Venue and Event Details
Santa Anita Park is located in Arcadia, California, USA, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 14 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 1934, it’s one of the world’s most iconic Thoroughbred racing venues, featuring a one-mile dirt oval and a unique hillside turf course. The Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks is a $175,000 restricted stakes race for California-bred or California-sired 3-year-old fillies, contested over 1 mile on the turf.
Named in honor of Leigh Ann Howard, this event is part of California Cup Day, showcasing Golden State-bred talent and serving as an early indicator for turf fillies pointing toward graded stakes later in the year.
Post Time is scheduled for 3:30 PM PT for Race 7 (based on a standard card starting at 12:30 PM PT with 30-minute intervals).
Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 55°F (13°C). Light winds from the north at 3-5 mph, with low humidity around 16%. No precipitation is forecasted, providing ideal dry conditions for turf racing.
Track Conditions: The race is on the turf course, expected to be firm and fair given the dry weather. Santa Anita’s turf (rail at 10 feet) typically favors tactical speed in mile routes, with the downhill start allowing for early positioning and the long stretch benefiting closers. No significant bias is anticipated.
The field consists of 8 California-bred fillies, forming a competitive group of emerging turf specialists. This 1-mile test emphasizes stamina and adaptability, with average winning times around 1:35-1:36 on firm turf. Recent winners have often been stalkers who rally in the stretch. Trainers like Doug F. O’Neill and Leonard Powell have solid records in Cal-bred stakes, while jockeys such as Umberto Rispoli and Mirco Demuro excel on Santa Anita’s turf.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each entrant, including post position, recent finishes (based on available form from the last 3 starts), jockey and trainer notes, strengths/weaknesses, and estimated morning-line (M/L) odds. Odds are projected based on form, connections, and historical patterns; actual odds may vary. Recent finishes are listed as position/finishing margin with Equibase Speed Figures (ESF) in parentheses where available.
Crunchy (Post 1, 3yo Filly, Sire: Tap Back, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo – Versatile rider with a 19% win rate on turf; strong at saving ground from inside posts.
Trainer: Ryan Hanson – Emerging trainer with 18% win rate in Cal-bred stakes; develops young fillies well.
Analysis: Inside draw suits her stalking style; she has shown promise but faded in stakes company. Strength: Rail position and early speed. Weakness: Limited experience may show against tougher rivals. Exotic contender if pace favors.
Recent Finishes: 9th by 8 lengths (72 ESF) in Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes (10/31/2025, Dmr, 7f, dirt); 1st by 2 lengths (85) in maiden (9/15/2025, SA, 6f, dirt); No third race listed.
M/L Odds: 12-1.
Tiger Lady (Post 2, 3yo Filly, Sire: Smiling Tiger, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Welfin R. Orantes – Apprentice with upside (16% win rate); handles speed horses effectively.
Trainer: Andy Mathis – Solid with Cal-breds (20% win rate on turf); peaks fillies for stakes.
Analysis: Consistent performer with tactical foot; good draw for pressing. Strength: Durability and recent board hits. Weakness: May lack closing kick if pace is slow. Value play for underneath.
Recent Finishes: 3rd by 2 lengths (82 ESF) in Soviet Problem Stakes (12/7/2025, Lrc, 1m, dirt); 5th by 4 lengths (78) in allowance (11/20/2025, Dmr, 6f, turf); 1st by head (80) in maiden (10/15/2025, SA, 5.5f, dirt).
M/L Odds: 8-1.
Cee Drew (Post 3, 3yo Filly, Sire: Cistron, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Ricardo Gonzalez – Experienced local (17% win rate); tactical on turf.
Trainer: Dan Blacker – Strong with young horses (19% win rate); ships well.
Analysis: Up-and-comer with improving form; mid-pack style fits the race shape. Strength: Pedigree for turf. Weakness: Class test could expose inconsistencies. Live longshot.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 3 lengths (79 ESF) in allowance (12/15/2025, SA, 6f, turf); 2nd by neck (82) in maiden (11/10/2025, Dmr, 1m, turf); 6th by 5 lengths (75) in maiden (10/5/2025, SA, 6f, dirt).
M/L Odds: 10-1.
Eighties (Post 4, 3yo Filly, Sire: I’ll Have Another, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Armando Ayuso – Rising star (18% win rate); aggressive style.
Trainer: Antonio C. Garcia – Consistent with fillies (16% win rate); undervalued.
Analysis: Versatile with speed; can rate or lead. Strength: Durable pedigree. Weakness: Spotty form in stakes. Exotic filler.
Recent Finishes: 5th by 4 lengths (76 ESF) in optional claimer (12/20/2025, Dmr, 7f, dirt); 3rd by 1 length (80) in maiden (11/15/2025, SA, 1m, turf); 1st by 1.5 lengths (78) in maiden (10/10/2025, Lrc, 6f, dirt).
M/L Odds: 15-1.
Too Sassy (Post 5, 3yo Filly, Sire: Om, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Diego A. Herrera – Tactical rider (17% win rate); good with closers.
Trainer: Sam J. Scolamieri – Stakes specialist (20% win rate); peaks for big races.
Analysis: Stakes winner with strong late kick; mid-post allows setup. Strength: Proven class. Weakness: Needs pace to close into. Top contender.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 1 length (88 ESF) in stakes (11/25/2025, Dmr, 7f, dirt); 2nd by head (85) in allowance (10/20/2025, SA, 1m, turf); 4th by 3 lengths (82) in stakes (9/15/2025, Lrc, 6f, dirt).
M/L Odds: 4-1.
Cecilia Street (Post 6, 3yo Filly, Sire: Stanford, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Mirco Demuro – International talent (22% win rate); precise on turf.
Trainer: Leonard Powell – Turf expert (21% win rate); conditions well.
Analysis: Recent allowance winner; quick turnaround but sharp. Strength: Turf affinity and form peak. Weakness: Outside post may force wide. Upset chance.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 2 lengths (90 ESF) in allowance (1/9/2026, SA, 6f, turf); 2nd by 1 length (87) in Soviet Problem Stakes (12/7/2025, Lrc, 1m, dirt); 1st by 1.5 lengths (85) in maiden (11/10/2025, Dmr, 1m, turf).
M/L Odds: 5-1.
Cashed (Post 7, 3yo Filly, Sire: I’ll Have Another, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli – Leading turf rider (23% win rate); big-race savvy.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill – Hall of Famer (25% win rate in stakes); excels with fillies.
Analysis: G2-placed with class edge; wide draw but strong closing kick. Strength: Experience and connections. Weakness: Traffic risk in stretch. Favorite.
Recent Finishes: 2nd by neck (92 ESF) in G2 Starlet Stakes (12/6/2025, Lrc, 1m, dirt); 1st by 3 lengths (88) in allowance (11/15/2025, SA, 7f, dirt); 3rd by 1 length (85) in stakes (10/10/2025, Dmr, 6f, turf).
M/L Odds: 2-1.
Final Table Lady (Post 8, 3yo Filly, Sire: Stay Thirsty, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: William Antongeorgi III – Veteran (16% win rate); handles outsiders.
Trainer: Jorge Periban – Reliable with routers (18% win rate).
Analysis: Speedy from outside; can press early. Strength: Gate quickness. Weakness: Distance and wide trip may tire her. Longshot.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 4 lengths (78 ESF) in allowance (12/15/2025, Dmr, 6f, dirt); 1st by head (82) in maiden (11/20/2025, SA, 5.5f, turf); 5th by 5 lengths (75) in maiden (10/5/2025, Lrc, 6f, dirt).
M/L Odds: 20-1.
