The weather in Arcadia was basically perfect this weekend, but the betting windows? Well, those were a different story. If you were looking for predictable finishes, you probably left Santa Anita Park feeling a little light in the pockets. Between massive longshot winners and heavy favorites actually holding their ground, the recent results of Santa Anita have been a rollercoaster for anybody trying to read the form.
Honestly, the atmosphere at the Great Race Place is shifting. We're right in the thick of the winter-spring meet, and you can feel the intensity ramping up as the three-year-olds start eyeing those bigger stakes in the spring.
The Shocker: Famous Forza and the $136 Payoff
Let’s talk about Saturday’s third race. If you had Famous Forza on your ticket, you’re either a genius or you just liked the name. Ridden by Cesar Belmont, this horse absolutely scorched the dirt and returned a massive $136.60 on a $2 win bet. Yeah, you read that right.
In a world where we usually see the favorites dominate the early sprints, this was a total "throw the stats out the window" moment. The $1 superfecta for that race paid out over **$11,000**. That’s the kind of result that keeps the railbirds coming back every single weekend. It wasn't just a fluke, though; the track was playing fast, and Belmont found a seam that nobody else seemed to notice until it was too late.
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Grand Slam Smile and the Saturday Stakes
On the flip side, the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint went pretty much exactly how the experts predicted, but with plenty of late-stretch drama. Grand Slam Smile, the heavy 4/6 favorite, proved why she’s the queen of the California-bred sprinters right now. William Antongeorgi III kept her composed, and she fended off a late surge from Take Another Card to secure the win.
She’s just incredibly consistent. You’ve got to admire a horse that doesn't panic when the pace gets hot. Here are a few notable outcomes from the featured races this week:
- Vodka Vodka took down the Unusual Heat Turf Classic under Kent Desormeaux, paying out a solid $3.80.
- Cee Drew dominated Race 7 on Saturday, rewarding Ricardo Gonzalez with a trip to the winner's circle.
- Titanic Thompson surprised a few people in Race 6, holding off Refocus in a gritty finish.
Who’s Hot: The Jockey Standings
If you’re betting the results of Santa Anita based on the guy in the saddle, you’re probably looking at Umberto Rispoli or Juan Hernandez. Those two are basically playing a game of chess every race day.
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As of this week, Umberto Rispoli is sitting at the top of the leaderboard with 17 wins. He’s been hitting at a 22% win rate, which is frankly ridiculous given the quality of the fields here. Juan Hernandez isn't far behind, though. Even when he isn't winning, he’s in the money—his "In The Money" percentage is sitting over 50%. Basically, if Hernandez is on a horse, that horse is probably going to be part of your exacta.
Don't sleep on the "old guard" either. Seeing Mike Smith and Kent Desormeaux still pulling off masterclass rides in 2026 is a reminder that experience often beats raw speed at this track. Desormeaux’s ride on Vodka Vodka was a textbook example of how to save ground on the turf.
The Return of Journalism
Beyond the daily results, the backstretch is buzzing about Journalism. The Michael McCarthy trainee—last year’s Preakness winner—is officially back at Santa Anita after a winter break in Florida. He jogged on the main track Saturday morning.
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McCarthy says the horse is "full of himself," which is trainer-speak for "he’s ready to run through a wall." While he won't be in the results this week, his presence on the grounds changes the gravity of the upcoming stakes schedule. Everyone is keeping one eye on the Met Mile at Saratoga for him, but he’ll likely prep right here in Southern California.
What You Should Watch Next
The track is playing incredibly fair right now. Earlier in the meet, we saw a bit of a bias toward the rail, but that seems to have leveled out. If you’re looking at the results of Santa Anita to handicap next Sunday’s card, pay attention to the mid-pack closers. On the turf, horses coming from 4th or 5th position at the top of the lane are having a lot of success lately.
Next steps for your betting strategy:
- Track the "Claimers to Watch": Keep an eye on horses like Rehearsal and Della Terra. They've shown consistent speed figures and are trending toward another win if they stay in their current class.
- Monitor the Morning Works: With horses like Journalism returning, the workout tabs are getting crowded. Look for three-year-olds posting "bullet" works (the fastest of the day) at 5 furlongs.
- Check the Turf Rail: The rail was at 10 feet for most of the weekend but moves frequently. If it’s pushed out to 30 feet next week, expect those wide-running closers to have a much harder time catching the leaders.
Santa Anita remains the most beautiful—and sometimes most frustrating—place to watch a race. Whether you're there for the $11,000 superfectas or just a beer in the sunshine, the results from this past week prove that in horse racing, nothing is ever truly a "sure thing."