Particle.news
Download on the App Store

San Felipe Stakes Puts Derby Points on the Line as Brant Returns at Santa Anita

Shrinking prep windows leave little margin for Derby hopefuls on Santa Anita's showcase card.

Overview

  • Brant, the Grade 1-winning $3 million Gun Runner colt, makes his 3-year-old debut as the even-money morning-line favorite in the Grade 2 San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles.
  • The San Felipe awards 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to the winner, a total widely viewed as enough to secure a Derby starting gate spot.
  • Bob Baffert enters two high-priced colts—Brant and Potente ($2.4 million)—and he has won the San Felipe nine times.
  • So Happy, unbeaten in two starts after taking the Grade 2 San Vicente, stretches out from sprints and is among the top betting choices.
  • Scratches of Skippylongstocking and Westwood cut the Santa Anita Handicap to five starters, elevating Just a Touch to new morning-line favorite despite no stakes wins, while analysts publish updated San Felipe odds and picks.