Study Guide: 2025 San Felipe Stakes
Feb 26, 2025
Rodriguez wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
A strong field has turned out for Saturday’s $300,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita, a 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers.
Six horses have entered, including Barnes, the individual betting favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pools 2, 3, and 4.
Let’s meet the field:
Mellencamp
Start(s): 4
Wins: 0
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Breeze Easy
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Top Speed Rating: (92) when finishing second in a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $30,040
Sire: Constitution
Dam: American Model
Color: Dark bay/brown
Mellencamp has shown flashes of talent against quality competition, but he finished fifth behind Journalism in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and needs improvement to turn the tables.
Journalism
Journalism bounds clear in the Los Alamitos Futurity (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert V. LaPenta
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $158,880
Sire: Curlin
Dam: Mopotism
Color: Bay
Journalism impressed in the Dec. 14 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), pulling away to beat next-out Sunland Park Derby (G3) winner Getaway Car by 3 1/2 lengths. He hasn’t run since then, but encouraging workouts suggest Journalism is a top-three contender in the San Felipe.
Barnes
Barnes wins the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Breeder: Jeff Drown and Don Rachel
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning the San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $189,000
Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: All American Dream
Color: Bay
Barnes rallied resolutely to win his debut at Churchill Downs by a head, after which he dominated Santa Anita’s seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) by 5 1/2 lengths. Stretching out over 1 1/16 miles is a new obstacle for Barnes, but this $3.2 million auction acquisition clearly has talent, and fast workouts at Santa Anita suggest he’s sitting on another big performance.
In a photo finish, the buzz horse BARNES comes out on top on debut in R7 at @churchilldowns for trainer Bob Baffert with Martin Garcia aboard! 🤩
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SrvH6kCVHA
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 27, 2024
Rodriguez
Rodriguez wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Kingswood Farm and David Egan
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $86,800
Sire: Authentic
Dam: Cayala
Color: Dark bay/brown
Rodriguez impressed in a one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita, leading all the way to trounce next-out winner Baeza by seven lengths. He followed up with a game second-place finish against champion Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. Since Rodriguez has experience racing around two turns, he’s a serious threat to upset stablemate Barnes.
Smooth Cruisein
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Matson Racing, Sandra L. Brown, Elise Naify, and Marsha Naify
Breeder: J D Farms
Trainer: Karen Headley
Jockey: Ricardo Gonzalez
Top Speed Rating: (89) when winning a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $44,400
Sire: Girvin
Dam: Smooth Cookie
Color: Dark bay/brown
Smooth Cruisein won his debut by half a length over Mellencamp and Journalism, but subsequently faltered to finish fourth by 8 1/2 lengths against Barnes in the San Vicente. His career-best 89 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light against the San Felipe field.
Berlin Wall
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Thomsen Racing and Steve R. Knapp
Breeder: Richard Barton Enterprises
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Jockey: Tiago Pereira
Top Speed Rating: (86) when finishing third in a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $43,200
Sire: Practical Joke
Dam: Caymanbird
Color: Gray/roan
A disqualification gave Berlin Wall the victory in a recent six-furlong maiden special weight for California-breds at Santa Anita. Brisnet Speed ratings suggest he’ll need improvement to challenge against tougher foes in the San Felipe.
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