Tipsheet: San Felipe Stakes

The $400,000 San Felipe (G2) will be run Saturday as Race 8 at Santa Anita.  The 1 1/16-mile race is for 3-year-olds and is part of the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby series with 50-20-10-5 points going to the top four finishers.

Top Picks for the San Felipe Stakes

• #4 Authentic
• #6 Storm the Court
• #5 Thousand Words
• #2 Honor A. P.

Betting the San Felipe Stakes

• $40 win - 4
• $10 exacta - 4 with 6

San Felipe Stakes Contenders

#1 Fort McHenry broke his maiden third time out for Todd Pletcher then did nothing in a stakes race at Gulfstream Park. He shipped to Aqueduct and was third against $50,000 claimers but shows up in California for new trainer Doug O’Neill. The son of Tapit was once sold for $1.1 million, did so little as to be gelded and then risked for $50,000.

#2 Honor A. P. rallied from way back to get up for second behind a winner that just missed in the San Vicente (G2). This son of Honor Code came back here going a two-turn mile and went gate to wire to draw away to an easy win. His Brisnet speed rating of 97 was an improvement off his debut and puts him in the mix against these if he can take another leap forward off a five-month rest.  

#3 Wrecking Crew broke his maiden first time out in July at Del Mar then ran well when moved way up in class. He lost all chance last out when he broke slow on a wet track. His form cycle was improving until his last start but it looks like he is back to square one here.   

#4 Authentic was very professional breaking his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs back in November then returned in the Sham (G3) where he romped by over 7 lengths. The son of Into Mischief ran very greenly in the stretch last out as if he were bored but his workout on Monday was very professional. Drayden Van Dyke rides back – 35% riding for Bob Baffert the past two months.

#5 Thousand Words is undefeated in three starts and he has shown courage in all three wins. Two turns and blinkers seemed to have helped him and even though his wins have not been jaw dropping, he keeps rolling  along.

#6 Storm the Court added blinkers two starts back and the result was a 45-1 upset of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He raced evenly going 7 furlongs in the San Vicente for his seasonal debut and goes back to two turns off some solid workouts. Joel Rosario picks up the mount.

#7 Swagsational broke his maiden against cheap maiden claimers but then came back to win two minor stakes races at Turf Paradise.