Hear the Ghost blew past weakening favorites Flashback and Goldencents in deep stretch to post a half-length upset in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 9 at Santa Anita Park.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Tom LaMarra and Pete Denk handicap the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe Stakes this week. They also answer your questions submitted via Twitter at #THS.
Flashback and Goldencents, acknowledged by most as the leading 3-year-old males in Southern California, meet for the first time in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 9 at Santa Anita Park.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Flashback moved a step closer to his much-anticipated showdown with Goldencents in the upcoming San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) with a five-furlong workout March 3 in a bullet 59 seconds flat under regular rider Julien Leparoux.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Creative Cause established himself as the favorite for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) when he came from off the pace to defeat favored Bodemeister in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. I) March 10 at Santa Anita.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Jason Shandler and Tom LaMarra handicap the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe Stakes.
The Tampa Bay Derby has produced two Derby winners in last five years.
Though it experienced two substantial losses in the past few days, Santa Anita's field for the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 10 could still be the most competitive of the young 2012 Triple Crown season.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Rousing Sermon is coming up to his next scheduled start in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) sharply after a bullet half-mile work in :46 3/5 over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track March 4.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Castaway, who along with stablemate Secret Circle gave trainer Bob Baffert a sweep of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) divisions at Oaklawn Park last month, worked a steady five furlongs at Santa Anita March 2.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Kaleem Shah's Fed Biz and Arnold Zetcher's Liaison each worked a sharp six furlongs at Santa Anita Feb. 29 for trainer Bob Baffert in preparation for the March 10 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Jockey Garrett Gomez, on the mend from a broken heel sustained last month, said he wants to be back in time to ride Sham Stakes (gr. III) winner Out of Bounds in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 10.
Sunday, February 12, 2012Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) winner Creative Cause, prepping for his expected 3-year-old debut in the upcoming San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), worked six furlongs handily on the Hollywood Park Cushion Track Feb. 4 in 1:13 4/5.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Premier Pegasus provided a clear leader for the previously wide open 3-year-old division on the West Coast with his smashing 7 3/4-length romp in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 12 at Santa Anita.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
We could see some new faces on the Derby Trail, despite the presence of Uncle Mo and Brethren.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Will Brethren put away a seemingly overmatched field and continue his ascent to the top of the division? Who will shoot to the top of the class in California? And will Uncle Mo begin his season in style?
Who will win the 2011 San Felipe? Will it be one of the grade I winners, Comma to the Top or Jaycito? Will it be a recent maiden winner like Runflatout or Alberatti?
Two grade I winners are in the lineup for the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 12 at Santa Anita, but a ridgling son of Flatter making his first start against winners figures to draw plenty of attention as well.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
San Felipe Will Produce Rising Stars. Presented by Taylor Made Stallions.
Front-running Sidney's Candy, making his first start around two turns, led all the way in winning the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita March 13.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of twinspires.com preview the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) and the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).
Dave in Dixie and American Lion will seek revenge against Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) winner Caracortado in the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), a key 3-year-old prep at Santa Anita March 13.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Caracortado's trainer Mike Machowsky remains loyal to his rider, Paul Atkinson, who rides the gelding in the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 13.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Trainer Bob Baffert has Lookin At Lucky penciled in for the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park March 13 for the colt's 3-year-old debut. But he left the door slightly ajar for the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) the same day.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
It could be Santa Anita's version of David versus Goliath come March 13. That's when undefeated Caracortado could face Kentucky Derby Future Book individual favorite Lookin At Lucky in the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wearing blinkers for the first time, Lookin At Lucky worked four furlongs on Pro-Ride at Santa Anita Jan. 9 in preparation for his 3-year-old debut, probably in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) on March 13.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Odds-on choice Pioneerof the Nile got the test he needed in preparation for his big showdown with The Pamplemousse next month, turning back a challenge in the stretch to win the $200,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita March 14.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Looking for a new favorite for the Derby after the disappointing efforts by 3-year-old stars War Pass and Z Fortune? Why not Georgie Boy? A grade I winner at 2, the favored California-bred son of Tribal Rule used a late burst to pass Gayego in deep stretch and win the $200,000 San Felipe (gr. II) in his first try around two turns March 15 at Santa Anita.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The most accomplished entrants in the $200,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 15 have done all their work sprinting. So the question is which of them is ready to stretch out in Southern California's last major prep race before the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Cash Call Futurity (gr. I) winner Into Mischief, a leading West Coast Triple Crown candidate, continues to nurse a hind left foot ailment and will miss the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita March 15, trainer Richard Mandella said Feb. 28.
