It's a big weekend for four-year old and older colts, as there are a number of graded stakes races just for the elder statesmen in the Sport of Kings. At Santa Anita, eight colts, many of which were Triple Crown contenders over the course of the last few years are going to take off for a mile and an eighth at the San Antonio Stakes.
You can find horse racing odds at BookMaker.eu at the online racebook.
ODDS ANALYSIS
1: Cat Burglar
2: Donworth
3: Cyrus Alexander
4: Hard Aces
5: Hoppertunity
6: Blingo
7: Imperative
8: El Kabeir
Many of these names probably look familiar to you. Over the course of the last few years, Hoppertunity, Imperative and El Kabeir have been on the Kentucky Derby route. Hoppertunity is sure to be the favorite in this race alongside Imperative, Cat Burglar and Hard Aces.
The rest of this field isn't much to speak of, especially Donworth and Cyrus Alexander, both of which are going to be fairly big underdogs.
FAVORITE TO FOLLOW
Hoppertunity has been a favorite just about everywhere he's gone, including here at the San Antonio Stakes last year. He finished third that day to Shared Belief and California Chrome, and he actually hasn't won since that point over nine races.
That said, Hoppertunity is always in the thick of the fight. He was third best at the San Pasqual Stakes last month and second at the Clark Handicap prior to that. His worst career finish is fourth in 17 tries, and he's hit the board in all but one of his nine races here at Santa Anita.
UNDERDOG TO WATCH
The name of Zayat Stables became famous last year when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, but most don't remember the fact that Zayat also owned El Kabeir, who was supposed to be one of the top colts out of New York last year.
We haven't seen El Kabeir really pan out since he was scratched from the Kentucky Derby, but we can't forget that he has all sorts of talent, winning the Gotham Stakes and finishing third at the Wood Memorial in his three year old year. He wasn't good at the Malibu Stakes either at seven furlongs, but we have a feeling he's going to be a lot better here at 1 1/8 miles.
El Kabeir ran 1:12 and 2 over six furlongs in his most recent training session at Santa Anita, and he seems to have really taken to the track here. He could be in line for a big upset at a great price on Saturday.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We get the feeling this is going to be the day for Hoppertunity to finally get over the top and get back in the winner's circle. For our money, Hard Aces and Cat Burglar are going to be overplayed here, and though we see a lot of value in El Kabeir and would suggest putting him in your exotics, we don't think he's quite as good as one of Bob Baffert's prized colts.
Look for Hoppertunity to finally complete a comeback after coming up short by a few strides so many times before.
Play Hoppertunity to win the San Antonio Stakes
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