Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita - $100,000 (G3)

Las Vegas, NV -- The running of the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes, for 4-year-olds and up, on the Santa Anita downhill turf sprint course takes place January 8th. The race is 6 1/2 furlongs for a purse of $100,000. The race has attracted seven quality entrants and is the eighth race on Santa Anita's nine race program with a 4:07 p.m. PST probable post.

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The race features a reigning Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champ and a horse that has won five of six starts on hillside courses. Santa Anita's unique downhill event has attracted good field of 7 top runners - it should be fun.

There are three entries that feel right at home on turf - Regally Ready, Caracortado and Mr Gruff. These are some definite front runners in the race for the $100,000 prize.

The Contenders:

Regally Ready - is the reigning Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champ and is undoubtedly the favorite in this event. Regally Ready finished a disappointing third in this event last year and then went on to win three straight races after that. Regally Ready is one of the three finalists for an Eclipse Award as last year's champion male sprint and has won three out of four races on Santa Anita's hillside course. It is safe to say that the Daytona is Regally Ready's race to lose.

Caracortado - has experience against Regally Ready but the result were somewhat disappointing - most recently finishing three lengths behind the in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Mr Gruff - Mr Gruff has been terrific on hillside turf courses and therefore has to be in the conversation. The 8-year-old gelding has won five of six starts on hillside courses with his only defeat coming by a nose.

The Others:
Rounding out the field for the Daytona, race eight on a nine-race card: Calimonco ridden by Mike Smith; Victory Pete ridden by Martin Garcia; Silver Summation ridden by Garrett Gomez and Al Instante ridden by Kevin Krigger.

The full field for Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita Park.