Horse Racing Picks for Sat., Sept. 26, 20206 @ Santa Anita
Horse racing picks and best bets for Sat., Sept. 26th, 2026, at Santa Anita from Turtle Sports’ Lundin Line. Get expert analysis, free tips, and stakes-race insights to help you cash in on today’s card.
HORSE RACING
- Fink
We made it to the weekend, and we’re back on the West Coast for opening weekend at Santa Anita Park. Located in Arcadia, California, the track brings us closer to home for the fall meet, which runs from September 25 through November 1. Today’s card features 10 races, including five stakes races and two Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events. There’s no better way to kick off this six-week meet than with a bang!
First up among the featured races is the $200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes. This Grade 2 turf route gives the winner a spot in the FanDuel Mile at Del Mar on the final weekend of October. We won’t have to wait long, as the race is scheduled as the third of the day. It originally drew six entrants, but the No. 1 horse has scratched, leaving five runners in the field.
Finky’s longshot is out, but there is still plenty to be excited about in this competitive race. Last year’s winner, Johannes, did not fare well at the Breeders’ Cup, but his rider, Umberto Rispoli—arguably the best turf jockey in the country—is back for another shot at redemption aboard No. 6, King of Gosford. Both of our handicappers like his chances, but they see him as more of a contender to hit the board. Our best bet of the day is also in this race: No. 2, El Potente.
Next up in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes. The winner earns a spot in the Longines Classic. The race will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt and carries a $300,000 purse. Today’s field features nine runners, all three years old and up.
The weather will be warm, with highs in the mid-90s and mostly sunny skies. The track is fast, and the turf is firm for this exciting opening weekend of racing.
Happy Saturday & National Pancake Day! 🥞
Need help picking winners? We've got you covered! Our (Always Free) Lundin Line's top picks and best bets are below. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -
It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰💰💰
🏇 Sat., Sept. 25th 2026 @ Santa Anita
First Post @ 1:00 PDT (4:00 EDT)
⭑Best Bet(s)
R3: 200K City of Hope Mile S. (G2)/BC
1 Mile on Turf for 3 Yr. Olds & Up
BC Div: FanDuel Mile
R5: 200K Eddie D. S. (G2)
6 1/2 Furlongs on Turf 3 Yr. Olds & Up
R7: 200K John Henry Turf Champ. S.(G2)
1 1/4 Miles on Turf for 3 Yr. Olds & Up
R8: 300K Goodwood S. (G1)/BC
1 1/8 Miles on Dirt for 3 Yr. Olds & Up
BC Div: Longines Classic
Ⓢtakes Race(s)
R1: 7-2-5-8
R2: 4-2-1
🏇R3Ⓢ: City of Hope Mile S.
LL: 2⭑-6-3
Fink: 2⭑-6-1
Mr. W: 2⭑-6-3
R4: 1-4-2
R5Ⓢ: 6-3-1-8
R6: 3-1-5-9
R7Ⓢ: 7-1-5-6
R8Ⓢ: Goodwood S.
LL: 9-8-7-4
Fink: 9-2-6-7
Mr. W: 9-7-2-8
R9Ⓢ: 4-10-3-8
R10: 3-5-8-1
🏇= Featured Race(s)
R3: El Potente (#2)
