By Jarrod Horak
The Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita Park returns to the racing calendar on Monday after originally being scheduled for June 11. A power outage interrupted racing midway through the card last week, forcing officials to cancel the remaining races, including the Affirmed Stakes. With Santa Anita adding an extra day of racing, the race has been brought back with a slightly altered field.
One notable addition is Litmus Test, who was not entered in the original version of the race. His presence adds a new dimension to the handicapping puzzle and gives bettors a proven graded stakes performer to consider.
Court of Appeal Faces Class Challenge
Court of Appeal enters as a 30-1 outsider for trainer Vladimir Cerin. A two-time winner from six starts, the gelding scored in a maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs and later picked up a sprint victory at Turf Paradise.
While the return to dirt should help, he faces a substantial class hike against much tougher competition. His pedigree suggests he should handle the distance, but this appears to be a demanding assignment.
Litmus Test Gets Class Relief
Litmus Test was originally entered in the Delaware Derby before trainer Bob Baffert redirected him to this race after the schedule change. The 7-5 morning-line favorite owns the strongest resume in the field.
The colt captured the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity and finished third in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes earlier this year. While his efforts in the Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby were disappointing, the drop from Grade 1 company into a listed stakes event represents significant class relief.
A forwardly placed trip from post two could put him in an ideal position throughout.
Constitution Andi Still Seeking First Victory
Constitution Andi remains a maiden after three career starts. His recent turf route efforts resulted in back-to-back third-place finishes, but his lone dirt start produced a fifth-place finish beaten 12 lengths.
The switch back to dirt and the jump into stakes company make this a difficult spot for a horse still searching for his first win.
Secured Freedom Looks Dangerous
Secured Freedom enters as one of the major contenders for trainer Tim Yakteen. After stretching out and racing wide from the outside post to finish third in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, he followed with respectable efforts in the Grade 2 San Felipe and the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile.
His Pat Day Mile form appears stronger in hindsight. The race featured Crude Velocity and Englishman, both of whom returned in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens, with Englishman turning the tables and earning a lofty speed figure.
A sharp bullet workout on June 5 suggests Secured Freedom remains in top condition. With Joel Rosario taking the mount, he figures to enjoy a favorable stalking trip just behind the leaders.
Decisive Win Has Plenty of Upside
Decisive Win enters off only two career starts but has already displayed considerable talent.
In his debut, he contested a productive sprint race that has already produced multiple next-out winners. Stretching out in his second start, he dominated as the 1-2 favorite, wiring the field by more than five lengths under Antonio Fresu.
His speed figures improved dramatically from his first start to his second, and his tactical speed gives him options depending on how the pace develops.
As the lone designated front-runner on several pace projections, Decisive Win could find himself controlling the race. Even if Litmus Test applies early pressure, Decisive Win might be able to sit just off the pace and make his move when needed.
Other Runners
Mo Koko enters after two sprint starts and appears likely to show early speed. However, he faces both a distance test and a significant class test against stronger rivals.
One More Freud returns for his second start of the season after finishing seventh in the Pat Day Mile. The talented colt was undefeated in two starts as a juvenile, including a stakes victory, and should improve off his comeback effort. Still, his outside draw may force him to lose ground throughout the race.