Missed the Cut looks tough as San Luis Rey Stakes favorite

ARCADIA, Calif. – Favorites have been practically automatic in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes the past few years, and in Santa Anita turf-route stakes the past few weeks.

The trends are likely to continue Saturday, because Missed the Cut looks formidable in the San Luis Rey. Favorites won 1 1/2-mile turf race five of the last six years, similar to the strike rate by favorites this season.

Favorites have won 14 of 18 turf-route stakes at the Santa Anita meet, and Missed the Cut will try to extend the pattern against graded winners Planetario, Offlee Naughty, and Balladeer. Five entered the $100,000 San Luis Rey. Resultant is the outsider.

Missed the Cut stretches out following a victory last month in the Grade 3 San Marcos at 1 1/4 miles and could get the same type trip he benefited from last out – forwardly placed behind likely pacesetter Balladeer. Missed the Cut won the San Marcos by 1 1/4 lengths.

“We stopped trying to make him a dirt horse and just concentrated on the grass,” trainer John Sadler said.

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The San Marcos was Missed the Cut’s sixth win from 14 starts, and despite rain and track closures, the 5-year-old has not missed a beat since the San Marcos on Feb. 10.

“What’s been good for him is he didn’t really catch the interruptions on his schedule because of the weather,” Sadler said. “He’s good, staying good, and he’s doing probably better than ever.”

Antonio Fresu is the eighth rider in eight U.S. starts for Missed the Cut, who began his career in England and was sent to the United States in an attempt to influence the older-male dirt division. He won the Grade 3 Tokyo City at 1 1/2 miles on dirt last fall, but runs best on turf at most any distance.

“He’ll run well anywhere from a mile and an eighth to a mile and a half,” Sadler said. “Distance is not an issue with him.”

Missed the Cut has won 6 of 14 overall, and while any distance is fine for Missed the Cut, his main rival definitely benefits by the longer trip.

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Planetario won long-distance graded turf stakes last year at 1 3/4 miles and 1 1/2 miles. Saturday in the San Luis Rey, he stretches out after finishing second to Missed the Cut in the 1 1/4-mile San Marcos.

Planetario “likes a mile and one-half better,” trainer Richard Mandella said, and added that he has trained “very good” since his comeback. A two-time Group 1 winner in Brazil, Planetario has won 2 of 8 starts in the United States. Hector Berrios rides the 6-year-old.

Offlee Naughty won the San Luis Rey last year, his second graded stakes following the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham. Offlee Naughty is making his first start in more than five months; he won the 2023 Whittingham off a four-month layoff. Juan Hernandez is his rider.

Balladeer, third in the San Marcos, is expected to set the pace in his second start following layoff.

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