Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Friday 4/21/23

The rebranded spring portion of Santa Anita's six-month racing season begins Friday, April 21 with a new moniker – the “Hollywood Meet."

There are 9 races at "The Great Race Place" on Friday and post time is at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. local.

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 some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

Did you follow FanDuel Racing picks and cash in on the biggest longshot in a recent Allowance race at Keeneland? Longshot Time For Trouble (18/1) cashed $2 win bets for $37.50 and a $2 exacta paid $189. Mobile betting on horse racing is easy with the best-in-class experience at FanDuel.

1. Pequena Tormenta and Modera, Race 4

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 8/1
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Race 4 is an Optional Claimer for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs. Modera (8/1) is the top pick by numberFire's data ahead of the favorites Pequena Tormenta (5/2) and Awesome Taylor (2/1).

Modera breaks from the outside No. 8 post and gets first-time Lasix. Modera won her only race in four starts here in Oct. and has been working well for her 2023 debut after missing in a stakes race last time out.

Pequena Tormenta has been off since last June but is working sharply in the mornings, including a huge best-of-99 bullet work the past week. Her two third-place finishes in similar company make her a win contender on return.

2. Tom and Jazzy and Boss Sully, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 5/2
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Race 7 is the featured Allowance race for Cal-bred 3-year-olds going 1 mile on the turf. Tom and Jazzy (3/1) on the rail is a top win contender along with Boss Sully (5/2), according to numberFire's projections.

The meet's leading trainer Phil D'Amato has Tom and Jazzy ready to break through after finishing third at this distance and on a turf track in Feb.

3. Bella Baby and Miss Joanie, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 6/1
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Race 9 is a Maiden Claimer for fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire projected order of finish is Bella Baby (4/1), Miss Lizzy (7/2) and Miss Joanie (6/1).

The meet's top jockey Juan Hernandez rides Bella Baby looking for a win in her career debut. Miss Lizzy has a pair of runner-up finishes in four Maiden starts. Miss Joannie can definitely improve in her second start after a fourth-place finish last month.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.