirt
Saturday Analysis
- Keeneland Breeders' Cup Championship Saturday Picks featuring the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic Stakes on Dirt
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes on Turf
Sunday Analysis
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 2 Twilight Derby Stakes on Turf
- Woodbine Picks featuring the Grade 3 Bet365 Grey Stakes on Synthetic
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.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.