Santa Anita Park Race 8 - Race 8 - Maiden Special Weight
JOHN METCALFE (8) was well held last time in stakes class, finishing eighth over 1710m at Listed level at Santa Anita (Dirt). J J Hernandez stays on and although yet to win has been in the money on three occasions. Sure to play a big role. FLASH OF LIGHTNING (10) finished third, beaten 1.75 lengths, when resuming from a spell last start over 1609m at Santa Anita (Turf) after he did his best work late. Hard to beat in this suitable race. DESERT HAWK (5) is a three-start maiden who finished fifth at his most recent outing over 1609m at Santa Anita (Turf) after he was well back on straightening. Looks to be in the right race to play a big role. DR FILKINS (1) finished 6 lengths from the winner in seventh at his most recent outing over 1207m at Santa Anita (Turf). Should be about the money.
Jockey: Kyle Frey
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 34-day let-up. At the latest run raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 9 at Santa Anita on January 10 over 1207m, 6 len behind Dark Omen carrying 55.5kg at $31.90. The race before that 4th of 9 at Del Mar on November 24 over 1006m, 1.5 len behind Uecker carrying 55.5kg at $5.30. Better than that recent lacklustre performance suggests.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 10/01/2026 | 47 | MDN 3 | $104,634.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1207m | FM | Kyle Frey | 55.5kg | 1:08.66 | 2-4-7 | 4 |
| 6.3L | $31.90 |
| 4/9 | 24/11/2025 | 29 | MDN 2 | $91,603.00 | Del Mar | 1006m | Good | Kyle Frey | 55.5kg | 0:59.36 | 1-2-4 | 8 |
| 1.5L | $5.30 |
| 3/12 | 26/10/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $91,324.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1308m | FM | Kyle Frey | 55.5kg | 1:15.38 | 7-5-3 | 6 |
| 6.0L | $54.90 |
Jockey: Abel Lezcano
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up 4th of 9 at Santa Anita on January 10 over 1207m, 4 len behind Dark Omen with 55.5kg at $6.80. Second-up 7th of 9 at Santa Anita in LR on January 17 over 1710m, 23 len behind Start The Ride with 56kg at $55.70. Better than that recent moderate performance suggests.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 17/01/2026 | 7 | LR OPEN 3 | $261,584.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1710m | Fast | Abel Lezcano | 56kg | 1:44.55 | 5-7-7 | 5 |
| 23.3L | $55.70 |
| 4/9 | 10/01/2026 | 76 | MDN 3 | $104,634.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1207m | FM | Abel Lezcano | 55.5kg | 1:08.66 | 4-5-4 | 5 |
| 4.1L | $6.80 |
| 2/12 | 26/10/2025 | 79 | MDN 2 | $91,324.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1308m | FM | Abel Lezcano | 55.5kg | 1:15.38 | 4-2-2 | 10 |
| 4.0L | $12.20 |
| 2/8 | 08/08/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $124,031.00 | Del Mar | 1006m | FM | Abel Lezcano | 55.5kg | 0:57.84 | 3-2-2 | 2 |
| 4.8L | $25.20 |
Jockey: Cristobal Herrera
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Was at very long odds at debut, eased back early on 8th of 10 at Santa Anita on January 8 over 1207m, 17 len behind My Bodacious Boy carrying 55.5kg at $54.60. Didn't quite do enough on debut to raise the hopes.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/10 | 08/01/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $104,634.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Fast | Cristobal Herrera | 55.5kg | 1:11.35 | 9-8-8 | 8 |
| 17.3L | $54.60 |
Jockey: Armando Ayuso
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Mo Forza out of Enola Gray. Prefer to see him at the races before recommending.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 5th of 9 at Santa Anita on January 15 over 1609m, 5 len behind Dark Blue carrying 55.5kg at $18.30. The race before that 2nd of 7 at Los Alamitos on December 5 over 1609m, 2.25 len behind Cruise Home with 55.5kg at $35. Can turn things around.
