Six fillies set for Santa Ynez

Awake at Midnyte, a daughter of 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Nyquist, represents the same connections – Reddam Racing, trainer Doug O’Neill, and jockey Mario Gutierrez. A debut winner here sprinting six furlongs on Oct. 31, Awake at Midnyte stretched out for the Nov. 27 Jimmy Durante (G3) on turf at Del Mar and missed by a nose. The chestnut reverts to one turn on dirt in the seven-furlong Santa Ynez, where she’ll break from post 5.

Under the Stars is trained by Bob Baffert, like her sire, Pioneerof the Nile, and her three-quarter brother Bodemeister, who were both runners-up in their respective runnings of the Derby. Campaigned by the Coolmore partners, Under the Stars was a close third to Awake at Midnyte in their mutual debut. She next tried the Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar, tiring to third, before rolling to a three-length score back in maiden company at Los Alamitos. Flavien Prat will ride from post 1.

Big Switch has won both starts in California-restricted company at Del Mar, including the Nov. 5 Golden State Juvenile Fillies at this trip. The George Krikorian homebred projects another beneficial trip from just off the pace. John Velazquez picks up the mount for trainer John Sadler.

Mimajoon comes off back-to-back wins at Golden Gate Fields. The Jonathan Wong pupil wired a turf maiden in her first start since switching to his barn, then led throughout in the Golden Gate Debutante on the Tapeta. Also likely to be forward early is Big Shamrock, who chased a fast pace in her $50,000 maiden claiming score at Los Alamitos.

The speed on tap could help Miss Mattie B, who rallied from well back to break her maiden over a mile on the Del Mar turf. By 2014 Belmont (G1) star Tonalist, the Robert Hess Jr. filly comes from the immediate family of multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Bellafina, who captured the 2019 Santa Ynez. 

Carded as the 8TH race on Saturday, the Santa Ynez is scheduled to go off at about 7 p.m. (ET).