Santa Anita Picks: Crystal Water Stakes (05/23/2026)

Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 6 1/2 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #8 CHRISTEL CLEAN (7-2): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Race may setup for this runner.
• #10 PURE CHAOS (12-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #9 KIKURIDE (5-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Hernandez and Lewi. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #3 AMERICA'S MARK (2-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 8 – 10 – 9 – 3

The Plays

Win: #8 at 3-1

Exacta: 8 / 10,9

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 4 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

• #6 FREE CLOSER (9-5): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #10 POTICA (8-1): Contender. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #7 THIRSTY CAITLIN (5-2): Contender. Likely in the mix early. May be able to find the right setup.
• #4 LIHUE PRINCESS (9-2): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Top connections on the circuit with Fresu and Knapp.

Selections: 6 – 10 – 7 – 4

The Plays

Win: #6 at 6-5

Exacta: 6 / 10,4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Thor's Echo Stakes $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 BIG CITY LIGHTS (6-5): Top Pick. Strong early pace figs. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance.
• #7 LONESOME STEW (2-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #1 PURE MADNESS (8-1): Contender. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. May be able to find the right setup.
• #2 THIRSTY REBEL (20-1): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 1 – 2

The Plays

Win: #5 at 6-5

Pick 3 (Races 3-5): #5,7 with #3 with #5,3

Exacta Box: 5,7

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:33 PM PT; Fran's Valentine Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

• #3 GRAND SLAM SMILE (1-1): Best Bet of the Card. Comes in with solid form. Looks good based on the 93 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #1 TAKE ANOTHER CARD (5-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Comes home strong.
• #2 PRANCINGTHRUPARIS (6-1): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. May be able to find the right setup.
• #4 O K ROSE (6-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Berrios and Eurton team up on this one.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Exacta: 3 / 1,2,4

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:04 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $16k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #5 TROJAN MAFIA (5-2): Prime Win Player. Looks good based on the 77 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Barn has been solid.
• #3 CARL ERSKINE (4-1): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #8 MY MAN JOE ROLDAN (7-2): Contender. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #6 STAGE RUN (6-1): Fringe Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Bloodlines fit this race.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 8 – 6

The Plays

Win: #5 at 2-1

Exacta: 5 / 3,8,6

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:37 PM PT; Crystal Water Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #7 FLYOVER (1-1): Prime Win Player. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
• #2 ON THE WHIM (5-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #4 PRINCE DOLCE (8-1): Contender. The 95 speed rating is among the best in the field. Previous success in similar race types.
• #9 CALL ME SIR (8-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 4 – 9

The Plays

Win: #7 at 1-1

Exacta: 7 / 2,4,9

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:07 PM PT; Melair Stakes $125k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 MOHAVEN (3-5): Prime Win Player. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #5 CECILIA STREET (12-1): Fringe Contender. Can run with these. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #6 LINO'S ANGEL (30-1): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #1 HOLDTHATRAINBOW (5-1): Underneath. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 6 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 1-1

Exacta: 4 / 5,1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:37 PM PT; Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank $125k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #1 UNRIVALED TIME (7-2): Top Pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #6 VENTRY STRAND (9-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Seems to be up against the right competition.
• #3 HE'S A KNOCKOUT (6-5): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Top connections on the circuit with Hernandez and Gaine.
• #7 THIRD BEER (6-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 3 – 7

The Plays

Win: #1 at 3-1

Exacta: 1 / 6,7

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:07 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $67k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #5 START THE RIDE (4-1): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 90 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Strong early pace figs.
• #8 SPIRITUAL ADVISOR (12-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Good race flow for this runner.
• #2 KNOWN IDEA (7-2): Major Player. Has been running well enough recently. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
• #3 MAJESTIC PALISADES (6-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 2 – 3

The Plays

Win: #5 at 3-1

Exacta: 5 / 8,2,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:37 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $65k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #11 FLASH OF LIGHTNING (3-1): Top Pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Kimura and Baltas team up on this one.
• #14 BOOKED CLUBHOUSE (5-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #1 ROBIN OLDS (9-2): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
• #7 THROWTHEFIRSTPUNCH (8-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 11 – 14 – 1 – 7

The Plays

Win: #11 at 5-2

Exacta: 11 / 14,1,7