Santa Anita, one of the top horse racing tracks in the United States, starts their long winter-spring meet on Saturday, December 26. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, Dec. 26th to Sunday, Dec. 27th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks from December 26th to 27th
Top Stakes Races for the Week
- When: Saturday, Dec. 26 – Sunday, Dec. 27
Santa Anita Park – Dec. 26th
- Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $200,000
Gift Box has won the last two San Antonio Stakes. John Sadler finally retired the 7-year-old, which means he won’t make it three in a row. March Madness trained Mucho Gusto, Mark Glatt’s Sharp Samurai, and John Shirreff’s Midcourt look strong. Extra Hope, who won the Native Diver, is another with a big shot.
- Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes – 1 mile turf – $200,000
Field Pass could end up the favorite in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile. The Mike Maker trainee won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby in his last. Smooth Like Strait and ‘ Beach, the top two finishers in the Let It Ride stakes, will also get some looks.
- Grade 1 Malibu Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – $300,000
Some of the best soon to be 4-year-olds in the country will run in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes. Steve Asmussen’s undefeated speedball Nashville should go off first or second choice. If Bob Baffert runs Charlatan, expect last year’s winter book favorite to win the Kentucky Derby to offer close to even money odds. Thousand Words and Independence Hall are a couple of other runners who have a big shot.
- Grade 1 American Oaks – 1 ¼ miles turf – $300,000
The American Oaks figures to attract up to ten entrants. Chad Brown’s Duopoly won the Winter Memories in her last. She’s won 2-of-5 and will go off the chalk if Chad enters. Brown could also enter Capital Structure, meaning he’d have 2 of the 3 favorites. The other favorite figures to be Graham Motion trained Sharing.
- Grade 1 La Brea Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – $300,000
Like the American Oaks, ten 3-year-old fillies are likely to start in the Grade 1 La Brea on Saturday. Once again, Chad Brown may have the favorite in a race on Santa Anita’s Saturday card. Brown saddles Motivated Seller, who finished second behind Merneith in the Fort Springs Stakes in her last. Many willfeel Brown’s horse can turn the tables on the Bob Baffert trained Merneith. Other likely entrants include Provocation, Himiko, and Golden Principle, all from the Baffert barn, and Grade 3 winner Finite, trained by Steve Asmussen. The La Brea should be the most competitive race on Santa Anita’s Opening Day card.
Santa Anita Park – Dec. 27th
- Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – $100,000
The Great Race Place runs the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes on Sunday. Bobby Frankel was one of the greatest horse racing trainers of all time. The 2020 version of his namesake race will attract runners like Mirth, who won this race last year. Excellent Sunset and Tiny Tina, who both finished behind Mirth, may also give the Frankel Stakes another go.
Have a great week!
