Saturday’s lineup features an exciting supporting card highlighted by the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes and Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes. In addition, the day includes a notable first race for three-year-old horses sprinting six furlongs, plus an allowance/optional claimer also at six furlongs. Among those making an anticipated return is the highly regarded Cornucopian, who will begin his four-year-old season under Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Race 6, scheduled for 3:12 p.m. Pacific time, is attracting plenty of attention as a key event. The field includes promising sophomore Deep Tracks, purchased for $1 million last year and conditioned by John Shirreffs. Baffert will enter a trio of contenders led by Crude Velocity and Potente—the latter having fetched $2.4 million as a yearling.
Cornucopian, absent from the track since a brief attempt at the Kentucky Derby last April, is set to make his comeback in the eighth race at 4:14 p.m.
Deep Tracks, sired by Nyquist out of Deja Vu (a mare by Giant’s Causeway), is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Crystal Ball. Owned by CRK Stables, Deep Tracks’ $1 million sale tied as the third highest at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic two-year-old training sale.
Since December 8, Deep Tracks has completed six workouts leading up to his debut start. Though Shirreffs is not known for winning first-time out, Deep Tracks impressed with a five-furlong breeze in 59.80 seconds—a time ranking third fastest out of 72 workouts that day.
Trainer Shirreffs commented, “Mike Smith has worked him a few times and really likes him.” Smith is also the jockey for Deep Tracks on Saturday.
“He seems like a very classy and relaxed colt,” Shirreffs added. “Maybe this race will help sharpen him up a bit.”
On the morning line, Crude Velocity is a slight favorite at 5-2 odds, followed by Potente at 7-2, and Baffert’s other starter Duntov at 9-2.
On January 16, Crude Velocity and Duntov looked particularly strong in their workouts, with Crude Velocity showing especially good form. Crude Velocity, out of Sweet’s Workitty (a Lemon Drop Kid mare), was purchased last year for $250,000 and is raced by CSLR Racing Partners.
Potente, sired by Into Mischief out of Sweet Sting (an Awesome Again mare) and descending from the 2000 turf champion mare Perfect Sting, worked eight times before his debut. He clocked four furlongs in 46.40 seconds on January 11 and ran five furlongs in a swift 59.60 seconds on Sunday.
Here is the lineup for Saturday’s 6th race, listed by post position with odds and riders:
- Duntov, Emisael Jaramillo (9-2)
- Krusen of Cali, Tiago Pereira (30-1)
- Crude Velocity, Juan Hernandez (5-2)
- Deep Tracks, Mike Smith (12-1)
- Andy Constitution (30-1)
- Ruler of Law, Edwin Maldonado (4-1)
- Potente, Kazushi Kimura (7-2)
- Capt. Shreve, Kyle Frey (3-1)
This report was originally published by Paulick Report on January 30, 2026.
Fan Take: This preview offers horse racing enthusiasts promising insights into emerging talent and veteran contenders alike, showcasing future stars and comeback stories. For the sport, such competitive fields and big-name connections help maintain excitement and deepen engagement with racing fans, fueling the ongoing thrill of the track.
