A grim weather forecast in California this weekend will affect the way Planetario is prepared for an intended start in the $2.5 million Red Sea Handicap in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 25. Ideally, expected rain will be minimal or hold off long enough to allow Sunday’s Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf to be run at Santa Anita. Trainer Richard Mandella has planned the San Marcos as a prep for Planetario for the Red Sea Handicap at 1 7/8 miles on turf. The weather may not cooperate. “I’m not sure if we’ll get to run,” Mandella said. Planetario, who won the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on Nov. 24 in his last start, is part of a field of seven in the $100,000 San Marcos Stakes, one of two stakes scheduled for an eight-race program. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Planetario is one of four 2023 stakes winners in the San Marcos field, along with Balladeer, Missed the Cut, and Prince Abama. Prince Abama, who won the 2023 San Marcos Stakes in his most recent start, is also entered in Saturday’s Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf. Trainer Phil D’Amato said he will make a decision on Saturday morning as to which race will include Prince Abama. Balladeer, the winner of the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita in October, will play an important role in the San Marcos as an expected pacesetter. Balladeer led throughout the John Henry. He set the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 before fading to finish ninth, and was fourth in the Hollywood Turf Cup three weeks later after setting the pace. Missed the Cut was last of 12 in the BC Classic on dirt, and returned to finish second in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. Missed the Cut, trained by John Sadler, won the $122,200 Golden Gates Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Royal Ascot in Britain in 2022 when trained by George Boughey. Planetario, who races for Red Rafa Stud, has won 7 of 15 starts in a career that began in Brazil. In the final months of 2021, shortly before he was sent to California, Planetario won three consecutive stakes in Brazil, including Group 1 races on turf at 1 1/4 miles and 1 1/2 miles. Mandella said a start in the San Marcos will aid Planetario’s fitness in advance of the trip to Saudi Arabia. “He’s a horse that carries a lot of weight,” Mandella said. “I think it will do him some good.” If the weather forces a cancellation, Mandella said he will give Planetario a stern workout before a scheduled departure on Feb. 13. The San Marcos may be Planetario’s first start at Santa Anita since a fourth in the John Henry Turf Championship in October. Planetario won the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita last June. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.