Explora returns in the Santa Ynez, Benoit Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —The road to the GI Santa Anita Oaks kicks off Saturday at Santa Anita Park with the $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes that features the return of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Explora. A day later, Magnificat—who was scratched from the GI La Brea Stakes on opening day of the Classic Meet this past Sunday—will return to action in Sunday’s $100,000 Las Flores Stakes for older fillies and mares going seven furlongs.
Explora, trained by Bob Baffert, went off favored in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and was beaten three-quarters of a length by Santa Anita-based Super Corredora on Oct. 31 at Del Mar. That effort came 27 days after Explora won the GII Oak Leaf, also at 1 1/16 miles, when making her two-turn debut at Santa Anita. Prior to that, when making just her second start, the daughter of Blame tested the GI Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs and was second-best to stablemate Bottle of Rouge.
A $350,000 auction buy earlier this year, Explora is owned by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. She’ll have regular rider Juan Hernandez aboard.
Also exiting the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies is La Wally for trainer Mark Glatt. Second to Explora in the Oak Leaf, La Wally in the Juvenile Fillies pressed the pace in second and then weakened late to finish eighth in a field of nine. By Constitution, La Wally was a $300,000 auction buy as a yearling by owner Muir Hut Stable. She’ll be ridden by Umberto Rispoli for the first time.
Revera comes in for trainer John Sadler following a win in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz at Del Mar on Nov. 16. She finished three-quarters of a length in front of runner-up Himika, who also returns in the Santa Ynez for Baffert. By Lexitonian, Revera was an $85,000 auction buy earlier this year and is campaigned by U Racing Stables, Saints or Sinners, Denise Barker et al. Hector Berrios has the call on Revera.
First post Saturday is 12 p.m. PT for a nine-race card. The Santa Ynez goes as the eighth race at approximately 3:30 p.m. The field in post position order: Revera, Hector Berrios; Explora, Juan Hernandez; Himika, Kazushi Kimura; Toaster, Mike Smith; La Wally, Umberto Rispoli.
MAGNIFICAT LEADS SUNDAY’S LAS FLORES AFTER GI LA BREA SCRATCH
Sunday’s Las Flores Stakes goes as the sixth race on a nine-race card starting at 12 p.m. Magnificat was a supplemental entry after being a stakes scratch from Sunday’s La Brea for 3-year-old fillies where she was 20-1 on the morning line.
Trained by Richard Mandella for owner-breeder Spendthrift Farm, Magnificat graduated in her second start going six furlongs at Del Mar on Oct. 25, then returned four weeks later to beat first-allowance foes going 6 ½ furlongs at Del Mar. Both victories came by a neck. Magnificat will have regular rider Mirco Demuro aboard for her stakes debut.
Thermal steps up to the stakes ranks for trainer and co-owner John Sadler after an eye-catching allowance win going six furlongs when returned to dirt following a string of starts on turf and synthetic. On Oct. 17 at Santa Anita, Thermal went to the lead from the rail under Hector Berrios, posted a sharp opening half mile in 44.46 seconds and then drew off in the stretch to win by 3 ¾ lengths. The final time was a swift 1:08.99.
Bred in Ontario, Thermal is a 4-year-old daughter of Nyquist who was purchased by co-owner By Talla Racing for $625,000 as a yearling. She had made eight starts on turf of synthetic before romping in her return to dirt last out. Berrios will be back aboard in the Las Flores.
The field in post position order: Magnificat, Mirco Demuro; Margarita Girl, Ricky Gonzalez; Nafisa, Kazushi Kimura; Thermal, Hector Berrios; Ooty, Juan Hernandez.
Live racing action continues Wednesday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card starting at 12 p.m. All fans in attendance will receive free parking and admission along with an All-Day Happy Hour featuring 50 percent off select beer and cocktails.
On Thursday, Santa Anita will also host a special New Year’s Day card starting at 12 p.m. To help celebrate the new year, fans will be treated to $2 hot dogs, $2 beers and $2 sodas. Parking is free when entering through Gate 3 on Huntington Drive.
