The Grade I Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes is scheduled at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. This historic venue, opened in 1939, is renowned for its picturesque setting at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and its fast dirt track that often favors speed and tactical runners in routes. The day’s first post time is 12:00 PM PT, with Race 4 set for 1:34 PM PT.
Expected weather conditions in Arcadia on race day include mostly sunny skies with a high of 78°F and lows around 56°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 5-10 mph, with low humidity and no significant chance of precipitation. These conditions should result in a fast dirt track, ideal for speed horses and those with proven form on firm surfaces.
This $300,000 Grade I stakes is for fillies and mares four years old and upward, contested over one mile on the dirt. It honors the legendary Beholder and late owner B. Wayne Hughes, serving as a key early-season test for top distaff routers.
Weights are 124 lbs, with allowances for non-winners of recent graded stakes. The field of 6 features standout Splendora as the heavy morning-line favorite, with two entrants from Hall of Famer Bob Baffert adding depth.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Om N Joy | K J Desormeaux | A Ordonez | 5/1 |
| 2 | Simply Joking | E Jaramillo | M W McCarthy | 5/1 |
| 3 | Dazzling Move | T Gaffalione | S A Joseph, Jr. | 8/1 |
| 4 | Splendora | J J Hernandez | B Baffert | 4/5 |
| 5 | Bless the Broken | F Geroux | B H Cox | 6/1 |
| 6 | Nafisa | K Kimura | B Baffert | 8/1 |
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Om N Joy (5/1 ML)
Aggie Ordonez trains this 4-year-old Om filly, ridden by Kent J. Desormeaux at 122 lbs. Owned by Baker, Golovko or Scanlon, et al. She’s a California-bred with consistent local form. Recent finishes: 1st in a Santa Anita allowance on 2/15/26 (7f dirt, fast, fig 105); 2nd in a Del Mar optional claimer on 12/28/25 (1m dirt, fast); 1st in a Santa Anita maiden special weight on 11/10/25 (6 1/2f dirt). Prefers fast tracks and has speed to utilize the rail. Ordonez targets California stakes well (15% win rate). Desormeaux is a Hall of Famer with strong Santa Anita record. Inside post suits pressing; could factor if pace is moderate.
2. Simply Joking (5/1 ML)
Michael W. McCarthy conditions this 4-year-old Practical Joke filly, with Emisael Jaramillo aboard at 120 lbs. Owned by Grantley Acres et al. Improving with stakes upside. Recent finishes: 1st in a Santa Anita allowance on 1/31/26 (7f dirt, fast, fig 110); 2nd in the La Brea (G1) at Santa Anita on 12/26/25 (7f dirt, fast); 3rd in a Del Mar allowance on 11/15/25 (1m dirt). Handles distance and fast dirt. McCarthy wins 18% with dirt routers. Jaramillo aggressive in sprints/routes. Post 2 allows stalking; value play against the favorite.
3. Dazzling Move (8/1 ML)
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. trains this 4-year-old Not This Time filly, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione at 120 lbs. Adds blinkers for sharpness. Recent finishes: 4th in the Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream on 1/24/26 (7f dirt, fast, fig 102); 1st in a Gulfstream allowance on 12/20/25 (1m dirt, fast); 2nd in a Belmont stakes on 10/19/25 (7f dirt). Versatile on conditions. Joseph boasts 22% win rate with shippers. Gaffalione elite (25% wins). Post 3 for tactical trip; could improve with equipment change.
4. Splendora (4/5 ML)
Bob Baffert sends out this 5-year-old Audible mare, with Juan J. Hernandez up at 120 lbs. Owned by Talla Racing and Boyd Racing. Morning-line favorite with graded dominance. Recent finishes: 1st in the D. Wayne Lukas (G2) at Santa Anita on 2/7/26 (7f dirt, fast, fig 118, won by 1 3/4 lengths); 1st in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on 11/2/25 (7f dirt, fast); 1st in the Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar on 9/1/25 (1m dirt, fast). Unbeaten in 2026 starts, proven at mile. Baffert dominates Santa Anita (28% win rate). Hernandez leads locally. Post 4 suits mid-pack; class of the field.
5. Bless the Broken (6/1 ML)
Brad H. Cox trains this 5-year-old mare, ridden by Florent Geroux at 120 lbs. Consistent graded performer. Recent finishes: 1st in a Fair Grounds allowance optional claimer on 1/9/26 (1m dirt, fast, fig 126); 2nd in the Falls City (G3) at Churchill on 11/28/25 (1 1/8m dirt, fast); 1st in a Keeneland allowance on 10/12/25 (1 1/16m dirt). Strong on fast tracks. Cox powerhouse (25% wins). Geroux excels in routes. Post 5 offers options; live threat if she closes into a pace.
6. Nafisa (8/1 ML)
Baffert’s second entrant, this 4-year-old Quality Road filly carries Kazushi Kimura at 122 lbs. Upside in graded company. Recent finishes: 1st in the La Canada (G3) at Santa Anita on 1/17/26 (1 1/16m dirt, fast, fig 109); 3rd in the Zenyatta (G2) at Santa Anita on 9/28/25 (1 1/16m dirt, fast); 1st in a Del Mar allowance on 8/10/25 (1m dirt). Improves with distance. Baffert connection boosts. Kimura rising star. Wide post 6 may require rally; could hit board at odds.
