How to bet the 2026 San Carlos Stakes

A fantastic field of seven will run seven panels on the main oval at Santa Anita on Sunday in the $100,000 San Carlos (G3).

I’ve liked #6 Cornucopian (6-5) since his fine debut run in February of 2025 and will tab the bay son of Into Mischief to pick up his first black-type win in this spot. 

San Carlos Wagers

• $15 Exacta: 6 with 2 ($15)
• $6 Exacta: 6 with 1,3 ($12)
• $2 Trifecta: key 6 with 1,2,3 ($12)

Trained by Bob Baffert, Cornucopian flashed good potential from a trio of races as a sophomore and made his return off the long layoff on the local course on Jan. 31. In that fairly deep allowance dash, the bay ranged up to the front with ease in the early stretch and cruised home to a facile, three-length tally in his local debut. The $1.1 million purchase has posted a fine string of quick morning drills leading up to this tough assignment, but I expect him to come out on top and also to be a major player in one-turn tilts for the remainder of the season. Juan Hernandez will take the reins.

#2 Stronghold (5-1) is a very good middle-distance runner for trainer Phil D’Amato and was last seen missing by a half-length when second in the Pat O’Brien (G2) at Del Mar in the summer. The 2024 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner was runner-up in the Malibu (G1) in the same season in his only other run over this course, and he has worked well in advance of his comeback. The Ghostzapper five-year-old will be stalking the pace from the opening bell with regular pilot Antonio Fresu in the irons. 

Former claimer #3 Listenupshance (8-1) was well clear as the runner-up in the recent Palos Verdes S. behind a really good one and might possibly get overlooked in this field for Doug O’Neill. The Shancealot four-year-old lacks the credentials of many in the field, but he’s catching a few horses not in career form and two cutting back from 10 furlongs in their latest races, so he’s worth including, in my opinion. Emisael Jaramillo is picking up the mount. 

#1 Bartholdy (6-1) has won or placed in each of his nine career runs on the grounds in his lifetime and gets the rail for Steve Knapp. The chestnut son of Mendelssohn was outrun late in a pair of graded races going long most recently and will relish the return to a dash after posting a rapid five-furlong bullet in advance of the tilt. Tyler Baze stays in the irons.