The $200,000 D. Wayne Lukas Stakes (G2), formerly the Santa Monica Stakes, is set for Saturday at Santa Anita, a 7-furlong sprint for fillies and mares 4 years old and up.
First run in 1957 as the Santa Monica Handicap, it transitioned to the Santa Monica Stakes by 2010 after dropping handicap conditions and was renamed for the recently deceased Lukas, who won the race six times, second only to fellow Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who has seven.
The race has held various gradings over the years, including Grade I status from 1990 to 2012, and features notable winners such as Serena’s Song (1996), who went on to a storied career and a spot in the Hall of Fame; Chop House, Pine Tree Lane, Chou Croute, Gamely, Honest Lady, Island Fashion, Affluent and Exotic Wood.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Splendora, a 5-year-old mare by Audible carrying top weight of 124 pounds, is the 4-5 morning line favorite from post 5 with Juan Hernandez riding for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Talla Racing LLC.
Riding a three-race win streak, including a dominant 4 3/4-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar and prior wins like the Tranquility Lake Stakes, she owns a versatile turn of foot and flashy workouts. Despite a fourth in this race last year, her class and form make her the standout.
Simply Joking, a 4-year-old filly by Practical Joke for trainer Michael McCarthy, will lead the field to post. Relatively lightly raced, she has shown promise with two wins from seven starts, including a solid third-place finish in the La Brea Stakes (G1) last out. Though her connections say they plan to stretch her to two turns eventually, she is using this spot as a stepping stone where she figures to factor in if the pace melts down.
No Bad Beats pressed a hot pace to finish second in the Las Flores Stakes (G3) last out, suggesting a forwardly placed running style that could benefit if the early fractions are honest here. From the Doug O’Neill barn adept at improving horses, she’s a live longshot coming out of her last race in good order, potentially moving forward to grab a piece in a race lacking depth beyond the top contenders.
Formula Rossa, with Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard for trainer Mark Glatt, is lightly raced with strong seconds in the Rancho Bernardo Stakes (G1) and La Brea, where she was the 2-1 favorite but broke slowly and raced wide. She has done a lot in just four career starts, and her connections are top-tier. With sharp recent works, she’s the primary threat to the favorite if she gets a clean trip and stalks effectively.
The 5-year-old Collected mare Lemon Muffin, was formerly trained by Lukas and broke her maiden in his care in the Honeybee Stakes (G3), providing the legendary conditioner one of his final graded wins. Now trained by Paddy Gallagher, she finished a distant sixth in the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) in her first start for Gallagher. Her running style is not prominently speed-based, and as a longshot in this spot, she’ll need a significant form reversal to compete against classier rivals.
Me and Molly McGee is making her California debut after finishing last in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in August. The 4-year-old Vekoma filly will have Hector I. Berrios in the irons for trainer Peter Eurton and prefers a front-running trip. She faces a layoff, but her connections are solid for this level, and if she returns sharp, she could control the pace and hold on for a share against a field with stronger recent form.
Irina’s Charm breaks from post 4 at 20-1 odds with Armando Ayuso aboard for trainer Phil D’Amato, and though her past performances aren’t highlighted with standout graded success, her running style is still adaptable.
The $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3) is a turf mile for 4-year-olds and up and was first run in 2004 and won by eventual Breeders’ Cup hero Singletary. It has become a reliable early-season spot for quality turf milers.
This year’s renewal features a small but competitive field of five.
El Potente is the defending winner and stands out as the horse to beat. The 7-year-old has proven consistent at this distance (never off the board) and scored his lone career stakes win here last year. He should control the pace with his front-running style for trainer Dan Blacker, and though recent form shows competitiveness in sprints, his mile affinity and repeat bid give him strong chances despite being winless in two starts since winning here a year ago.
Gas Me Up brings sharp recent form and connections, coming off a win in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G3) sprinting on the grass. Trained by Peter Eurton and ridden by Mirco Demuro, this closer/stalker has tactical speed to sit just off the pace and pounce late. His upside and class edge make him a major threat and could offer value.
Lord Bullingdon is a stakes winner with solid turf mile experience. His running style suits stalking or mid-pack, and recent workouts suggest he’s in good order with Kazushi Kimura aboard. He rates as a live contender if the pace heats up early. Michael McCarthy trains.
Watsonville enters with Antonio Fresu riding for Mark Glatt. A consistent performer in allowance/optional company, he could improve at this level with a ground-saving trip. Solid chance for a share if he handles the step up.
Genius Jimmy, also from McCarthy’s shedrow, is coming off an allowance win and has shown promise on turf. His style leans toward closing, and while not a standout on paper, he could surprise in a pace meltdown scenario with the right setup.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