Last Starts 29 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 15/01/2026 | 41 | MDN 3 | $104,634.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1609m | FM | Edwin Maldonado | 55.5kg | 1:37.03 | 6-7-5 | 2 |
| 5.3L | $18.30 |
| 2/7 | 05/12/2025 | 40 | MDN 2 | $68,913.00 | Los Alamitos | 1609m | Fast | Armando Ayuso | 55.5kg | 1:38.71 | 6-3-2 | 3 |
| 2.3L | $35.00 |
| 10/12 | 26/10/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $91,324.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1308m | FM | Cesar Ortega | 55.5kg | 1:15.38 | 10-12-10 | 3 |
| 15.1L | $73.50 |
Jockey: Diego Herrera
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a ten weeks break. Finished off last preparation third of 7 at Los Alamitos December 5 over 1609m, 7 len behind Cruise Home carrying 55.5kg at $3.80. On debut second last of 11 at Santa Anita September 28 over 1207m, 7 len behind Mo Holland Drive carrying 55.5kg at $7. Marginal chance.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 05/12/2025 | 19 | MDN 2 | $68,913.00 | Los Alamitos | 1609m | Fast | Diego A Herrera | 55.5kg | 1:38.71 | 3-2-3 | 6 |
| 7.8L | $3.80 |
| 3/6 | 16/11/2025 | 49 | MDN 2 | $91,603.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | Good | Diego A Herrera | 55.5kg | 1:39.12 | 1-2-3 | 6 |
| 5.5L | $5.80 |
| 10/11 | 28/09/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $91,743.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1207m | FM | Mike E Smith | 55.5kg | 1:08.49 | 9-11-10 | 7 |
| 7.9L | $7.00 |
Jockey: Tiago Pereira
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 29 day let-up. Last start eased back early on 7th of 9 at Santa Anita on January 15 over 1609m, 6 len behind Dark Blue with 55.5kg at $54.20. The start before that 5th of 7 at Los Alamitos on December 5 over 1609m, 9 len behind Cruise Home carrying 55.5kg at $10.90. Swooper to watch for late in the piece.
Last Starts 29 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 15/01/2026 | 41 | MDN 3 | $104,634.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1609m | FM | Tiago Josue Pereira | 55.5kg | 1:37.03 | 9-9-7 | 7 |
| 6.5L | $54.20 |
| 5/7 | 05/12/2025 | 47 | MDN 2 | $68,913.00 | Los Alamitos | 1609m | Fast | Tiago Josue Pereira | 55.5kg | 1:38.71 | 7-5-5 | 7 |
| 9.3L | $10.90 |
| 6/11 | 19/10/2025 | 51 | MDN 2 | $91,324.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1609m | FM | Abel Lezcano | 55.5kg | 1:35.05 | 11-6-6 | 4 |
| 9.0L | $60.10 |
| 8/10 | 29/08/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $124,031.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | FM | Armando Aguilar | 55.5kg | 1:40.19 | 9-8-8 | 6 |
| 6.4L | $58.20 |
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Most recently second last of 9 at Santa Anita in LR on January 17 over 1710m, 32 len behind Start The Ride with 56kg at $5.90. The race before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 8 at Los Alamitos in LR on December 14 over 1609m, 1.3 len behind Smoovin Saturday carrying 53kg at $13. Nicely placed to make amends.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 | 17/01/2026 | 34 | LR OPEN 3 | $261,584.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1710m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 56kg | 1:44.55 | 8-8-8 | 6 |
| 32.8L | $5.90 |
| 2/8 | 14/12/2025 | 28 | LR OPEN 2 | $153,139.00 | Los Alamitos | 1609m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 53kg | 1:37.31 | 4-1-2 | 7 |
| 1.3L | $13.00 |
| 2/6 | 16/11/2025 | 28 | MDN 2 | $91,603.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | Good | J J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:39.12 | 2-1-2 | 4 |
| 1.3L | $2.40 |
| 2/11 | 19/10/2025 | 92 | MDN 2 | $91,324.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1609m | FM | J J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:35.05 | 2-2-2 | 10 |
| 4.5L | $6.00 |
| 9/10 | 19/07/2025 | 34 | MDN 2 | $152,905.00 | Del Mar | 1006m | Fast | Kyle Frey | 55.5kg | 0:57.93 | 7-10-9 | 6 |
| 13.4L | $31.10 |
| 6/10 | 15/06/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $93,313.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1006m | Fast | Kyle Frey | 54kg | 0:57.69 | 10-7-6 | 6 |
| 16.8L | $35.40 |
Jockey: Welfin Orantes
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First start 8th of 12 at Santa Anita on October 26 over 1308m, 8 len behind Cal's Goal with 55.5kg at $36.50. Returned from break second last of 9 at Santa Anita on January 10 over 1207m, 6 len behind Dark Omen with 55.5kg at $46.40. Needs to do a lot more.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 | 10/01/2026 | 76 | MDN 3 | $104,634.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1207m | FM | Welfin R Orantes | 55.5kg | 1:08.66 | 5-9-8 | 9 |
| 6.8L | $46.40 |
| 8/12 | 26/10/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $91,324.00 | Usa - Santa Anita Turf | 1308m | FM | Welfin R Orantes | 55.5kg | 1:15.38 | 5-7-8 | 1 |
| 8.3L | $36.50 |