Cal-bred stars among most underrated San Felipe winners

As the main lead-in to the Santa Anita Derby (G1), the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe (G2) has a rich and storied past all its own. First won by an eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in 1954 by Determine, the race has also been taken down by fellow Derby heroes Affirmed, Sunday Silence, Fusaichi Pegasus, and California Chrome. Dual classic winner Point Given is another giant on the winner's roster.

In the second part of a series looking back at underrated winners of Kentucky Derby preps, here are five winners of the San Felipe that should not be forgotten.

Free House (1997)

His name conjures up memories of the brilliant three-year-old class of 1997, but the bright gray will always be in the shadow of arch-rival Silver Charm, who won two-thirds of the Triple Crown, a Dubai World Cup (G1) and a spot in the Hall of Fame. In eight meetings with Silver Charm, this California-bred won three times, the first of which was a three-quarters of a length decision in the San Felipe. The other two were in the Santa Anita Derby, by a nose, and the 1999 Santa Anita H. (G1).

Racing only seven times combined at ages four and five, the Paco Gonazalez trainee was also a four-length winner of the 1998 Pacific Classic (G1) and narrowly lost his final career start to Real Quiet in a thrilling renewal of the Pimlico Special (G1) in 1999.

Soul of the Matter (1994)

Arguably the best horse ever bred in West Virginia, he posted a mild upset over Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Brocco and Hollywood Futurity (G1) star Valiant Nature when taking the San Felipe by 2 1/4 lengths. His other highlight at three came in the Super Derby (G1), where he scored by a neck over his subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) conqueror Concern.

First or second in five of his final six outings, he is best remembered for his tenacious stretch battle with the legendary Cigar in the inaugural Dubai World Cup. Giving that star all he could handle over a deep, tiring Nad al Sheba surface, he missed by a half-length in what to proved to be his final start.