Santa Anita Picks- Saturday, January 13: Cal Cup Analysis

Santa Anita celebrates one of California’s favorite horses. The California Chrome Cal Cup honors the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner. Check out our Santa Anita picks for the entire card.

Full Card Analysis

Bet all of today’s selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetDSI.

Santa Anita Picks- Race 1

$65k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on turf; Post: 12:30 PM PT; Entries: 10

• #10 STAGGER LEE (5-2): Gets the top selection. Will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done. Is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 DON’T HIT ME BASH (4-1): Has a shot in this race. Is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #5 WESTERN GRIT (3-1): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. Is well-bred for this spot. Goes out for the Hanson barn and gets Hernandez in the irons.
• #9 TRAVELIN’ SHOW (6-1): Should improve off the first start and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front-running speed.

Selections: 10 – 7 – 5 – 9

Santa Anita Picks- Race 2

$24k Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Post: 1:00 PM PT; Entries: 6

• #6 NOBLE UNION (6-1): Gets the top selection. Is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 DIVINE FEMININE (5-2): A major player in this race. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run.
• #1 TOP OF MY GAME (4-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. Goes out for the O’Neill barn and gets Prat in the irons.
• #3 ONCOMING (4-1): Has a shot in this race. Is the class of the field. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 1 – 3

Santa Anita Picks- Race 3

$24k Claiming going 7 f on dirt; Post: 1:30 PM PT; Entries: 8

• #1 LA PALOMA BLANCA (4-1): Gets the top selection. Has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. Is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 ON PURPOSE (7-2): A major player in this race. Has been running against decent company.
• #8 DANCING DANA (3-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 BACK ON THE STREET (4-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Has been running against decent company.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 8 – 4

Santa Anita Picks- Race 4

$200k California Chrome Cal Cup Derby going 1 1/16 m on dirt; Post: 2:00 PM PT; Entries: 5

• #1 LAST CALL LONDON (2-1): Gets the top selection. Will likely get the right setup in this race. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #2 MICI’S EXPRESS (3-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 STOLEN TREASURE (3-1): Isn’t without hope. Has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. Will likely be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #4 GENTLEMEN’S CLUB (12-1): Is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. May benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Santa Anita Picks- Race 5

$200k Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks going 1 m on turf; Post: 2:30 PM PT; Entries: 9

• #2 PRANCINGTHRUPARIS (8-1): Gets the top selection. Is the class of the field. Bet the longshot play of the card at BetOnline.
• #4 ASADA FRIES (4-1): Will be competitive in this spot. Has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. Makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 SUSHI STICKS (3-1): Has a shot in this race.
• #1 PETIT FILET (8-1): Isn’t without hope. Makes sense on speed figures. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 5 – 1

Santa Anita Picks- Race 6

$67k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Post: 3:00 PM PT; Entries: 8

• #7 BAG’S GOLD (3-1): Gets the top selection. Makes sense on speed figures. Has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #3 MINISTER SHANE (5-2): A major player in this race. Will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done.
• #5 EL REY DORADO (3-1): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. Will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire. Is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #6 FLY THE SKY (8-1): Isn’t without hope. Is the class of the field. Is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 5 – 6

Santa Anita Picks- Race 7

$150k Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented by John Deere going about 6 1/2 f on downhill turf; Post: 3:30 PM PT; Entries: 8

• #2 ROSE MADDOX (3-1): Gets the top selection. Runs really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. Has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #8 CHANCERY WAY (4-1): Feels like a fringe contender in this spot. Goes out for the Thomas barn and gets Fresu in the irons.
• #6 STAY AND SCAM (5-2): Isn’t without hope. Has been running against decent company. Has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 MADIHA (6-1): Isn’t without hope. Is the class of the field.

Selections: 2 – 8 – 6 – 1

Santa Anita Picks- Race 8

$150k Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint S. going 6 f on dirt; Post: 4:00 PM PT; Entries: 5

• #2 THE CHOSEN VRON (2-5): Gets the best bet of the card. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. May benefit from a hot pace up front. While it is not advisable to bet horses like this to win, this runner is good bet to anchor your pick 4 and pick 5 wagers. Bet today’s best Best Bet at BetUS.
• #5 BRICKYARD RIDE (5-2): Isn’t without hope. Has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 MOOSE MITCHELL (6-1): Is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Makes sense on speed figures. Is likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #3 PRINCIPE CARLO (12-1): Is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. Will likely be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 4 – 3

Santa Anita Picks- Race 9

$200k Unusual Heat Turf Classic S. Presented by City National Bank going 1 1/8 m on turf; Post: 4:30 PM PT; Entries: 10

• #5 KINGS RIVER KNIGHT (6-5): Gets the top selection. Has the top overall power rating in the group. Will likely get the right setup in this race.
• #7 ALIGATO (6-1): A major player in this race. Will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done. May benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #3 BALLY’S CHARM (4-1): A major player in this race. Will likely be part of the early pace in this spot. Has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #9 CATALINA EDDY (20-1): Is a price horse and has a shot in this race. May benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 3 – 9

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Saturday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring the California Chrome Cal Cup.

Sunday

• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf.
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 Las Cienegas.

Kentucky Derby Future Prop

Bet on your favorite horse to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby today. Also, check out our analysis of the top of the market in the Derby futures wagers. Bet the Kentucky Derby future pool on Bovada.

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