February 27, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Take it up a Notch
Fresh off a career-best effort in the Grade 3 Thunder Road, El Potente (2-1) will need to find another gear to outduel Mi Hermano Ramon, the 8-5 opening line choice in Saturday’s $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita.
El Potente’s power was on full display in his most recent outing – a three-length tally in which he achieved a lifetime best 121 Equibase speed score.
If that was any indication of what he’s capable of, then the 6-year-old presents a legitimate threat to Mi Hermano Ramon, who earned his maiden graded tally in November’s Seabiscuit Handicap (G2).
The savvy veterans will line up two spots from each other in posts one (Mi Hermano Ramon) and three (El Potente).
Headed West
Heralded for his dominance on the east coast, multiple graded stakes winner Locked is going back to Cali to contest the $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday afternoon.
Four wins, including the 2023 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and December’s Cigar Mile (G2), one second, and one third later, Locked returns to The Golden State with a chance to notch his first win west of The Mississippi.
The 4-year-old colt’s last and only venture to Santa Anita came in November 2023 for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), where he finished third.
Oddsmakers like Locked’s chances this time around, listing him as the slight 3-2 favorite over four-time graded stakes victor, Hit Show (5-2).
House Edge
Foes haven’t been able to corner Burnham Square through two starts at Gulfstream Park. This Saturday, the 3-year-old gelding can make it three in the $415,000 Fountain of Youth (G2).
Having already checked boxes one and two with a nine-length maiden triumph and 1 ¾-length Holy Bull (G3) score last out on Feb. 1, Burnham Square’s path to the 1 1/6-mile Fountain of Youth must pass through River Thames (2-1) and Sovereignty (3-1).
The former will be making his 2025 debut following a five-length tally in the Street Sense (G3) on Oct. 27, while the latter is perfect through two starts to begin his career (total win margin of 11 ¼ lengths).
Burnham Square enters sandwiched in between the two at 5-2.
CBPOY
After his dynamic rookie campaign was cut short due to bone bruising, Mindframe will officially begin his comeback bid this Saturday in the $215,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2).
A pair of drubbings out of the gate (combined win margin of 21 ¼ lengths) and consecutive runner-up finishes in the Belmont (G1) and Haskell (G1) positioned Mindframe for a momentous maiden meet.
However, the electrifying colt’s rapid ascent was put on hold after an unfortunate injury. Now, seven months and a clean bill of health later, Locked is back in the game.
Running out of post one in his return, the Todd Pletcher trainee opens as the even-money choice.
Uncharted Territory
Aqueduct may be his home, but Sand Devil (9-5 choice) finds himself with a target on his back ahead of Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3).
Flush with an unblemished resume through three starts (3-0-0), headlined by a narrow Damon Runyon victory last time out, Sand Devil faces his stiffest challenge to date in the one-mile Gotham.
Standing in his way is another undefeated youngster in Sacrosanct (3-1), who is a perfect 4-for-4 with three stakes scores. The 3-year-old colt stayed unbeaten thanks to a head’s difference in the New York Stallion Series Stakes on Dec. 14.
One of these ferocious competitors will sustain their first ever loss… the question is will one or neither remain faultless?
