First Look: Santa Anita graded stakes + Derby, Oaks preps

Santa Anita hosts a pair of graded stakes this weekend, with Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Muth possibly returning in the Grade 2 San Vicente and Kentucky Oaks (G1) points on the line in the Santa Ynez. And Aqueduct hosts the Jerome, which offers Kentucky Derby points.

Here are the likely fields for those races and selected stakes at Gulfstream Park and Turfway.

Saturday

San Vicente (G2), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Moonlit Sonata would make his first start since winning his debut on Nov. 25 at Del Mar. Also coming off a debut win is Pilot Commander, who led gate to wire at Del Mar on Nov. 11. Boltage hasn’t raced since finishing seventh in the Zuma Beach on Oct. 8 but has had strong works at Santa Anita. Muth, listed as possible, has a record of 4: 2-2-0, including a win in the American Pharoah (G1) and would make his first start since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Jerome (listed), Aqueduct, 1 mile, 3-year-olds, 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

Drum Roll Please broke his maiden in October on his third try and then was third in the Remsen (G2). El Grande O’s last five starts were in stakes, with wins in the Sleepy Hollow and Bertram F. Bongard, both at Aqueduct. He also was sixth in the Champagne (G1). Regalo won a Laurel Park optional-claiming allowance last out at 1 1/16 miles, drawing clear to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

Dania Beach (listed), Gulfstream, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds

Agate Road broke his maiden on the turf at Saratoga, then won the PIlgrim at 1 1/16 miles before finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Reminder has finished in the money in all five of his starts and was second by a neck to Noted last out in the 7 1/2-furlong Pulpit, with Palm Tree, also entered here, finishing third.

Ginger Brew (listed), Gulfstream, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-old fillies

Time to Dazzle won her debut and then was ninth in the Jessamine (G2) in October before returning to lead at every call and win an optional-claiming allowance at this track last out. Ozara is 2-for-4 and won the black-type Wait a While by neck in her last start. Life’s an Audible rallied to finish second in the Miss Grillo (G2) before an eight-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Vote No was 2-for-2 before finishing third last out in the Oct. 8 Bourbon Stakes (G2). Let’s Go Mark and Quarryman finished first and second last out in an optional-claiming allowance at this track. Sweet Soddy is 3-for-8 and won a black-type stakes at Laurel Park by six lengths in his latest start.This will be the eighth track where he has made a start.

Sunday

Santa Ynez (G3), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies, 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points

Kopion debuted Nov. 26 and won by 3 3/4 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Tambo has a record of 5: 1-3-0 and was second by a nose last out in the Desi Arnaz to Nothing Like You, who went on to win the Starlet (G2) and is possible here. Don’t Bring Crazy was fourth in the Desi Arnaz and has one win from six starts.