The favorites for both Saturday’s Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes for 2-year-olds, Desert Gate, and G2 Oak Leaf Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, Explora, will both try something Saturday they’ve yet to do for trainer Bob Baffert—race around two turns.

Desert Gate is installed at 3-2 on the morning line for the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah at Santa Anita Park, which serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31 at Del Mar. He’ll be joined in the lineup by stablemates Kristofferson (9-5) and Balboa (8-1), also making their two-turn debuts for Baffert; and Plutarch (10-1), who returns to dirt after a runner-up effort in the G3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf going a mile.

In the 1 1/16-mile Oak Leaf, an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Explora is 4-5 on the morning line. She’ll be joined in the field by stablemate Himika, the 3-1 second choice who also stretches out in distance.

“It’s always a big test for all of them,” Baffert said of horses going from a sprint to a route. “You never know until they do it. When you send them two turns, that’s when they kind of separate themselves. But they are all doing well.”

Desert Gate, by Omaha Beach out of the Curlin mare Theogony, was purchased for $250,000 at auction earlier this year by owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. He was a debut winner going five furlongs at Santa Anita in June and then came back to air by 8 ¾ lengths in the GIII Best Pal at Del Mar in August.

In the GI Del Mar Futurity going seven furlongs Sept. 7, Desert Gate broke poorly but then ran on determinedly along the inside to be beaten just one length by highly regarded prospect Brant.

“He ran really well,” Baffert said Desert Gate. “He sort of stumbled leaving there and missed the break a little bit. But he sat behind the speed and then kept coming. Brant was pretty strong that day.”

Desert Gate will break from the rail under Juan Hernandez, who has been aboard for all three previous starts.

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Kristofferson exits an eye-catching debut win going six furlongs on Aug. 31 at Del Mar that earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest in the field. A $1.15 million auction buy as a yearling, he is by Nyquist out of the Quality Road mare Impasse.

“Kristofferson ran a really big race,” Baffert said. “He’s a big horse and two turns will not be a problem. I was actually really surprised he won first out.”

Kristofferson will be ridden by Mike Smith after having Hernandez aboard for his debut.

Plutarch is by Into Mischief out of Stellar Wind, the 2015 champion 3-year-old filly. He is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor.

After finishing second in his debut at a mile on dirt Aug. 23 at Del Mar, Plutarch was switched to grass for a try in the G3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf going a mile on Sept. 7. He was last after the opening half mile but rallied to be second beaten 1 ½ lengths by winner Hey Nay Nay.

“I wanted to keep him at two turns,” Baffert said of moving Plutarch to the turf last out. “I was debating whether to run him again on the turf but I want to give him a chance. He’s bred to be any kind and has really progressed after that race.”

Plutarch will be ridden by Kazushi Kimura for the first time.

Balboa, an $875,000 colt by Not This Time out of the War Front mare Tap of War, pressed pacesetter Brant in the Del Mar Futurity before fading to fifth. Previously, Balboa romped by 7 ¾ lengths when graduating going six furlongs on Aug. 10 at Del Mar.

In the American Pharoah, Balboa will race without blinkers for the first time.

“He was up on the pace. He doesn’t need to be close to the pace,” Baffert said of Balboa’s Futurity try. “He got a little rank and got tired. That’s why I’m taking the blinkers off.”

Balboa will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli for the first time.

The American Pharoah goes as the third race at 2:03 p.m. PT. The field in post position order: Desert Gate, Juan Hernandez (3-2); Intrepido, Hector Berrios (6-1); Plutarch, Kazushi Kimura (10-1); Civil Liberty, Antonio Fresu (5-1); Balboa, Umberto Rispoli (5-1); Kristofferson, Mike Smith (9-5).

In the Oak Leaf, program favorite Explora exits a runner-up finish in the G1 Del Mar Debutante going seven furlongs Sept. 6. She set the pace that day under Juan Hernandez before being overhauled late by stablemate Bottle of Rouge to lose by one length.

A $350,000 auction buy earlier this year, Explora is by Blame out of the Bernardini mare Collections Choice. She’ll also race without blinkers for the first time Saturday.

“I’ve taken the blinkers off hoping she’ll relax a little bit. She got a little rank (in the Debutante),” Baffert said.

Prior to the Debutante, Explora won her debut by 4 ¾ lengths going 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar.

“We’ve always been very high on her. Her maiden race was outstanding,” Baffert said.

In the Debutante, Himika broke in and was bumped early, then moved up to second before weakening to fourth beaten 9 ¼ lengths.

“She’s a free-running filly—a lot of speed,” Baffert said.

The Oak Leaf goes as the ninth race with post time set for 5:08 p.m. The field in post position order: Banzai Betty, Umberto Rispoli (10-1); La Ville Lumiere, Kazushi Kimura (12-1); La Wally, Antonio Fresu (4-1); Himika, Mike Smith (3-1); Heaven’s Bolt, Hector Berrios (5-1); Explora, Juan Hernandez (4-5).

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Oct 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.