The big racing action in the United States this weekend takes place at Santa Anita, with six graded races on the card. Among those is the San Felipe Stakes, which is a qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby, with 50 points up for grabs. But, which horses are the best bets with the leading horse racing betting sites this weekend?
San Felipe Stakes- Grade 2
We will start with the Kentucky Derby prep race, with the San Felipe Stakes worth 50 qualifying points. I’m very keen on the favorite in this race, as Forbidden Kingdom is a horse that I have high hopes for in the opening race of the Triple Crown this year. There isn’t much evidence to put me off the three-year-old coming into this race, and he should immediately improve on the step up to 1 1/16 miles this weekend.
His best run to date came last time out in the G2 San Vincente, as he held off a pair of horses trained by Bob Baffert. He is very classy, and his form is only improved with a second behind Messier in the G3 Bob Hope. The Baffert pair of Armagnac and Doppelganger look the most realistic dangers.
Pick: Forbidden Kingdom
Beholder Mile- Grade 1
The first of three Grade 1s on the card this weekend is the G1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares aged four and older. This looks set to be a straight shootout between the two at the top of the betting. Baffert-trained As Tim Goes By is looking for a first win in Grade 1 company this weekend after landing victories in her last two over 1 1/16 miles in the G3 La Canada Stakes and G3 Bayakoa Stakes. She is certainly has the form in the book, and was second in this 12 months ago.
However, I like the chances of Envoutante this weekend for trainer Kenneth McPeek. She landed the G2 Falls City last time out over 1 1/8 miles and will certainly benefit away from the leading horses that she was finishing behind last season. Envoutante finished behind Letruska in both the G2 Fleur de Lis and G1 Spinster, and was also beaten by Shedaresthedevil.
Pick: Envoutante
Santa Anita Handicap- Grade 1
The featured race of the meet at Santa Anita is the Santa Anita Handicap. The Grade 1 is run over 1 ¼ miles and horses aged four and older can enter. A number of these have points to prove, while some good be open to further progress. Stiletto Boy could be one to improve, as he was last seen chasing down Knicks Go, before finishing third in the G1 Pegasus World Cup in January. There is also experience over this distance, as he was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year. Santa Anita form is a big plus too, as he beat Express Train to second in the G1 Awesome Again last year.
Express Train will be the favorite this weekend, but top weight makes it an interesting affair. The five-year-old has won his last two, and steps back up into Grade 1 company this weekend. There could be arguments that this distance isn’t his perfect trip, as he was third in the G1 Gold Cup on his last attempt. However, he could just be fair too classy for this field.
Pick: Express Train
