Exotics Plays for the 2025 San Marcos Stakes

A strong field of eight will go postward in the $100,000 San Marcos S. (G3) at Santa Anita on Saturday. The 1 1/4-mile feature on the lawn is led by the streaking #6 Truly Quality from the barn of Jonathan Thomas, who rallied for victories in three stakes tilts in succession to close out 2024. By Quality Road, the Augustin Stables homebred really blossomed when stretching out to marathon trips on the green last campaign, led by a triumph in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar most recently. 

San Marcos Exotics

• $2 exacta box 3,5,6,7 ($24)
• 50-cent trifecta 5,6 with 3,5,6,7 with all ($18)
• 20-cent superfecta 5,6 with 3,5,6,7 with 3,5,6,7 with all ($12)

Truly Quality might find the 10-furlong distance a bit short for him, but he is too sharp right now to dismiss. The dark bay gelding will commence his run approaching the turn for home with Vincent Cheminaud coming out to ride. 

Twilight Derby (G2) hero #5 Atitlan endured a solid sophomore campaign and seems poised to give a nice impression of himself in his 2025 debut. Trained by John Shirreffs, the son of The Factor was a good third in the Mathis Mile S. (G2) in his latest performance, and I feel that he will like the trip while making his first run at 1 1/4 miles. The Kentucky-bred colt possesses good tactical speed and will get first run on the deeper closing types with very good turf pilot Hector Berrios taking the reins. 

#3 Lord Bullingdon is a two-time stakes hero on the surface and will race as a gelding for the initial time while making his third run off the long break. One of two in the group for conditioner Mike McCarthy, the gray son of Lord Nelson had a nice prep while running a mile in his latest offering and could appreciate the distance in his first try at the voyage. The Kentucky-bred gray will be of excellent value under the guidance of Kyle Frey. 

#7 Divin Propos has run evenly in a pair of graded tries in succession and looks like a viable exotics contender for Phil D’Amato. The European import was a winner in his stateside debut at this distance on the oval and will be doing his best work in the lane beneath Umberto Rispoli.