Horse Racing Odds: 2025 Monrovia Stakes

Share News

Horse Racing Odds

Queen Maxima Leads Monrovia Stakes Field After Dominant Turf Wins

As bettors look ahead to this weekend’s top racing action, all eyes will be on the Grade III Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita, part of a key weekend of spring stakes that helps build momentum ahead of significant events like the Kentucky Derby. 

While this sprint isn’t one of the Kentucky Derby Prep Races, the results can still influence Kentucky Derby betting patterns, especially with fillies and mares showcasing sharp form and turf speed. With Kentucky Derby odds tightening, every graded stakes outing matters for handicappers tracking spring form.

Queen Maxima Targets Fourth Straight Win on Santa Anita Turf

Queen Maxima comes into Saturday’s $100,000 Monrovia Stakes as the one to beat after three consecutive wins, including a dominant 3 ½-length victory in the Wishing Well Stakes at Santa Anita on February 22. That win was her second straight over the course, including a similarly impressive allowance score over the same hillside turf layout on January 23.

Trained by Jeff Mullins, the 4-year-old daughter of Bucchero has shown an apparent affinity for Santa Anita’s unique downhill course. So far, her record of 4 wins in 7 starts, with two second-place finishes, has earned her $210,900 for owners Dutch Girl Holding LLC and Irving Ventures LLC. Consistently paired with success, regular rider Juan Hernandez, who has guided her in each of her recent victories, will be back in the saddle.

Familiar Turf Rivals Line Up in Graded Test

Among the contenders set to challenge Queen Maxima is Queen of the Mud, a stakes-winning Irish-bred mare trained by Graham Motion. Last seen winning the restricted Swingtime Stakes in October over a mile on turf at Santa Anita, she returns off the layoff with top jock Umberto Rispoli taking the reins. She enters with a record of 3 wins and 3 seconds from eight career starts and $212,599 in earnings.

Also returning to stakes competition is Venganza, a 5-year-old Curlin mare trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella. After back-to-back allowance wins on the hillside turf course, including a sharp 1 ¼-length win on March 7, she’ll face more demanding company here. Venganza will be ridden for the first time by Kazushi Kimura, who is replacing Rispoli.

The Monrovia Stakes field includes Omaha Girl, Safa, and Ang N Ash. Omaha Girl will break from the rail with Antonio Fresu aboard, while Safa and Ang N Ash will look for upsets under Tiago Pereira and Kyle Frey, respectively.

The Monrovia is Race 5 on Saturday’s 12-race card at Santa Anita, with a scheduled post time of 2 p.m. PT. Gates open at 10 a.m.; the first post is set for noon.

For live wagering, updated odds, and all the action from Santa Anita and other horse racing odds, be sure to visit our racebook.