Early Look: Mystik Dan stands out in Santa Anita openers
Photo:
Alex Evers / Eclipse Sportswire – edited
It is a holiday tradition that suits California. Wake up in
the partly cloudy chill of a day that will reach the frosty mid ’60s,
throw those returnable Christmas gifts in the back of the SUV, drive headlong
into slow-and-go traffic on the Foothill Freeway and get frustrated looking for
a parking place at the mall in Arcadia.
Thankfully, horse racing is a short walk away.
Cynicism may be checked at the door next week on the day
after Christmas to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Santa Anita. That is because Kentucky
Derby winner Mystik Dan returns to racing on the traditional Dec. 26 opening
day. He will start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Malibu Stakes, a high-profile tune-up for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational next month at Gulfstream Park.
Probable and possible starters for seven graded stakes on
the first two days of the meet were listed Monday afternoon by the Santa Anita
racing office, which will take entries and draw the fields Thursday and Friday.
Thursday, Dec. 26
Malibu (G1), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds
Trainer Kenny McPeek is dusting what hopefully are just metaphorical
cobwebs off Mystik Dan. The classic winner returns from a 6 1/2-month break since he followed
the Derby with a second in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness and a tiring eighth in the
1 1/4-mile Belmont Stakes. The Goldencents colt will be on a trailer Wednesday and
Thursday for the 1,885-mile drive from Louisiana, making an overnight stop at Zia Park in New Mexico en route to the usual opening-day
feature. The Malibu will be Mystik Dan’s first time racing less than a mile
since he broke his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs 13 months ago at Churchill Downs.
Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold, Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Bentornato
and Grade 2 victor Raging Torrent also are expected to be entered.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mystik Dan Goldencents |
7.82 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Stronghold Ghostzapper |
7.51 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Bentornato Valiant Minister |
7.09 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Raging Torrent Maximus Mischief |
7.07 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Imagination Into Mischief |
6.17 |
2nd, SA AOC (10/26/2024-R6) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, SA AOC (10/26/2024-R6) |
|||||
|
|
Eagles Flight Curlin |
5.89 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Pilot Commander Justify |
5.82 |
1st, SA AOC (10/05/2024-R5) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, SA AOC (10/05/2024-R5) |
|||||
|
|
Senior Officer Into Mischief |
0.00 |
2nd, CD ALW (10/30/2024-R9) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, CD ALW (10/30/2024-R9) |
|||||
|
|
Winterfell Arrogate |
0.00 |
1st, City of Laurel |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, City of Laurel |
|||||
|
|
Slider Jimmy Creed |
5.82 |
8th, Stormy Liberal |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
8th, Stormy Liberal |
|||||
|
|
Mirahmadi Into Mischief |
5.74 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
Bartholdy Mendelssohn |
0.00 |
1st, LRC SOC (12/06/2024-R3) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, LRC SOC (12/06/2024-R3) |
|||||
La Brea (G1), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies
If Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert enters Hope Road, the
betting pendulum would swing in that direction. The Quality Road filly came
back from a nine-month break to go 4-for-4 in 2024 with Grade 3 scores in the
Torrey Pines and Bayakoa. If she does not go, graded-stakes winners Tamara,
Sugar Fish and One Magic Philly would pick up the pari-mutuel slack as could
undefeated nominees Sandy Bottom and Cavalieri.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Sugar Fish Accelerate |
6.94 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Tamara Bolt d’Oro |
6.81 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
One Magic Philly Good Magic |
6.56 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Sandy Bottom Omaha Beach |
6.34 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Kinza Carpe Diem |
6.24 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Cavalieri Nyquist |
0.00 |
1st, SA AOC (10/12/2024-R3) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, SA AOC (10/12/2024-R3) |
|||||
|
|
Splendora Audible |
0.00 |
1st, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R2) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R2) |
|||||
|
|
Hope Road Quality Road |
6.89 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Accuracy Arrogate |
5.84 |
1st, DMR AOC (11/29/2024-R8) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR AOC (11/29/2024-R8) |
|||||
|
|
Kopion Omaha Beach |
4.77 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Ultimate Authority Practical Joke |
4.34 |
2nd, DMR AOC (11/29/2024-R8) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, DMR AOC (11/29/2024-R8) |
|||||
|
|
Pushiness Kantharos |
0.00 |
3rd, Betty Grable |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
3rd, Betty Grable |
|||||
American Oaks (G1), Santa Anita, 1 1/4 miles, downhill
turf, 3-year-old fillies
Trainer Cherie DeVaux entertained the idea of Santa Anita’s
opening day last year before she decided against making the long trip from
Kentucky with Vahva. She might regret passing up the lackluster field in the
2023 La Brea. This year DeVaux had two-time Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty
