Saturday guide: Ky. Derby and Oaks contenders take spotlight

Santa Anita hosts the Grade 2 San Vicente, a seven-furlong stakes on dirt for 3-year-olds that has produced Kentucky Derby contenders in the past despite it not being a points race. In 2016, Nyquist began his 3-year-old season in the race and remained undefeated through Kentucky Derby day. Bob Baffert trainees have used it to great success, with Nadal, Concert Tour and Muth winning it en route to wins in the important Derby preps at Oaklawn. Last year, Barnes won it before facing eventual Preakness winner Journalism in the San Felipe. 

Baffert is back again with two entries, maiden winner Greenwich Village and Hopeful (G1) runner-up Buetane.

Trainer Doug O'Neill also has 2 entries, Acknowledgemeplz, who ran fourth in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), and maiden winner Thirsty Rebel. 

Rounding out the field is Mark Glatt-trained So Happy, another maiden winner stepping up in class.

The San Vicente is race 5, post time 5 p.m. EST.

Although the colts won't earn any points, the fillies in the Santa Ynez will be eligible for the 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks (G1). It is race 3, post time 4 p.m. EST.

This listed stakes is set for seven furlongs on dirt, and it is the only U.S.-based points prep run under one mile. Five fillies are entered for this year's edition. Past editions of the Santa Ynez have produced Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty, who finished third here in 2011, as well as Eclipse Award winners Unique Bella and Midnight Bisou, who both won. Hall of Famer Beholder famously finished second in the Santa Ynez at the beginning of her championship 3-year-old season in 2013. 2024 winner Kopion won two Grade 1s in 2025 before finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint vs. colts.

This year's Santa Ynez features Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Explora for Bob Baffert. Baffert also has Bottle of Rouge, who won the Del Mar Debutante (G1) before a sixth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup, and Himika, a Grade 3 winner who has finished behind both Explora and Bottle of Rouge. 

Trainer John Sadler has Revera, who won the Desi Arnaz stakes at Del Mar last out, defeating Himika.

Finally, Mark Glatt has the Constitution filly La Wally primed for a comeback after finishing eighth in the Breeders' Cup. 

Coverage of both races will be on FanDuel TV.

Free past performances for this weekend's stakes are courtesy of Brisnet. 

Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the San Vicente entrants.

Here are the lifetime top speed figures for the Santa Ynez entrants.

*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are provided courtesy of Daily Racing Form.

HRN Handicappers

HRN's Ed DeRosa has a pace angle for the San Vicente. 

Meanwhile, Head to Head handicappers Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis look past morning-line favorite Buetane to find their plays.  

Be sure to try the Santa Anita $3 pick 3. The higher base wager significantly outperforms the $1 base on payoffs. See the stats. 

HorseCenter's Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman already are formulating their early Pegasus World Cup strategies. Get their takes on the Pegasus contenders. 

If you're looking for movie recs, The Ron Flatter Racing Pod has the best racing films this week. Film writer Allen Johnson and NYRA's Richard Migliore discuss 11 horse-racing movies, from "A Day at the Races" to "Secretariat." Listen here.

Beginning next week, there will be a Kentucky Derby prep every week for the next 13 weeks. Be sure to take the Super Screener with you when you're looking for winners. 

2026 San Vicente G2

2026 Santa Ynez LS