Breeders’ Cup runner-up Explora returns in Saturday’s Santa Ynez
At 0h02, on January 1, 2026 • By Santa Anita Park
The road to the GI Santa Anita Oaks kicks off Saturday at Santa Anita Park with the $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes that features the return of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Explora. A day later, Magnificat—who was scratched from the GI La Brea Stakes on opening day of the Classic Meet this past Sunday—will return to action in Sunday’s $100,000 Las Flores Stakes for older fillies and mares going seven furlongs.
Explora, trained by Bob Baffert, went off favored in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and was beaten three-quarters of a length by Santa Anita-based Super Corredora on Oct. 31 at Del Mar. That effort came 27 days after Explora won the GII Oak Leaf, also at 1 1/16 miles, when making her two-turn debut at Santa Anita. Prior to that, when making just her second start, the daughter of Blame tested the GI Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs and was second-best to stablemate Bottle of Rouge.
A $350,000 auction buy earlier this year, Explora is owned by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. She’ll have regular rider Juan Hernandez aboard.
