Planetario looks like one to beat in Whittingham Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The only derby winner running on the first Saturday in May at Santa Anita, Planetario happens to be the likely favorite in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes.

A Brazilian import who won the Group 1 Grande Premio Derby Paulista in his native land before emerging as one of the top distance turf horses in California, Planetario is the horse to beat in the 1 1/4-mile Whittingham. He is no walkover, despite a familiar rival who is missing.

Eight entered the Whittingham, a $200,000 turf race absent the local turf leader. Missed the Cut, winner of two Grade 3 stakes this season over runner-up Planetario, finished second recently in a Grade 2 at Keeneland. Missed the Cut does not run in the Whittingham.

Planetario’s rivals include War At Sea, a multiple stakes winner returning to top form; Offlee Naughty, the 2023 Whittingham winner; Gold Phoenix, a Grade 1 winner in uncertain form; and Balladeer, the likely pacesetter. Rockemperor, Prince Abama, and Dicey Mo Chara also entered.

Richard Mandella trains Planetario, whose 2021 derby victory was his final start in Brazil. He made only one U.S. start in 2022, finishing fifth. But in 2023, Planetario came around and won the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita and Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Hector Berrios rides Planetario, who has won 7 of 17 starts and finished well clear of third in both recent second-place finishes.

War At Sea is less accomplished but never better. Ron Ellis trains 4-for-14 War At Sea, runner-up in both starts this year in stakes at Turf Paradise and the Grade 3 American last out at Santa Anita. Mike Smith rides War At Sea, who is racing beyond 1 1/8 miles for the first time. He could get a favorable trip forwardly placed right behind the speed.

Offlee Naughty ranked among the California division leaders in early 2023 before he tailed off. Trainer Michael McCarthy gave him a break and brought him back in March in the San Luis Rey. Offlee Naughty finished third to Missed the Cut and Planetario. It was a solid comeback by Offlee Naughty following a five-month layoff.

Gold Phoenix benefits by a stretch-out in distance, but his lackluster ninth-place comeback in the American casts doubt on his current ability. Last year, he won the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile and a pair of Grade 2s at Del Mar before finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Gold Phoenix’s regular rider, Juan Hernandez, rides Offlee Naughty; Kyle Frey takes over on Gold Phoenix for trainer Phil D’Amato.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

D’Amato also entered Rockemperor, a Grade 1 winner in 2021 for trainer Chad Brown. Rockemperor, 8, is making his first start for D’Amato on Saturday. D’Amato-trained Prince Abama makes his third start following a layoff and also benefits by the added distance.

The winner of the Whittingham receives a berth in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes on July 6 at Sandown Park in England, along with travel incentives. The Whittingham is race 7 on Saturday.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.