Race overview
- Race: Las Virgenes Stakes (Listed)
- Track: Santa Anita Park – Arcadia, California
- Race number: Race 8
- Post time: 2:30 PM PT
- Distance: 1 mile (dirt)
- Surface: Main track (dirt)
- Purse: $100,000 guaranteed
- Conditions: 3‑year‑old fillies; Kentucky Oaks points race (20–10–6–4–2 to top five)
Venue & expected conditions
- Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA
- Configuration: 1‑mile dirt oval, long stretch, fair to tactical speed when dry
- Typical early‑February weather in Arcadia:
- Temperature: mid‑60s to low‑70s °F
- Sky: mostly sunny or partly cloudy
- Wind: light (5–10 mph)
- Expected track condition: Fast (barring unusual rain)
Given Santa Anita’s usual winter pattern and the fact that the race was originally part of a stakes schedule that can be delayed by rain but typically runs on a dry surface, it’s reasonable to project a fast main track for this edition.
Field & post positions
PP Horse Age Jockey Trainer Weight
1 Meaning (KY) 3/F Flavien Prat Michael W. McCarthy 120
2 Explora (KY) 3/F Juan J. Hernandez Bob Baffer 124
3 Bank Shot (KY) 3/F Adrian Escobedo Ryan Hanson 120
4 Super Corredora (KY) 3/F Hector I. Berrios John W. Sadler 124
Form & recent accomplishments
- Super Corredora – 2025 Eclipse Award champion 2‑year‑old filly; winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), with Explora second.
- Explora – Runner‑up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and dominant winner of the Santa Ynez Stakes in her 3‑year‑old debut, stamping herself as a serious Kentucky Oaks contender.
- Meaning – Fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), a consistent graded‑stakes‑level filly who has been working toward this spot at Santa Anita.
- Bank Shot – Stakes‑placed type from a smaller barn; has not yet proven herself at the same Grade 1 level as the top three but is eligible to improve with distance and experience. (This is an inference based on her presence in this listed stakes and pedigree; specific recent finishes are not detailed in the snippets.)
Horse‑by‑horse analysis
1 – Meaning (PP1)
- Connections:
- Jockey: Flavien Prat – elite, tactical, especially strong in route stakes at Santa Anita.
- Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy – excels with developing route fillies and Oaks‑type prospects.
- Pedigree: Gun Runner × Figure of Speech (Into Mischief) – screams two‑turn dirt quality and progression at three.
- Running style (inferred): Stalker/closer – her Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies fourth suggests she can sit off a hot pace and finish.
- Post: Rail draw at a mile can be tricky if she’s not quick away, but Prat is excellent at saving ground and timing a run.
- Positives: Proven against top‑class fillies; strong stamina pedigree; top jockey/trainer combo.
- Concerns: Has been just a notch below the very best (Super Corredora, Explora) so far; needs to show she’s taken a step forward at three.
Verdict: A major player and a logical win candidate if the pace is honest and she gets room late.
2 – Explora (PP2)
- Connections:
- Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez – Santa Anita’s leading rider in many recent meets, especially deadly on Baffert stakes horses.
- Trainer: Bob Baffert – dominant with West Coast 3‑year‑old stakes fillies; multiple Oaks/Derby trail stars.
- Pedigree: Blame × Collections Choice (Bernardini) – classic route blood, strong for a mile and beyond.
- Recent form: Runner‑up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), then returned to crush the Santa Ynez Stakes in her 3‑year‑old debut, confirming her as a top‑tier Kentucky Oaks prospect.
- Running style (inferred): Tactical speed – can sit just off the pace and pounce; showed the ability to separate from rivals in the lane in the Santa Ynez.
- Post: Inside‑middle draw (PP2) is ideal for a tactical filly at a mile.
- Positives: Current form is razor sharp; already proven at Santa Anita; Baffert/Hernandez combo is lethal.
- Concerns: Faces champion Super Corredora again; must prove she can turn the tables at a mile if the pace scenario doesn’t favor her.
Verdict: One of the two most likely winners; a strong favorite or co‑favorite on most books.
3 – Bank Shot (PP3)
- Connections:
- Jockey: Adrian Escobedo – capable rider, but not as established at this level as Prat or Hernandez.
- Trainer: Ryan Hanson – solid California‑based trainer; this is a big spot for his filly.
- Pedigree: Game Winner × Puskita (Indian Charlie) – suggests some speed and middle‑distance ability.
- Recent form (inferred): Likely coming out of allowance or minor stakes company; not highlighted in the Breeders’ Cup or major Grade 1 recaps, which suggests she’s stepping up in class here.
- Running style (inferred): Could be pace‑pressing or mid‑pack; her pedigree leans toward some tactical speed.
- Post: PP3 is neutral to good; she’ll have options to either sit behind the top pair or try to apply pressure.
- Positives: Lightly raced; potential to improve; could pick up pieces if one of the big three underperforms.
- Concerns: Class gap versus multiple Grade 1‑proven fillies; needs a big step forward to win.
Verdict: More of an exotics/underneath candidate; a win would be an upset.
4 – Super Corredora (PP4)
- Connections:
- Jockey: Hector Isaac Berrios – strong turf and route rider who’s been increasingly trusted in big spots in California.
- Trainer: John W. Sadler – top‑tier California trainer; recently elected president of California Thoroughbred Trainers.
- Pedigree: Gun Runner × Super Simple (Super Saver) – elite dirt route blood; perfect for a mile and beyond.
- Recent form:
- Late‑developing 2‑year‑old who peaked in the fall.
- Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), beating Explora, and subsequently crowned champion 2‑year‑old filly of 2025.
- Running style (inferred): Strong finisher with tactical ability; in the BC Juvenile Fillies she showed the ability to sit and then power home late.
- Post: Outside of the small field in PP4 – perfect for staying clear of traffic and choosing her trip.
- Positives: The class of the race on paper; champion; proven at the highest level; mile should be ideal.
- Concerns: First start of the year can sometimes leave a champion a touch short; Explora already has a sharp 3‑year‑old prep under her belt.
Verdict: The filly to beat on pure class; if she’s close to fully cranked, she’s the most likely winner.
Projected pace & race shape
With only four fillies, tactics will matter:
- Likely pace factors:
- Explora (PP2) – tactical speed, could sit just off or even make the lead if no one else goes.
- Bank Shot (PP3) – may be asked to show speed to avoid being out‑kicked by the champions.
- Stalkers/closers:
- Super Corredora (PP4) – likely to sit just behind the pace and launch turning for home.
- Meaning (PP1) – rail‑saving trip, looking to angle out and finish late.
Projected shape:
Moderate, controlled pace with Explora and/or Bank Shot forward, Super Corredora tracking in the clear, Meaning saving ground and trying to out‑finish them late. If the pace is soft, tactical speed (Explora, Super Corredora) gets a big edge.