Thursday, February 28, 2008Cobalt Blue could be entertainer Merv Griffin's first Kentucky Derby starter after the inexperienced colt went gate to wire for a sharp two-length win in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Saturday.
Saturday, March 17, 2007Show business entrepreneur Merv Griffin, whose Derby hopes were dashed last year, and trainer Bob Baffert, a fixture on the Triple Crown trail since 1996, each reach the crossroads of their aspirations this year in Saturday's $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita.
Thursday, March 15, 2007"Citgo Racing to the Kentucky Derby" will once again air on ABC and the ESPN networks beginning Saturday, March 17, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Feb. 15. The series will conclude with a Triple Crown special airing from Louisville's Churchill Downs two days prior to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, February 15, 2007Bob and John, winner of the Sham Stakes (gr. III) six weeks ago, is one of three entries from trainer Bob Baffert in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
Thursday, March 16, 2006"Citgo Racing to the Kentucky Derby," an eight-show series on ABC and ESPN providing comprehensive coverage of key Triple Crown prep races, kicks off Saturday on ESPN with coverage of four races coast-to-coast.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006Trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday that he could enter as many as four horses in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) Saturday at Santa Anita.
Sunday, March 12, 2006Trainer D. Wayne Lukas says he'd prefer that San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winner Consolidator run next in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 16.
Sunday, March 20, 2005Roman Ruler, who finished last as the 3-1 favorite in Saturday's San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), has been taken off the Kentucky Derby (gr. II) by trainer Bob Baffert and owner Fog City Stable to allow the colt's quarter crack to heal.
Sunday, March 20, 2005With champion Declan's Moon on the sidelines, the 3-year-old throne in California is up for grabs in Saturday's San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), which has attracted a field of eight, headed by Wilko, Roman Ruler, and Consolidator. But there are at least three others with credentials who will attempt to seize the crown.
Thursday, March 17, 2005If Bob Baffert has his way and the weather cooperates, Roman Ruler's long-awaited 3-year-old debut will take place Saturday in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at 1 1/16 miles.
Sunday, March 13, 2005Grade II winner Roman Ruler, getting ready for a start March 19 in either the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita or the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct, worked a mile from the gate at Santa Anita Wednesday in 1:38 3/5.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert is on top of the game again after Preachinatthebar narrowly won the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Sunday, Baffert's second major Derby prep win in the past week.
Sunday, March 14, 2004Juvenile champion Action This Day heads a field of 11 3-year-olds in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) Sunday at Santa Anita.
Friday, March 12, 2004Jockey David Flores expects significant improvement from Action This Day when he rides the champion 2-year-old colt of 2003 in Sunday's $250,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
Thursday, March 11, 2004Even though Rafael Becerra feels St Averil could be the best 3-year-old he's ever trained, the 49-year-old native of Mexico prefers not to look past Sunday's $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at 1 1/16 miles.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004Trainer Richard Mandella, who last year saddled Halfbridled and Action This Day to wins in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), respectively, will look to make history this weekend by scoring a weekend double in Saturday's $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) and Sunday's $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. I) with his pair of juvenile champions.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004Trainer Bob Baffert, back at his Santa Anita base Monday after concluding a successful trip to New Orleans with a victory in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), was focusing on this weekend's sophomore stakes, sending out a pair of his top contenders for workouts.
Monday, March 08, 2004Laura de Seroux figures it's better late than never for 94-year-old Sidney Port, who owns Toasted, a 3-year-old colt with designs on next Sunday's $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.
Sunday, March 07, 2004Wertheimer Farm's Halfbridled, last year's champion 2-year-old filly, worked seven furlongs in 1:24 4/5 at Santa Anita Thursday in preparation for her 3-year-old debut in the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) March 13.
Thursday, February 19, 2004Santa Catalina Stakes winner St Averil worked five furlongs in an easy 1:02 over Santa Anita's fast main track Sunday morning, after which trainer Rafael Becerra confirmed that the son of Saint Ballado's next start would be the March 13 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).
Saturday, February 14, 2004