San Felipe Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Mar 7)

A crucial weekend on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is set for this Saturday, with Santa Anita hosting the G2 San Felipe Stakes. Brant and So Happy both feature among the antepost leaders for success at Churchill Downs, but how will they fare this weekend? Find the odds and our San Felipe Stakes picks here.

Odds

San Felipe Stakes Recent Winners

San Felipe Stakes: Event Information

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Race Preview

Santa Anita hosts major prep action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the G2 San Felipe Stakes also being a key step before the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Derby winners such as California Chrome, Sunday Silence, and Affirmed have all won all three races.

Brant, a general +2000 shot for the Derby, is likely to headline the San Felipe Stakes betting. The Bob Baffert colt is a son of Gun Runner. Brant enjoyed a progressive juvenile campaign last term, landing the G1 Del Mar Futurity before finishing a credible third behind Ted Noffey in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

So Happy is a fascinating rival for the expensive Baffert runner this weekend. The Mark Glatt son of Runhappy was excellent over seven furlongs at Santa Anita last time, beating Buetane by a widening two-length margin in the G2 San Vicente. The step up in distance does raise questions surrounding his stamina.

Potente is a $2.4 million purchase from the Baffert yard, and is also likely to gain attention. The three-year-old by Into Mischief was a routine winner on debut at Santa Anita at the end of January, and based on his breeding, he will rapidly improve now up in distance.

Of the remainder, Secured Freedom could be an interesting contender up in grade for trainer Tim Yakteen. The three-year-old was an impressive winner over a mile in the G3 Robert B. Lewis, beating highly regarded juvenile Plutarch.

San Felipe Stakes Picks

The top four in the betting ensures that this will be a fascinating renewal. However, Potente made a very striking impression on debut for the Baffert yard, and this classy son of Into Mischief may emerge as the leading Derby contender in this field.