flown to California last week to settle into John Sadler’s barn. The daughter of
Karakontie will make her first start since she finished first by six lengths
Oct. 12 in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Keeneland. She has earned
$948,317 and always has been in the money, winning four times in seven starts
and never losing by more than three-quarters of a length. She Feels Pretty will
be one of the biggest favorites on the program.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
She Feels Pretty Karakontie |
7.71 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Watchtower Demarchelier |
6.56 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Medoro Honor Code |
6.48 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Kathynmarissa American Pharoah |
6.19 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Valence Violence |
5.79 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Baltic Fire Flameaway |
0.00 |
1st, DMR AOC (11/09/2024-R7) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR AOC (11/09/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Vibez Collected |
0.00 |
1st, DMR AOC (11/03/2024-R7) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR AOC (11/03/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Chatalas Gun Runner |
6.47 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Omaha Girl Omaha Beach |
5.87 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Sakura Blossom Classic Empire |
5.84 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Faith Understood Catholic Boy |
5.12 |
7th, DMR AOC (11/29/2024-R9) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
7th, DMR AOC (11/29/2024-R9) |
|||||
|
|
Ima Joker Practical Joke |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Kentucky Gal Churchill |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Mizzyaan Justify |
0.00 |
4th, DMR AOC (11/03/2024-R7) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
4th, DMR AOC (11/03/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Public Assembly More Than Ready |
0.00 |
2nd, KEE ALW (10/26/2024-R5) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, KEE ALW (10/26/2024-R5) |
|||||
|
|
Rashmi Oscar Performance |
0.00 |
1st, DMR STR (11/17/2024-R9) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR STR (11/17/2024-R9) |
|||||
|
|
Strutting Frankel |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
San Gabriel (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/8 miles, turf,
3-year-olds and up
Since he graduated from an 11-month break into the open
company of older rivals, 4-year-old Johannes has been nearly perfect for
trainer Tim Yakteen. Going into the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Joe and Debby McCloskey’s
homebred by Nyquist built a four-race winning streak entirely on graded stakes,
including the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. Making a powerful bid down
the Del Mar stretch last month, he came up only three-quarters of a length
short against More Than Looks. He will be a big favorite to bounce back when he
seeks his seventh trip to the Santa Anita winner’s circle in eight tries.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Johannes Nyquist |
7.85 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Cabo Spirit Pioneerof the Nile |
6.60 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Dicey Mo Chara Adaay |
6.40 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Easter Exosphere |
6.40 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Seal Team War Front |
6.04 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Balnikhov Adaay |
6.54 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Almendares Havana Grey |
6.23 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Astronomer Air Force Blue |
6.18 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Nineeleventurbo More Than Ready |
6.07 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Lammas Heeraat |
6.06 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Lord Bullingdon Lord Nelson |
6.06 |
6th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R7) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Lukka Lookin At Lucky |
4.12 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Zio Jo Nyquist |
3.79 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Cathal No Nay Never |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Escape Artist Good Magic |
0.00 |
4th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R3) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
4th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R3) |
|||||
|
|
Fearless Soldier City of Light |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Laffit Pincay Jr. (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds
and up
Full Serrano would have been a certain favorite in this race
that used to be the San Antonio Stakes. That was before trainer John Sadler told
Daily Racing Form on Monday that the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner suffered an
unspecified setback that will keep him out of the Pincay and the $20 million
Saudi Cup (G1) in late February. If Skinner is entered, he could inherit the
favorite’s role on the strength of his win last month in the 1 1/8-mile Native
Diver (G3) at Del Mar. That would be if trainer John Shirreffs decides the
4-year-old Curlin colt can handle a third start in eight weeks off an 11-month
layoff. The race was renamed for Pincay, the second winningest Thoroughbred jockey
in North America history, trailing only Russell Baze. Five of Pincay’s 9,530 victories
came in the San Antonio between 1968 and 1989.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Express Train Union Rags |
6.81 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Katonah Klimt |
6.60 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Giant Game Giant’s Causeway |
