Santa Anita Picks: Zenyatta Stakes (09/28/2025)

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

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Santa Anita Park Full Card Analysis

Santa Anita Picks: Zenyatta Stakes (09/28/2025)

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Santa Anita Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

#5 FIGHT BACK (7-2): Top pick. Solid breeding for this spot. Top connections on the circuit with Rispoli and Callaghan.
#6 MAV MAN (5-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
#9 CRIME LORD (5-1): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. Previous success in similar race types.
#10 BENNY’S PUZZLE (20-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Competitive enough in recent efforts.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 9 – 10

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-2

Exacta: 5/ 6,9

Santa Anita Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Maiden Optional Claiming $35k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

#1 A FRIEND OF MINE (1-1): Prime Win Player. Should be able to work out a trip.
#4 GATHERED (2-1): Underneath. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
#2 DEEP BLUE (4-1): Underneath. Previous success in similar race types.
#5 MUSIC LADY (15-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 2 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 1-1

Exacta: 1/ 4,2

Santa Anita Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Claiming $17k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

#3 TWILIGHT EMPIRE (8-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 87 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
#4 OLE SILVER (2-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
#1 IVORY MOON (5-2): Underneath. Aguilar puts this one in with a chance.
#2 VIOLET STORM (12-1): Underneath. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

The Plays

Win: #3 at 8-5

Exacta: 3/ 4,1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:30 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.

#7 YELLOW SUN DRESS (4-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Races competitive with the top contenders.
#3 PRINCESA MOCHE (20-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late. Comes home strong.
#8 THE WILD GRAZER (9-2): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. May be able find the right setup.
#10 TIGHT SQUEEZE (5-1): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 8 – 10

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta: 7/ 3,8

Santa Anita Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:00 PM PT; Claiming $26k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

#8 MAXIMUN GOLD (3-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Race sets up perfectly.
#5 APPROVAL RATING (5-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Seems to be up against the right competition.
#7 HEADSTRONG WAYS (8-1): Major Player. May be able find the right setup. Previous success in similar race types.
#1 LIL’ BOOM BOOM (9-2): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 8,5,1

Santa Anita Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:30 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 6 F Turf; Field of 12 runners.

#5 DARK BLUE (12-1): Top pick. Solid breeding for this spot. Favorable class relief in this spot.
#1 DEBBIES GETTINGHOT (20-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#3 SAGUNTO (8-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
#6 MYSTIC MOSES (10-1): Major Player. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 3 – 6

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-1

Trifecta: 5/ 3,6/ 1,3,6

Pick 3 (races 6-8): #5,1,3,6 with #5 with #12,10

Santa Anita Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:00 PM PT; Zenyatta Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

#5 RICHI (3-2): Best bet of the card. Barn has been solid. Looks good based on the 111 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
#1 SUGAR FISH (6-1): Contender. Baze and Mullins team up on this one. Trainer is having a great meet.
#3 CAVALIERI (7-5): Fringe Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
#4 HOWIN (8-1): Underneath. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #5 at 1-1

Exacta: 5/ 1,3

Santa Anita Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:30 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

#12 TRUE PATRIOT (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Decent form of late. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
#10 QUANTUM INNERGY (4-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
#14 ISSA COURT (9-2): Major Player. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Has experience at this level.
#11 GARDEN PARTY (5-1): Major Player. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 12 – 10 – 14 – 11

The Plays

Win: #12 at 5-1

Trifecta: 12/ 10,11/ 10,11,14

Santa Anita Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:00 PM PT; Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes presented by Estrella Jalisco $200k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

#6 WOUND UP (15-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Proven competitor at this configuration.
#1 DR. VENKMAN (3-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
#2 STRAIGHT NO CHASER (7-5): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Should sit a good trip.
#7 MBAGNICK (12-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 2 – 7

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 6,1,2

Santa Anita Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:30 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

#4 TAKE A BREATH (5-2): Top pick. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance.
#2 SLICK (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
#13 DELIGHTFUL LAURA (7-2): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Morning Line suggests this filly is all systems go for the first start.
#1 EDGE OF MALI (5-1): Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 13 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 4,2,13

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