Race Overview
The Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes is a key Kentucky Oaks prep race for 3-year-old fillies, run at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $100,000. Points are awarded on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward the Kentucky Oaks, making this a crucial stepping stone for Triple Crown hopefuls. The field features a mix of proven stakes performers, including a Breeders’ Cup winner, and emerging talents from top barns. With two Bob Baffert trainees and a standout from John Sadler, expect a competitive pace scenario on a fast dirt track.
- Venue Location: Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California 91007, USA. This iconic venue, set against the San Gabriel Mountains, is renowned for its expansive dirt oval and favorable conditions for speed horses in dry weather.
- Scheduled Post Time: 4:39 PM PDT
- Expected Weather Conditions: Mostly clear with hot, sunny skies. High temperature of 87°F (31°C), low around 55°F (13°C) overnight. Winds from the west at 7-12 mph, with very low humidity (11%) and no precipitation. These arid, warm conditions will likely result in a fast dirt surface, benefiting front-runners and horses with tactical speed.
- Track Conditions: Dirt rated as fast. The main track has been playing true this meet, with no significant bias, though the dry weather could favor inside paths early. Rail at 0 feet; average winning time for 1 1/16-mile races around 1:43-1:45.
The field of 7 fillies includes weights of 120-124 lbs, with penalties for prior stakes winners. Morning line odds indicate a heavy favorite in the Breeders’ Cup champ.
Entries Table
| Post Position | Horse Name | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Breeder | Morning Line Odds | Recent Finishes (Last 3 Starts) |
| 1 | Cee Drew (CA) | 3/F | Armando Ayuso | Dan Blacker | My Way Racing LLC | My Way Racing LLC | 5/1 | 1st (Cal Cup Oaks-RS, SA, 1m Turf, 1/17/26); 8th (Jimmy Durante-G3, DMR, 1m Turf, 11/29/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 6F Turf, 10/5/25) |
| 2 | Bank Shot (KY) | 3/F | Assael Escobedo | Ryan Hanson | WSS Racing | Buck Pond Farm & John Wilmot | 12/1 | 3rd (Las Virgenes-LS, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/8/26); 1st (MSW, SA, 1m Dirt, 1/2/26); 2nd (MSW, DMR, 1m Dirt, 11/14/25) |
| 3 | French Blue (KY) | 3/F | Florent Geroux | Bob Baffert | Three Chimneys Farm | Unknown | 9/2 | 2nd (Alw, SA, 1m Dirt, 1/25/26); 1st (MSW, SA, 6.5F Dirt, 12/28/25); 3rd (MSW, DMR, 6F Dirt, 11/15/25) |
| 4 | Piney Woods (KY) | 3/F | Ricardo Gonzalez | Michael McCarthy | Mike Rutherford | Unknown | 15/1 | 4th (Alw, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/15/26); 2nd (MSW, SA, 6.5F Dirt, 1/10/26); 5th (MSW, DMR, 6F Dirt, 11/20/25) |
| 5 | Forced Entry (KY) | 3/F | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Pegram, Watson & Weitman | Stoneriggs Farm | 4/1 | 1st (MSW, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/1/26); 10th (MSW, SA, 6F Turf, 1/11/26) |
| 6 | Super Corredora (KY) | 3/F | Hector Berrios | John W. Sadler | Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds et al. | Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC | 1/1 | 4th (Las Virgenes-LS, SA, 1m Dirt, 2/8/26); 1st (Breeders’ Cup Juv Fillies-G1, DMR, 1 1/16m Dirt, 10/31/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 1m Dirt, 10/11/25) |
| 7 | My Love Caroline (CA) | 3/F | Mario Demuro | Jorge Periban | Tricar Stables Inc. | Terry C. Lovingier | 10/1 | 1st (AOC, SA, 6F Dirt, 1/23/26); 4th (CTBA-RS, DMR, 5F Dirt, 8/3/25); 1st (MSW, SA, 5F Dirt, 6/14/25) |
*Notes: All horses equipped with standard gear (Lasix noted where applicable); no major changes. Recent finishes focus on dirt where possible, with speed figures omitted if unavailable. Track conditions in priors were fast dirt or firm turf, aligning with today’s expectations.
Detailed Analysis
Post 1: Cee Drew (CA) – ML 5/1
This California-bred filly by Cistron has excelled on turf but faces a surface switch to dirt in this stakes debut. She dominated the California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita in January 2026, closing strongly for a clear win (speed figure: 94), but faltered in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante at Del Mar prior. Her maiden breaker was a sharp turf sprint. The inside post aids ground-saving, but she’ll need to adapt to dirt stretch-out.
