OLDSMAR, Fla. – Last Saturday, Iron Honor went from a debut victory to winner of the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes. On the same day, Chief Wallabee came within a neck of doing the same in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.
Previously this year, So Happy won the Grade 2 San Vicente and Golden Tempo the Grade 3 Lecomte, both in their second career starts following first-out victories.
Before the $200,000 General George on Feb. 14, trainer Ned Allard said he wished he had more time to prepare Quint’s Brew for the race he won by 5 1/2 lengths last year. That time wasn’t granted to him, and the 5-year-old gelding’s repeat bid was denied as he was left spinning his wheels in third, 5 1/4 lengths behind gate-to-wire winner Point Dume.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Disco Time will try to bounce back from his first career defeat in the Pegasus World Cup while Disruptor will look to claim his first stakes victory when the two head a field of seven entered in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
ARCADIA, Calif. – There have been more frustrations than successes in the nearly three years since Almendares arrived from Ireland.
In 16 U.S. starts, Almendares has won three times, including the restricted Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar last July. In his last start, the 6-year-old gelding closed from 11th of 12 to finish third in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, the eighth time he has been second or third in a graded stakes.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Time to Dream’s 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf belied her status as one of North America’s top hopes in the race, one that is typically dominated by European-based runners.
Arrest Me Red won the 2025 Big Daddy Stakes at Turfway Park, prevailing by a half-length following a race-long duel with 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals. Arrest Me Red is coming off a prep victory at Turfway as he prepares for Saturday night’s renewal of the $125,000 Big Daddy sprinting on the Tapeta, but he faces some others who have shown a serious affinity for this track.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Got questions about California 3-year-olds? The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes has the answers Saturday at Santa Anita.
Is the $3 million colt Brant as good as last summer? Winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Brant is even money in the $200,000 San Felipe. He is no cinch to win the 1 1/16-mile race while making his first start in four months.
A seven-month layoff. A distance at which he has yet to run. These are only minor inconveniences for Minorinconvenience, according to trainer Amelia Green, who brings the colt back to the races in Saturday’s $135,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.
The Gander and the $135,000 Maddie May for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies – both run at one mile – highlight a nine-race Saturday card.
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday lost a leading contender on Thursday when trainer Peter Eurton said Westwood will be withdrawn from consideration because of concern over the distance and the way the race may develop.
The decision was made by owner Lee Searing, who races as CRK Stable with his wife Susan. Eurton said that Westwood will be redirected to the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic at 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds on March 22.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Never mind that Splendora won only two of her first seven starts. In four starts since last summer the 5-year-old mare has been unstoppable.
On Saturday at Santa Anita, Splendora is expected to extend her win streak to five when she stretches back out to two turns in the Grade 1, $300,000 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile, which is carded as race 4.
“She’s just getting better and better with age,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “She looks great. Hopefully she gets a good trip and stays healthy this week.”
