In addition to the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday, the west coast prep races begin in earnest with the Grade 2, San Felipe Stakes.

The race has 105 total qualifying points to divvy up to the first five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis.

Held in March, the San Felipe primarily serves as the final local prep for the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

But the 1 1⁄16-mile is also a Road to the Kentucky Derby race, which means the 50 points awarded to the winner virtually guarantees a spot in the gate at Churchill Downs.

The San Felipe dates to 1935 but didn’t settle into its current format and distance until 1952.

That said, even the early years were productive as JET PILOT (6th 1947) and DETERMINE (winner 1954) went on to claim victories in the Kentucky Derby.

And since then…? AFFIRMED. SUNDAY SILENCE. ALYSHEBA. SILVER CHARM. REAL QUIET. CALIFORNIA CHROME.

This group of legendary Kentucky Derby winners combined to win 13 Triple Crown races and garner 16 Eclipse Awards.

And, not for nothing- prior to their greatness- they all won the San Felipe Stakes at Sanita Anita.

The most recent San Felipe winner to go on to win the Run for the Roses was AUTHENTIC who captured the San Felipe prior to victory in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition of the Kentucky Derby.