With the scratch of top contender Bayern, California Chrome has been made a clear 9-5 favorite over a strong field of eight others for Saturday’s running of the $300,000 Grade II San Filipe Stakes at Santa Anita. On top of the purse money and a likely entry in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby, the winner of the race will receive 50 points toward qualifying to be in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Among those entered in the San Filipe, Midnight Hawk (5-2) sits 13th in the Derby points list, while Kristo (5-2) is 39th. The top 20 will go to the gate for the Derby on May 3.
California Chrome goes for third straight win
A Cal-bred by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has a trio of minor stakes wins on his record, and comes into this on a two-race win streak, having captured the California Cup Derby by more than five lengths his last out, and having previously won the King Glorious Stakes at Hollywood by more than six. He was sixth in the Del Mar Futurity, his only graded-stakes attempt until now. Kristo took three tries to break his maiden, and then went on to finish second in the Grade III Sham. Midnight Hawk was the winner in that one, and most recently ran third in the Grade II Robert Lewis.
Other contenders have been close
Of the contenders, Schoolofhardrocks (9-2) has only one lifetime start and one lifetime win and has been away from the track since that career bow last August. Although Rprettyboyfloyd (12-1) has yet to register a win in four starts, he has been second three times and third once, that in the Grade III San Vincente Stakes at Santa Anita one month ago. The Kentucky-bred Recanted (20-1), a son of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, began his career in the UK and will be making his second US start, after finishing fifth in an allowance event at Santa Anita in January.
The 2023 Preakness Stakes is coming up Saturday, May 20 at Pimlico! It is one of the most eagerly-awaited events of the racing year, and this is the place to […]
The Preakness Stakes is coming up on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The second jewel of the American Triple Crown drew a field of 10 top three-year-olds. Find out the top contenders in the race, and learn the best places to place your bets!
After all the drama of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the racing scene shifts to Pimlico Race Course in anticipation of the running of the 2019 Preakness Stakes. A couple of the high-profile contenders from the Derby are expected in the field, as well as a number of new shooters that add to the handicapping puzzle and could provide good betting value.
The field has been established for the 2016 running of the Belmont Stakes and of the thirteen contenders, there are four horses who competed in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and are moving on to the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
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