Santa Anita Picks- 2024 Malibu Stakes

The racing action from Santa Anita Park on Thursday features the Malibu Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Santa Anita Park picks for the entire card!

Full Card Analysis

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Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 11:00 AM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #9 COUNT OF AMAZONIA (4-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #8 MAS RAPIDO (5-2): Fringe Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #4 MONEY MAKES MONEY (10-1): Worth a look. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
• #13 PLAYER B (10-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 9 – 8 – 4 – 13

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 11:30 AM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #1 MADAKET ROAD (3-2): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
• #5 ELUSIVE MOON (12-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #4 KOKOSAN (15-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 TARGARYIS (15-1): Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 4 – 2

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 12:02 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #14 RICE PADDY (15-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Could be ready for a top effort.
• #8 STORMY PARADISE (20-1): Major Player. Productive recent form.
• #5 LEE’S BABY GIRL (5-1): Worth a look. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Should sit a good trip.
• #11 CALMATE (12-1): Fringe Contender.

Selections: 14 – 8 – 5 – 11

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 12:32 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #1 STOP DIGGING (5-2): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #4 NENE DIAMOND (7-2): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
• #9 BARBERA (9-2): Worth a look. Previous success in similar race types. Likely in the mix early.
• #2 BERRY VALLEY (5-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 9 – 2

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 1:02 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 1 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

• #12 REAL FIRE (6-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Fits well with this group.
• #5 SHOCKING GREY (5-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #13 SAREEHA (3-1): Major Player. Has been running well enough recently. Previous success in similar race types.
• #11 MOMENT’S PLEASURE (8-1): Major Player. Should still have enough reserves in the final furlong. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 12 – 5 – 13 – 11

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 1:33 PM PT; Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #6 KATONAH (3-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #4 EXPRESS TRAIN (4-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Good race flow for this runner.
• #8 GOLDENEYE (12-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Has experience at this level.
• #5 LAMMAS (6-1): Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 8 – 5

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:03 PM PT; San Gabriel Stakes $200k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 EASTER (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
• #4 JOHANNES (4-5): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
• #9 SEAL TEAM (8-1): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
• #7 MI HERMANO RAMON (5-1): Fringe Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 9 – 7

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 2:36 PM PT; Malibu Stakes $300k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #8 RAGING TORRENT (9-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly.
• #1 BENTORNATO (3-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Likely to get forward position.
• #2 PILOT COMMANDER (6-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level.
• #6 MYSTIK DAN (5-2): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Should still have enough reserves in the final furlong.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 2 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:08 PM PT; Mathis Mile Stakes $200k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #1 KING OF GOSFORD (6-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
• #5 STAY HOT (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #2 ATITLAN (8-1): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
• #8 CATHAL (12-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 2 – 8

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 3:40 PM PT; La Brea Stakes presented by Don Julio $300k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

• #9 HOPE ROAD (3-1): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #7 ONE MAGIC PHILLY (4-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #11 CAVALIERI (10-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Should sit a good trip.
• #4 SUGAR FISH (10-1): Fringe Contender. Recent races are solid. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 9 – 7 – 11 – 4

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 4:12 PM PT; American Oaks $300k; 1 1/4 M Downhill Turf; Field of 13 runners.

• #8 SHE FEELS PRETTY (7-5): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #4 KATHYNMARISSA (4-1): Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #3 MEDORO (6-1): Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
• #5 WATCHTOWER (10-1): Fringe Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 3 – 5

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don’t miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week’s biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week’s upcoming big races:

Thursday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring full card analysis for opening day which includes a number of stakes including the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes

Friday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 Bobby Frankel Stakes

Saturday

• Aqueduct Picks featuring the Alex M. Robb Stakes
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes
• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector