The Grade III Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita Park is a competitive race for fillies and mares aged four years and older, covering a distance of six furlongs. With a purse of $100,000, this race is an important early prep for the major stakes races later in the season.
Key Details:
- Distance: Six furlongs
- Age: Four-year-olds and upward
- Purse: $100,000
- Weights: 124 lbs
- Allowances: Non-winners of a Graded Stakes allowed 2 lbs; non-winners of a Sweepstakes allowed 4 lbs
- Qualifying Points: No qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby
Field Overview:
- Wine On Tap (30/1): Trained by Richard Mandella and ridden by Mike Smith, Wine On Tap has shown potential but has struggled in her recent starts.
- Anywho (15/1): Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Hector Berrios, Anywho has been consistent but has yet to win a stakes race.
- Richi (8/5): Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Richi is a Group I winner from Chile and has shown strong performances in her U.S. starts.
- Pushiness (12/1): Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Pushiness has multiple stakes wins against California-breds and has been consistent at Santa Anita.
- Don’t Bring Crazy (30/1): Trained by Doug O’Neill and ridden by Antonio Fresu, Don’t Bring Crazy has shown potential but has yet to win a stakes race.
- Pleasant (3/5): Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Pleasant finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and has shown strong performances.
- Irish Wahine (15/1): Trained by Librado Barocio and ridden by Kyle Frey, Irish Wahine has shown potential but has yet to win a stakes race.
Analysis:
Pleasant is the standout in this field, having shown strong performances in her recent starts, including a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Trained by Bob Baffert, Pleasant has the potential to be a major player in this race.
Richi is another strong contender, with a Group I win from her native Chile and strong performances in her U.S. starts. Trained by Bob Baffert, Richi has shown consistency and the ability to handle the six-furlong distance.
Pushiness is a multiple stakes winner against California-breds and has been consistent at Santa Anita. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Pushiness has the potential to be a factor in this race.
Anywho and Irish Wahine are long shots but have shown potential and could surprise if they run strong races.
Conclusion:
The Las Flores Stakes is shaping up to be a competitive race with several strong contenders. Pleasant is the favorite, but Richi and Pushiness are also strong contenders who could challenge for the win. It will be interesting to see how these horses perform and who will come out on top in this important race.
