The racing week continues Saturday after an extremely busy Friday afternoon. Silent Tactic stole the day with his win in the Southwest (G3), but there is still plenty of great action left to be had throughout this early February weekend. Part of that great action is a new promotion for the month starting this afternoon that involves Saturday late Pick 4 Hit & Split opportunities. Just head to the promotional landing page, register, and you are set to earn your share of $2M rewards points if you can connect on the weekly sequence. This week’s sequence takes place in Southern California and includes three stakes races. Let’s see if we can get the month started strong at the Great Race Place before we head to the “Big Easy” next weekend for the Risen Star (G2).
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 6: D. Wayne Lukas (G2)
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 5 Splendora
Backups: 3 Me and Molly McGee
Forecast: This 7-furlong event over the main track now named for one of the best to ever do it absolutely goes through 2025 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner #5 Splendora. The Maryland-bred got really good over the second half of last year and appears to be training forwardly for the start of her 5YO season. If you can find a way to beat her to the wire, you have a chance at a serious payday, but she looks extremely formidable. That said, I will play a backup ticket with #3 Me and Molly McGee. This filly impressed me mightily in Kentucky last spring before being cooked up and taken off the track at Saratoga in early August. It is great to see her back. She is quick. Perhaps she gets the jump on the chalk and has enough left to spring the upset. The value is there to take a mini shot, but otherwise Splendora looks extremely tough.
Race 7:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 Strait Up Country
Backups: 2 Sir Percival
Forecast: #7 Warm Sun and Brew is also likely to be a common single in this state-bred first-level allowance at one mile over the grass. He certainly can win, but I expect him to get over bet, so I will use two in hopes of gaining some much-needed separation from the public. The runner I like most is #4 Strait Up Country. This son of Smiling Tiger was extremely live on the tote throughout the wagering on January 15 and ran to the money dominating a field of 9 in gate-to-wire fashion. Obviously, the task gets tougher in his first start versus winners, but he is capable with a move forward in career start #3. #2 Sir Percival is my other use. He comes in off a solid second last out against similar and draws favorably along the inside.
Race 8: Robert B. Lewis (G3)
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 Cherokee Nation; 1 Desert Gate
Backups: 4 Intrepido
Forecast: As I am sure most of you have heard throughout the week, trainer Bob Baffert has dominated this 8-furlong event for 3YOs over the main track. The Hall of Fame conditioner has won the race a record 13 times, including the last 7 and to no one’s surprise holds another strong hand in 2026. He sends out #1 Desert Gate, #2 Plutarch, and #3 Cherokee Nation with Desert Gate likely to take by far the most money of the three. He has been training well and is the absolute horse to beat, but I also like Cherokee Nation. This colt has yet to win, but Baffert thought enough of him to ship into Louisville last November for the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). Things did not go his way that day and the same could be said for his first start of 2026 when he broke terribly yet still almost ran down #6 Robusta. The $1.15M purchase is likely to get overlooked in the wagering despite being a part of Team Baffert. Hopefully he can get out of the gate in better order later this afternoon.
Race 9: Sweet Life
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 1 Hypergamy
Backups: 2 La Ville Lumiere; 3 Yours Sincerely; 9 Bourbon and Ginger
Forecast: The finale for 3YO fillies down the hill is an intriguing race because those expected to take the most public support all lack turf experience. Perhaps some will make pedigree cases for their chances, but I like a horse that should offer good value and already has proven form over the sod. #1 Hypergamy does not have much early speed, but her last race should set her up for a big effort on the cutback to a sprint. The daughter of American Pharoah made a wide move into a slow pace and understandably tired in the final strides going one mile on December 29. If Hypergamy gets any pace to chase, she should be absolutely rolling late under jockey Emisael Jaramillo.
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