By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park is one of the most important early-season prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Run at one mile and a sixteenth for three-year-olds, the race offers valuable Derby qualifying points and frequently produces contenders for the first Saturday in May.
This year’s edition features a compact but intriguing field of seven runners with several promising colts stepping forward in class. Using data from the Complete Digest, I’m breaking down the field, analyzing the pace setup, and identifying the runners I believe offer the best betting value.
Race Overview
| Race | Track | Date | Distance | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Felipe Stakes | Santa Anita Park | March 7, 2026 | 1 1/16 Miles | $200,000 |
This Derby points prep sits on a major stakes program at Santa Anita, headlined by Big Cap Day. The San Felipe has historically been a key stepping stone toward races like the Santa Anita Derby and ultimately the Kentucky Derby.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Flashy Fritz
This longshot exits a $25,000 claiming race and appears overmatched against graded stakes company. While he may contribute to the early pace from the rail, his recent figures suggest he’ll struggle to stay competitive late.
Start the Ride
He improved significantly in his second start when stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth and winning a California-bred stakes. The progression is encouraging, but stepping into open graded stakes company represents a significant class test.
Secured Freedom
This colt posted a strong 138 Final Time Rating when breaking his maiden and then finished third in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes despite a wide trip from an outside post. The race shape worked against him that day, and he has the ability to improve here with a better setup.
Brant
The Bob Baffert trainee brings strong juvenile form, including a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after setting the pace. His 140 Final Time Rating makes him one of the fastest horses in the field.
The key question is whether he’s fully cranked for his three-year-old debut. He was originally pointed toward the Rebel Stakes but required more time, suggesting this race might be a stepping stone.
Potente
Another Baffert runner, Potente impressed winning his debut sprint with a 122 Final Time Rating. The pedigree suggests he should handle routing, but jumping straight from a sprint maiden win into a Derby prep is a tough assignment.
He’s a talented colt but may benefit from more experience before tackling this level.
So Happy
Mark Glatt’s colt enters off a sharp victory in the San Vicente Stakes where he earned a 146 Final Time Rating. That figure stands as the best last-race number in the field.
He tracked the pace effectively in that race, suggesting he should secure a favorable stalking trip behind the speed. The biggest question is whether he can maintain that performance level while stretching out to two turns.
Robusta
Robusta showed improvement when stretching out to a mile in his second start but regressed in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. From the outside post he could show early speed, but his figures indicate he’ll likely struggle to keep up with the top contenders.
San Felipe Stakes Video