Weekend Watch: 3-year-old stakes hold the spotlight
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Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
Each weekend, Horse Racing Nation previews the top races to tune into coast to coast and runs down the main contenders. Post times are all in Eastern Time.
Saturday
Henley’s Joy heavily favored in Kitten’s Joy
Bourbon Stakes (G3) runner-up Henley’s Joy was installed as the 3-5 morning line favorite for his 2019 bow despite drawing the outside post in the field of nine assembled for the Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park. His only poor performance in five career starts was a 13th
Code of Honor back in Mucho Macho Man
After missing both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and the Remsen (G2), Champagne Stakes (G1) runner-up Code of Honor
Two graded stakes at Santa Anita
Chicago Style is the tepid morning line favorite in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita. The 6-year old Kitten’s Joy gelding was last seen winning the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) back in November, making this his 2019 debut. The race attracted a field of 10 with Chicago Style drawing post five. Upset Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) winner Next Shares drew the seven hole and can only improve off his 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Grade 1-placed Big Score will be looking for just that after finishing off the board in all four of his 2018 starts. Flamboyant and Liam the Charmer are also both in with a shot.
Coliseum is the even money favorite in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes off a brilliant maiden score. Trained by Bob Baffert, the Tapit colt earned a 104 Equibase speed figure in that race and has been blitzing through bullet works in his last three recorded outings. He will face American Pharoah (G1) runner-up Gunmetal Gray and recent maiden winner Gray Magician, who earned a 99 Equibase figure in his 9 ½-length romp. Anyone noticing a pattern here? The top four finishers will earn points toward the Kentucky Derby on a 10-4-2-1 basis.
G2 San Gabriel 6:04 p.m.
G3 Sham 7:04 p.m.
Sunday
Santa Ynez basically a match race
The 2019 renewal of the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes attracted two of the top fillies in the division in Mother Mother and Bellafina. Trained by Bob Baffert, Mother Mother was last seen finishing third behind Triple Crown hero American Pharoah’s younger sister Chasing Yesterday in the Starlet (G1). Meanwhile Bellafina had her winning streak snapped when she ran third behind Jaywalk in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). They drew the rail and post two, respectively, and will likely throw down the gauntlet from the start as they are both front-running types. Three longshots comprise the rest of the field. Like with Saturday's Sham, the top four finishers will earn points toward the Kentucky Oaks on a 10-4-2-1 basis. Post time is 7 p.m.
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