Exotics Plays for the City of Hope Mile

A berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) is on the line when six will go postward in Saturday’s $200,000 City of Hope Mile S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The ‘Win and You’re In’ event is led by defending champ #3 Johannes, who will make his second try of the season for conditioner Tim Yakteen. 

City of Hope Exotics

• $20 exacta 3 with 5 ($20)
• $10 trifecta key 3 with 1,5 ($20)
• $5 trifecta 3,5 with 3,5 with 1 ($10)

By Nyquist, the five-year-old had a superb 2024 campaign, tallying five wins from six appearances with his lone defeat coming when a fine second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar. The homebred didn’t get this year off to a great start when a non-factor in the Fourstardave S. (G1) at Saratoga off the long layoff, but he has worked well in the interim and returns to a venue that he has an affinity for. 

Johannes is a sterling seven-for-seven at The Great Race Place and has a big class edge over his foes on Saturday. He has posted a quartet of well-spaced drills in anticipation of his return to his favorite surface, and I expect him to run big against this crew. The top pick will settle just off the early tempo prior to asserting himself approaching the turn for home with regular pilot Umberto Rispoli on board.

Strong late runner #5 Almendares is not a win machine, but the Phil D’Amato pupil is always coming on in the stretch, and he could be rounding up to a peak performance third time off the shelf, too. The five-year-old son of Havana Grey lands in a group with pace signed on with a trio of runners that prefer to be in the mix from the break, and I feel that he has the best upset chance in the field. The dark bay gelding was runner-up in the race in 2024 and will be moving best of all inside the final furlong under the guidance of Antonio Fresu.  

#1 Zio Jo is winless in seven straight for Doug O’Neill, but the chestnut is often well placed in the lane, and the son of Nyquist could receive a really good trip in the event. The Kentucky-bred has earned three of his four career wins on the local green and will tuck in behind the speed while saving ground throughout the race. I could envision him grabbing a share with a well-timed ride from Mirco Demuro.