How to bet the 2024 San Marcos Stakes

A total of six horses will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Santa Anita turf in Saturday’s $100,000 San Marcos S. (G3). I will look to the rail for the winner in the well-matched cast. 

San Marcos Wagers

• $25 win #1 Missed the Cut ($25)
• $10 exacta 1 with 3,5 ($20)
• $5 trifecta key 1 with 3,5 ($10)

John Sadler’s #1 Missed the Cut is a two-time winner at the distance and comes off a big runner-up effort behind a really nice horse in the San Gabriel S. (G2) at nine furlongs on the course. By Quality Road, the Irish-bred bay has performed well in each of his pair of tries on the green since arriving in the U. S., and I expect him to thrive at the 10-furlong trip on Saturday while lying within range throughout the contest. 

Missed the Cut has posted a trio of useful morning drills leading up to his second run off the short break, and the Kentucky-bred five-year-old seems poised for a big run in the lane with Joel Rosario taking the reins. He will be saving ground throughout. 

While I feel that the distance is a bit short for Richard Mandella’s #5 Planetario, I will still use the accomplished bay in all of my exotics wagers. The six-year-old son of Il Doge bagged the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) in his 2023 finale and has trained well in the interim leading up to his 2024 debut. This Brazilian-bred bay is a Group 1 victor at the distance and has run well on the local oval, as well. Hector Berrios will be atop the talented stayer. 

#3 Balladeer is a Grade 2 victor on the surface and at the distance, and the George Papaprodromou pupil is controlling speed in the heat, too. The speedy son of Distorted Humor is well placed in the three post slot to flaunt his natural early foot, and the bay comes in fresh for his 2024 debut, as well. The five-year-old is not especially consistent, but he will get brave if left alone for too long on the front end with Victor Espinoza in the stirrups.