Nevada Beach and Nysos Set to Clash in the Laffit Pincay Jr. at Santa Anita Park

Both Grade I winners, and both trained by Bob Baffert, will headline one of the marquee attractions on the meet’s opening-day program

Nysos comes off a victory over Citizen Bull in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, California (Special to Turf Diario)— Opening day of Santa Anita Park’s winter championship meet on Dec. 28 will feature three Grade I events, but the undercard packs plenty of punch as well, led by the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2, $200,000), a race that promises fireworks with the presence of two recent top-level winners.

Both marquee runners hail from the barn of legendary trainer Bob Baffert. They are Nysos, racing for Baoma Corp., and Nevada Beach, campaigned by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman—two runners with contrasting profiles but proven class at the highest level.

By Nyquist, Nysos will look to cap his 4-year-old season with a fourth consecutive victory. Though his career has been interrupted—just seven lifetime starts—his talent has never been in doubt, having won six of them, several in authoritative fashion. On Nov. 1, he made a major statement when landing a stirring renewal of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, getting the better of champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) after a demanding stretch duel.

Purchased for $550,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Nysos is already proven at the Laffit Pincay distance of 1700 meters. He has tried it once—and won—capturing the San Diego H. (G2) at Del Mar by 2 3/4 lengths. Santa Anita has been even kinder: he is a perfect three-for-three over the surface, with a combined winning margin of 23 1/2 lengths, a statistic that cements his status as the one to beat.

Standing squarely in his way is Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), another who has excelled over this track. He took the Goodwood S. (G1) here in September and arrives reaffirmed after putting a Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) misstep—where he finished seventh—behind him. On Nov. 22 at Del Mar, he rebounded in style, showing grit to prevail by a half-length over British Isles (Justify) in the Native Diver S. (G3).

The field is rounded out by five additional runners, headed by British Isles, who renews rivalry with Nevada Beach, and G3 winner Cornishman (Curlin), lending depth and added intrigue to a race that shapes as one of the highlights of a loaded opening day.