How to bet the 2025 Honeymoon Stakes

A total of six three-year-old fillies will travel nine furlongs on the Santa Anita turf in Sunday’s $100,000 Honeymoon S. (G3). There are definitely a few ways that one can go when handicapping the well-matched cast, and I will give a narrow edge to the Jonathan Thomas-trained #2 As Catch Can. Bred in the Sunshine State, the Augustin Stables color bearer has closed in the stretch to be second in the Sweet Life S. and Bourbonette Oaks from a pair of assignments in 2025 and could be rounding up to a peak performance third time off the shelf. The Mo Town filly stretches out to 1 1/8 miles while also moving back to the green, and I expect the sophomore to save ground early before inching clear late under Kaz Kimura. 

Honeymoon Wagers

• $15 win and place #2 As Catch Can ($30)
• $5 exacta key box 2 with 1,3 ($20)

Cal-bred filly #3 Miso Phansy has been first or second in each of her five lifetime appearances to date for conditioner Leonard Powell and seems poised to give a nice account of herself while facing open company for the initial time. Karakontie three-year-old put in a sharp late run when defeating sprinters on the course in her first run with blinkers on last time out, and I think that she is better going a route of ground in general. The bay is another who can step forward while making a third run off the pine with talented turf pilot Hector Berrios on board. 

Senorita S. (G3) queen #1 Jungle Peace is three-for-three since arriving in the states for conditioner Phil D’Amato. The Irish-bred bay has big early speed and a cozy draw on the rail as she races beyond seven-eighths for the first time in her career. She registered a swift five-furlong morning move in advance of her route bow and will likely take command in the early stages of the affair with Umberto Rispoli taking the reins once again. Jungle Peace is bred to stay on her dam’s side and wouldn’t be a big surprise on this occasion.