Venue and Event Details
Santa Anita Park is located in Arcadia, California, USA, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, approximately 14 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 1934, it’s an iconic Thoroughbred racing venue renowned for its scenic backdrop, one-mile dirt oval, and unique downhill turf course, which is used for this sprint. The Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes presented by John Deere is a $125,000 restricted stakes race for Golden State Series eligible California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares aged four and up, contested over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course. This event, part of California Cup Day, highlights local breeding and often features sharp turf sprinters capitalizing on the unique downhill start.
Post Time is scheduled for 4:30 PM PT for Race 9 (based on a standard card starting at 12:30 PM PT with 30-minute intervals).
Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 55°F (13°C). Winds light from the north at 3-5 mph, with low humidity around 16%. No precipitation is forecasted, providing dry and mild conditions suitable for firm turf.
Track Conditions: The race is on the downhill turf course (rail at 10 feet), expected to be firm and fair due to the dry weather. Santa Anita’s downhill turf favors horses with early speed and balance, as the initial descent can scramble positions before the flat stretch. No significant bias is anticipated, but inside posts can save ground in the turn.
The field consists of 9 California-bred or sired entrants, forming a competitive group of turf sprinters. This about 6 1/2-furlong dash emphasizes quick breaks and stamina on the descent, with average winning times around 1:12-1:13 on firm turf. Recent winners have often been stalkers who exploit the downhill momentum. Trainers like Doug F. O’Neill (two entrants, 24% win rate in Cal-bred stakes) and Peter Eurton have strong records here, while jockeys such as Juan J. Hernandez and Umberto Rispoli thrive on the downhill course.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each entrant, including post position, recent finishes (based on available form from the last 3 starts), jockey and trainer notes, strengths/weaknesses, and estimated morning-line (M/L) odds. Odds are projected based on form, connections, and historical patterns; actual odds may vary. Recent finishes are listed as position/finishing margin with Beyer Speed Figures (or equivalents) in parentheses where available. All horses carry weights as noted (124 lbs base, allowances applied).
Prancingthruparis (Post 1, 5yo Mare, Sire: Sir Prancealot (IRE), Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez – Leading Santa Anita rider (23% win rate on turf); excels at downhill breaks from inside posts.
Trainer: Peter Eurton – Stakes specialist (20% win rate with turfers); strong with Cal-bred mares.
Analysis: Stakes winner with tactical speed; inside draw allows ground-saving trip. Strength: Versatile and proven on downhill (five wins in 16 starts, $332,790 earnings). Weakness: Returns from layoff since August; may need sharpness. Solid contender if fit.
Recent Finishes: 5th by 3 lengths (109 Beyer) in Solana Beach RS (8/17/2025); 1st by 1 length (105) in allowance (7/20/2025); 2nd by neck (102) in stakes (6/15/2025).
M/L Odds: 4-1.
Tequilaandtherapy (Post 2, 4yo Filly, Sire: Mrazek, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo – Aggressive style (19% win rate); good at rating young fillies.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill – High-volume trainer (24% win rate in stakes); excels with Reddam Racing stock.
Analysis: Stakes winner with early foot; favorable draw for stalking. Strength: Consistent in allowances (two wins in 13 starts, $221,247 earnings). Weakness: Recent form dip in optional claimers; class test. Value for exotics if pace presses.
Recent Finishes: 5th by 4 lengths (105 Beyer) in optional claimer (11/24/2025); 1st by head (102) in allowance (10/20/2025); 3rd by 2 lengths (98) in stakes (9/15/2025).
M/L Odds: 12-1.
Grand Slam Smile (Post 3, 5yo Mare, Sire: Smiling Tiger, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: William Antongeorgi III – Turf veteran (17% win rate); handles closers well.
Trainer: Sean McCarthy – Consistent with mares (20% win rate); peaks for Cal-bred events.
