The San Felipe Stakes Tipsheet

A rematch between a pair of ultra-talented Bob Baffert trainees headlines Saturday’s $300,000 San Felipe S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile event will reward the top-four finishers with qualifying points on a 50-20-10-5 structure in the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest. 

San Felipe Picks

• #3 Medina Spirit
• #1 Life is Good
• #7 Roman Centurian
• #5 The Great One

San Felipe Wagers

• $10 Win and Place 3
• $5 Exacta Box 1-3
• 50-cent Superfecta 1,3 with 1,3,7 with 1,3,5,7 with all

San Felipe Contenders

#1 LIFE IS GOOD has yet to be headed from a pair of lifetime engagements for Baffert. Brilliant son of Into Mischief has gone postward at 1-5 odds on each occasion and has run to his price, but he faces a tough test on Saturday from the rail in a strong field. Obvious win contender will be sent from the break under regular rider Mike Smith.

#2 DREAM SHAKE impressed when rallying intto a modest pace to win in going-away fashion on debut. Peter Eurton pupil takes a big class hike here on the stretch out, but he should find a swift early pace to rally into in his stakes bow. Rosario stays aboard the top-three player.

#3 MEDINA SPIRIT was all heart in bagging the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) in his latest venture. Baffert youngster was a fine second to his stablemate two prior in the Sham S. (G3), and I think that the Florida-bred will turn the tables on him on Saturday. John Velazquez coming in to ride is a huge boost.

#4 NONE ABOVE THE LAW finished second in the California Cup Derby in his most recent performance, but the Peter Miller trainee faces an entirely different field in the San Felipe. He would be a major surprise.

#5 THE GREAT ONE has turned the corner in a big way in his last pair for O’Neill. Nyquist sophomore was a nose second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) prior to graduating by an eye-popping 14 lengths most recently. Speedy colt has posted Brisnet Speed figures of 101 in two straight, and he will be a win threat with even minor improvement on Saturday.

#6 GOVENOR’S PARTY rallied to be third in the recent El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate for Franko, but the former claimer would need a massive move forward to make the frame in this heat.

#7 ROMAN CENTURIAN was runner-up by a neck in the Robert B. Lewis last out and has improved in each career outing for Callaghan. The dark bay son of Empire Maker is bred to run long, and he will sit a nice trip behind a swift and contested pace in the San Felipe. Kentucky-bred retains the services of Juan Hernandez.