By J.N. Campbell
Last year, the Santa Ynez Stakes was issued a downgrade from its grade III status and tabbed as a listed race for 3-year-old fillies in 2025. However, Kentucky Oaks points remain on the table–10 will be deposited in the winner's account–when the bell rings at Santa Anita on Sunday. The Santa Ynez is now part of 1/ST Racing's 3-Year-Old Filly Series, which is sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Made the morning-line favorite at 5-2 is Hronis Racing's A.Z. Wildcat (Munnings). The chestnut stalked the pace nicely and ended up breaking her maiden by 1 3/4 lengths at Los Alamitos June 30. Back to work in October, the John Sadler trainee gets the services of jockey Flavien Prat, who incidently has won the Santa Ynez four times over the last six years. The top rider seems poised to take home the Eclipse Award after a banner 2024.
Standing in A.Z. Wildcat's way is Reddam Racing's Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro). Winning on debut at Del Mar Nov. 8, the filly was in trainer Ben Cecil's care before he sadly passed away. Cecil's one-time protégé Michael McCarthy took over and Look Forward was the runner-up in the GII Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos Dec. 7.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert brings a trio of hopefuls into the Santa Ynez, including $550,000 Keeneland September grad Howin (Gun Runner). In her first start, the Baoma Corp buy graduated by 3 3/4 lengths on debut at Santa Anita in mid-October. Howin's stablemate Mawu (Blame), who is also owned by the same outfit, is looking to get back on track as she returns to one turn.
The more accomplished Baffert horse is Silent Law (Tiz the Law). Turning in a pair of strong starts in a maiden special weight where she won by 10 lengths at Los Al in late September and in the Anoakia Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita a month later, the dark bay finished as the runner-up in the Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 16.
The runner who wired the Desi Arnaz field that afternoon, Practical Dream (Practical Joke), is drawn in here for trainer Tim Yakteen after she was well-beaten in the Starlet.
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