6.04 |
6th, Downs At Albuquerque H. |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, Downs At Albuquerque H. |
|||||
|
|
Tarantino Pioneer Of The Nile |
5.62 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
American Admiral American Pharoah |
3.76 |
1st, Mt. Diablo |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, Mt. Diablo |
|||||
|
|
J B Strikes Back Goldencents |
0.00 |
1st, DMR AOC (11/23/2024-R4) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR AOC (11/23/2024-R4) |
|||||
|
|
Skinner Curlin |
6.93 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Lammas Heeraat |
6.06 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Lord Bullingdon Lord Nelson |
6.06 |
6th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R7) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Mirahmadi Into Mischief |
5.74 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Ashcroft Munnings |
3.79 |
1st, SA AOC (04/27/2024-R10) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, SA AOC (04/27/2024-R10) |
|||||
Mathis Mile (G2), Santa Anita, 1 mile, turf, 3-year-olds
Stay Hot and Atitlan resume their rivalry when they make
their fifth consecutive start against each other. Stay Hot was first and
Atitlan third in the Aug. 1 running of the 1 1/16-mile Del Mar Handicap (G2). The
Summer Front colt also got the best of their next meeting Sept. 1 when he
finished second and Atitlan third to Formidable Man in the Del Mar Derby (G2). Sired by The Factor, Atitlan got his only head-to-head win Oct. 26 when they
finished one-two in the Twilight Derby (G2) at Santa Anita. Stay Hot restored
the old order Nov. 30 with his close fourth to Formidable Man in the Hollywood
Derby (G1) at Del Mar, where Atitlan came in seventh. Those last three races
were 1 1/8 miles, so the Mathis Mile will be a cutback for two colts who were foaled
in Kentucky two weeks apart.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Atitlan The Factor |
6.67 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Stay Hot Summer Front |
6.40 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Heart Headed Oscar Performance |
4.79 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Curlin’s Kaos Clubhouse Ride |
4.12 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
American Glory Zarak |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
King of Gosford Zoustar |
0.00 |
2nd, Hollywood Derby |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, Hollywood Derby |
|||||
|
|
Siennois Advertise |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Chatalas Gun Runner |
6.47 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Lord Bullingdon Lord Nelson |
6.06 |
6th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R7) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, DMR AOC (11/17/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Call Sign Seven Speightstown |
0.00 |
1st, DMR MSW (11/23/2024-R9) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR MSW (11/23/2024-R9) |
|||||
|
|
Cathal No Nay Never |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Promissio Mitole |
0.00 |
11th, DMR AOC (11/30/2024-R3) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
11th, DMR AOC (11/30/2024-R3) |
|||||
|
|
Rashmi Oscar Performance |
0.00 |
1st, DMR STR (11/17/2024-R9) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR STR (11/17/2024-R9) |
|||||
|
|
Tessuto Munnings |
0.00 |
3rd, Lazaro Barrera |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
3rd, Lazaro Barrera |
|||||
Friday, Dec. 27
Robert J. Frankel (G3), Santa Anita, 1 1/8 miles, turf,
fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Draw a line through the last-place finish for Hang the Moon
in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. That was tall cotton for the 4-year-old
Uncle Mo filly who had come back from a 10-month break to win three of her
first four races in 2024. Grade 2 victories in the 1 1/8-mile John C. Mabee at
Del Mar and the 1 1/4-mile Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita ended that run. The Frankel
represents a grade drop for Hang the Moon, who is 2-for-2 at Santa Anita.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer | Last start / Next start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Hang The Moon Uncle Mo |
6.62 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Nadette Outstrip |
6.36 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Yerwanthere Markaz |
4.12 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Mouffy Uncle Mo |
6.61 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Mrs. Astor Lookin At Lucky |
6.56 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Omaha Girl Omaha Beach |
5.87 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Sun Of Hill Camelot Kitten |
5.84 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Mahina Bolt d’Oro |
5.79 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Federalist Papers More Than Ready |
4.59 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Baltic Fire Flameaway |
0.00 |
1st, DMR AOC (11/09/2024-R7) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR AOC (11/09/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Che Evasora Greenspring |
0.00 |
6th, Breeders’ Cup Distaff |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, Breeders’ Cup Distaff |
|||||
|
|
Ima Joker Practical Joke |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Kentucky Gal Churchill |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Omnipontet Hat Trick |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Rashmi Oscar Performance |
0.00 |
1st, DMR STR (11/17/2024-R9) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, DMR STR (11/17/2024-R9) |
|||||
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