Capsules for Busy Saturday of Derby Preps, Big 'Cap

Throughout the year, the NTRA and BloodHorse will provide a guide to the best Saturday stakes races in North America and beyond, complete with entries and links to full previews. Races are listed in chronological order (all times ET). 

2:18 p.m.—$100,000 Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs (TVG)

The Bill Mott-trained Modernist  seeks his first victory in more than a year when he breaks from the outside post in a field of five for the Challenger Stakes going 1 1/16 miles. Modernist won the grade 2 Risen Star Stakes in February 2020 but has not started since finishing fifth in the grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes July 16. 

Entries: $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger S. (G3)

Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 5

• Grade III
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 2:18 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Jungle Fighter (KY)	Jose C. Ferrer	118	Kerri Raven	6/1
2	2Last Judgment (FL)	Daniel Centeno	120	Michael J. Maker	4/1
3	3War Stopper (KY)	Luis Saez	118	Todd A. Pletcher	5/2
4	4Letmeno (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	120	Ian R. Wilkes	3/1
5	5Modernist (KY)	Junior Alvarado	123	William I. Mott	9/5

4:02 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct on TVG

Gold Square's Wendell Fong will look to make the grade in the Tom Fool Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for older horses. Wendell Fong provided trainer Natalia Lynch, previously an assistant and exercise rider for Jeremiah Englehart, her first career win last out with a neck score in the six-furlong Fire Plug Stakes Jan. 16 at Laurel Park. 

Entries: Tom Fool H. (G3)

Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 7

• Grade III
• 6f
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 4:02 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Pete's Play Call (MD)	Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.	122	Rudy R. Rodriguez	5/2
2	2Share the Ride (KY)	Victor R. Carrasco	124	Antonio Arriaga	2/1
3	3Chateau (KY)	Kendrick Carmouche	119	Rob Atras	6/1
4	4Happy Farm (FL)	Eric Cancel	119	Linda Rice	12/1
5	5Speed Pass (KY)	Manuel Franco	118	Bob Baffert	9/2
6	6Wendell Fong (KY)	Trevor McCarthy	120	Natalia Lynch	3/1

4:25 p.m.—$225,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G2T) at Tampa Bay Downs (TVG)

Magic Attitude will try to launch an even better 4-year-old campaign in the Hillsborough at 1 1/8-miles on the turf. In September Magic Attitude, after trailing early took off in the stretch, sweeping to victory against four rivals to win the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T). 

Entries: Hillsborough S. (G2T)

Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 9

• Grade IIT
• 1 1/8m
• Turf
• $225,000
• 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 4:25 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Magic Attitude (GB)	Julien R. Leparoux	120	Arnaud Delacour	9/2
2	2Counterparty Risk (IRE)	Antonio A. Gallardo	118	Chad C. Brown	4/1
3	3Myhartblongstodady (NY)	Daniel Centeno	118	Jorge R. Abreu	8/1
4	4La Signare (FR)	Alonso Quinonez	118	Brendan P. Walsh	8/1
5	5Court Return (ON)	Roberto Alvarado, Jr.	118	Josie Carroll	10/1
6	6How Ironic (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	118	Victoria H. Oliver	12/1
7	7New York Girl (IRE)	Junior Alvarado	118	William I. Mott	5/1
8	8Miss Teheran (IRE)	Samy Camacho	118	Chad C. Brown	6/1
9	9Queen Nekia (FL)	Daniel Centeno	118	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	6/1
10	10Morning Molly (KY)	Jesus Lopez Castanon	118	Thomas F. Proctor	12/1
11	11Micheline (KY)	Luis Saez	118	Michael Stidham	8/1

4:55 p.m.—$200,000 Florida Oaks (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs (TVG)

Trainer Arnaud Delacour, who will saddle Magic Attitude in the Hillsborough, is seeking his first triumph in the Florida Oaks when he sends out Lael Stables homebred Be Sneaky. 

Entries: Florida Oaks (G3T)

Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 10

• Grade IIIT
• 1 1/16m
• Turf
• $200,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 4:55 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Big Bad Diva (KY)	Daniel Centeno	117	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	20/1
2	2Jouster (KY)	Luis Saez	119	Todd A. Pletcher	2/1
3	3Mia Martina (FL)	Julien R. Leparoux	119	H. Graham Motion	8/1
4	4Flight to Shanghai (KY)	Samy Camacho	117	Jane Cibelli	15/1
5	5Queen of the Green (KY)	Roberto Alvarado, Jr.	119	Jon G. Arnett	20/1
6	6Be Sneaky (KY)	Hector Rafael Diaz, Jr.	117	Arnaud Delacour	10/1
7	7Alex's First (FL)	Raul Mena	117	Cody W. Axmaker	30/1
8	8Big Band Luzziann (FL)	Jesus Lopez Castanon	117	Anthony J. Granitz	20/1
9	9Hindsight (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	117	Victoria H. Oliver	15/1
10	10Domain Expertise (KY)	Antonio A. Gallardo	117	Chad C. Brown	3/1
11	11Oyster Box (KY)	Junior Alvarado	119	H. Graham Motion	4/1
12	12Forever Boss (KY)	Robby Albarado	117	Kenneth G. McPeek	15/1

