Top 2022 Stakes Races to Bet On: Santa Ynez Prep Event for Kentucky Oaks

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Three graded stakes races happen this weekend. At Gulfstream Park, runners hit the turf for the Tropical Turf Stakes. Santa Anita runs the Grade 2 Santa Ynez on Saturday and the Grade 3 Las Cienegas on Sunday. The Santa Ynez is a Kentucky Oaks prep event. See below for more information on those three graded races along with Saturday’s Say Florida Sandy Stakes at Aqueduct and the Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn.

Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, Jan. 8th to Sunday, Dec. 9th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds & Picks January 3rd Edition

Top Stakes Races of the Week

When: Saturday, Jan. 8 – Sunday, Jan. 9

Aqueduct Racetrack – Saturday, Jan. 8

Say Florida Sandy Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – $100,000

In the 2021 Say Florida Sandy Stakes, Our Last Buck beat Funny Guy and Runningwithscissors. Funny Guy’s connections retired the gelding last February after a ninth-place finish in the General George. Runningwithscissors and Our Last Buck are both active, though. Expect the pair to run in this. Also, expect horses like Danny California and Sea Foam to enter the starting gate.

Oaklawn Park – Saturday, Jan. 8

Pippin Stakes – 1 mile dirt – $150,000

2020 winner Getridofwhatailesu ran well in the Grade 2 Azeri last year, finishing third behind Shedaresthedevil and Letruska, and in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom, finishing behind Letruska, Monomoy Girl, and Swiss Skydiver. Since then, though, the Brad Cox trainee has struggled versus less than spectacular competition. Expect Cox to enter Getridofwhatailesu in this in an attempt to get her back on the right track.

Gulfstream Park – Saturday, Jan. 8

Grade 3 Tropical Turf Stakes – 1 mile on turf – $100,000

Only four are confirmed for the Tropical Turf. We should expect other horses to enter. But unless one of the runners shows excellent form, Chad Brown trained Value Proposition will go off the odds on chalk. Phat Man, Flying Scotsman, and Belgrano are the three others confirmed to challenge Value Proposition.

Santa Anita Park – Saturday, Jan. 8

Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes – 7 furlongs dirt – $200,000

The Santa Ynez offers 10 points for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, and 1 for fourth towards a starting spot in the 2022 Kentucky Oaks. Doug O’Neil should saddle the two chalks, Tonito’s and Awake At Midnyte. Both run for Paul Reddam. Bob Baffert puts the saddle on Under The Stars and NoCal trainer Jason Wong will enter Mimajoon. Don’t be surprised if Baffert enters a couple more runners. Like every year, Bob’s barn is loaded with talented 3-year-old fillies.

Santa Anita Park – Sunday, Jan. 9

Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes – 6 ½ furlongs turf – $100,000

Richard Mandella trained Tapwater and John Sadler’s Constantina figure to attract the most action. Other likely entrants include Gold For Kitten, another Sadler trainee, Hear My Prayer from the Vladimir Cerin barn, and Quiet Secretary trained by Ian Kruljac. The Las Cienegas is shaping up as one of the most competitive races of the weekend.

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