Saturday’s San Felipe Stakes Introduced by DK Horses The Kentucky Derby would be the second of three Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve Factors held at Santa Anita Park, following the Robert B. Lewis S. on Feb. 7 and forward of the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.
Plutarch and Intrepid, Robert Lewis’ one-winner and second-place finisher final month, won’t compete within the San Felipe observe, with the previous presently absent and the latter scheduled for the Santa Anita Derby. Meaning one of many seven horses operating Saturday has an opportunity to earn 50 qualifying factors and safe a spot within the beginning gate for the Might 2 Kentucky Derby.
1. Fancy Fritz: His solely win in 9 begins was his 1-mile maiden declare race at Del Mar in November 2025. Since then, he has complained each race or simply had his conditioner changed, in order that’s 4 trainers’ value. He has some velocity and isn’t notably a Triple Crown contender, so he may enter this race as a ‘rabbit’ to assist his stablemates’ Begin the Experience possibilities.
Jockey: Adrian Escobedo. coach: Dan Blacker
2. Begin the journey. The attention-grabbing Calbred received the 1 1/16-mile California Chrome Cal Cup Derby by a landslide of 1 3/4 lengths at this observe on January seventeenth. Seems to be on an upward trajectory and new stablemate Flashy Fritz may very well be drawn inside him to assist create strong tempo to arrange the kicks.
Jockey: Armando Ayuso. coach: Dan Blacker
3. Freedom assured: Robert B. Lewis fell again a bit late to take third place, however was no risk to Plutarch and Intrepid. It was his first two-turn race and he is had some nice coaching at this observe since then.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura; coach: yakuteen crew
4. Blunt: Horses on this class haven’t raced since setting an early tempo within the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile offered by TAA on Oct. 31, ending a weary third behind 2025 champion 2-year-old colt Ted Nophy. The horse, bought at public sale for $3 million, has been coaching steadily in latest weeks. If he is ready to return from his layoff, he’ll be part of the squad instantly on the end.
Jockey: Florent Geroux. coach: bob baffert
5. Highly effective: He’s one other costly stallion educated by Mr. Baffert, costing $2.4 million as a yearling. He has solely raced as soon as earlier than, profitable by three-quarters of a size in his six-furlong first race at Santa Anita on January 31, setting a pressure-filled tempo from begin to end. He has maybe the very best pedigree in route racing and will probably be ridden by Baffert’s first-call rider, Juan Hernandez.
Jockey: Juan Hernandez. coach: bob baffert
6. I am very completely happy: The horse, undefeated in two races, made a powerful impression by profitable the San Vicente Stakes by two lengths and acting at excessive velocity within the San Vicente Stakes held at this observe over seven furlongs on January tenth. Will the son of champion sprinter Runhappy have the ability to prolong his expertise by two turns? It is best to place your self immediately behind the pacesetter and soar onto the sphere, ideally firstly of the stretch.
Jockey: Mike Smith; coach: Mark Glatt
7. Robusta species: Though he set the tempo and received the primary mile race on this course in January, he was unable to maintain up with Robert B. Lewis and completed sixth out of seven races. That does not bode properly for his possibilities right here, however pacey jockey Emisael Jaramillo will stay within the saddle and add Brinker as properly.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo. coach: Doug O’Neill
decide: very completely happy
Stay lengthy shot: begin the journey
Trifecta: 6-4-2
