The Blue Norther Stakes is a prestigious $100,000 turf stakes race for 2-year-old fillies, showcasing emerging talent in Southern California’s winter racing season. This 1-mile event on the turf often serves as a key prep for longer-distance races in the new year, with a field of six promising contenders. The race highlights a mix of maiden winners and graded stakes performers, with several horses stretching out or switching surfaces successfully in recent outings.
Venue Location
Santa Anita Park is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California 91007. Nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, this historic track, opened in 1934, features a 1-mile dirt oval and a downhill turf course, with the Blue Norther Stakes utilizing the main turf loop. The venue is renowned for its scenic infield and grandstand views, accommodating up to 40,000 spectators.
Post Time: 1:00 PM PT (Race 3 of the card, following Race 1 at 12:00 PM PT and Race 2 at 12:30 PM PT) The full card includes additional stakes like the Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes later in the day. Gates open at 10:00 AM PT, with live streaming available via TVG, FanDuel TV, and the Santa Anita website.
Expected Weather Conditions
The forecast for Arcadia on December 29, 2025, calls for mostly cloudy skies with a high of 70°F and a low of 50°F overnight. Winds will be from the northeast at 5-15 mph, with no precipitation expected during the day. Conditions should be comfortable for racing, though the cloud cover may keep temperatures moderate. This follows a week of heavy rains that delayed the meet’s opening, but skies are expected to clear sufficiently by race day.
Track Conditions
The turf course at Santa Anita is expected to be rated as firm for December 29, 2025, with the rail set at 20 feet. Recent heavy rainfall (over 6-10 inches from December 23-26) led to soft or yielding conditions earlier in the week, prompting the postponement of opening day to December 28. However, storms subsided by December 26 evening, allowing time for drying and maintenance. The dirt track should be fast. Track superintendent reports indicate the turf has drained well, favoring speed horses, but monitor scratches if any residual moisture affects the going.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field consists of six 2-year-old fillies, all with turf experience. Below is a detailed breakdown, including starting position (post position), recent finishes (last five races where applicable), pedigree insights, and analysis. Morning line (ML) odds are provided as betting odds; current odds may vary closer to post time.
Total Val (Post Position 1, ML Odds: 15/1)
Horse Analysis: This Kentucky-bred filly by Into Mischief out of Orbolution (by Orb) broke her maiden impressively in her fifth start on November 29 at Del Mar (1 mile turf, firm), winning by a neck with a career-high speed figure of 86. She has shown improvement stretching out, but earlier dirt efforts were inconsistent (e.g., 9th on November 14 at Del Mar dirt). Pedigree suggests stamina for the distance, but she may need a perfect rail trip to contend against stronger closers.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (MSW, 1m turf-firm): 1st (86) – Strong late kick to win.
11/14/25, Del Mar (MSW, 1m dirt-fast): 9th (43) – Faded badly.
10/11/25, Santa Anita (MSW, 1m dirt-fast): 4th (79) – Even effort.
9/6/25, Del Mar (MSW, 5.5f dirt-fast): 4th (80) – Outpaced early.
8/17/25, Del Mar (MSW, 5.5f dirt-fast): 3rd (82) – Good debut speed.
Jockey: Mirco Demuro – Italian rider with international experience; limited U.S. starts but strong on turf (20% win rate in graded stakes abroad). Could use the rail to save ground.
Trainer: Richard E. Mandella – Hall of Famer with a 22% win rate in turf stakes; excels with patient development of young horses like this one. Overall: Value play if overlooked.
Hypergamy (Post Position 2, ML Odds: 5/1)
Horse Analysis: Sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of Shane’s Girlfriend (by Adios Charlie), this homebred has tactical speed and turf affinity. She won a maiden special weight (MSW) convincingly on November 9 at Del Mar (1m turf, 108 speed figure), but faded to 6th in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante on November 29. Prefers firm ground; inside post helps her stalk the pace.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (G3 Jimmy Durante, 1m turf-firm): 6th (97) – Tired late.
11/9/25, Del Mar (MSW, 1m turf-firm): 1st (108) – Dominant win.
