Saturday’s $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita owns the distinction of being the richest race in North America this weekend, and it has drawn a respectable field of 12, led by 8/5 morning-line favorite Jolie Olympica. With “Money” Mike Smith in the saddle for Hall-of-Fame trainer, Richard Mandella, the four-year-old Brazilian bred filly seeks her second stateside victory following an impressive 1 & 1/2-length score in the Las Cienegas Stakes (G3) over the Santa Anita turf course at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Among the top contenders is Lady Prancelot (5/1), who was last seen winning the American Oaks over this course on Dec. 28, and Caressa (4/1), who earned a hard fought victory over Super Patriot (12/1) and La Sardane (12/1), in the 1-mile Megahertz (G3) here on Jan. 20. Carded as the 5th of 9 races, the Buena Vista is placed smack dab in the middle of Saturday’s card. It will anchor the Early Pick 5 and kick off the Late Pick 5, at approximately 2:29pm.
Since Gulfstream’s Rainbow 6 was hit Monday for a cool $1.2 million, Santa Anita’s West Coast Rainbow Jackpot of $366,954 (heading into Friday’s program) now stands as the biggest single ticket Pick 6 jackpot in the land. The Rainbow Pick 6 will be contested over races 4-9, and goes off at 1:59pm.
First post at Santa Anita is 12:30pm.
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