Tipsheet: 2026 San Felipe Stakes
Brant held sway from troubled stablemate Desert Gate in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) (Photo by Benoit Photos)
March 4th, 2026
A strong cast of seven three-year-olds will run 1 1/16 miles on the main course at Santa Anita in Saturday’s $200,000 San Felipe (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five across the line with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 structure.
San Felipe Stakes Picks
- #4 Brant
- #3 Secured Freedom
- #6 So Happy
San Felipe Stakes Wagers
San Felipe Stakes Contenders
#1 FLASHY FRITZ: First of two from the Blacker barn makes his first run off the claim for $25,000 in this spot and faces a huge class rise from the rail. The Stay Thirsty gelding would be a massive surprise to hit the board against this field.
#2 START THE RIDE: Dark bay son of Upstart graduated in his second lifetime run in the California Cup Derby in his latest venture and looks like a nice prospect going forward. The colt earned a strong 102 Brisnet Late Pace rating last out and could rally for a minor share late at a price with regular pilot Armando Ayuso in the irons.
#3 SECURED FREEDOM: Bay son of Practical Joke was a sharp maiden winner on the oval two back and ran in spots when third in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in his most recent run. The Tim Yakteen trainee will have benefited from having a route race under his belt, and the colt posted a pair of nice morning drills in the interim, as well. The Virginia-bred will be a factor inside the final furlong with Kimura retaining the ride.
.@BeemieAwards looks ahead to Santa Anita's Saturday card. 🏇
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 4, 2026
Then, he welcomes in Tampa Bay Downs Stakes Coordinator @jacksonzehr4 to talk about recruiting horses to races, the Tampa Bay Derby, and more! 🎙️
🎧 Listen here: https://t.co/BNSrlOIgEN pic.twitter.com/tYTsAHVmYO
#4 BRANT: Top pick from the Baffert barn was a $3 million juvenile purchase and put in a trio of good runs in his two-year-old season, led by a tally in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) two back. A brave third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to close out 2025, the Gun Runner colt has posted six morning moves in advance of his return, and he will be a formidable foe if ready off the bench. Florent Geroux inherits the mount.
#5 POTENTE: Second from the mighty Baffert shedrow brought $2.4 million as a yearling and looked good in his game debut win, going short on the oval. The son of Into Mischief is bred to run long, and the fine prospect could be almost any kind in his route debut on Saturday. Local go-to pilot Juan Hernandez will be in the saddle.
#6 SO HAPPY: Runhappy sophomore has done nothing wrong to date in winning both races so far, led by a strong tally in the San Vicente (G2) on the course most recently. The Mark Glatt pupil is training in rapid fashion leading up to this route debut, and he might be up to the task after finishing full of energy in both of his assignments in preparation for Saturday. Mike Smith will be in the silks once again.
#7 ROBUSTA: Dark bay son of Accelerate graduated at one mile here two back, prior to being outrun in the lane of the Robert B. Lewis in his stakes debut, and the Doug O’Neill trainee will need a major step forward to challenge the top guns in this field late beneath Emisael Jaramillo.
