The Lead:
One of the iconic races that defines California's Thoroughbred history, the Santa Anita Handicap returns Saturday to anchor one of the track's annual biggest days. A total of 11 races get underway at 3 pm ET / noon PT with the Big 'Cap slated for Race 10. The lead-ins feature the Beholder Mile, the Kilroe Mile and the San Felipe Stakes. From Breeders' Cup champions to potential Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown stars, intrigue abounds.
Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in the $5,000 Exacta-Thon promotion throughout the Saturday card at Santa Anita. Plus: there's up to a $10 money-back special in the undercard's San Felipe Stakes if your win bet finishes second or third in the key Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby prep.
Field Depth:
WESTWOOD is a Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed. JUST A TOUCH is multiple Grade 1-placd. GETAWAY CAR is a Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed. MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH is a Grade 3 winner and Grade 2-placed. Very even in terms of strength of schedule.
Pace:
Competitive, lacking a run-off obvious pacesetter, but also compromised almost exclusively of horses who want to be right in the hunt. Difficult race to handicap on pace, especially jockey intent knowing this is 1-1/4 miles and how important conservation may become.
Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.
#1-MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH: Fourth in last year’s Santa Anita Handicap and second in the Hollywood Gold Cup, this Craig Dollase trainee must bounce back off a disappointing fifth in the San Pasqual Jan. 31 as the 8-5 favorite – a race where he returned off just 15 days’ rest. 7-year-old could join a distinguished list of Santa Anita Handicap winners of this age, which includes Seabiscuit, John Henry and Cougar II. Only 8-year-old Olvaherry (1947) has been an older Big ‘Cap winner. The 1-1/4 miles trip has been a hurdle, even if he won the 12-furlong Cougar II at Del Mar in 2024. Lost his last 7 without Lasix, which isn't in play Saturday.
#2-GETAWAY CAR: San Pasqual runner-up was a bit more off the pace early than usual that day and likely will be ridden more aggressively this time from the 2-hole under Juan Hernandez. His signature wins have come at shorter trips and he’s failed to pass 1-1/8 miles test, much less 1-1/4 miles. Trainer Bob Baffert won this race in 2024 with Newgate, his sixth Santa Anita Handicap (3 off Charlie Whittingham’s record of 9).
#3-JUST A TOUCH: Looks to become the second straight Big Cap winner to ship west, following Locked a year ago. Trainer Brad Cox makes a fifth straight Santa Anita Handicap appearance, finishing second in 2022 with Warrant and third last year with Hit Show among his placings. Just a Touch has yet to win a stakes 7 tries, post 5 runners-up in those defeats. The 1-1/4 miles will be a challenge for the son of Triple Crown winner and Santa Anita Derby champ Justify. Florent Geroux has picked up a pair of stakes wins in the month since moving to Santa Anita from Fair Grounds. I'm taking my chances tossing him from the exactas.
#4-VODKA VODKA: California-bred’s best races have when he’s been on or near the lead, and that could be competitive real estate Saturday. Exits a win at 9 furlongs in the Cal Cup Turf Classic, but was equally solid in open-company dirt tilts in the prior 2 starts. Aggie Ordonez’s barn has been pinpoint with limited starters at the meet. Jockey Kent Desormeaux seeks a fourth career Santa Anita Handicap win, spanning from Best Pal in 1992 to Milwaukee Brew in 2002 to Stilleto Boy in 2023.
#5-SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING: Expected favorite will scratch.
#6-BRITISH ISLES: Predominant turf performer found new footing when second in November’s Native Diver at Del Mar. Respectable fifth of 12 in the Pegasus World Cup in late January at 83-1 odds was enough to continue onto the Big ‘Cap with some dirt expectations. Richard Baltas saddled 2021 Big ‘Cap winner Idol. He’s won up to 12 furlongs on turf, and like Just a Touch, is sired by Triple Crown winner and local star Justify.
#7-WESTWOOD: Last year’s Santa Anita Derby third-place finisher behind stars Journalism and Baeza, he exits a strong San Pasqual victory over this track Jan. 31 to kick off his 4-year-old season. Should be more upside to him at this stage then most of his already-baked-in qualifications from his rivals. Expect this colt by Kentucky Derby winner and local product Authentic to be near a contended pace and it’s a matter of which one keeps punching. Makes his first start for Peter Eurton after the passing of trainer John Shirreffs.
Most Likely Exotics Contender:
WESTWOOD has 9 straight superfecta finishes and comes off one of the best efforts of his career over the track. Distance may not be perfect, but difficult to see him plummeting off the board even if so.
Best Longshot Contender:
BRITISH ISLES nearly upset the Native Diver at 16-1 and outran his odds in the Pegasus. At 6-1 morning line, he’s got value appeal.
Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$25 exacta part-wheel 7,6 over 7,6,4 ($100).
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