The La Brea Stakes Presented by Don Julio (Grade I) is set to take place at Santa Anita Park on December 26, 2024. This prestigious race offers a purse of $300,000 and covers a distance of seven furlongs on dirt. It is open to three-year-old fillies and is a key race in Santa Anita’s Winter Meet.
Race Details:
- Purse: $300,000
- Distance: Seven furlongs (Dirt)
- Eligibility: Three-year-old fillies
- Weight: 124 lbs
- Entry Fee: $2,250 with an additional $2,250 to start
- Winners’ Share: $180,000
- Second Place: $60,000
- Third Place: $36,000
- Fourth Place: $18,000
- Fifth Place: $6,000
- Non-Winners of a Grade I Stake since June 26, 2024: Allowed 2 lbs
- Non-Winners of a Graded Stakes since December 26, 2023: Allowed 4 lbs
- Trophy: Presented to the winning owner
Contenders:
- Splendora (MD) – Jockey: Joel Rosario, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 12/1
- Accuracy (KY) – Jockey: Umberto Rispoli, Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy, Odds: 5/1
- Kinza (NY) – Jockey: John R. Velazquez, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 8/1
- Sugar Fish (KY) – Jockey: Tyler Baze, Trainer: Jeff Mullins, Odds: 10/1
- Ultimate Authority (KY) – Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori, Trainer: Tim Yakteen, Odds: 20/1
- Kopion (KY) – Jockey: Kazushi Kimura, Trainer: Richard E. Mandella, Odds: 12/1
- One Magic Philly (KY) – Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Philip D’Amato, Odds: 4/1
- Sandy Bottom (KY) – Jockey: Luis Saez, Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy, Odds: 20/1
- Hope Road (KY) – Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 3/1
- Tamara (KY) – Jockey: Mike E. Smith, Trainer: Richard E. Mandella, Odds: 8/1
- Cavalieri (KY) – Jockey: Antonio Fresu, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 10/1
Analysis:
- Hope Road: The morning-line favorite with odds of 3/1, Hope Road is trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Juan J. Hernandez. She has shown consistent form and is expected to be a strong contender.
- One Magic Philly: Trained by Philip D’Amato and ridden by Flavien Prat, One Magic Philly has odds of 4/1 and has shown potential to perform well in this competitive field.
- Accuracy: With odds of 5/1, Accuracy is trained by Michael W. McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli. She has shown strong performances and could be a surprise contender.
- Kinza: Another horse from Bob Baffert’s barn, Kinza is ridden by John R. Velazquez and has odds of 8/1. She has shown promise and is expected to be competitive.
- Splendora: Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Joel Rosario, Splendora has odds of 12/1. She has shown consistent form and could be a strong contender.
- Sugar Fish: With odds of 10/1, Sugar Fish is trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Tyler Baze. She has shown potential but needs to step up against this competitive field.
- Ultimate Authority: Trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by Lanfranco Dettori, Ultimate Authority has odds of 20/1. She has shown potential but is considered an underdog.
- Kopion: Another horse from Richard E. Mandella’s barn, Kopion is ridden by Kazushi Kimura and has odds of 12/1. She has shown promise and could be a surprise contender.
- Sandy Bottom: With odds of 20/1, Sandy Bottom is trained by Michael W. McCarthy and ridden by Luis Saez. She has shown potential but needs to step up against this competitive field.
- Tamara: Trained by Richard E. Mandella and ridden by Mike E. Smith, Tamara has odds of 8/1. She has shown potential and could be a strong contender.
- Cavalieri: With odds of 10/1, Cavalieri is trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Antonio Fresu. She has shown potential and could be a strong contender.
The La Brea Stakes promises to be an exciting race with a mix of top contenders and potential upsets. Will Hope Road live up to expectations, or will another horse rise to the occasion?
