Today’s Picks › Santa Anita Picks › Fri, Oct 23
- Races
- 9
- Surfaces
- 5 Dirt · 4 Turf
- First post
- 1:00local time
- Top purse · Race 5
- Soc 50000N3L
- Best Bet · Race 6
- 2Hoosick Falls Has run faster lately than anything else in here, and it isn't close
- Value play · Race 3
- 1Amigo G A Overlooked at long odds last time out
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Race-by-race picks
- 2Top pickMighty ToroRosario J · Sadler John W
Why Mighty Toro: Narrowly the fastest on recent figures. Ran 2nd last out, beaten a neck. Turned in a bullet on Oct 8.
Value play1 Corkscrew Andy
The public let him go at 51-1 last out, and the ratings say that was a mistake. Takes the class drop into maiden claiming company. Bullet work on Oct 7, best of 7 at the distance.
- 3Top pickJohnny BBaze T C · Kruljac Ian
Why Johnny B: Clearly the fastest horse in the field on recent figures. Down in price, from $50,000 to $20,000. Trainer Ian Kruljac has a strong record with dirt runners.
- 3Top pickBurning RubberHernandez J J · McCarthy Sean
Why Burning Rubber: Trending the right way, with each of his last three better than the one before. Has a slight edge on speed in a tightly matched field. Drops from a $50,000 claimer to $30,000.
Value play1 Amigo G A
Dismissed at 44-1 in his last start, but fits this field. Three straight races of improvement. Down in price, from $50,000 to $30,000.
- 7Top pickAmadorMaldonado E · Mullins Jeff
Why Amador: Last start was a clear jump forward for him. Finished 2nd in his last start, 5 lengths behind the winner. The Jeff Mullins barn does well with dirt runners.
Value play8 Hankering
Went off at 16-1 last time but rates as a real contender here. Tops this field on recent speed. Drops from a $25,000 claimer to $12,500.
- 2Top pickHey Lil LadyLeparoux J R · Hess R B Jr
Why Hey Lil Lady: Brings the best recent figures into the race. Ran 2nd last out, beaten 1½ lengths. Gets an easier spot than last time.
- 2Top pickHoosick FallsFrey K · Mullins Jeff
Why Hoosick Falls: Has run faster lately than anything else in here, and it isn't close. Comes in off a win at 6-1. Trainer Jeff Mullins has a strong record with last-out winners.
Value play3 Redial
The public let him go at 8-1 last out, and the ratings say that was a mistake. Trending the right way, with each of his last three better than the one before. The Ian Kruljac barn does well with dirt runners.
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- 6Top pickQueen of BantryHerrera C · Ruvalcaba Alberto
Why Queen of Bantry: Holds a big edge on recent speed over this group. Took a big step forward last time. Has the most early speed in a short dirt race.
Value play4 Adia
The public let her go at 13-1 last out, and the ratings say that was a mistake. Has improved in each of the last three starts. Was only 8½ lengths from winning last time.
- 4Top pickMiz ClubcaliPereira T J · Kruljac Ian
Why Miz Clubcali: Owns the best recent speed figures in the field. Was only a nose from winning last time. Rarely runs a bad one: top three in 5 of 6 lately.
Value play5 Roman Empress
Dismissed at 14-1 in her last start, but fits this field. Last start was a clear jump forward for her. Has won 3 times over this track.
- 6Top pickIssa CourtRosario J · Hess R B Jr
Why Issa Court: Nobody else in the field has run as fast as her lately. Likes Santa Anita, with 4 wins here. Trainer B Hess R Jr has a strong record with sprinters.
Value play2 Saariselka
The public let her go at 11-1 last out, and the ratings say that was a mistake. Posted the fastest of 8 works at 4 furlongs on Oct 16. The Carla Gaines barn does well with routers cutting back.
Also eligible, runs only if there are scratches: Cameron Slough
Last time at Santa Anita
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, our top picks went 0 for 1 in the races graded so far. See that card.
- Race 8: Blame the Track won. Our pick Dancing Thru Fire was unplaced.
More picks for Friday, October 23
Santa Anita picks archive
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Updated Oct 22, 2026