Dave’s Friend Stakes

Untapable Stakes

Tropical Park Oaks

Nash failed to follow up his scintillating victory last month at Churchill Downs with a strong performance in the $98,000 Gun Runner Stakes Dec. 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and finished third as the 1-5 favorite to Track Phantom.

Winless in three efforts since his gutsy Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) victory in March, the Jeremiah O’Dwyer trainee may have earned his ticket back to Meydan after taking the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) for the second year in a row.

Souper Blessing held off a fast-closing Irish Aces to win the Tropical Park Derby in just his second start on turf.

“To win the big races in the same year is always very special, but to win two of the Triple Crown races, and on two different horses, is really special.” —Javier Castellano

Bob Baffert-trained Speed Boat Beach, Fort Bragg, and Hejazi are set to face off against shippers Giant Mischief, Raise Cain, and Damon’s Mound as part of Santa Anita’s opening-day card.

The San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) on the Santa Anita Park turf has a compact field of six but no shortage of diversity.

Anisette heads the home squad against a pair of ambitiously placed invaders in the American Oaks (G1T) on opening day at Santa Anita Park.