Santa Anita Park Race 8 - Affirmed S. Stakes
SECURED FREEDOM (3) brings reliable stakes form, last start 4th at Churchill Downs over 1609m in Stakes 99, beaten 7L carrying 53.5kg, and earlier 3rd in a Santa Anita 1609m Stakes; draws barrier 3 and stays near his winning track. DECISIVE WIN (4) is third-up and comes off a dominant 5.5L Maiden Special Weight win at Santa Anita over 1609m leading throughout with 54.5kg; progressive and suited rising slightly in trip. MO KOKO (2) steps up 502m after a Santa Anita Allowance Optional Claiming 1207m 4th, having won his debut there; inside draw helps. ONE MORE FREUD (1) was second-up when 7th in a Churchill Downs 1609m Stakes from barrier 10, but has two wins from three starts and now draws barrier 1.
Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Draws barrier 1 second up and gets Mike E. Smith, with blinkers on after a tough 7th at Churchill Downs over 1609m in Stakes 99 when drawn wide (barrier 10) and beaten 12.5L behind Crude Velocity. Prior to that he was unbeaten in two, including a 1609m Monmouth Park win as a $1.60 shot. Inside draw and gear change can help him rebound.
Last Starts 40 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/11 | 02/05/2026 | - | Stakes 99 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 53.5kg | - | 11-11-10-8 | 10 |
| 12.5L | $0.00 |
| 1/5 | 30/08/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Monmouth Park | 1609m | FIRM | Samy Camacho | 52.5kg | - | 3-2-1-1 | 3 |
| 0.25L | $1.60 |
| 1/5 | 01/08/2025 | - | MDN Claiming 81 | $0.00 | Saratoga | 1207m | FT | Jose L Ortiz | 55.5kg | - | 3-2-1 | 1 |
| 14.5L | $1.90 |
Jockey: Armando Ayuso
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up and back with Armando Ayuso, who partnered his debut win at Santa Anita over 1207m when edging out Raikkonen. Last start he sat handy from the inside draw and boxed on for 4th of 7 in an Allowance Optional Claiming 104 there, beaten 3L by The Last Straw under 54kg. Drawn barrier 2 with 54.5kg and blinkers on, he looks set to get a soft run and can progress.
Last Starts 32 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 10/05/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 104 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1207m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 54kg | - | 3-4-4 | 1 |
| 3L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 04/04/2026 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1207m | FIRM | Armando Ayuso | 55.5kg | - | 4-3-2 | 5 |
| 0.05L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Draws barrier 3 and sticks to around the mile after a solid stakes prep, including a 3rd at Santa Anita over 1609m (Stakes 99) on Feb 7 when $5.5 and beaten 4L by Plutarch. Last start he was 4th at Churchill Downs on May 2 over 1609m (Stakes 99) carrying 53.5kg, beaten 7L by Crude Velocity after settling midfield. Consistent at this level and maps to get a soft run from the gate.
Last Starts 40 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | 02/05/2026 | - | Stakes 99 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FT | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | - | 6-6-5-6 | 4 |
| 7L | $0.00 |
| 4/7 | 07/03/2026 | - | Stakes 100 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1710m | FT | Kazushi Kimura | 54.5kg | - | 5-4-4-4 | 3 |
| 3.6L | $5.00 |
| 3/7 | 07/02/2026 | - | Stakes 99 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1609m | FT | Kazushi Kimura | 54.5kg | - | 7-7-5-5 | 7 |
| 4L | $5.50 |
| 1/6 | 28/12/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 89 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1308m | FT | Kazushi Kimura | 55.5kg | - | 4-4-1 | 3 |
| 4.5L | $7.00 |
| 4/10 | 22/11/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Del Mar | 1308m | GOOD | Kazushi Kimura | 55.5kg | - | - | 9 |
| 5.5L | $13.00 |
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Progressive colt third-up who led throughout to score by 5.5L at Santa Anita over 1609m (Maiden Special Weight 90) on 22 May, carrying 54.5kg with Antonio Fresu up, beating Essos. That followed a 4th of 9 over 1308m here on 7 March (MSW 92) when prominent early at $7. Drawn barrier 4 and holding 54.5kg, he maps to use his early speed again and should be competitive.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 22/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 90 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1609m | FT | Antonio Fresu | 54.5kg | - | 1-1-1-1 | 5 |
| 5.5L | $0.00 |
| 4/9 | 07/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 92 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1308m | FT | Antonio Fresu | 55.5kg | - | 1-1-3 | 3 |
| 7L | $7.00 |
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Fourth-up and holding form with back-to-back thirds at Santa Anita, latest over 1609m in a Maiden Special Weight 93 when closing from 8th to be 1.9L off Melismatic (ire). Prior run was a narrow 0.6L third over 1811m at the same track at $17, racing handy throughout. Slight uptick to 55kg and a small distance rise look manageable, and his consistent finishes keep him in the mix.
Last Starts 40 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 02/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 93 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1609m | FM | Victor Espinoza | 54kg | - | 8-8-7-6 | 4 |
| 1.9L | $0.00 |
| 3/7 | 29/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 95 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1811m | FM | Victor Espinoza | 55.5kg | - | 2-2-2-3 | 2 |
| 0.6L | $17.00 |
| 5/5 | 31/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 92 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1207m | FT | Victor Espinoza | 55.5kg | - | 5-5-5 | 3 |
| 12.5L | $26.00 |
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Fourth-up and back with Juan J. Hernandez, who was aboard for a 3rd at Santa Anita over 1207m two runs back (Starter Optional Claiming 84) at $4.2. Won an Allowance Optional Claiming 78 at Turf Paradise over 1207m on 24 Feb, running down Saint Benji after settling back. Forgive the last-start 5th of 5 at Santa Anita over 1609m; the slight drop in trip and a neutral barrier look more suitable.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 02/04/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 98 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1609m | FM | Armando Ayuso | 54.5kg | - | 5-5-5-5 | 2 |
| 15.5L | $0.00 |
| 1/4 | 24/02/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 78 | $0.00 | Turf Paradise | 1207m | FT | Manuel Americano | 55kg | - | 4-4-3 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $7.00 |
| 3/5 | 09/01/2026 | - | Starter Optional Claiming 84 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1207m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 55.5kg | - | 5-5-5 | 5 |
| 8.8L | $4.20 |
| 6/8 | 11/10/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FAST | Edgar Morales | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-5-6 | 6 |
| 22L | $29.00 |
| 1/8 | 17/09/2025 | - | MDN Claiming 67 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FT | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | - | 3-3-2-1 | 4 |
| 2.8L | $4.00 |
| 7/12 | 27/08/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 61 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1609m | FM | Joseph D Ramos | 54.5kg | - | 8-8-7-8 | 6 |
| 7.3L | $13.00 |