Tipsheet: The 2023 Sham Stakes

A compact field of six three-year-olds will travel one mile over the Santa Anita dirt in Sunday’s $100,000 Sham S. (G3).

Sham Stakes Selections

• #2 National Treasure
• #1 Newgate
• #5 Packs A Wahlop

Sham Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #2 National Treasure
• $5 trifecta 2 with 1,5 with all

Sham Stakes Contenders

#1 NEWGATE, the first of four Bob Baffert trainees in the field, comes off a smart runner-up finish in the Bob Hope S. (G3) at Del Mar. The $850,000 son of Into Mischief could be any kind while making his local debut, and the colt has both speed and the rail as an obvious player in the heat. Frankie Dettori will guide the win contender.

#2 NATIONAL TREASURE capped his brief juvenile campaign with a third–place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) for Baffert. By Quality Road, one to beat has the blinkers removed for his sophomore debut and has been training like a horse who is sitting on a big race. The Kentucky-bred bay will have John Velazquez in the silks and gets top billing in the contest.

#3 SPEED BOAT BEACH moves from the lawn to the main oval for Baffert. The once-beaten Grade 3 winner was a debut winner in his lone dirt try to date, and the son of Bayern brings a world of early foot to the field, as well. Florida-bred colt shows two consecutive bullet morning drills in advance of Sunday and will have the services of top local pilot Flavien Prat. He is the likely one to catch.

#4 REINCARNATE broke through with a maiden victory in his fourth lifetime run for Baffert. The expensive son of Good Magic has never been worse than second in his career and will be as fit as any contender in the race with four route races under his belt. Gray was a smart runner-up two back in his lone outing on the surface and could make some noise with expected improvement on this occasion. Juan Hernandez will be in the stirrups.

#5 PACKS A WAHLOP compiled three straight impressive turf tallies as a two-year-old prior to capping his 2022 season with an unplaced showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) for conditioner Jeff Mullins. The gray son of Creative Cause is something of a wildcard on the main strip against this cast, but he is very talented and trains well on the surface, as well. Ramon Vazquez inherits the ride atop the Kentucky-bred.

#6 SPUN INTENDED powered home to a daylight win in his second career performance for trainer Mark Glatt. The son of Hard Spun takes a big class rise while running long for the initial time, but he is surely bred for distance and could be a dangerous foe if he moves forward in his two-turn bow. Mike Smith retains the ride on the chestnut and will be stalking the pace from the opening bell.