Santa Anita Trifecta: San Fernando Stakes, San Rafael Stakes and Santa Ynez Stakes

by Patricia Woo | Jan 11 2010

Santa Anita Racetrack will host three exciting stakes races this Saturday, Jan. 16. First up is the San Fernando Stakes, a $150,000 Gr. 2 race for 4-year-olds, followed by $100,000 Gr. 3 San Rafael Stakes for 3-year-olds. Last up is the $150,000 Gr. 2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Get up to speed with Bodog's guide to this triple header.

Kicking off Saturday's trifecta of races is the San Fernando Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile test for 4-year-olds. Among the nominated is Rendezvous, a Victory Gallop colt trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. Rendezvous will be continuing his winter season at Santa Anita Park, hoping to improve upon two out-of-the-money finishes at the end of last year. He was fifth in the $300,000 Gr. 1 Clement Hirsch Handicap on Oct. 11 and then eighth in the $150,000 Gr. 2 Oak Tree Derby on Nov. 7. A 7-furlong work at Santa Anita Park with Rafael Bejarano aboard saw the Kentucky-bred clock in at 1:26.80. Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem is also schedule to lineup for the San Fernando Stakes. Fourth in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and the Haskell Invitational, this Gary Stute-trained 4-year-old ended his 2009 campaign at Santa Anita Park with a third-place score in the $300,000 Gr. 1 Malibu Stakes. Tyler Baze will get the call for the San Fernando. Other probable starters include Quindici Man, Gallant Son, Supreme Summit and Mythical Power.

Next up is the 1-mile San Rafael Stakes for 3-year-olds. An early prep for the Kentucky Derby, the San Rafael Stakes will give astute horse bettors a first look at some of the top contenders. Bob Baffert's Conveyance is coming into the San Rafael Stakes off a two-win race streak; he will be up against graded stakes company for the first time and will have regular rider Garrett Gomez aboard. Domination and Cardiff Giant are also expected.

The day will be capped off with the running of the 7-furlong Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Is there another Rachel Alexandra in this early group of Kentucky Oaks hopefuls? The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained She's Funomenal has caught the eye of several horse bettors; this daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus was 2-2-0-0 in her 2009 campaign, capping off her season with a late-rallying victory in the $50,000 Ifyoucouldseemenow Stakes at Hollywood Park on Dec. 13. La Nez is another competitor with potential. Trained by J. Eric Kruljac, La Nez already has several stakes races under her belt and will be looking for her first victory at the graded stakes level. Fanny Freud and Amen Hallelujah are also probable starters.

Take advantage of all the great horse racing this Saturday! Bet on all three races at Santa Anita Park with the Bodog Racebook!