Tipsheet: 2026 Goodwood Stakes

A strong cast of nine will vie in the $300,000 Goodwood (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. 

Goodwood Stakes Picks

• #7 Forged Steel
• #9 Nevada Beach
• #6 Mr. A. P.
• #4 Original Sin

Goodwood Stakes Wagers

• $10 win and place #7 Forged Steel
• $3 exacta key box 7 with 4,6,9
• $.50-cent superfecta 7,9 with 7,9 with 4,6 with all

Goodwood Stakes Contenders

#1 TAIF (8-1): First of two from the Baffert barn, this five-year-old graduated on the grass last time and will take a massive class hike for his debut with winners. The lightly raced son of Arrogate surely has ability combined with a good slot on the fence, but he will need a huge step forward to upset the group, with Jaramillo accepting the mount. 

#2 VODKA VODKA (15-1): Aggie Ordonez's pupil is a two-time stakes winner who finished second in the Santa Anita H. (G1) on the course in March. The California-bred son of Stay Thirsty will improve off of a recent sprint in his return off the bench and could be an exotics piece with something close to his best performance. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux will take the reins. 

#3 MCAFEE (15-1): Multiple graded stakes placed son of Cloud Computing was a decisive winner in an allowance tilt at Saratoga in his second run for George Weaver and ships in from the Empire State on this occasion. The four-year-old colt has won or placed in four of his five lifetime tries at the distance and is a wildcard with appeal in his local bow. Hector Berrios will be in the saddle. 

#4 ORIGINAL SIN (6-1): Brendan Walsh pupil rallied late to finish a clear second in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar in his latest effort and is an obvious contender in this one. The Curlin four-year-old is two-for-two at nine panels and will be making one run from the back of the pack under the guidance of Kimura. 

#5 MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH (30-1): Midnight Lute gelding can be very dangerous on his best day and is a four-time winner on the surface for conditioner Craig Dollase. The dark bay had a solid prep for this when third in a deep allowance event most recently, and he will be forcing the pace from the outset beneath Tyler Baze. 

#6 MR A. P. (8-1): Grade-1 placed sophomore returns to the main oval following a trio of showings on the grass this campaign for trainer Vladimir Cerin. The bay son of American Pharoah broke his maiden in a lone prior attempt on the strip and has trained in swift fashion in preparation for his return to the main track. Joel Rosario retains the ride. 

#7 FORGED STEEL (5-1): Top pick from the Saffie Joseph shedrow has run into a pair of huge winners in the graded ranks in a pair of runs in succession and looks like a great fit in this spot. The expected pacesetter aired in the Gold Cup (G2) on the course three back in his local debut, and I expect him to lead the way throughout the event with Edwin Gonzalez in for the ride. 

#8 CALDERA (5-1): Second for Joseph is razor-sharp right now, with three easy wins in succession since joining the outfit, and has to be considered in his Golden State bow. The improving son of Liam’s Map has room to move forward with just nine races to his credit to date, and he also has the gate presence to be in range from the break with Paco Lopez in the stirrups. He wouldn’t be a surprise. 

#9 NEVADA BEACH (7-5): Defending champ from the Baffert barn will make his first appearance since finishing unplaced in the lucrative Saudi Cup (G1) in the spring. The talented son of Omaha Beach sports a strong 4-2-2-0 mark on the surface and could benefit from being drawn outside of his foes to ensure a clear trip in the feature. His morning moves in advance of his return have been positive, and go-to rider Juan Hernandez will be in the irons atop the deserving favorite.