Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Friday 2/3/23

The Santa Anita Classic Meet continues with eight races on Friday. Post time to start the day is at 3:30 p.m. ET.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and monitor the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races after adjusting for track, distances, and conditions).

Santa Anita Betting

According to numberFire horse racing projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Bajan Bashert and Nene Diamond Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/5 and 4/1
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Race 3 is a Maiden Special Weight for state-bred 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs. The numberFire data projects the heavy favorite Bajan Bashert (4/5) to win with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding. Nene Diamond (4/1) with the meet's top jockey (Juan Hernandez) is a challenger, while General Welfare (7/2) gets first-time Lasix.

Bajan Bashert has a pair of runner-up finishes in two starts, including a month ago here at the same distance and conditions as the favorite.

2. Buzz of New York and Ballet Dancing, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 2/1
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Race 6 is the featured Allowance race for older fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The numberFire algorithm projects the favorites to all challenge for the win. The Buzz of New York (5/2) is ridden by Juan Hernandez while Ballet Dancing (2/1) has UK's top jockey Frankie Dettori riding. Macadamia (3/1) and Buzz of New York are both conditioned by leading trainer Phil D'Amato.

Buzz of New York won here in October as the favorite, going 1 mile with a top speed figure (101). She's finished in the money in 8-of-9 US starts. Ballet Dancing won her last start here in December with a 102 figure going the same distance. She also hit the board here in a Grade 3 race.

3. Workday and Ship and Scam, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 10/1
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Race 8 is a Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-old Cal-breds going 1 mile on the turf. Ship and Scam (10/1) along with Le Vron James (12/1) are longshot picks by the numberFire data. Ship and Scam gets first-time Lasix for top trainer Doug O'Neill. He's winless in six starts but can close from off the pace better today.

Le Vron James makes his debut and will try to catch Workday (7/2), who finished third here a month ago after running on the lead into the deep stretch with jockey Flavien Prat riding again.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.