Baffert Dominates La Cañada Stakes Entries, Hernandez’s Success Rate Fuels Optimism
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A compelling jockey-trainer partnership and a strong field of contenders are set to highlight Saturday’s Grade III La Cañada Stakes at Santa Anita Park. With Bob Baffert entering three horses in the six-filly race, all eyes are on the jockey assignments as indicators of potential success.
Brilliantly, the 7-5 favorite, will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, a jockey demonstrating a remarkable synergy with Baffert’s horses. Hernandez is slated to guide Brilliantly through the 1-1/16 mile race, aiming for a victory at the graded stakes level. Baffert will also be represented by Nafisa with Kazushi Kimura in the saddle, and Ooty under Tiago Pereira.
The primary challenge to Baffert’s dominance is expected to come from Doug O’Neill’s So There She Was, with Emisael Jaramillo as the assigned jockey. Adding intrigue to Hernandez’s mount is an unofficial statistic: since the beginning of March 2025, Hernandez has secured wins in 50% of stakes races (17 of 34) when riding for Baffert. This winning percentage reportedly increases when Flavien Prat is not also riding for Baffert.
Pegasus World Cup Headlines Weekend Racing
Beyond Santa Anita, the Pegasus World Cup card at Gulfstream Park in Florida promises a day of high-stakes racing. The $3 million PWC Invitational will feature White Abarrio (ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.), the defending champion, as a 4-1 contender. However, the race is topped by the undefeated 4-year-old Disco Time (with Flavien Prat), currently favored at 8-5 as he steps up in class and distance. California will be represented by Full Serrano (ridden by Joel Rosario) trained by John Sadler, and Baffert’s Madaket Road with Mike Smith aboard.
The $1 million PWC Turf Invitational will see Program Trading (ridden by Prat) at 5-2, looking to rebound from a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Cabo Spirit (ridden by Smith) is an 8-1 longshot for George Papaprodromou, representing one of five California-based horses entered in the turf event.
Kentucky Derby Futures Taking Shape
Looking ahead to the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby future betting market is beginning to solidify. Ted Noffey, the undefeated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, remains the favorite at 6-1. Paladin, winner of the Remsen Stakes, is second at 14-1 among the 39 individual horses listed. New contenders include maiden winners Chief Wallabee (17-1) and Thunderously (22-1), both trained by Bill Mott. Baffert’s Brant, the Del Mar Futurity winner, is the leading Californian contender at 23-1, while So Happy, an upset winner of the San Vicente Stakes trained by Mark Glatt, is currently at 32-1.
Global Racing Spotlight: Ka Ying Rising and FDD Dreams
The racing world also celebrated achievements beyond North America. Ka Ying Rising, a New Zealand-bred sprinter based in Hong Kong, was named World Horse of the Year by Timeform. The 5-year-old gelding boasts an impressive record of 17 wins in 19 starts and is aiming for a Hong Kong record-tying 17th consecutive win on Sunday at Sha Tin. In quarter horse racing, FDD Dreams was crowned world champion for 2025, becoming the first horse this century to win both the All American Derby and the Champion of Champions.
Racing Community Mourns Jim Cassidy
The thoroughbred racing community is also mourning the loss of Jim Cassidy, a longtime trainer and former president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, who passed away on Wednesday at age 80. Known for his Yankees cap, Cassidy trained several Grade I winners, including Evening Jewel, The Usual Q.T., and Milk It Mick.
California Racing Notes
In other California racing news, Man O Rose, winner of the California Cup Sprint, achieved the highest Beyer speed figure (97) at Saturday’s Cal Cup. However, trainer Jeff Mullins intends to keep the 6-year-old gelding competing against Cal-breds, stating, “It’s all about management, right?” Owner Bruce Zietz expressed a desire to aim higher but acknowledged Mullins’ expertise, recounting a previous instance where he overruled his trainer and the horse finished last.
Santa Anita Leaders (Through Monday):
Jockeys:
- Umberto Rispoli / 15 Wins
- Juan Hernandez / 10 Wins
- Hector Berrios / 9 Wins
- Kazushi Kimura / 9 Wins
- Emisael Jaramillo / 9 Wins
Trainers:
- Mark Glatt / 9 Wins
- Doug O’Neill / 9 Wins
- George Papaprodromou / 8 Wins
- Bob Baffert / 7 Wins
- Jeff Mullins / 6 Wins
- Phil D’Amato / 6 Wins
Upcoming Stakes (Santa Anita):
- Saturday: $100,000 Grade III La Cañada Stakes (Fillies and Mares, 4-year-olds and up, 1-1/16 miles)
- Sunday: $100,000 Baffle Stakes (3-year-olds, about 6½ furlongs on turf)
The weekend promises a thrilling display of equine athleticism, with the La Cañada Stakes and the Pegasus World Cup taking center stage. The success of the Hernandez-Baffert connection will be a key storyline to watch at Santa Anita, while the Pegasus card offers a compelling mix of established stars and promising newcomers.
