Next weekend brings a loaded graded-stakes agenda, with 21 contests at Gulfstream, Oaklawn and Aqueduct, including Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps and the Big ‘Cap at Santa Anita.
In a twist this year, 1/ST racing is coordinating its cards at Gulfstream and Santa Anita with a cross-country promotion branded as 1/ST Saturday. (Read more about that here.)
Rather than waiting for our First Look feature on Monday, we decided to round up probables and possibles where we could to put together an even earlier look at who could be in the starting gates.
Santa Anita
Next Saturday
Santa Anita Handicap (G1), 1 1/4 miles, 4-year-olds and up
Express Train is coming off back-to-back wins in the San Antonio (G2) by a nose over Hot Rod Charlie and the San Pasqual (G2) by 3 1/4 lengths over Law Professor. Stilleto Boy beat everybody except Life Is Good and Knicks Go last out in the Pegasus World Cup, but he hasn’t won in six starts since taking the Iowa Derby (G2) in July.
Beholder (G1), 1 mile, 4-year-olds and up
Ce Ce is possible here or in the San Carlos (G2). She came back from winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint to lose by 3 lengths to Merneith in the Santa Monica (G2). As Time Goes By has won two in a row – the Bayakoa (G3) by 1 1/4 lengths over Warren’s Showtime and the La Cañada (G3) by 13 1/2 lengths over Park Avenue.
Frank E. Kilroe mile (G1), one mile (turf), 4-year-olds and up
Count Again beat Subconscious by 1/2 length in the Thunder Road (G3) last out, and they’re expected to meet again here. Bob and Jackie and’s 4 1/4-length loss to Friar’s Road in the San Marcos (G2) came after a nose win over him in the San Gabriel (G2).
San Felipe (G2), 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds, 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby points
Forbidden Kingdom led gate to wire in winning the San Vicente (G2) last out over Pinehurst. Doppelganger, also expected here, was fourth in that contest. Cabo Spirit has a record of 8: 2-2-2 but was beaten 15 lengths by Messier last out to finish second in the Robert B. Lewis (G3). Happy Jack was fifth in the Robert Lewis after graduating on debut in his previous start.
Buena Vista (G2), 1 mile (turf), fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Going to Vegas won three in a row before her 11th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Leggs Galore returns to graded company after a gate-to-wire win in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint. Luck was runner-up in the Rodeo Drive (G1) and the Red Carpet (G3) before winning the Robert J. Frankel (G3) last out.
San Carlos (G2), 7 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up
Cezanne’s third-place finish in the Palos Verdes (G3) was his first start since winning the Kona Gold (G3) last April. Shooters Shoot is looking for his first victory in seven tries since winning the Bing Crosby (G1) in July.
Sunday, March 6th
Santa Ysabel (G3), 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies, 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Oaks points
Ain’t Easy is 2-for-2 and won the Chandelier (G2) by 4 3/4 lengths. Adare Manor’s win in the Las Virgenes (G3) came after she broke her maiden on third try in January. Eda has a record of 6: 4-2-1, and her Starlet Stakes (G1) win was her third in a row.
gulfstream
Next Saturday
Fountain of Youth (G2), 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds, 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby points
Rattle N Roll is expected to make his first start here since winning the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) in October. Remsen (G2) winner Mo Donegal will look to bounce back from his third-place finish in the Holy Bull (G3). Tiz the Bomb had two wins and a second on turf before switching to dirt for the Holy Bull and finishing seventh
Voma Dale (G2), 1 mile, 3-year-old fillies, 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Oaks points
Radio Days was 2-for-2 before her second-place finish in the Forward Gal (G3). Kathleen O is 2-for-2 and won the Cash Run Stakes by 8 1/2 lengths. Girl With a Dream has a record of 6: 4-1-0 and has won her last three starts. Outfoxed also has won her last three starts. Classy Edition went 3-for-3 last year in New York and is making her first start since the Key Cents in November.
Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), 1 mile, 4-year-olds and up
Fearless has finished in the money in 10 of his 12 career starts, including a December win in the Harlan’s Holiday (G3). Ny Traffic would make his first start since winning the Hudson Handicap by 8 3/4 lengths in October. Diamond Oops is looking for his first win since a Gulfstream handicap in June, and Dr Post would make his first start since finishing seventh in the Clark (G1) in November.
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