First Look: Santa Anita Opens with 5 Graded Stakes

A showdown between highly regarded 3-year-olds highlights opening day Saturday at Santa Anita.

Here is an early look at the fields ahead of Monday's draw.

Malibu (G1), 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Charlatan makes his comeback from ankle surgery in his first start since the Arkansas Derby (G1) for Bob Baffert, who also is expected to enter Thousand Words, eighth in the Preakness Stakes last out. The race also offers another look at suddenly hot Nashville, who won his debut in September and two straight since then for Steve Asmussen.

La Brea (G1), 7 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

Asmussen is shipping in Finite, winner of the Chilukki (G3) last out. Stellar Sound also could return, seeking her first graded-stakes win for Michael McCarthy. Baffert has four fillies on the possible/probable list: Himiko, Golden Principal, Merneigh and Provocation.

San Antonio Stakes (G2), 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Baffert is expected to enter Mucho Gusto — unraced since the Saudi World Cup — to prep for January’s Pegasus World Cup. Sharp Samurai, last seen finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, is expected for trainer Mark Glatt. And Richard Mandella could bring Extra Hope, winner of the Native Dancer Stakes (G3) last out.

Mathis Brothers Mile (G2), turf, 3-year-olds

Storm the Court is expected here in search of his first graded-stakes win since the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Last out, he was seventh in the Hollywood Derby (G1). Also expected is Smooth Like Strait, second in the Hollywood Derby, and Field Pass, winner of the Ontario Derby (G3).

American Oaks (G2), 1 1/4 miles, turf, 3-year-old fillies

Sharing is shipping in to make her second start off a layoff after finishing fourth in the Matriarch (G1) last out for Graham Motion. Beguiled is coming off an allowance score at Del Mar — her first win since breaking her maiden in January. And Chad Brown is bringing Duopoly, winner of three of her last four, and Capital Structure for her first stakes.