5:07 p.m.—$300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct (FS2, TVG)

Owner Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown already campaigned a winner in a Kentucky Derby qualifier in New York when Risk Taking captured the grade 3 Withers last month. Now they'll look to put another contender in the running for the first Saturday in May with stakes-winner Highly Motivated  in the Gotham. 

Entries: Gotham S. (G3)

Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 9

• Grade III
• 1m
• Dirt
• $300,000
• 3 yo
• 5:07 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Atlantic Road (KY)	Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.	118	Todd A. Pletcher	30/1
2	2The Reds (KY)	Pablo Morales	118	John C. Kimmel	30/1
3	3Highly Motivated (KY)	Javier Castellano	120	Chad C. Brown	8/5
4	4Wipe the Slate (KY)	Kendrick Carmouche	118	Doug F. O'Neill	6/1
5	5Crowded Trade (KY)	Eric Cancel	118	Chad C. Brown	9/2
6	6Capo Kane (CA)	Dylan Davis	120	Harold Wyner	5/1
7	7Freedom Fighter (KY)	Manuel Franco	118	Bob Baffert	5/2
8	8Weyburn (ON)	Trevor McCarthy	118	James A. Jerkens	20/1

5:25 p.m.—$400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs (FS2, TVG)

The Tampa Bay Derby will bring together 12 3-year-olds, most with much to prove if they are to continue to advance toward a date with destiny in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Headlining the field will be Candy Man Rocket, who won the grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes here Feb. 6. 

Entries: Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2)

Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 11

• Grade II
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $400,000
• 3 yo
• 5:25 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1My Liberty (KY)	Tomas B. Mejia	117	Maria Ines Mejia	30/1
2	2Super Strong (KY)	Antonio A. Gallardo	117	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	8/1
3	3Candy Man Rocket (KY)	Junior Alvarado	119	William I. Mott	2/1
4	4King of Dreams (KY)	Samy Camacho	117	Juan Carlos Avila	20/1
5	5Boca Boy (FL)	Angel S. Arroyo	119	Cheryl Winebaugh	15/1
6	6Awesome Gerry (KY)	Hector Rafael Diaz, Jr.	117	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	15/1
7	7Moonlite Strike (KY)	Daniel Centeno	117	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	20/1
8	8Hidden Stash (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	117	Victoria H. Oliver	4/1
9	9Unbridled Honor (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	117	Todd A. Pletcher	20/1
10	10Helium (KY)	Jose C. Ferrer	117	Mark E. Casse	6/1
11	11Promise Keeper (KY)	Luis Saez	117	Todd A. Pletcher	8/1
12	12Sittin On Go (KY)	Roberto Alvarado, Jr.	119	Dale L. Romans	20/1

5:45 p.m.—$300,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park (FS2, TVG)

Bob Baffert's lightly raced Life Is Good  heads an outstanding field of seven sophomores in the San Felipe Stakes. A key prep for the grade 1 Santa Anita Derby April 3, the San Felipe will be contested for the 83rd time, with Baffert bidding to win it for a record eighth time. 

Entries: San Felipe S. (G2)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 6

• Grade II
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $300,000
• 3 yo
• 2:45 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Life Is Good (KY)	Mike E. Smith	122	Bob Baffert	4/5
2	2Dream Shake (KY)	Joel Rosario	120	Peter Eurton	5/1
3	3Medina Spirit (FL)	John R. Velazquez	122	Bob Baffert	7/2
4	4None Above the Law (CA)	Flavien Prat	120	Peter Miller	30/1
5	5The Great One (LA)	Abel Cedillo	120	Doug F. O'Neill	4/1
6	6Govenor's Party (CA)	Mario Gutierrez	120	Daniel Franko	50/1
7	7Roman Centurian (KY)	Juan J. Hernandez	120	Simon Callaghan	8/1

6:10 p.m.—$300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park (TVG)

Juddmonte Farms' two-time winner Sun Path was installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies signed on to compete in the 1 1/16-miles Honeybee, which offers 85 points (50-20-10-5, respectively) to the top four finishers toward the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Entries: Honeybee S. (G3)

