Saturday’s American Pharoah Stakes Presented by DK Horse for 2-year-olds is the final California qualifier for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Golden State’s first prep race awarding points to next year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (10-5-3-2-1 to the top five).

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert owns the most wins in this race with 13 and has taken six of the last seven editions. Furthermore, the race is named after one of Baffert’s all-time best runners, who won what was then called the FrontRunner Stakes by 3 ¼ lengths in 2014, missed the BC Juvenile due to injury, and then swept the Triple Crown and won the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic as a 3-year-old.

It's no surprise that Baffert trains four of the six entrants in Saturday’s renewal at Santa Anita Park, none of which are his leading juvenile prospect, Del Mar Futurity winner Brant.

1. Desert Gate: Won his first two starts by open lengths, including an 8 ¾-length blowout in the six-furlong Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. Then, despite a troubled trip, he finished a solid second in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity behind stablemate Brant. Should sit just behind the front-runners to set up his stretch rally.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

2. Intrepido: Finished a distant fourth in his debut (won by Brant) and improved considerably in start number two, taking a two-turn, one-mile maiden race at Del Mar by 3 ¼ lengths over Plutarch. Had a solid speed figure jump from his first start to second and will need an even bigger one here to be a factor.

JOCKEY: Hector Berrios; TRAINER: Jeff Mullins

3. Plutarch: Philosophy majors have their pick in this colt who finished second behind Intrepido in his debut and then second again when trying grass in the one-mile Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes. Very well-bred as his dam (mother) is 2015 champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind.

JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

4. Civil Liberty: Enters 0-for-2 having finished a distant second behind Brant in his 5 ½-furlong debut (after dueling with Balboa in a hot early pace) and then third to Brant and Desert Gate in the Del Mar Futurity. He had a wide trip in the latter race and was bumped in the stretch. There’s upside aplenty, although this is tough a spot to secure that first win.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

5. Balboa: Third behind Brant and Civil Liberty in his premiere, Balboa next came back at 6 ½ furlongs in mid-August at Del Mar and romped by 7 ¾ lengths. He then weakened to finish fifth of six in the Del Mar Futurity and will have blinkers removed for this race.

JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

6. Kristofferson: Ownership group known as The Avengers celebrated a win “For the Good Times” with this debut runner honoring the late songwriting legend at the end of August. Kristofferson overcame a rough start and pace pressure to prevail by three-quarters of a length in that six-furlong sprint with a fast time. Sold for $1.15 million as a yearling, so expectations are high. Baffert’s first-call rider Juan Hernandez sticks with Desert Gate, though.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

THE PICK: Desert Gate

LIVE LONGSHOT: Plutarch

TRIFECTA: 1-6-3