Looking for today’s Santa Anita picks? This full-card breakdown for the May 24 Santa Anita card focuses on projected performance, pace flow, race structure, class fit, and wagering clarity. Instead of simply listing likely winners, the goal is to separate true betting opportunities from races where the obvious horse may be too short, too vulnerable, or too dependent on trip.
These Santa Anita picks today are built around Today’s Racing Digest methodology: evaluating each horse in today’s conditions, translating class moves, interpreting pace pressure, and deciding whether a runner is a strong bet, a defensive use, or a weak wagering proposition. The card includes a useful mix of dirt sprints, turf routes, turf sprints, juvenile dashes, and lower-level class puzzles, which makes race selection especially important.
Santa Anita Race Analysis for May 24
The strongest wagering races on this card are not necessarily the races with the most obvious winners. Several races have logical favorites who fit well, but the betting edge depends on whether those horses are controlling speed, reliable class droppers, or merely public horses with limited separation. The best plays come where pace shape, class position, and likely trip all point in the same direction.
Track tendencies that matter today
Santa Anita dirt sprints continue to reward horses with speed, tactical position, and the ability to stay involved before the far turn. That makes pure deep closers harder to trust unless the race contains enough pace pressure to change the shape. Turf sprints also favor runners who can stay close and finish, while turf routes give more room for tactical stalkers and midpack grinders to work out the right trip.
That profile puts extra emphasis on horses such as Elsa Dutton, A Great Shaking, Legal Fiction, Kokosan, Chase N Ryan, Lorenzo Bernini, and Catalina Cocktail, all of whom fit their race shape in a way that makes sense beyond raw past-performance appeal.
Race-grouping by betting profile
Most Predictable
- Race 2 – Dirt sprint with multiple logical speed and pressing types, but Elsa Dutton owns the most complete profile.
- Race 5 – Turf route where Kokosan has the strongest projected fit and the right class foundation.
- Race 8 – Dirt mile with a clear controlling-speed scenario for Lorenzo Bernini.
Best Value Potential
- Race 7 – Turf sprint with enough pace to make Chase N Ryan’s stalking style attractive.
- Race 9 – Turf mile where Catalina Cocktail gets back to her preferred surface and class level.
- Race 3 – Dirt sprint with several usable horses, creating a possible price opening around Legal Fiction or Rock N Roll Song.
Higher Uncertainty
- Race 4 – Cal-bred juvenile dash where first-time starters and gate intent dominate the analysis.
- Race 6 – Another baby race where works, barn intent, and tote action may matter more than established form.
- Race 1 – Short turf sprint with a logical pace setup but several horses trying to prove surface or current-form reliability.
Best betting opportunities ranked by race number only
- Race 2
- Race 5
- Race 7
- Race 9
- Race 8
Top Santa Anita best bets today
Race 2 – Elsa Dutton
Betting angle: win candidate with tactical reliability
Race 2 is one of the most attractive betting races on the card because the pace should be honest, the track profile favors speed and forward position, and Elsa Dutton enters with the right combination of recent form, local sprint ability, and sharp current works. She has enough speed to avoid being compromised, but she does not need a perfect loose-lead setup to win.
Bessie Coleman is a serious threat because she was game on the engine last time and cuts back into a suitable six-furlong trip. Violences Ohr is also dangerous returning to dirt after a turf failure. But Elsa Dutton brings the cleanest total package: current form, course suitability, and enough tactical speed to make the race unfold on her terms. She is the preferred win play if the price remains fair.
Race 5 – Kokosan
Betting angle: strongest projected turf-route fit
Kokosan looks like the most reliable route horse in Race 5. His recent Santa Anita effort is better than it looks because he had a rough start and a wide trip yet still stayed involved before flattening late. His better races against similar and slightly tougher company stand above this group, and the placement looks right for a rebound.
The race shape should allow a midpack runner with finishing ability to stay within range and produce a winning move. That helps Kokosan, but it also gives Biggiebiggiebiggie a legitimate chance to be dangerous late. The difference is that Kokosan has already handled this level and owns the stronger overall route foundation. He is the most trustworthy win candidate in a race that should be useful for both win betting and vertical exotics.
Race 7 – Chase N Ryan
Betting angle: pace setup favors a stalker
Race 7 has enough early speed to make the race interesting. Matt At Five, Tommy Norris, and Uecker all have reasons to be involved early, which should give Chase N Ryan the right kind of stalking trip. He already proved he fits this class and surface when second at this level over the course, and he has the right running style for a turf sprint that may not be kind to horses locked in an early fight.
Matt At Five is the horse to beat off his last win, but he may have to deal with more heat this time. That gives Chase N Ryan the better wagering profile if the public leans heavily toward the last-out winner. He is not necessarily flashier on paper, but he may be the more practical bet based on projected race flow.
Additional playable races
Race 9 – Catalina Cocktail
Catalina Cocktail is the right kind of class-and-surface rebound horse. Her last dirt race can be forgiven, and her prior turf route races fit this starter-level mile very well. She gets back to the lawn, lands in the right spot, and owns the best late-running profile in the field.
