Santa Anita: Fields Taking Shape For Big 'Cap, San Felipe

Santa Anita is set to host four graded stakes next Saturday including the 87th running of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and the San Felipe (G2), a significant prep for both the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 6 and Kentucky Derby (G1) a month later.

In addition to the Big 'Cap and San Felipe, next Saturday’s card will also include the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) and Buena Vista (G2) for older fillies and mares. Both are at a mile on turf. Nominations for all four graded stakes were released Friday.

The historic 1¼-mile Santa Anita Handicap, which was first run in 1935, attracted 12 nominees including the top three finishers in last month’s San Pasqual (G2) at 1 1/8 miles. Newgrange, trained by Phil D’Amato, won the San Pasqual in front-running fashion by a length over Newgate, who was making his second start off an 11-month layoff for trainer Bob Baffert. A half-length back of Newgate in third was Mixto for trainer Doug O’Neill.

According to the Santa Anita racing office, Newgrange, Newgate, and Mixto are all expected in the Big 'Cap starting gate. Baffert is also possible to run G3 winner Reincarnate and Mr Fisk, who was fifth in the San Pasqual.

Other locals targeting the Big 'Cap are long-winded Salesman for trainer Richard Mandella, who has been off since winning the 1 5/8-mile Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2)  Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, and Subsanador for trainer John Sadler.

The Big 'Cap is also likely to include multiple Eastern-based contenders. Trainer Brad Cox is slated to ship Highland Falls, a lightly raced 4-year-old Curlin colt who exits a second-level allowance win at Fair Grounds going 1 1/16 miles Jan. 13. Also, Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.is expected to send either O’Connor or Skippylongstocking, who both exit the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27. O’Connor was fifth in the Pegasus while Skippylongstocking was pulled up and did not finish.

As for the  San Felipe, 15 3-year-olds were nominated to the 1 1/16-mile race that provides Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers.

Probables include Wynstock, Wine Me Up, and Imagination for Baffert; maiden McVay for trainer John Shirreffs and Scatify, most recently third in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in his second start for trainer Richard Mandella. 

Also listed as “possible” by the racing office is Tapalo, who most recently second in the Feb. 10 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields for trainer John Sadler.

Next Saturday’s blockbuster card will be drawn on Wednesday.