Santa Anita Picks: 2024 San Juan Capistrano

The racing action from Santa Anita Park on Sunday features the San Juan Capistrano Stakes. 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 BetOnline.

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM PT; Allowance $61k; 6 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.

• #4 MOTORIOUS (3-1): Best bet of the card. Top trainer at the meet in D’Amato. Looks good based on the 97 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet the best bet of the card with industry leading rebates at BetOnline.
• #2 FIRST PEACE (7-2): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #7 WHATMAKESSAMMYRUN (8-1): Worth a look. Speed figs match up nicely. Potential to kick home late.
• #8 TURN ON THE JETS (4-1): Fringe Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Gets one of the best jockeys at the meet with Hernandez.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 7 – 8

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $31k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #1 BAD SNEAKERS (4-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Top 5 rider aboard.
• #5 MUCINO (4-1): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Rider is in the upper tier of the colony.
• #2 DE’ MEDICI (8-5): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 MISCHELOF (5-1): Fringe Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 2 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:31 PM PT; Claiming $21k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 ELECTOR (5-2): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Top 5 rider aboard.
• #3 MAN OVERBOARD (4-1): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Good race flow for this runner.
• #6 ARROGATES SPIRIT (7-2): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #4 JOHN DUNBAR (5-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 6 – 4

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:05 PM PT; Cinema Stakes $100k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 5 runners.

• #5 BRITISH ISLES (3-1): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #2 FINAL BOSS (8-5): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #1 GOLD FOOT (3-1): Contender. Has been running well enough recently. Having this jockey up can only help the chances.
• #3 BLUE EYED GEORGE (5-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 1 – 3

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:38 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $55k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 ULTIMATE GAMBLE (9-5): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Strong early pace figs.
• #7 SMART MO (3-1): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #6 GHAZAALY (6-1): Contender. Hernandez makes this one a player.
• #2 COALINGA ROAD (5-1): Contender. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 6 – 2

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:08 PM PT; San Juan Capistrano Stakes $100k; About 1 3/4 M Downhill turf; Field of 6 runners.

• #6 PLANETARIO (6-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #2 ROCKEMPEROR (3-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Productive recent form.
• #3 OFFLEE NAUGHTY (5-2): Major Player. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
• #1 RIMPROTECTOR (6-1): Contender. Jockey is having a great meet. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 1

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:38 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $54k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #7 CHARMZ AWAY (5-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 90 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #5 STYLE CAT (4-1): Major Player. Gets a top notch pilot in Hernandez. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #3 GO GO PRANCER (4-1): Contender. Having this jockey up can only help the chances. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #6 KEEP DANCIN NICK (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 3 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:08 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $55k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #5 KERRY GOLD (3-1): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Top jock on the circuit with Hernandez.
• #1 WINE AND WHISKY (12-1): Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #2 BIG BET JAFINSAFA (4-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 TALKLESSWORKMORE (6-1): Fringe Contender. Fast enough on paper to compete. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 6

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:38 PM PT; Claiming $21k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #7 THE BIG CHEESEOLA (8-1): Longshot play of the day. Could be ready for a top effort. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Bet today’s longshot play of the day at BetOnline.
• #2 MOBE TOWN (4-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #8 PAT’S PADDOCK PICK (6-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #3 KAHUNA MAGIC (8-1): Contender. Jockey is having a great meet. Recent races are solid.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 8 – 3

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:08 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $54k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #1 HIGHLY DESIRABLE (6-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form.
• #6 IMA JOKER (3-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #5 UPCHARGE (8-1): Contender. Has experience at this level. Has been running well enough recently.
• #7 SHE’Z THE LAW (5-2): Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Jockey is having a great meet.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 5 – 7

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 5:38 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $19k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

• #6 CUPID’S CRUSADER (7-2): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #8 VILIFIED (3-1): Contender. Goes out for the combination of Fresu and Yakteen. Likely to get forward position.
• #4 IGNATOWSKI (5-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #7 WINSITWELL (8-1): Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 4 – 7

Santa Anita Park Picks – Race 12

Post Time: 6:08 PM PT; Allowance $55k; About 6 1/2 F Downhill turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #12 SEISMIC SPIRIT (10-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #10 TIGERHON (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #11 FATHER DELAY (8-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #1 KING APOLLO (8-1): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 12 – 10 – 11 – 1

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don’t miss all of 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:

Saturday

• Belmont at the Big A picks featuring the Grade 2 Bed O’ Roses Stakes
• Churchill Downs picks featuring the Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes
• Monmouth Park picks featuring the Grade 3 Salvator Mile
• Gulfstream Park picks featuring the Powder Break Stakes

Sunday

• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes.