• Grade III
• Purse: $100,000
• Distance: 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
• Eligibility: 3‑Year‑Old Fillies
Venue & Race Details
Location
Santa Anita Park 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, California A world‑class racing venue with a firm, lightning‑fast turf course and a long stretch that rewards tactical speed and well‑timed late kicks.
Scheduled Post Time: 4:45 PM PT (Race 8)
Expected Weather & Track Conditions
- Forecast: Sunny and warm
- Temperature: ~82°F
- Wind: 6–9 mph from the southwest
- Turf Condition: Firm
- Bias Notes: Santa Anita’s turf at 1⅛ miles favors stalkers and midpack runners—front‑runners can win, but only if they get soft fractions.
Field Overview – 2026 Honeymoon Stakes
Morning line odds, post positions, connections, running styles, and recent form included.
Post 1 – Anacapa (ML 5/2)
Trainer: Carla Gaines Jockey: Juan Hernandez Running Style: Tactical Stalker
Recent Finishes
- 1st – China Doll Stakes (SA) – 1M – Firm
- 2nd – Senorita Stakes (G3) – 1M – Firm
- 3rd – Allowance (SA) – 1M – Firm
Analysis
Anacapa is the class of the field and enters in top form. She has a perfect running style for the Honeymoon—break clean, settle midpack, and unleash a strong late kick. Hernandez is the best turf rider on the circuit and knows how to time her move.
Strengths: Proven graded‑stakes form; ideal trip; top rider. Concerns: Must stretch out to 1⅛ miles for the first time.
Post 2 – Ruby Nell (ML 3/1)
Trainer: Richard Mandella Jockey: Mike Smith Running Style: Front‑running Speed
Recent Finishes
- 1st – Allowance (SA) – 1 1/16M – Firm
- 3rd – China Doll Stakes – 1M – Firm
- 1st – Maiden Special Weight – 1M – Firm
Analysis
Ruby Nell is the likely pace setter. She has sharp early foot and will try to take them gate‑to‑wire. Mandella’s fillies improve with distance, and Smith is a master at rationing speed on the turf.
Strengths: Lone‑speed danger; improving; strong connections. Concerns: Pressure from outside could soften her late.
Post 3 – Paris Secret (ML 4/1)
Trainer: Phil D’Amato Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Running Style: Midpack / Closer
Recent Finishes
- 3rd – Senorita Stakes (G3) – 1M – Firm
- 1st – Maiden Special Weight – 1M – Firm
- 2nd – Maiden Special Weight – 1M – Firm
Analysis
Paris Secret is a lightly raced filly with major upside. D’Amato is the king of California turf racing, and Rispoli is elite at saving ground and producing a late run. She’s bred to love 1⅛ miles.
Strengths: Upside; strong late kick; top turf barn. Concerns: Needs a clean trip and honest pace.
Post 4 – Lucky for You (ML 6/1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Flavien Prat Running Style: Pressing Speed
Recent Finishes
- 2nd – Allowance (SA) – 1 1/16M – Firm
- 1st – Maiden Special Weight – 1M – Firm
- 4th – Debut – 6½F (Turf) – Firm
Analysis
A Baffert turf filly is always intriguing. Lucky for You has tactical speed and should sit just off Ruby Nell. Prat is the best turf rider in the country and will give her every chance. She’s lightly raced and improving.
Strengths: Tactical speed; elite rider; upside. Concerns: Class test; must prove she belongs at G3 level.
Post 5 – Irish Rosebud (ML 8/1)
Trainer: Jeff Mullins Jockey: Hector Berrios Running Style: Deep Closer
Recent Finishes
- 4th – Senorita Stakes (G3) – 1M – Firm
- 3rd – Allowance (SA) – 1M – Firm
- 1st – Maiden Special Weight – 1M – Firm
Analysis
Irish Rosebud is the truest closer in the field. She needs a hot pace to set up her late run. Berrios is excellent with deep closers and will drop her back early before launching a wide rally.
Strengths: Best late kick in the field. Concerns: Pace‑dependent; Santa Anita’s turf can be unforgiving to deep closers.
Post 6 – California Breeze (ML 12/1)
Trainer: Peter Eurton Jockey: Kent Desormeaux Running Style: Pace‑pressing Speed
Recent Finishes
- 5th – Allowance (SA) – 1M – Firm
- 3rd – Maiden Special Weight – 1M – Firm
- 1st – Maiden Claiming – 1M – Firm
Analysis
A longshot with some early foot, California Breeze will likely sit just outside Ruby Nell. She’s game but lacks the finishing punch of the top contenders. Desormeaux is crafty and may try to steal a placing.
Strengths: Tactical speed; can sit a good trip. Concerns: Needs a career‑best effort to win.
Pace Projection
Early Leaders
- Ruby Nell (P2) – clear speed
- California Breeze (P6) – pressing
- Lucky for You (P4) – stalking close
Midpack
- Anacapa (P1)
- Paris Secret (P3)
Closers
- Irish Rosebud (P5)
Expected Shape: Honest pace. Advantage to tactical stalkers—especially Anacapa.
Power Rankings (Projected Performance)
- Anacapa (P1) – Best blend of class, form, and trip
- Paris Secret (P3) – Major upside and strong late kick
- Ruby Nell (P2) – Lone‑speed danger
- Lucky for You (P4) – Improving Baffert filly
- Irish Rosebud (P5) – Needs pace meltdown
- California Breeze (P6) – Minor award contender
