Juveniles in spotlight for Santa Anita Breeders' Cup preps

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert again has the numbers in the $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. In search of his fifth consecutive win, and 14th overall, in the 1 1/16-mile test for two-year-olds, Baffert will saddle four of the six entries.

Two of Baffert's entrants, Desert Gate and Balboa, finished second and fifth, respectively, behind the Baffert-trained Brant in the Sept. 7 Del Mar Futurity (G1). Desert Gate, who missed by a length, previously won the Best Pal (G3) in a runaway.

Baffert's other two contenders are Kristofferson, a debut winner by three parts of a length at Del Mar on Aug. 31, and Plutarch, the maiden runner-up in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3) last time.

Two-time American Pharoah winner Doug O'Neill sends out Del Mar Futurity third Civil Liberty. Trainer Jeff Mullins saddles Intrepido, who rebounded from a debut fourth behind Brant, Civil Liberty, and Balboa to register a 3 1/4-length maiden win over Plutarch.

Baffert is also well represented in the $200,000 Oak Leaf (G2), a 1 1/16-mile fixture for two-year-old fillies. Explora is the likely favorite off a second-place effort in the Del Mar Debutante (G1), while Sorrento (G3) heroine Himika looks to rebound from a sub-par fourth in the Debutante.

Also in the mix are Debutante third La Wally, and Heaven's Bolt, a narrow debut winner for Richard Baltas.

The American Pharoah and Oak Leaf are Breeders' Cup Challenge series races for the Juvenile (G1) and Juvenile Fillies, respectively. The two races also offer Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1 to their respective top five finishers.

Defending titlist Hang the Moon is among a field of eight fillies and mares in the $200,000 Rodeo Drive (G2), a 1 1/4-mile test on the turf which offers an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). However, a more meaningful Breeders' Cup prep will be offered at the end of the card.

The $100,000 Speakeasy S., a five-furlong dash for potential Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) candidates, has attracted a full field. Trainer Wesley Ward has entered two, including the highly regarded Schwarzenegger, who was run down at the wire after building up a big lead in his debut at Saratoga, going 5 1/2 furlongs.