Home / Sports / Baffert Dominates Santa Anita Stakes
Baffert Dominates Santa Anita Stakes
9 Jan
Summary
- Bob Baffert trains top contenders for San Vicente and Santa Ynez Stakes.
- Horses like Buetane and Explora are favored in their respective races.
- Races serve as crucial preps for major Triple Crown and Oaks events.
The path to the G1 Santa Anita Derby and G2 Santa Anita Oaks officially begins this Saturday at Santa Anita Park, with the G2 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-old colts and the Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, both contested over seven furlongs. As is typical for Santa Anita's juvenile dirt stakes, trainer Bob Baffert holds a strong hand in both prestigious races.
In the San Vicente, Baffert saddles the morning line favorite, Buetane (6-5), alongside recent maiden winner Greenwich Village (5-1). Buetane, a $1.15 million purchase, makes his return after a four-plus month layoff, having impressed in his debut win at Del Mar. Greenwich Village, a $350,000 acquisition, enters off a debut victory at Los Alamitos, showcasing early speed.
Baffert's formidable entries continue in the Santa Ynez Stakes. He will send out Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Explora (3-5), the clear favorite, along with G1 winner Bottle of Rouge (7-2) and multiple stakes winner Himika (5-1). Explora aims to rebound after her second-place finish in the Breeders' Cup, with aspirations for the Kentucky Oaks. Bottle of Rouge seeks to recapture her Del Mar Debutante form, while Himika, a front-running type, needs to control the pace.