10/3/25, Santa Anita (MSW, 1m turf-firm): 8th (87) – Wide trip.
9/6/25, Del Mar (LS Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, 1m turf-firm): 3rd (83) – Solid close.
8/2/25, Del Mar (MSW, 5f turf-firm): 2nd (54) – Good debut effort.
Jockey: Antonio Fresu – Rising star with 18% win rate at Santa Anita; adept at rating horses on turf.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill – Multiple Grade 1 winner (25% in juvenile stakes); fields two here, showing barn confidence. Overall: Live at mid-odds.
Peanutbutterbombe (Post Position 3, ML Odds: 4/1)
Horse Analysis: By Collected out of Candy Store (IRE) (by Lope de Vega), this filly has only one start but impressed winning her MSW debut on October 24 at Santa Anita (6.5f turf, 91 speed figure). Short resume, but pedigree screams turf stamina; could improve second-out with added distance.
Recent Finishes:
10/24/25, Santa Anita (MSW, 6.5f turf-firm): 1st (91) – Wire-to-wire win.
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli – Turf specialist with 21% win rate at Santa Anita; excellent gate speed.
Trainer: Philip D’Amato – Top turf trainer (28% win rate on grass); master at debuting winners. Overall: Intriguing lightly raced contender.
La Ville Lumiere (Post Position 4, ML Odds: 8/5)
Horse Analysis: Favorite by City of Light out of Malibu Drive (by Malibu Moon); versatile but best on turf. Third in the G3 Jimmy Durante (November 29, 98 speed figure) after tough G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies trip. Consistent closer; firm turf and class edge make her the one to beat.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (G3 Jimmy Durante, 1m turf-firm): 3rd (98) – Rallyed well.
10/31/25, Del Mar (G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, 1 1/16m dirt-fast): 7th (94) – Overmatched.
10/4/25, Santa Anita (G2 Oak Leaf, 1 1/16m dirt-fast): 3rd (93) – Good effort.
9/6/25, Del Mar (LS Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, 1m turf-firm): 5th (81) – Traffic issues.
5/30/25, Santa Anita (MSW, 5f turf-firm): 1st (48) – Easy win.
Jockey: Flavien Prat – Leading rider (73 stakes wins in 2025); 30% win rate with McCarthy.
Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy – Strong with juveniles (22% in stakes); HRN power pick. Overall: Logical favorite.
Wild Like the West (Post Position 5, ML Odds: 9/2)
Horse Analysis: Into Mischief filly out of American West (by Curlin); broke maiden October 26 at Santa Anita (1m turf, 91 speed figure) after a poor sprint. Fifth in G3 Jimmy Durante shows class; wide post may force a wide trip, but speed suits firm turf.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (G3 Jimmy Durante, 1m turf-firm): 5th (97) – Even run.
10/26/25, Santa Anita (MSW, 1m turf-firm): 1st (91) – Impressive stretch.
9/6/25, Del Mar (MSW, 5.5f dirt-fast): 8th (70) – Not suited to sprint.
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez – Top Santa Anita rider (leading in wins); great on closers.
Trainer: Richard Baltas – Solid 18% win rate; good with turf routers. Overall: Upset potential.
Latte Luv (Post Position 6, ML Odds: 5/2)
Horse Analysis: Constitution filly out of Lady Eveline (by Ghostzapper); second in G3 Jimmy Durante (November 29, 99 speed figure) after MSW win. Highest speed figs in field; outside post a minor concern, but tactical speed helps.
Recent Finishes:
11/29/25, Del Mar (G3 Jimmy Durante, 1m turf-firm): 2nd (99) – Just missed.
10/3/25, Santa Anita (MSW, 1m turf-firm): 1st (95) – Wire-to-wire.
8/17/25, Del Mar (MSW, 5.5f dirt-fast): 5th (76) – Learning curve.
Jockey: Hector Isaac Berrios – Up-and-coming (15% win rate); pairs well with O’Neill.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill – See Hypergamy; dual threat in race. Overall: Strong second choice.
