McKinzie and Bolt d'Oro dueled to the wire in a thrilling edition of the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2), but soon after the inquiry sign went up and McKinzie was disqualified from first for interference.
As the Road to the Kentucky Derby heats up, each week BloodHorse.com will take a look at three things to watch from the 3-year-old division heading into the weekend's prep races.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.
The early season preps can underwhelm, as the cream of the crop has yet to square off, but a race like the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) March 10 at Santa Anita Park has the potential to be a blockbuster.
Javier Castellano will replace jockey Corey Nakatani aboard Triple Crown hopeful Bolt d'Oro in his 3-year-old debut in the March 10 San Felipe Stakes (G2), owner and trainer Mick Ruis said Jan. 28.
Mick Ruis holds more than a modicum of hope that Bolt d'Oro, a finalist for 2017 champion 2-year-old male, will embark on the Triple Crown trail after missing valuable training time recently due to a pulled muscle.
Mastery, the undefeated son of Candy Ride who was injured after winning the March 11 San Felipe Stakes (G2), will stand at Claiborne Farm upon his retirement, it was announced March 21.
Santa Anita was the place to be on Saturday as fans flocked to the Southern California track to see the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Handicap, all while spending a day outdoors with friends. Experience the fashion, fun and racing!
A sterling performance by Cheyenne Stables' Mastery in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) for a moment appeared to stamp him as the clear favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. This week we have a trio of grade 1 races at Santa Anita Park, a Triple Crown prep on each coast, and more.
Cheyenne Stables owner Everett Dobson has a simple mantra heading into the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) March 11 at Santa Anita Park. "In Bob we trust," the Oklahoma City resident said with a laugh March 8.
Almost every runner Danzing Candy put away to win the San Felipe (gr. II) impressively will be back to challenge the son of Twirling Candy April 9 in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).
Exaggerator is among the seven 3-year-olds listed as probable for the April 9 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and trainer Keith Desormeaux believes the Curlin colt can improve on his third-place finish last time out.
Unraced until November of last year, Danzing Candy emphatically announced his arrival on the Triple Crown trail with a gate-to-wire, two-length score over favored Mor Spirit in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).
With undefeated Nyquist bypassing the Southern California Triple Crown preps in favor of the Florida Derby (gr. I), an opportunity has presented itself for some talented but still unproven locals in the San Felipe (gr. II).
A week ahead of Southern California's next Triple Crown prep race, the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), three of the top contenders were on the track at the same time March 5 at Santa Anita Park.
Smokey Image and Danzing Candy put on an unintentional preview of the March 12 San Felipe (gr. II) during their morning workouts Feb. 27 at Santa Anita Park.
Gary Stevens said he didn't know grade I winner Mor Spirit was wearing earplugs when he jumped in to work him on the fly Feb. 23. After failing to get a response on the turn, he eased the Bob Baffert trained-runner.
Smokey Image just seems to find trouble working recently in the mornings at Santa Anita Park, and although that might make trainer Carla Gaines uncomfortable in the moment, it may end up being a blessing in disguise.
Smokey Image found company in the turn of his four-furlong breeze, as he and jockey Victor Espinoza moved inside of a three-furlong worker and stuck with their unexpected rival to the wire, covering the distance in :47 1/5.
Two days ahead of Santa Anita Park's second official Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) prep, another 3-year-old colt made waves with what could end up being his first step on the Triple Crown trail Feb. 4.
Sise, Wygod, and Desormeaux all point to Prospect Park's last four jumpd, where he began advancing quickly on Dortmund to the wire, in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe, as the main source of their optimism.
Tampa Bay Downs, Santa Anita, Aqueduct, Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream, Sunland and More.
J. Keeler Johnson recaps the Santa Anita Handicap, San Felipe Stakes, and more!
Bob Baffert will not be changing his plans for undefeated Dortmund after the 3-year-old colt's front-running victory in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Dortmund preserved his undefeated record March 7, cruising gate-to-wire in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. The son of Big Brown has won five in a row and looms on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
French import Flavien Prat is one of many up-and-coming young jockeys hoping to take the reins from the sport's best. He rides Pain and Misery in the San Felipe (gr. II) and Silentio in the Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) March 7.
Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak preview the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) featuring Shared Belief, and also look at the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).
Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak preview the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) featuring Shared Belief, and also look at the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II). Download Brisnet Past Performances for the Santa Anita Handicap.
The transcript for the Live Chat is now available.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the San Felipe, Tampa Bay Derby, and Gotham Stakes.
Last time out, the son of 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown ran to a brilliant victory in the Feb. 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II), fighting back on the inside after being passed by Firing Line to eke out the score.
Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed March 1 that imposing colt Dortmund will start in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park March 7.
It wasn't the fractions that excited Bob Baffert about undefeated Dortmund's workout the morning of Feb. 26 at Santa Anita Park, it was how the massive 3-year-old son of Big Brown handled himself.
Zayat Stables' American Pharoah Drew an appreciative appraisal from trainer Bob Baffert as he continued to work in preparation for his 3-year-old debut the morning of Feb. 15 at Santa Anita Park.
Evan Hammonds recaps the historical Santa Anita Handicap, San Felipe Stakes, Gulfstream Park Handicap, and the Tampa Bay Derby.
Evan Hammonds recaps the historical Santa Anita Handicap, San Felipe Stakes, Gulfstream Park Handicap, and the Tampa Bay Derby.
Following a dazzling win from California Chrome in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at Santa Anita Park, trainer Art Sherman says he can concentrate on the best way to get to this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Favored California Chome proved he belongs on the Triple Crown trail with a front-running stampede to victory in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at gleaming Santa Anita Park.
The transcript for the Live Chat is now available.
Bayern, an impressive 15-length allowance winner last time out for trainer Bob Baffert, will miss the March 8 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park due to a bruised quarter.
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the highly anticipated Santa Anita Handicap and the Kentucky Derby contenders in the San Felipe Stakes.
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the highly anticipated Santa Anita Handicap and the Kentucky Derby contenders in the San Felipe Stakes. Download Brisnet Past Performances for the Santa Anita Handicap.
Art Sherman still has a soft spot for a horse with personality, another reason he loves California Chrome. "I like a people's horse, and that's what he is--he likes people," the trainer said.
In what may go down as the race of the year, Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) will feature a rematch between Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) 1-2 finishers Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge.
Bayern should draw most of the attention in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at Santa Anita Park following his dazzling 15-length allowance win for trainer Bob Baffert.
Undefeated colt will make his stakes debut for Bob Baffert following allowance romp in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 8 at Santa Anita Park.
California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Los Alamitos March 2 in preparation for the upcoming San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. Jockey Victor Espinoza was aboard.
After missing a recently scheduled workout with a slight quarter crack, champion Shared Belief is to have his next timed work Friday, Jan. 24, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.
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.
