Field of 10 Is Entered in Sunday’s San Rafael Stakes

Ten horses, among them Prime Timber, the second-place finisher in the Hollywood Futurity, will run at Santa Anita on Sunday in the $200,000 San Rafael Stakes, one of two important preps for the Santa Anita Derby.

Prime Timber, one of several Kentucky Derby hopefuls in trainer Bob Baffert’s barn, hasn’t run since Dec. 12, when he finished half a length behind Tactical Cat in the Hollywood Futurity. Tactical Cat was injured in the race and won’t run in the Triple Crown races.

Before the futurity, Prime Timber had run only twice, winning both races in November. One of his obstacles in the one-mile race on Sunday is Honest Lady, undefeated in two starts and trying to become the first filly to win the San Rafael, which was first run in 1981.

Here is Sunday’s field, in post-position order: Aristotle, Love That Red, Capsized, Desert Hero, Honest Lady, Buck Trout, Prime Timber, Eagleton, Patrick’s Exit and Lethal Instrument.

Trainer Bobby Frankel, who nominated Honest Lady for the Triple Crown races, originally was going to run her against fillies in the Santa Anita Oaks on March 14.

“The timing of this race is much better,” Frankel said. “Her last race was a month ago [the Santa Ynez Stakes on Jan. 24], and I like the idea of not waiting the extra two weeks.”

Another prep for the Santa Anita Derby, on April 3, is the San Felipe Stakes on March 14.

Horse Racing Notes

Rather than run both Exploit and General Challenge in the San Felipe, Bob Baffert is going to send General Challenge to New Orleans to run in the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds on March 14. . . . Another filly, Three Ring, may take on the colts on the road to the Kentucky Derby. She’s a possibility for the Florida Derby at Gulfstream on March 13. . . . Lemon Drop Kid and Menifee, a couple of 3-year-olds training in Florida, will run in allowance races at Gulfstream today. . . . Hollywood Park has named a race after Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham. The $400,000 Charles Whittingham Handicap will be run on May 31. The race, previously called the Hollywood Turf Handicap, has been won seven times by Whittingham.