Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Santa Anita Park – Racing News and Analysis for April 26, 2026


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Santa Anita Park — Sunday, April 26, 2026 — Condensed Picks Report

Ideal Southern California weather with a fast main track and firm turf. Speed has a modest edge on dirt; closers and pace-pressers favored on the firm grass. Post position management critical in large turf fields.

Race 1

Taking A Joy Ride (4) is the top selection based on her encouraging dirt debut and a classic profile for a turf stretch-out at the mile. Maggles Mcgee (2) and Tate Batz (5) are the logical exotics companions. Kool Mariah (3) at 10-1 is a minor trifecta inclusion only.

Race 2

No More Ding Dongs (3) gets the slight edge over co-favorite Ya'll Come (2) based on post position advantage in the short sprint. Three Georges (5) at 4-1 is the value play underneath if the co-favorites clash on the front end. Avoid the win pool at 1-1 prices.

Race 3

Burning Rubber (2) is the top selection at 3-1 in this nine-horse turf allowance, with Mysterious Husband (5) as the primary exacta partner. Living Life (9) at 5-1 is the recommended closer to include underneath, and I'm Otter Here (8) at 6-1 offers trifecta value. Note Poor Connection (1) at 10-1 as a trainer angle worth minimal exotic use.

Race 4

Fight Back (5) is the narrow top choice over co-favorite Imagineer (6) in this maiden dirt route. Knowhere (2) at 3-1 is the best value in the race and a legitimate upset threat on the front end. Box the top three in the exacta; use Saturday (3) and Desert Hawk (7) minimally in trifectas.

Race 5

Little Raymond (6) at 5-1 is the recommended win play and best upset special on the card — ideal post, peak-form barn, and top rider against a vulnerable 2-1 favorite. Jimmy Winkfield (2) is the public choice and logical exacta partner. Sagunto (1) at 4-1 and Van Gogh Style (3) at 8-1 round out the trifecta coverage; include Sunset Ride (10) at 12-1 minimally given the barn's current form.

Race 6

Bear's Board (5) at 4-1 is the consensus Best Bet of the card — O'Neill controls the pace through multiple entrants and the spot sets up perfectly. Flamingo Star (4) and My Kat (6) are the co-favorites to use underneath, with Stardialed (8) at 6-1 as a legitimate trifecta option. Bet Bear's Board (5) to win and place.

Race 7

Christel Clean (11) at 3-1 is the top selection on class in this twelve-horse turf sprint. Idessia (7) at 4-1 is the most dangerous rival given current barn form, with Kikuride (8) as the third exacta option. Gold Currency (10) at 10-1 with a Hall of Fame rider is the recommended trifecta overlay; Goodnight Nellie (2) at 5-1 and Tiger Of The Sea (1) at 8-1 are minor inclusions.

Race 8

Kitty Marren (6) at 4-1 tops this wide-open fourteen-horse maiden sprint on trainer class alone. Manhattan Beauty (7) at 5-1 is the preferred secondary choice, with Miss Hot And Cold (12) as the other co-favorite despite a wide draw concern. Box Kitty Marren (6), Manhattan Beauty (7), and at least one Eurton entryConquest Sue (5) or I'm No Swifty (14) — in trifectas for value.

Race 9

Lubie's Music (8) at 8-1 is the top value play of the afternoon and the recommended win bet — an elite trainer-jockey combination at a generous price in the card's richest turf route. Take Another Card (2) at 3-1 is the morning line choice and logical exacta partner. Miss Meagher (6) at 6-1 and Our Moonlight (7) at 8-1 complete the trifecta coverage; note Cailin Dana (4) at 15-1 for a minimal Hall of Fame trainer-jockey inclusion in deeper tickets.

Before wagering, check the Latest Race Scratches, Changes, and Conditions post for any last-minute scratches or race changes.


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