Oaklawn Park, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 9

• Grade III
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $300,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 5:10 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Tabor Hall (KY)	David Cohen	117	Kenneth G. McPeek	10/1
2	2Will's Secret (KY)	Jon Kenton Court	122	Dallas Stewart	7/2
3	3Willful Woman (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	117	Steven M. Asmussen	6/1
4	4Sun Path (KY)	Joseph Talamo	117	Brad H. Cox	5/2
5	5Pauline's Pearl (KY)	Francisco Arrieta	117	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
6	6Absolute Anna (KY)	Ramon A. Vazquez	117	Jerry Hollendorfer	15/1
7	7Oliviaofthedesert (KY)	David Cabrera	119	Kenneth G. McPeek	7/2
8	8Coach (KY)	Florent Geroux	119	Brad H. Cox	4/1

6:52 p.m.—$200,000 San Carlos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park (TVG)

Jay Em Ess Stable's graded stakes winning Extra Hope will cut back in distance off five consecutive routes as he heads a field of nine older horses going seven furlongs in Saturday's San Carlos Stakes. 

Entries: San Carlos S. (G2)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 8

• Grade II
• 7f
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 3:52 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Storm the Court (KY)	John R. Velazquez	120	Peter Eurton	5/1
2	2Extra Hope (KY)	Juan J. Hernandez	122	Richard E. Mandella	4/1
3	3Major Cabbie (LA)	Flavien Prat	120	Peter Miller	8/1
4	4Manhattan Up (KY)	Tiago Josue Pereira	120	Philip A. Oviedo	20/1
5	5Strongconstitution (KY)	Florent Geroux	120	Doug F. O'Neill	20/1
6	6Brickyard Ride (CA)	Alexis Centeno	120	Craig Anthony Lewis	3/1
7	7Exaulted (KY)	Mike E. Smith	120	Peter Eurton	10/1
8	8Loud Mouth (CA)	Abel Cedillo	120	Steve Knapp	8/1
9	9Tigre Di Slugo (CA)	Joel Rosario	120	Mike Puype	5/2

7:26 p.m.—$400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita Park (TVG)

Trainer Michael McCarthy's Smooth Like Strait  heads a deep and competitive field of 10 older horses in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile. A winner of the opening day Mathis Brothers Mile (G2T) Dec. 26, Cannon Thoroughbreds' homebred Smooth Like Strait is a head away from three consecutive graded stakes wins.

Entries: Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. (G1T)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 9

• Grade IT
• 1m
• Turf
• $400,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 4:26 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Smooth Like Strait (KY)	Umberto Rispoli	122	Michael W. McCarthy	4/1
2	2Hit the Road (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Dan Blacker	4/1
3	3Social Paranoia (KY)	Abel Cedillo	122	Todd A. Pletcher	8/1
4	4Royal Ship (BRZ)	Mike E. Smith	120	Richard E. Mandella	15/1
5	5Spirit Animal (KY)	Joel Rosario	120	Chad C. Brown	12/1
6	6Flavius (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Chad C. Brown	6/1
7	7Casa Creed (KY)	John R. Velazquez	120	William I. Mott	6/1
8	8Count Again (ON)	Juan J. Hernandez	122	Philip D'Amato	12/1
9	9Ride a Comet (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	122	Mark E. Casse	7/2
10	10Flying Scotsman (KY)	Tyler Baze	120	Jack Sisterson	12/1

8 p.m.—$400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita Park (TVG)

Goldolphin's unbeaten homebred Maxfield  heads the 2021 Santa Anita Handicap, which has attracted a field of eight older horses. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Maxfield, a 4-year-old colt by Street Sense , rallied from far back to win the grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots under Florent Geroux, who will be back aboard Saturday. 

Entries: Santa Anita H. (G1)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, March 6, 2021, Race 10

• Grade I
• 1 1/4m
• Dirt
• $400,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 5:00 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Independence Hall (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Michael W. McCarthy	4/1
2	2Maxfield (KY)	Florent Geroux	124	Brendan P. Walsh	8/5
3	3Kiss Today Goodbye (KY)	Mike E. Smith	119	J. Eric Kruljac	8/1
4	4Coastal Defense (KY)	John R. Velazquez	116	Dale L. Romans	15/1
5	5Express Train (KY)	Juan J. Hernandez	123	John A. Shirreffs	3/1
6	6Idol (KY)	Joel Rosario	119	Richard Baltas	6/1
7	7Tizamagician (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	119	Richard E. Mandella	12/1
8	8King Guillermo (KY)	Abel Cedillo	116	Juan Carlos Avila	12/1