Analysis: Champion mare with explosive kick; mid-pack style suits downhill. Strength: Elite form (10 wins in 15 starts, $652,000 earnings). Weakness: Recent stakes fade; traffic-prone. Top pick as favorite.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 2 lengths (129 Beyer) in California Distaff Handicap (10/11/2025); 1st by 1.5 lengths (125) in stakes (9/5/2025); 2nd by nose (122) in allowance (8/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 2-1.
Going Deep (Post 4, 4yo Filly, Sire: Bodexpress, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Edwin A. Maldonado – Santa Anita regular (21% win rate on turf); aggressive from the gate.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill (second entrant) – See above; doubles chances with similar types.
Analysis: Allowance-level filly stepping up; can rally late. Strength: Light weight and O’Neill edge. Weakness: Lower figures suggest outclassed. Longshot for underneath.
Recent Finishes: 3rd by 3 lengths (70 Beyer) in allowance (12/15/2025); 1st by 2 lengths (68) in optional claimer (11/10/2025); 4th by 4 lengths (65) in maiden (10/5/2025).
M/L Odds: 15-1.
Sneaker (Post 5, 5yo Mare, Sire: Oscar Performance, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Mike E. Smith – Hall of Famer (25% win rate on downhill turf); tactical master.
Trainer: George Papaprodromou – Turf specialist (19% win rate); overachieves with veterans.
Analysis: Disqualified stakes winner; adds blinkers for focus. Strength: Strong late punch. Weakness: Inconsistent; equipment change unproven. Upset potential if clear.
Recent Finishes: 1st (DQ) by 1 length (107 Beyer) in stakes (5/15/2025); 2nd by head (104) in allowance (4/20/2025); 3rd by 1 length (100) in optional (3/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 10-1.
Tina Turner (Post 6, 4yo Filly, Sire: Grazen, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Armando Ayuso – Rising star (18% win rate); good with speed types.
Trainer: Steve R. Knapp – Local expert (17% win rate in sprints); undervalued.
Analysis: Grazen filly with early speed; mid-pack post for pressing. Strength: Light weight and track affinity. Weakness: Spotty recent form. Value for board hits.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 4 lengths (96 Beyer) in allowance (12/10/2025); 1st by nose (93) in optional (11/5/2025); 2nd by 1 length (90) in claimer (10/20/2025).
M/L Odds: 20-1.
Moment’s Pleasure (Post 7, 5yo Mare, Sire: Clubhouse Ride, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Mirco Demuro – International talent (22% win rate); precise timing.
Trainer: Craig Anthony Lewis – Stakes savvy (20% win rate with routers); ships well.
Analysis: Durable mare with closing ability; wide post allows setup. Strength: Consistent figures. Weakness: Needs pace help to rally. Strong exotic play.
Recent Finishes: 3rd by 2 lengths (110 Beyer) in stakes (11/25/2025); 1st by 1.5 lengths (107) in allowance (10/15/2025); 2nd by head (104) in optional (9/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 6-1.
Take Another Card (Post 8, 4yo Filly, Sire: I’ll Have Another, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli – Turf specialist (23% win rate at Santa Anita); big-race expert.
Trainer: Simon Callaghan – Rising star (21% win rate with fillies); overachieves.
Analysis: Up-and-coming filly with turn of foot; outside for wide rally. Strength: Pedigree and improving form. Weakness: Inexperienced in stakes. Live if trip breaks right.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 2 lengths (112 Beyer) in allowance (12/20/2025); 3rd by 1 length (109) in optional (11/15/2025); 2nd by neck (106) in maiden (10/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 5-1.
Issa Court (Post 9, 8yo Mare, Sire: Acclamation, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Hector Isaac Berrios – Veteran (19% win rate on turf); handles veterans well.
Trainer: Robert B. Hess, Jr. – Consistent (18% win rate in sprints); undervalued with older mares.
Analysis: Veteran closer with high figures; farthest outside for rally. Strength: Experience and light weight. Weakness: Age may limit against younger speed. Include in multis.
Recent Finishes: 2nd by 1 length (126 Beyer) in allowance (12/15/2025); 1st by head (123) in stakes (11/10/2025); 3rd by 2 lengths (120) in optional (10/5/2025).
M/L Odds: 8-1.
