How to bet at Santa Anita Racetrack online

Stay tuned to Online Sports Betting for Santa Anita Park racetrack picks for some of the biggest races of the year. Santa Anita typically runs a winter-spring meet beginning in late December and continuing into early summer, followed by a fall meet that generally spans the autumn months, with the schedule sometimes adjusted to accommodate the Breeders’ Cup.

Whether it’s a championship day or a casual Friday card, betting on Santa Anita Park is easy, secure, and convenient through recommended online racebooks. You can join the action from anywhere, follow live fields and odds, and enjoy perks that go beyond what’s available at the track or at an OTB.

How to Bet at Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita offers racing on both dirt and turf. The dirt course measures one mile around, while the main turf course spans seven furlongs. The track also features a unique hillside turf extension, which allows for its signature six-and-a-half-furlong downhill sprints as well as longer turf races. In addition, the far-inside oval, once reserved for training, now accommodates races ranging from a two-turn six-and-a-half furlongs up to a three-turn mile.

Fans can follow the action through simulcast feeds that provide live coverage and analysis, or by visiting the track in person to watch morning workouts. These training sessions are typically open to the public at no cost, offering an early look at promising young horses and seasoned runners preparing for upcoming races.

Santa Anita Wagering Menu

Santa Anita offers a wide-ranging wagering menu to suit every type of bettor. The classic single-race bets typically include win, place, and show options, along with popular exotics such as exactas, trifectas, and superfectas. Many cards also feature a Super High Five, often offered on the final race of the day.

For those who enjoy multi-race wagers, Santa Anita commonly provides rolling daily doubles, Pick 3s, Pick 4s, Pick 5s, and the traditional Pick 6. The Pick 6 at Santa Anita is structured to pay out the main pool whenever there are winning tickets, with carryovers only if no one selects all six winners.

In addition to pari-mutuel betting, Santa Anita frequently runs contests throughout the year. These range from free-to-play games that encourage consistent participation to live-money tournaments that award cash prizes and seats into major national handicapping championships.

Santa Anita Betting Contests

Santa Anita also offers a variety of betting contests throughout the year. These often include free-to-play games as well as seasonal contests that combine horse racing with other sports-themed picks.

In addition to free options, the track regularly hosts live-money tournaments that provide cash prizes and entries into some of the most prestigious handicapping championships in North America.

Santa Anita Betting Tips

Over the years, Santa Anita has attracted many accomplished jockeys. Riders such as Flavien Prat, Juan Hernandez, Antonio Fresu, and Frankie Dettori have all found success at the track, alongside a long line of talented horsemen who have left their mark on its history. When handicapping races, consider betting on jockeys with proven success or riding styles that fit the conditions of the race.

Santa Anita has also been home to many respected trainers. Names such as Bob Baffert, Doug O’Neill, Mark Glatt, Phil D’Amato, Steve Knapp, John Sadler, Richard Mandella, and Michael McCarthy are among those who have consistently campaigned strong runners at the venue. When placing wagers, look for trainers who regularly produce competitive horses at this track or in similar race types.

When betting at Santa Anita, it can help to consider factors such as post position and running style. Inside speed often performs well in dirt routes, while middle and outside gates can be favorable in turf sprints. In longer turf races, horses that secure a pressing or stalking trip from an inside or middle draw are often well positioned. As a bettor, weigh these tendencies along with a horse’s form and connections to spot value opportunities.

Santa Anita Best Races

Santa Anita hosts some of the most prestigious races in American horse racing. The track typically holds multiple Grade 1 and Grade 2 events each year, contested on both dirt and turf at a variety of distances.

Among the most notable races are the Santa Anita Derby, widely regarded as California’s leading prep for the Kentucky Derby, and the Santa Anita Oaks, a key stepping stone toward the Kentucky Oaks. For older horses, the Santa Anita Handicap—affectionately known as the Big ’Cap—remains one of the track’s most historic fixtures. Many runners from these races have gone on to success in the Triple Crown series, including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Santa Anita also stages major Grade 1 turf events, along with a series of important sprints and routes for different age groups and divisions. Collectively, these races ensure that the track consistently draws top-class horses, trainers, and jockeys throughout the season.