How to bet the La Canada Stakes

An accomplished field of seven and fillies mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Santa Anita main surface in Saturday’s $200,000 La Canada (G3).

La Canada Contenders

#1 PROUD EMMA -- Recent Bayakoa (G3) queen has notched a pair of stakes wins in her last four assignments for Miller. Include mare lands in a field with a lot of pace in the mix, and her running style and form lead me to believe that she will rally for a minor share after saving ground throughout.

#2 HARD NOT TO LOVE -- Hard Spun 5-year-old is one of three Grade 1/Group 1 queens in the field. Bay mare was a game runner-up in the Zenyatta (G2) most recently, and she comes in fresh while sporting a 9-5-3-1 line on her favorite surface. Shirreffs trainee will stalk the pace from the opening bell.

#3 FIGHTING MAD -- Fleet daughter of New Year’s Day had a two-race win streak snapped when a good third in the Zenyatta in her last appearance. Baffert pupil has really blossomed since stretching out in distance in the spring, and the race goes through her with Cedillo in the stirrups.

#4 MESSAGE -- Second from the Baffert shedrow has never been better in preparation for her toughest outing to date. Warrior’s Reward lass exits a big second in the Bayakoa, and a step forward will have her in the hunt inside the final furlong on Saturday. Flavien Prat riding is always a positive.

#5 SANENUS -- Group 1 vixen has shown slight improvement in each of her races in the U. S. for McCarthy. Scat Daddy mare split a pair of good ones in the Chilukki (G3) at Churchill Downs in her latest venture, and she could make the frame in this spot with another move in the right direction.

#6 MISS STORMY D -- Carla Gaines trainee has yet to make her mark against this type, coming in a distant fourth in the Bayakoa in her graded stakes debut most recently. Daughter of Tapizar has ability, but she is placed in a tough spot against this cast.

#7 NEVER BE ENOUGH -- Outsider in the field makes her dirt debut against a strong field for Badilla. Sir Percy 6-year-old would be a big surprise beneath Tiago Pereira.

La Canada Wagers

• $10 Trifecta: 2,3 with 2,3 with 1,5 ($40)