First Look: See the likely fields for 7 weekend stakes

Forbidden Kingdom, who had lost six in a row before scoring in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez last out, would look for another win in Saturday's San Carlos (G3) at Santa Anita. Bob Baffert could have two runners there, lightly raced Elwood Blues and Hopkins, who would have his third start off a break.

And Steve Asmussen, winner of more races than anyone in North America, goes for his first score in the Whitmore (G3) at Oaklawn.

Here’s an early look at the fields for the Whitmore and the San Carlos at Santa Anita, plus other selected stakes.

Saturday

Whitmore (G3), Oaklawn, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up

Jaxon Traveler has been well-traveled since he last raced at Oaklawn in 2021. The 6-year-old trained by Asmussen most recently led gate to wire to win the black-type Bill Thomas Memorial at Sunland Park in his second start of the year. Asmussen also entered Ryvit, who won an Oaklawn allowance on Feb. 23 in his first start since December. Surveillance’s optional-claiming allowance win at Fair Grounds on Feb. 13 was his first victory in over a year. Tejano Twist, last year’s winner, is 2-for-7 since.

San Carlos (G3), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up

Forbidden Kingdom, second in this race last year, won the Joe Hernandez (G2) on Dec. 30 in his most recent start and his first after a seven-month layoff. Elwood Blues has made only five starts for Bob Baffert, finishing second in his first two then taking nearly six months off before returning to win three in a row. Hopkins was beaten by a nose last out in the Palos Verdes (G3), and he's also listed as probable for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on March 30. The Chosen Vron has won 10 of his last 11 starts, with the only loss coming in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Purple Martin (listed), Oaklawn, 6 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

Xtreme Diva’s win in the black-type Dixie Bell last out by a nose over Blue Squall, also entered here, was her second win in a row and fourth in six starts. Tx Women for Arts has eight starts at seven tracks, all last year, and finished second in her last two outings. Brooklyn Drew led at every call to win her maiden by 5 1/4 last out in her second start.

Pasadena (listed), Santa Anita, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds

Lord Bullingdon has won two of his last three starts but is 0-for-2 in graded stakes. Stay Hot bounced back from a 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf to win the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) and the black-type Baffle. Guy Named Joe broke his maiden in December and then was third last out in the El Camino Real Derby. Island Cruiser led gate to wire in breaking his maiden on his third try last out at Santa Anita.

Cicada (listed), Aqueduct, 6 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

Ghalia Princess won her debut by a head in January then was second last out in the black-type Ruthless at Aqueduct. Daughter of Time won a stretch duel to break her maiden last out in her second start.

Queen (listed), Turfway Park, 6 furlongs (synthetic), 4-year-old fillies

Honey Pants won the Las Cienegas (G3) last out for her first win since April 2022. B G Warrior led gate to wire to win the black-type Wishing Well on the Turfway Tapeta last out over two others entered here. Princess Adaleigh has finished in the money in eight of her nine career starts, most recently finishing third in the Rancho Bernardo (G3) on Aug. 27.

Hutcheson (listed), Gulfstream Park, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Patriot Spirit cuts back after finishing ninth in the Sam F. Davis (G3). Before that, he won the six-furlong Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs as the odds-on favorite. Ship to Shore won the Limehouse at Gulfstream when switching back to dirt in his second start off a three-month break.