She’s Splendid is the main danger if she returns to her better two-back turf effort, while Deep Blue is sharp but still has to prove she wants the mile. Catalina Cocktail is the preferred win candidate because her best races already answer the key questions this race asks.
Race 8 – Lorenzo Bernini
Lorenzo Bernini is the controlling speed in a dirt mile without much other true front-end pressure. That alone makes him dangerous at Santa Anita, especially because he nearly wired this kind two back at the same trip. He has already shown he fits the level, and the pace map gives him a straightforward path.
The betting concern is price. When a horse is the obvious lone speed, the public often sees the same thing. Tab Walker is the main alternative, while Curly’s Agenda is the more interesting outsider if the class drop and surface switch wake him up. Lorenzo Bernini is the most likely winner, but the race is more attractive if he can be used as a single at a playable number rather than an overbet favorite.
Race-by-race Santa Anita picks and wagering notes
Race 1
A Great Shaking gets the right pace setup in a turf sprint where front-end and pressing types should have the advantage. She already fits the level and has shown she can make her speed count. Famous Forza is the main danger turning back from a mile, and Tiny Prancer is the most interesting alternative if she handles the turf off the layoff.
Race 2
Elsa Dutton is the top choice because her recent sprint form, Santa Anita record, outside tactical position, and sharp work pattern make her the most complete contender. Bessie Coleman and Violences Ohr are the major threats, while Busy Making Munny is the longer-priced horse worth including underneath.
Race 3
Legal Fiction can rebound sharply with the class drop after facing tougher two back. She has enough early involvement for the Santa Anita dirt-sprint profile and should be dangerous if she tosses the last race. Harney Lane owns the best recent dirt sprint number, while Falabella and Rock N Roll Song both have pace or price appeal.
Race 4
This Cal-bred juvenile dash depends heavily on gate speed and first-out readiness. Early Encore looks like the most professional first-time starter for a strong barn-and-rider combination, while Keepsmesane should be respected from the rail with speed-oriented connections. Poppi’s Charlie is another debut runner to watch closely in the betting.
Race 5
Kokosan is the top selection and the strongest overall turf-route fit. Biggiebiggiebiggie brings the best late punch and upside for a dangerous barn, while Rostovsky has the right back race at this exact trip. Amplitude is the usable price horse if he continues moving forward.
Race 6
Stanford Warrior looks ready enough for a Cal-bred juvenile dirt dash where speed and preparation are everything. Lease Instead is dangerous with the light weight, strong barn, and elite rider, while Is That You Wing has enough gate-work foundation to be a serious threat if he breaks running.
Race 7
Chase N Ryan gets the nod because the race shape should give him a better setup than the need-the-lead types. Matt At Five is the obvious horse to beat off his sharp course-and-distance win, and Uecker is usable cutting back from routes. Tommy Norris is the longshot pace factor if he handles turf.
Race 8
Lorenzo Bernini is the one to catch and the one to beat. His prior mile dirt effort at this level makes him the clear pace-and-class fit. Tab Walker is the main danger stretching out for a capable barn, while Whynotanotherone and Curly’s Agenda are the wake-up candidates if the changes move them forward.
Race 9
Catalina Cocktail is the top play because she returns to turf and drops back into a race that fits her better than the dirt try last time. She’s Splendid is the most dangerous alternative on her two-back effort, and Deep Blue has enough upside off the recent grass win to stay in the mix.
Best Bet races summary
- Race 2 – Elsa Dutton: best combination of current sprint form, local fit, and tactical reliability.
- Race 5 – Kokosan: strongest projected turf-route performer with a legitimate excuse last time.
- Race 7 – Chase N Ryan: attractive stalking profile in a turf sprint with multiple speed influences.
- Race 9 – Catalina Cocktail: class-and-surface rebound candidate with the right late-running profile.
- Race 8 – Lorenzo Bernini: likely controlling speed, though price sensitivity matters.
Why these Santa Anita picks for May 24 stand out
The best plays on this card are built around race shape. Elsa Dutton fits a dirt sprint where tactical speed is essential. Kokosan owns the strongest overall turf-route projection. Chase N Ryan benefits from a pace setup that could soften the more obvious speed. Catalina Cocktail returns to the right surface and class level. Lorenzo Bernini has the controlling-speed advantage in a race that may be decided early.
That combination of projected trip, class translation, and wagering practicality is what separates a useful betting opinion from a simple list of selections. The card has several obvious contenders, but the best opportunities are the races where the likely trip creates real confidence and the market may still leave room to bet.
Get the full Digest view
For players who want more than a shortlist of Santa Anita best bets today, the stronger approach is to use the full-card tools that Today’s Racing Digest has built its reputation on since 1970: Race Sheets, pace projections, Fast Figs, running-style analysis, Track Profile, and full-card written insight. The Complete Racing Digest is designed to help players evaluate every race, every contender, and every ticket structure with a deeper data-driven framework.
Final thoughts
For Santa Anita picks today, the most actionable betting races on May 24 are Race 2, Race 5, Race 7, Race 9, and Race 8. The strongest win opinions are Elsa Dutton, Kokosan, Chase N Ryan, Catalina Cocktail, and Lorenzo Bernini, with the final betting decision depending on whether the tote gives fair value relative to each horse’s projected trip and race shape.