Improving Anacopa Takes Aim on Las Flores

In her initial stakes engagement, Spendthrift Farm's up-and-coming Anacopa looms as a leading player among a field of eight fillies and mares racing six furlongs in the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Dec. 31 at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Carla Gaines, Anacapa, a 3-year-old daughter of Tiznow , will shorten up out of a big gate-to-wire allowance optional claiming score at a mile Dec. 2 at Del Mar. Off at 4-5, she won by 2 1/4 lengths in a field of seven.

Ridden by Flavien Prat that afternoon, Anacapa will be reunited with veteran jockey Joe Bravo in the Las Flores, with Prat aboard recent multiple stakes winner Samurai Charm .

A frontrunning maiden winner at six furlongs in her second start (first on dirt) four starts ago on July 22, Anacapa has proven one-turn ability. Out of the Empire Maker mare Soot Z , she is a half sister to 2019 Sorrento Stakes (G2) Almafi Sunrise (Constitution  ). 

With Prat riding for the first time, trainer Peter Miller is looking to win his third consecutive stakes with Samurai Charm, who comes off a pair of six-furlong wins in ungraded events at Zia Park Oct. 31 and Nov. 22.

A 5-year-old mare by First Samurai  , Samurai Charm, owned by Downstream Racing, aims for her first graded stakes victory in her 14th career start. She is favored at 5-2 odds on the morning line.

Entries: Las Flores S. (G3)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, December 31, 2022, Race 8

• Grade III
• 6f
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 3:37 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Classical Romance (KY)	Ryan Curatolo	119	Jay Nehf	20/1
2	2Samurai Charm (KY)	Flavien Prat	123	Peter Miller	5/2
3	3Lexington Humor (KY)	Kyle Frey	119	Jonathan Wong	12/1
4	4Manorelli (KY)	Edwin A. Maldonado	119	Luis Mendez	8/1
5	5Anacapa (KY)	Joe Bravo	119	Carla Gaines	4/1
6	6Violent Runner (KY)	Emily A. Ellingwood	121	John W. Sadler	4/1
7	7Lady T (KY)	Victor Espinoza	119	John A. Shirreffs	7/2
8	8Doris Mae (CA)	Juan J. Hernandez	119	Carla Gaines	5/1