Horse Racing Odds: 2025 San Carlos Stakes Contenders

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Pilot Commander Favored in San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita Park

While Kentucky Derby Prep Races continue to draw national attention, sprint racing takes center stage Saturday at Santa Anita Park in the $100,000 Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes.

 Though not directly tied to Kentucky Derby odds or the Derby trail, the seven-furlong sprint offers a substantial betting opportunity for those following California’s top older sprinters. 

The San Carlos delivers a quality field with proven talent for Kentucky Derby betting enthusiasts looking for action beyond the 3-year-old ranks.

With Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Straight No Chaser overseas preparing for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, five California-based sprinters will battle for position in his absence. The 3-5 morning-line favorite Pilot Commander leads the field, who appears well-placed to earn his first stakes win for trainer Bob Baffert.

Pilot Commander Drops in Class, Ready to Strike

Pilot Commander has faced top-level competition in his last two graded stakes tries, improving his horse racing odds while finishing second to Muth in the Grade 2 San Vicente in January and fourth in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes in December. Both races were contested at the same seven-furlong distance as Saturday’s San Carlos. In each case, Pilot Commander was prominent early before fading late, but still held his own against deeper fields.

He comes into this race off a sharp 2 1/2-length win in a second-level allowance optional claimer on February 1 at Santa Anita. That six-furlong victory was his first start as a 4-year-old and showed that the son of Justify is progressing nicely. With three wins from six career starts, he looks ready to tackle graded company again, especially against lighter opposition. Juan Hernandez, who has ridden him to all three wins, returns in the saddle for owners CSLR Racing Partners.

Fort Bragg and For All Mankind Lead the Opposition

Baffert’s second entrant, Fort Bragg, is listed as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line. He was last seen winning the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes as a 3-year-old, bringing proven speed and class to the lineup. Though lightly raced in recent months, Fort Bragg has been training steadily and could challenge his stablemate with a clean trip.

At 7-2, For All Mankind is the third choice. He brings a solid resume into San Carlos and wants to break through in stakes company. While not as flashy as the Baffert duo, he’s consistent and capable of a strong effort on his best day.

Veteran Spirit of Makena Returns with Equipment Change

The wildcard in the field is 7-year-old Spirit of Makena, who returns from a layoff after three unplaced finishes in the latter half of 2023. A winner of the San Carlos and Triple Bend Stakes earlier that year, he has back class but needs to prove he can fire fresh. Adding blinkers for this start could help sharpen his focus.

Vlahos rounds out the field at 12-1. Though a longshot, the lightly raced runner could benefit if the pace collapses late.

With top sprinters like Straight No Chaser out of town, the San Carlos presents an excellent opportunity for rising contenders like Pilot Commander to claim graded stakes success. Whether you’re betting the favorite or looking for value in the upset, this sprint will surely be one of the weekend’s most competitive races.

For complete odds, expert picks, and more betting action from Santa Anita and beyond, be sure to visit our racebook today.