Santa Margarita Stakes Grade 2 1 1/8 on Dirt

Purse $200.00 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward

Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California

Spirit Storm from Nakamura Stables has been able to win just off the pace and coming from the clouds while traversing two turns against stakes caliber competition. That fact should allow her rider to adjust to whatever unfolds in front of him Saturday and put the eight for twenty-five race mare into perfect position. She must be dealt with regardless of who your personal choice is. Great Eclipse from Night Rider Stables should also be positioned close enough here to not get left behind on a layout know to favor front end speed. “Eclipse” earned a big number in New York and just missed in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap. She will take a lot of money at the windows coming off her best career numbers performance. Present Tense from Mb Stables needs no introduction and has many past performances that would easily put her into the charmed circle. Question now is gauging her current ceiling, because I don’t see a guarantee of a triple digit figure and that might be needed to take this heat down. She is a great mare on the down escalator of her career after a remarkable final two races of her 2025 campaign to cement her forever in the history books. A scary bet however you play it. Gutter Black from Mo Mentum Farm could be a slight sleeper in here. She had a brutal draw and trip in the Breeder’s Cup Distaff and then came out in January sprinting on the turf in a total throw out race. She got back on the beam in winning The Royal Delta and then had a not so perfect set up in her last start when shaking off the rust of two months between dances. Look for an improved effort Saturday.

Of The Rest:

El Grande Latte from Black N Gold Stable has been a great story in winning three stakes off a $20.00 claim. She draws the outside box and has never been on the pace in her life, so I am guessing the connections won’t test those waters here. She wants to close and clearly wants this trip. Problem is the possible natural outside push and the fact that this race begs to be won on or right off the pace. Still, plenty of coffee and Steeler fans in southern California to cheer her on.

El Sweetie from Greyfriars Stable is a four-year-old filly that just finished in front of the aforementioned Gutter Black. However, this miss is only one for eight going two turns and she is possibly best as a seven- or seven-and-a-half-furlong sprinter. I think these foes will be too tough for her at this distance.

My Little Chickadee from Avenue Z draws the rail but does not have the gas to make good use of it on this layout. She also does not have the previous numbers showing to topple this group, even on her best day. For W.C. Fields and Mae West fans only.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES