Santa Anita Stable Notes Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

WORKS: NYSOS, NEVADA BEACH, FULL SERRANO DRILL 6F

Saturday’s work tab at Santa Anita included 17 horses who are pre-entered in next week’s Breeders’ Cup. Among that group was Nysos, Nevada Beach and Full Serrano, who all drilled six furlongs ahead of their respective races. Each of the works will be available for viewing on 1/ST.TV on the Breeders’ Cup Portal page.

Nysos went the fastest of the above-named trio. He completed his solo work in 1:11.0. Nysos, pre-entered in the Dirt Mile for trainer Bob Baffert, most recently won the GII San Diego Handicap on July 26 at Del Mar.

Nevada Beach, also trained by Baffert, worked for the Classic while in company with stablemate Winterfell. Nevada Beach was timed in 1:12.20. A 3-year-old colt by Omaha Beach, Nysos most recently won the GI Goodwood on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. Winterfell, who hasn’t started since last December when finishing fifth in the GI Malibu Stakes, was timed in 1:12.40.

Full Serrano worked alone in 1:11.80 for trainer John Sadler. The 5-year-old horse by Full Mast is seeking a repeat victory in the Dirt Mile. Most recently, Full Serrano finished second to Nevada Beach in the Goodwood after having the lead in deep stretch.

Also working for the Classic was Baeza for trainer John Shirreffs. With jockey Hector Berrios aboard, Baeza drilled five furlongs by himself in 1:01.60 with a strong gallop-out. The 3-year-old colt by McKinzie most recently won the GI Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 20 at Parx.

Baffert’s other Breeders’ Cup workers were Seismic Beauty (Distaff), Citizen Bull (Dirt Mile) and Litmus Test (Juvenile), who all drilled five furlongs; and Splendora (Filly & Mare Sprint), who worked four furlongs. Citizen Bull was timed in 58.60 seconds, Seismic Beauty went in 59.20 seconds and Litmus Test was clocked in 1:00.20. Splendora worked a half mile in 47.40 seconds.

Tamara and Big City Lights both worked five furlongs for trainer Richard Mandella. Tamara, pre-entered in the Filly & Mare Sprint, was clocked for five furlongs in 1:00.60. Big City Lights (Sprint) worked five furlongs in 58.0 seconds, which was the fastest of 48 works at the distance.

Johannes worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Last year, Johannes finished second in the Mile for trainer Tim Yakteen. He most recently won the GII City of Hope Mile on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Mark Glatt worked both Dr. Venkman (Sprint) and La Wally (Juvenile Fillies). Dr. Venkman drilled four furlongs in 48.0 seconds, while La Wally worked five furlongs in 1:01.80. La Wally, by Constitution, most recently was second in the GII Oak Leaf on Oct. 4 at Santa Anita. Dr. Venkman exits a runner-up finish in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita.

Rounding out the Breeders’ Cup workers were Gold Phoenix (Turf), Later Than Planned (Juvenile Turf Sprint), both for trainer Phil D’Amato; Lovesick Blues (Sprint) for trainer Librado Barocio and Reef Runner (Turf Sprint) for trainer David Fawkes.

Gold Phoenix worked five furlongs on the training track in 1:01.00, while Later Than Planned drilled four furlongs on the training track in 49.40 seconds. Lovesick Blues worked four furlongs on the main track in 49.80 seconds and Reef Runner also worked a half mile on the main track in 48.60 seconds.

GIII AUTUMN MISS PUTS A BOW ON AUTUMN MEET CLOSING DAY SUNDAY

The feature race on closing day of the Autumn Meet Sunday, the GIII Autumn Miss, has attracted a competitive field of nine 3-year-old fillies who will compete over one mile on turf. It’s carded as the eighth race on a 10-race program with post time set for 4:36 p.m.

Among the key principals are 2-1 program favorite Slick, one of two entered for trainer Phil D’Amato; 3-1 second choice Warming for trainer Graham Motion; and Take A Breath (5-1) for trainer Mark Glatt.

Slick and Take A Breath will be meeting for the third straight time. Most recently, the pair squared-off in a one-mile allowance on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita. Take A Breath went off the 9-5 favorite, but her chances were compromised severely in the stretch when she ran up on heels in the stretch and had to steady. Meanwhile, Slick enjoyed an ideal stalking trip under Umberto Rispoli to win by one length.

Warming came west last month for Motion and finished third by three-quarters of a length in the GIII John C. Harris when sprinting about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course. Both the winner that day, Innovative, and runner-up Lee’s Baby Girl are also back in the Autumn Miss.

The field in post position order: Precise Timing, Antonio Fresu (20-1); Slick, Umberto Rispoli (2-1); A Thousand Miles, Diego Herrera (30-1); Innovative, Ricky Gonzalez (6-1); Warming, Juan Hernandez (3-1); Take A Breath, Hector Berrios (5-1); Firenze Flavor, Kazushi Kimura (8-1); Wink and a Grin, Armando Ayuso (15-1); Lee’s Baby Girl, Mirco Demuro (15-1).

HERNANDEZ CLOSES IN ON 9th SANTA ANITA RIDING TITLE

Jockey Juan Hernandez is poised to clinch his 9th jockey’s title at Santa Anita with two days remaining in the Autumn Meet. Entering Saturday, Hernandez has won 24 races at the stand, which is seven more than runner-up Umberto Rispoli.

Hernandez has 11 mounts scheduled over the final two days. Rispoli is booked on eight mounts.

Hernandez has previously won the Santa Anita’s jockey’s title at the 2024-25 Classic Meet, 2024 Autumn Meet, 2024 Hollywood Meet, 2023-24 Classic Meet, 2023 Autumn Meet, 2023 Hollywood Meet, 2022-23 Classic Meet and 2021-22 Classic Meet.

A 33-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico, Hernandez has been riding full-time in the U.S. since 2010. He enters Saturday’s action with 2,917 career wins and $103,675,820 in earnings.

FINISH LINES: Friday’s $2 Pick Six paid $28,888.20 for a single winning ticket. The winning horses starting with the fourth race were #3 Chase N Ryan ($9.20), #4 Philippa ($6.40), #5 Twilight Time ($10.40), #6 Grogu ($14), #10 Piper’s Causeway ($30.60) and #3 Minister Shane ($18.60)…Saturday’s Pick Six starts at 3:05 p.m. with the fifth race…The $1 Sunset Pick Six has a $7,336 carryover for Saturday. It starts at 2:07 p.m. with the ninth race from Gulfstream Park…Phil D’Amato and Bob Baffert each won a race Friday to keep the trainer’s race tight. With two days remaining in the stand, D’Amato continues to lead Baffert by two wins. D’Amato has five horses entered in three races to close out the meet, while Baffert has seven starters in four races remaining…On Sunday, there will be mandatory payouts in all pari-mutuel pools…Professional horseplayer Duke Matties will be host Tom Quigley’s handicapping guest Sunday on the Santa Anita simulcast feed starting at 11:50 a.m. PT.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.