Expert picks: How to bet Saturday's San Vicente Stakes
While it doesn't award 2018 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, the Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes is known for sending its runners on the Triple Crown trail. We'll eye some future talent Saturday and hope for a nice payout on the seven-furlong Santa Anita Park feature.
Post time is 5:30 p.m. ET. Good luck!
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #1 Ax Man
On the board: #6 Kris’ Rocket Kat, #4 All Out Blitz
Longshot I like: #5 Kanthaka
Analysis: Ax Man axed the competition by nearly 10-lengths with blazing speed in his debut. Kris’ Rocket Kat was an impressive maiden winner. He steps up off a two-month layoff, but his works are solid and he could get the right pace setup. All Out Blitz was runner-up in the Sham behind a strong Derby contender. The cut back in distance could prove beneficial. Kanthaka is the lone entrant with a seven furlong win and attracts leading rider Prat.
Candice Curtis (@skipaway2000)
Winner: #5 Kanthaka
On the board: #3 Nero, #4 All Out Blitz
Longshot I like: Anybody but Ax Man
Analysis: #1 Ax Man is going to be joined on the front end here by his stablemate, Nero, with Mr. Jagermeister just behind. I think the pace is going to be brisk enough for pressers like All Out Blitz and even late runner Kanthaka, with hot jockey Flavien Prat aboard, to make a run at the top of the stretch. Nero has exhibited the tendency to "hang" when he makes the lead, and I think that will prove his undoing this time.
Casey Laughter, The Tattooed Tracksider (@WritingCasey)
Winner: #1 Ax Man
On the board: #4 All Out Blitz, #3 Nero
Longshot I like: #2 Mr. Jagermeister
Anaylsis: With the shorter field, I feel like Ax man will be able to get out of the gate well and set a nice pace, with likely company from Nero. The horse Nero beat last out, Curly's Rocket, has won since. If Nero mentally matured, he is a serious threat. Mr. Jagermeister has not raced in a while, but his figure last out hit triple digits while running second-best, and that is hard to ignore for a sophomore.
Jonathan Lintner, Derby Daily
Winner: #4 All Out Blitz
On the board: #1 Ax Man, #5 Kanthaka
Longshot I like: #3 Nero
Analysis: All Out Blitz ran well to set the pace in McKinzie’s Sham Stakes win and hang around for second. Consider what Ax Man faced in his debut: conditions for purchases under $100,000 or homebreds. He was the only homebred in the field. Don't think he'll get a win here that easily. Who knows with Nero? But he’s the longest shot on the morning line. If the light comes on, that’s a nice payoff.
Mary Dixon Reynolds, The Gallop Out (@nchorseplayer)
Winner #1 Ax Man
On the board: #3 Nero, #4 All Out Blitz
Long shot I Like: #5 Kanthaka
Analysis: What a plethora of young talent! This will be a quite interesting race. I'm buying the hype and going with Ax Man to win. I’m keen on Kanthaka, too.