Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 10/1/22

Starting at 3:30 p.m. ET, we have 10 races Saturday at Santa Anita on opening weekend of the 2022 Autumn Meet at "The Great Race Place."

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 -- adjusted 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. Forbidden Kingdom and C Z Rocket, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 7/2
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Race 6 is the $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at 6 furlongs. The numberFire data shows Forbidden Kingdom (9/5) the winner ahead of top challenger C Z Rocket (7/2) and Kid Corleone (4/1).

2. Tango Tango Tango and Air Force Red, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 5/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 7 is the $200,000 Eddie D. Stakes (G2) with 9 runners racing 6 1/2 furlongs over the downhill turf. The numberFire algorithm projects Tango Tango Tango (8/1) to upset Gregorian Chant (5/2) and Lane Way (4/1).

Good payoff potential with Horse Racing Nation also noting that Tango Tango Tango and Air Force Red (5/1) are top win contenders and top value plays. Air Force Red is 3-for-3 over this hillside turf course and Tango Tango Tango will come from the back with a good pace setup projected.

3. Express Train and Country Grammer, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 8/5
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 8 is the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes. The Grade 1 race drew 8 runners going 1 1/8 miles. This is a "Win and You're In" race to the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5 at Keeneland. The numberFire data projects Express Train (5/2), Country Grammer (8/5) and Royal Ship (3/1) to decide a close race.

Express Train should get a favorable setup over a track where he runs his best. Victor Espinoza rides for trainer John Shirreffs. Express Train has finished 1st or 2nd in 8-of-11 Grade 1 or 2 races on the Santa Anita main track.

Country Grammer is ridden by leading jockey Juan Hernandez for trainer Bob Baffert. He's the best horse in the field and has been cycling forward since winning the Dubai World Cup. Country Grammer has a pair of runner-up finishes since, including well clear of Royal Ship and Express Train in the Pacific Classic.