Betting With, and Against, Splendora in the D. Wayne Lukas Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) star #5 Splendora (4-5) will lead a cast of seven postward in Saturday’s $200,000 D. Wayne Lukas (G2) at Santa Anita. The seven-furlong dirt dash will mark the 2026 debut for the Bob Baffert trainee, who capped off her four-year-old campaign with a trio of dominant wins in succession. 

Splendora – With 

• $15 trifecta 5 with 7 with 3,6 ($30)
• $1 superfecta 5 with 7 with 3,6 with all ($8)

Splendora – Against

• $20 win #7 Formula Rossa ($20)
• $6 trifecta key 7 with 3,5,6 ($18)

By Audible, the mare has been consistently excellent in her lifetime, evidenced by her 10-5-4-0 career mark, and I feel that she is really at her best at one turn. The Maryland-bred lass has the tactical speed to be close early on, and she has registered triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace ratings in her last pair of outings, too. Juan Hernandez retains the ride and will have the five-year-old in the second flight in the early going.

I like #7 Formula Rossa (5-2) and feel that she has a big chance in her four-year-old bow. The lightly raced Mark Glatt pupil endured a very wide voyage throughout the La Brea (G1) last time out when second, and I think Mike Smith will put her right into the race from the start on this occasion. The Vekoma filly recorded a swift five-furlong drill on the course in advance of Saturday and will be formidable with expected improvement against this cast. 

#3 Me and Molly McGee (5-1) is the inside speed of the race and will likely be winging it on the front end while coming in fresh for trainer Peter Eurton. Also by Vekoma, the $170,000 yearling purchase flashed considerable speed and potential during her sophomore season and looks to be training well in advance of her first run on the oval. She could get brave if able to clear early with Hector Berrios signed on for the ride. 

#6 No Bad Beats (20-1) is far from consistent, but Doug O’Neill's charge can be quite good on her best day, and she is worth an exotics chance at a huge price. The Midnight Storm filly owns a pair of wins and a second in the Las Flores (G3) in her last three one-turn races at this venue, and she has room for improvement while making just her third appearance since March, as well. Emisael Jaramillo will be in the irons and having the bay close to the pace from the opening bell.