ARCADIA, Calif. -- As racing in California continues to evolve, one reality hits every weekend: turf racing is the king of the SoCal scene.
The Grade 3 Royal Heroine, a mile turf race for older female horses, is no exception: a full field of 13 will head to the gate on Saturday. Multiple graded stakes winners make up part of the starting gate, and there are a number of interesting long shots, as well.
In lieu of our usual walk through the entire field, we’ll look at the different contender levels in this one. You can always catch our full card analysis every weekend at the Sporting Trib’s YouTube page, and wager online with our friends at AmWager - now live in California.
Santa Anita Park. Race 7. Grade 3 Royal Heroine. 1 mile, turf. F&M 4+up. $100,000.
Top Contenders
6. Tirupati. 2/1. Jockey: Umberto Rispoli. Trainer: Jonathan Thomas.
Tirupati comes in the class of the race, having won a grade stake last time out. That was a front-running score in the Grade 3 Wilshire, where he seemed to find his best form on the lead. Prior to that, he was nosed at the wire in another stakes, and has been no worse than third in his last four runs. He’s an obvious include here, and a very likely winner.
2. Raw Ability. 9/2. Jockey: Hector Berrios. Trainer: John Sadler.
Trainer John Sadler is taking a deserved shot with Raw Ability, who is 3-for-3 lifetime. He began his career with a win Gowran Park going right-handed; he’s shown plenty of ability going left-handed since moving stateside. He fell from the clouds in his September race at Del Mar, running most of the race in 10th position before flying at the end for the win. His most recent win was a pressing run in optional claiming company at Santa Anita, showing some versatility. He has speed horses flanking, so look for him to sit midpack in this one, a slight change from his last two efforts.
4. Uncorked. 7/2. Jockey: Mike Smith. Trainer: Phil D’Amato.
Uncorked won this race last year prior to a tough stretch of graded turf stakes throughout the remainder of 2025. She showed a ton of ability last year, including a good second in the Grade 3 Goldikova. Her first two runs in 2025 have left much to be desired, but she’s a measured runner who should get a decent trip in this company.
Longshot Contenders
5. Venganza. 15/1. Jockey: Kazushi Kimura. Trainer: Richard Mandella.
Venganza is an interesting addition to this field, as her three runs in 2025 have come on the downhill turf course sprinting. She’s a daughter of Curlin, which screams distance, so perhaps this is a good spot for her. I think it’s terrific, and oftentimes we see a horse get the lead in these one mile Santa Anita turf races and never look back. Kimura has had a dreadful record as far as wins are concerned to open the meet, but is hitting the board at 35%. Venganza might not get the win, but she could hang and get a piece.
3. Sneaker. 15/1. Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke. Trainer: George Papaprodromou.
Sneaker comes in with the most experience at the distance, having run 11 times at a mile over the turf. She has struggled in stakes company, and has no wins in four attempts, but showed well last out in the Irish O’Brien. With 3 wins, 3 seconds, and a third in her 11 mile turf races, she’s an obvious include in any exotic play.
The Sporting Tribune Wager
$3 Turf Pick 3, Starts Race 7. 2,6 / 5,7,9 / 5,10,(14) $36 wager ($54 w/ 14).
Good luck!