San Antonio Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2020 San Antonio Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2020 San Antonio Stakes is set for December 26 at Santa Anita Race Course in Arcadia, California. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
San Antonio Stakes Preview and Prediction
- Race: San Antonio Stakes
- Purse: $200,000
- Track: Santa Anita
- Date: December 26
- Post Time: 5:09 PM (ET)
- Live: San Antonio Stakes Odds: Click Here
2020 San Antonio Stakes Handicapping
The Santa Anita racing schedule is loaded with graded-stakes action the day after Christmas, with the (G2) San Antonio shaping up to be the most competitive on the card.
Open to horses aged three and older and going 1 1/16 miles on the SA dirt, the race includes several top-level horses that have recently run very well but haven’t found the winner’s circle in awhile.
Odds listed here are provided by the Santa Anita track handicapper.
2020 San Antonio Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Mucho Gusto Odds: 2-1
Although he is one that does have a win two back when he captured the (G1) Pegasus World Cup, Mucho Gusto comes into the race off a long layoff. He was last seen running fourth overseas in the $20 million Saudi Cup and has been away from the track since that race back in February.
Always competitive, he’s been in the money in 10 of 12 lifetime starts with six wins, four of those coming at the Grade 3 stakes level.
Trainer Bob Baffert has won the San Antonio six times, veteran jockey John Velazquez will ride.
2020 San Antonio Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Sharp Samurai Race Odds: 5-2
One of those that has been knocking on the door but not getting wins this season is Sharp Samurai who has made five starts in 2020 and has run second three times and third twice. He’s been taking on some top level company, grabbing the place money last out in the (G1) Breeders’ Cup Mile and the second spot three back in the (G1) Pacific Classic.
Although he has proven ability on both dirt and turf, it’s notable that his last win came in October 2018 racing on the Santa Anita grass.
A Mark Glatt trainee, he’ll be ridden by Flavien Prat, who won the race in both 2016 and 2017.
2020 San Antonio Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Extra Hope Race Odds: 5-1
The last out wire-to-wire winner of the (G3) Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar, Extra Hope prevailed in that race over two rivals he’ll take on once again on Saturday.
He comes into the race relatively fresh after making only three starts on the season and also scored a win two back in an allowance-level race going one mile on the Santa Anita dirt. Although he has made five previous starts in graded stakes he’s taking on some big guns here for the first time.
Trainer Richard Mandella has won the race seven times, the last of those in 2006. The jockey is Juan Hernandez.
2020 San Antonio Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Midcourt Race Odds: 5-1
Third in this race last year, Midcourt opened 2020 with a win in the (G2) San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita back in February, but has been held winless in six races since with a pair of runner-up finishes.
One of those came last month in the Native Diver where he was a length back of Extra Hope at the wire. Prior to that he made two consecutive Grade 1 starts and ran third both times behind top level competition like 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Improbable and multiple Grade 1 winner Maximum Security.
Trainer John Sherriffs tries for his second San Antonio win. Victor Espinoza gets the call to ride.
Here’s My 2020 San Antonio Stakes Free Pick.
As impressive as he was in winning the Pegasus, I’m wary of favoured Mucho Gusto making his first start in 10 months and I’m going to look elsewhere and hope to get better odds.
In what would be a mild upset I’m going to play Midcourt for the win. He gets a cut back in distance that I think he’ll appreciate after some tough races going longer and I think he can sit right off the pace and get the first jump on expected front-runner Extra Hope as they turn for home.
I also expect Sharp Samurai to be in the mix as usual and will use him and Midcourt in an exacta box.
Full Field: San Antonio Stakes Betting Odds
- Mucho Gusto 2-1
- Sharp Samurai 5-2
- Extra Hope 5-1
- Midcourt 5-1
- Idol 5-1
- Combatant 12-1
- Take The One O One 15-1
- Kiss Today Goodbye 15-1
What do you think of our 2020 San Antonio Stakes Race Odds & Predictions? Weigh in below with a comment. We welcome your feedback.
Register here for a FREE Sports Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