- Jockey: Armando Ayuso – A reliable rider with a 18% win rate at Santa Anita, strong on closers. Ayuso knows Blacker’s barn well, hitting 25% together.
- Trainer: Dan Blacker – Focuses on Cal-breds with a 20% win rate in routes. Blacker’s fillies often improve second off turf success; Cee Drew’s recent works (5F in :59.2 on 3/2/26) show sharpness.
Strengths: Proven stamina, rail draw. Weaknesses: Untested on dirt in stakes. Outlook: Exotic player if pace collapses.
Post 2: Bank Shot (KY) – ML 12/1
Sired by Game Winner, this filly has steadily improved on dirt, placing third in the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita last month (speed figure: 95) behind stronger. Her maiden win in January was dominant (103), and she showed promise in prior seconds. Suited to the distance, she could stalk early from this post.
- Jockey: Assael Escobedo – Up-and-coming with 15% wins on dirt routes; excels in underdog spots for Hanson (22% combo).
- Trainer: Ryan Hanson – Emerging trainer with 17% win rate for owners WSS; targets fillies well. Bank Shot’s bullet work (4F in :47.0 on 3/4/26) indicates peak form.
Strengths: Consistent dirt form, value odds. Weaknesses: Lacks top-class speed. Outlook: Longshot for minors.
Post 3: French Blue (KY) – ML 9/2
With limited public form, this Baffert trainee has shown flashes in allowance and maiden company, winning her debut impressively before a solid second in January. Bred for dirt stamina, she could press the pace in her stakes bow. The hot weather suits her forward style.
- Jockey: Florent Geroux – Elite rider with 24% wins at Santa Anita; masterful on Baffert speed (30% together).
- Trainer: Bob Baffert – Hall of Famer with 28% stakes win rate for 3YOs; multiple Santa Ysabel winner. French Blue’s works (6F in 1:11.4 on 2/28/26) scream readiness.
Strengths: Barn power, tactical speed. Weaknesses: Unproven at distance. Outlook: Contender if loose early.
Post 4: Piney Woods (KY) – ML 15/1
This lightly raced filly has yet to break through but showed improvement with a closing fourth in a February allowance at Santa Anita. Her maiden efforts were respectable, hinting at route potential. Outer post may force a wide trip.
- Jockey: Ricardo Gonzalez – Veteran with 16% wins on dirt; good at rating McCarthy horses (20% pair).
- Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Solid 19% with young fillies; patient developer. Piney Woods’ steady drills (5F in 1:00.0 on 3/1/26) suggest upside.
Strengths: Potential improver. Weaknesses: Class test, slow starts. Outlook: Underneath filler at big price.
Post 5: Forced Entry (KY) – ML 4/1
By Charlatan, she exploded in her dirt debut win at Santa Anita in February (speed figure: 118), drawing off by daylight after a turf flop. Bred for classic distances, she’s a live threat stretching out for Baffert.
- Jockey: Juan Hernandez – Meet leader with 29% wins; perfect on speed types (35% with Baffert).
- Trainer: Bob Baffert – See above; excels with fast-developing fillies. Forced Entry’s bullet (4F in :46.8 on 3/3/26) is best of tab.
Strengths: Raw talent, high figure. Weaknesses: Inexperience at two turns. Outlook: Major player; could wire if unchallenged.
Post 6: Super Corredora (KY) – ML 1/1
Gun Runner filly is the class: Won the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar (103) at this distance, then a forgiveable fourth in the Las Virgenes after traffic. Her October maiden romp (105) was eye-catching. Firm favorite in hot conditions.
- Jockey: Hector Berrios – Strong 21% on routes; pairs well with Sadler (25%).
- Trainer: John W. Sadler – 23% with stakes fillies; BC winner specialist. Super Corredora’s works (5F in :58.4 on 3/5/26) confirm edge.
Strengths: Proven graded winner, distance affinity. Weaknesses: Short price, post may widen trip. Outlook: The one to beat.
Post 7: My Love Caroline (CA) – ML 10/1
Stay Thirsty filly is sprint-bred but won a January allowance at Santa Anita (90). Her stakes try last summer was flat; recent form shows speed but may tire late.
- Jockey: Mario Demuro – Experienced with 17% wins; handles Cal-breds for Periban (19%).
- Trainer: Jorge Periban – 16% overall; sneaky in spots. Works solid (4F in :48.2 on 3/2/26).
Strengths: Early foot. Weaknesses: Distance question. Outlook: Pace factor, exotic possible.
