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Raymond Track Report: Santa Anita Park Picks (12/29/25)

Santa Anita Picks

Santa Anita Park – Monday, December 29, 2025

Presented by Ray the Bull

“Ray doesn’t bet every race. He looks for structure, intent, and price.”

Santa Anita’s Monday card offers a mix of turf routes, maiden chaos, and a few stakes races where the public will overplay connections. The Raymond Track Report focuses on ride intent, trainer patterns, and distance suitability — not guesswork.

Ray the Bull’s approach today:
✔ Stay patient early
✔ Respect turf specialists
✔ Don’t chase low-value favorites


🏇 RACE 1 – Claiming $28,000

1 1/8 Miles | Turf | Post 3:00 PM

Ray’s Read:
This is a pace-controlled turf route where rider intent matters more than raw speed.

Top Order

  • 🥇 (7) Aleramo – Prat takes the call, strong turf profile
  • 🥈 (1) Sakura Flavor – Rail saver with late punch
  • 🥉 (4) True Patriot – Honest grinder, fits underneath

Ray’s Play:

  • Exacta Boxes: 7/1, 1/4, 4/6
  • Trifecta focus: 7–1–4

Ray says: “Prat on turf isn’t a trend — it’s a signal.”


🏇 RACE 2 – Maiden Special Weight

6 Furlongs | Dirt | Post 3:30 PM

Ray’s Read:
Young speed with sharp barns — expect aggressive intent.

Top Order

  • 🥇 (5) A Great Shaking – Escobedo winning at 40% is no accident
  • 🥈 (7) Billie Holiday – Logical pace presser
  • 🥉 (1) Goje – Rispoli cleanup candidate

Ray’s Play:

  • Exacta: 5/7, 7/1
  • Trifecta: 5–7–1

“When barns are live, Ray doesn’t argue — he prices it.”


🏇 RACE 3 – Stakes $100,000

1 Mile | Turf | Post 4:00 PM

Ray’s Read:
Turf class meets consistency. This is not the race to get cute.

Top Order

  • 🥇 (5) Wild Like the West
  • 🥈 (4) La Ville Lumiere
  • 🥉 (2) Hypergamy

Ray’s Play:

  • Exacta: 5/4, 4/2
  • Trifecta: 5–4–2

🏇 RACE 4 – Maiden Special Weight

6½ Furlongs | Dirt | Post 4:30 PM

Ray’s Read:
Volatile race. Look for upside, not perfection.

Top Order

  • 🥇 (6) Manhattan Beauty – Prat upgrade
  • 🥈 (5) Sparrow – Live price
  • 🥉 (1) Lubie’s Music

Ray’s Play:

  • Spread exactas
  • Trifecta: 6–5–1

“Ray accepts chaos — but only when paid for it.”


🏇 RACE 5 – Starter Allowance

1 Mile | Turf | Post 5:00 PM

Top Order

  • 🥇 (6) American Glory
  • 🥈 (3) Mr. Leasure
  • 🥉 (5) Cathal

Ray’s Angle:
Strong turf riders, honest mile profiles. Let the race come to you.


🏇 RACE 6 – Starter Optional Claiming

6 Furlongs | Dirt | Post 5:30 PM

Top Order

  • 🥇 (2) Uncle Chilly
  • 🥈 (7) Ballyhooligan
  • 🥉 (4) Tessuto

Ray’s Note:
Speed holds if breaks clean. No hero bets.


🏇 RACE 7 – Stakes $200,000

6½ Furlongs | Downhill Turf | Post 6:00 PM

Ray’s Read:
Downhill turf = trip matters more than name value.

Top Order

  • 🥇 (1) Imagination
  • 🥈 (10) Sumter – Price play
  • 🥉 (7) Unconquerable Keen

Ray’s Play:

  • Exacta: 1/10, 10/7
  • Trifecta: 1–10–7

“Ray loves a price… when the setup earns it.”


🏇 RACE 8 – Allowance Optional Claiming

1 Mile | Dirt | Post 6:30 PM

Top Order

  • 🥇 (8) Known Idea
  • 🥈 (9) Oubabe
  • 🥉 (4) Strongerthanbefore

🏇 RACE 9 – Maiden Special Weight

1 Mile | Turf | Post 7:00 PM

Top Order

  • 🥇 (4) Rio Grande – Strongest profile on paper
  • 🥈 (10) Biggiebiggiebiggie – Live longshot
  • 🥉 (8) Essos

Ray’s Closing Thought:

“Final race doesn’t mean final chase. Protect the bankroll.”


🐂 Ray the Bull’s Final Market Advice

  • Not every race is an investment
  • Turf favors patience
  • Rider intent > public noise

📊 Full Raymond Track Reports, deeper pools, and long-term ROI angles available at ATSStats.com

Ray’s watching the market.
Are you?

author avatar
Ron Raymond
Ron Raymond is a veteran sports handicapper and founder of ATSstats.com, creator of the Raymond Report sports betting system. Active in the industry since 1996, Ron has nearly three decades of experience analyzing market cycles, performance indicators, and value metrics across the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and CFL. Ron’s data-driven approach has helped thousands of bettors think strategically, manage risk, and win with confidence.