How to bet the 2023 Santa Ynez Stakes

A total of seven three-year-old fillies will contest the $200,000 Santa Ynez S. (G3) at Santa Anita on New Year’s Day. The seven-furlong dirt affair features some nice prospects in what appears to be a fairly competitive event.

The Grade-1 placed #7 Ice Dancing (7-2) graduated last time out after flashing potential in the graded stakes ranks in her two races preceding that for conditioner Richard Mandella. By Frosted, the Kentucky-bred comes off of a pair of two-turn tries and seems poised to thrive on the cutback in distance on Sunday. Bass homebred received a fine outside draw to stalk the pace while in the clear throughout, and I envision the filly being perfectly placed at the top of the lane with Mike Smith in the silks. She is the top selection.

#2 Justique (4-5) has displayed a potent turn of foot in her pair of one-turn tries to date for trainer John Shierreffs. The $725,000 daughter of Justify went last-to-first in a visually impressive performance in the recent Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar, and the dark bay has posted four solid morning drills in the interim. Kentucky-bred filly finished a decent third in the Chandelier S. (G2) in her prior try on the surface at 1 1/16 miles and will appreciate the move to seven-eighths on Sunday. Regular pilot Victor Espinoza will be up.

Of the trio of Baffert entrants in the field, I have a slight preference for #5 Fast and Shiny (12-1) as an exotics player. By Bernardini, the $150,000 yearling purchase has yet to build upon a fine first-out victory at Del Mar in August, but she figures to improve on the move back to the main oval after two turf outings as of late. The bay has been working well in advance of this affair and will be forwardly placed with Abel Cedillo accepting the call.

Santa Ynez Selections

• Ice Dancing
• Justique
• Fast and Shiny

Santa Ynez Wagers

• $15 win and place #7 Ice Dancing ($30)
• $10 exacta box 2-7 ($20)
• $5 trifecta key 7 with 2,5 ($10)