Kentucky Derby Prep Races: San Felipe Stakes 2025

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Breaking Down the San Felipe Stakes 2025 – Derby Points on the Line

A field of six 3-year-olds is set to contest the Grade 2, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. This key prep race for the Kentucky Derby offers qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale, although new rules could reduce the total available points if scratches occur.

The San Felipe is one of the critical Kentucky Derby Prep Races, attracting some of the most promising young horses on the West Coast. 

With Kentucky Derby odds shifting, bettors will look closely at these contenders to gauge their potential for Churchill Downs in May. This race will be crucial in Kentucky Derby betting as fans and handicappers look for standout performances.

Barnes Steps Up in Distance

Trainer Bob Baffert sends out three of the six entrants, including Barnes, who has been among the favorites in recent Kentucky Derby futures pools. The son of Into Mischief has yet to compete beyond seven furlongs, making the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe his first two-turn test. Barnes broke his maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs before capturing the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes last month at Santa Anita. Juan Hernandez will ride from post three.

Another Baffert trainee, Rodriguez enters after a runner-up finish in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3). The son of Authentic has shown consistency but is still looking for his first stakes victory. Flavien Prat will ride.

Baffert’s third runner, Mellencamp, remains a maiden after four starts. His best result came last time when he finished second behind stablemate Baeza in a maiden special weight event. Mike Smith will guide him from post one.

Journalism Brings Two-Turn Experience

Journalism is the only graded stakes winner in the field to have already won at a route distance. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the Curlin colt captured the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December, beating intense competition, including Baffert-trained horses. He makes his 3-year-old debut under Umberto Rispoli from post two.

The Rest of the Field

Smooth Cruisein, trained by Karen Headley, finished fourth in the San Vicente behind Barnes. Girvin’s son stretches out for the first time under Ricardo Gonzalez.

Berlin Wall, trained by Steve Knapp, exits a California-bred maiden memorable weight victory, though he was elevated to first via disqualification. This will be his first attempt against winners and open company.

Kentucky Derby Points at Stake

With six entries, the San Felipe Stakes is currently set to award full qualifying points. However, under new rules, if one horse scratches and the field drops to five, the point values decrease to 37.5-18.75-11.25-7.5-3.75. Only half of the original points will be available if two or more scratches occur.

With Barnes making his two-turn debut and Journalism returning from a layoff, the San Felipe presents an intriguing matchup. Bettors should pay close attention to how these young colts perform as they take another step toward the Kentucky Derby.

For more race insights and odds, check out our racebook.