A field of eight 3-year-olds, topped by Flashback and Goldencents, has been entered in Saturday's $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The 1 1/16-mile stakes is the final local prep for the Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
Flashback, trained by Bob Baffert, makes his third career start in the San Felipe. Owned by Gary and Mary West, the colt will start from post 2 with Julien Leparoux riding.
The 3-year-old won the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita last month against just three challengers. As the 1-2 favorite he registered a 6 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race. Flashback won his debut effort in December by 3 1/2-lengths.
Baffert also has Carving entered in the stakes. The colt will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano from the inside post.
Sham Stakes winner Goldencents will break from post 3 with Kevin Krigger again in the saddle. The colt is trained by Doug O'Neill and co-owned by Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.
Goldencents won for the third time in four starts in capturing the Sham and has earned $782,000.
As a 2-year-old, Goldencents led the entire way in winning the $1 million Delta Jackpot on Nov. 17 at Delta Downs in Louisiana. The colt posted a 7 1/4- length victory in his career opening start and followed with a second-place finish in the Champagne Stakes to Shanghai Bobby who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Part of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, the San Felipe will award 50 points to the winner, 20 to the runner-up, 10 for third and 5 for fourth.
Here is the full field for the San Felipe in post position order: Carving, Rafael Bejarano; Flashback, Julien Leparoux; Goldencents, Kevin Krigger; Kochees, Jose Valdivia Jr.; Hear the Ghost, Corey Nakatani; Tiz a Minister, Garrett Gomez; Salutos Amigos, Martin Garcia and Omega Star, Joe Talamo.
Post-time will be approximately 7:35 p.m. (et).
