Race Details
PostTime is scheduled for 3:30 PM PST.
Venue Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. This iconic Thoroughbred venue, opened in 1934, features a unique downhill turf course used for this race, offering a challenging about 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares aged 4 and up. The track is set against the San Gabriel Mountains, with a capacity of around 30,000, and is known for its firm turf conditions in dry weather, which favor speed and tactical positioning.
Expected Weather Conditions
Forecasts for Arcadia, CA, on January 11, 2026, indicate mostly sunny skies with a high of 72°F during the afternoon and lows around 48°F. Winds will be light and variable at under 5 mph, with no chance of precipitation and humidity around 30-40%. These conditions follow a series of storms earlier in the month that caused cancellations, but the dry outlook should ensure optimal racing weather, minimizing any risk of off-going turf.
Track Conditions
The Las Cienegas Stakes is contested at about 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita’s signature downhill turf course, a Grade III event with a $100,000 purse for fillies and mares 4 years old and up. The turf is expected to be rated “firm” given the sunny forecast and track maintenance following recent rains. Santa Anita’s turf is composed of Bermuda grass overseeded with rye in winter, providing a fast, fair surface that rewards early speed and horses with good acceleration on the downhill slope. Historical winning times average around 1:12-1:13, with inside posts often advantageous due to the course’s configuration. No rail bias is anticipated, but front-runners win about 40% of downhill sprints here.
Field Analysis
A field of nine fillies and mares has been assembled, blending proven downhill specialists with graded stakes performers. Speed figures (Beyers or Equibase) hover in the mid-90s to low-100s, emphasizing class and course affinity. Trainers like Jeff Mullins and Phil D’Amato dominate with multiple entries. Below is a detailed breakdown, including post position, age/sex/breeding, jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last 3-5 starts: date/track/distance/finish/ESF if available), and analysis.
Queen Maxima (FL) – Post Position: 1
Age/Sex/Breeding: 5-year-old mare; sired by Bucchero out of Corfu Lady (by Corfu).
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez (leading Santa Anita rider with 25% win rate; master of the downhill course, excels in positioning speed horses).
Trainer: Jeff Mullins (strong with turf sprinters; 22% win rate in stakes, specializes in Florida-breds).
Recent Finishes: 12/28/2025 at Santa Anita (6.5f downhill turf stakes, 1st, ESF 102 – wired the field); 11/15/2025 at Del Mar (5.5f turf, 2nd, ESF 98); 10/5/2025 at Santa Anita (6.5f downhill turf allowance, 1st, ESF 100); 9/2025 at Del Mar (6f turf, 1st, ESF 97); Multiple graded wins in 2025 (5-for-7 overall).
Analysis: A downhill turf ace with four wins from five starts on this course. Her inside post and early speed make her a pace-setter, and Mullins has her peaking for her 2026 debut. Strength: Proven class and affinity; weakness: Can be vulnerable if pressured early. Top contender for a wire-to-wire victory.
Elm Drive (KY) – Post Position: 2
Age/Sex/Breeding: 5-year-old mare; sired by Mohaymen out of Lets Dance Some Mo (by Uncle Mo).
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli (tactical rider with 20% win rate; strong on closers over turf).
Trainer: Phil D’Amato (turf specialist; 28% win rate at Santa Anita, multiple graded winners).
Recent Finishes: 12/2025 at Santa Anita (6f turf allowance, 1st, ESF 99); 11/2025 at Del Mar (5f turf stakes, 3rd, ESF 96); 10/2025 at Santa Anita (6.5f downhill turf, 2nd, ESF 101); Graded stakes placer in 2025.
Analysis: Consistent performer with a strong closing kick, ideal for the downhill stretch. D’Amato’s preparation gives her an edge in graded company. Strength: Late pace; weakness: Needs a hot early tempo to close. Value if the pace melts.
Visually (KY) – Post Position: 3
Age/Sex/Breeding: 4-year-old filly; sired by Enticed out of Visual Versa (by Violence).
Jockey: Edwin Maldonado (aggressive style with 18% win rate; good on young fillies).
Trainer: Librado Barocio (emerging trainer; 15% win rate, first graded win in 2025).
Recent Finishes: 5/3/2025 at Santa Anita (1m turf G3, 1st, ESF 98 – Senorita Stakes win); Recent allowances (1st/2nd, ESF 95-97).
Analysis: Stretching back to sprint after route success; her speed could play well downhill. Strength: Momentum from graded win; weakness: Distance cutback untested recently. Upside play.
Spicybug (KY) – Post Position: 4
Age/Sex/Breeding: 5-year-old mare; sired by Speightster out of Bugle (by War Front).
Jockey: Flavien Prat (elite rider with 24% win rate; precise on turf).
Trainer: Michael McCarthy (consistent with sprinters; 20% win rate).
Recent Finishes: Entered with strong 2025 form (placings in stakes, ESF 96-100).
Analysis: Versatile stalker who adapts to pace; McCarthy targets these spots. Strength: Tactical speed; weakness: Lacks elite closing burst. Solid for exotics.
Egyptian Mau (SAF) – Post Position: 5
Age/Sex/Breeding: 5-year-old mare; sired by Fire Away out of undisclosed dam.
Jockey: Kyle Frey (reliable with 16% win rate; good on imports).
Trainer: Neil Drysdale (Hall of Famer; 18% win rate with turf routers turned sprinters).
Recent Finishes: Strong import form; recent U.S. starts (2nd/3rd in allowances, ESF 94-98).
Analysis: South African import adjusting well; downhill could suit her style. Strength: International pedigree; weakness: Still acclimating. Potential surprise.
Miss Lizzy (KY) – Post Position: 6
Age/Sex/Breeding: 4-year-old filly; sired by Classic Empire out of undisclosed dam.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo (15% win rate; aggressive on speed types).
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill (high-volume trainer; 16% win rate in sprints).
Recent Finishes: Recent race noted; allowances (3rd, ESF 92); stakes preps (mid-pack).
Analysis: Speedy but inconsistent; outside post may force wide trip. Strength: Gate quickness; weakness: Fades late. Best for pace pressure.
Honey Pants (KY) – Post Position: 7
Age/Sex/Breeding: 6-year-old mare; sired by Cairo Prince out of undisclosed dam.
Jockey: Diego A. Herrera (12% win rate; up-and-coming).
Trainer: Phil D’Amato (as above; second entrant).
Recent Finishes: Consistent placings in 2025 stakes (2nd/3rd, ESF 95-99).
Analysis: D’Amato’s closer; wide post suits stalking. Strength: Durability; weakness: Needs luck in traffic.
Stay and Count (KY) – Post Position: 8
Age/Sex/Breeding: 5-year-old mare; sired by Count Alexander out of undisclosed dam.
Jockey: Ricardo Gonzalez (18% win rate; patient rider).
Trainer: Mark Glatt (20% win rate with turf fillies).
Recent Finishes: Allowance wins in late 2025 (1st, ESF 96).
Analysis: Improving; class test. Strength: Recent form; weakness: Outside draw.
Above Perfection (KY) – Post Position: 9
Age/Sex/Breeding: 4-year-old filly; sired by Perfect Soul out of undisclosed dam.
Jockey: Mike Smith (Hall of Famer; 22% win rate).
Trainer: John Sadler (18% win rate in stakes).
Recent Finishes: Stakes placings (3rd, ESF 94).
Analysis: Longshot with hall-of-fame connections; wide post hinders. Strength: Jockey; weakness: Class jump.
