How to bet the Honeymoon Stakes

A solid field of nine sophomore fillies and will run nine panels on the Santa Anita turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Honeymoon (G3).

Honeymoon Analysis

The pace of the race is expected to be swift, with #5 Laura’s Light and #8 Parkour leading the way from the break.

Honeymoon Contenders

#1 GUITTY (8-1) -- Powell pupil makes her second run of the season after finishing sixth in her season bow. French import has been consistent since arriving in the U. S., and she could be dangerous late with a ground-saving voyage from the rail. Brice Blanc will be up.

#2 K P DREAMIN (12-1) -- Dual Grade 1-placed lass showed interest from off the pace in her turf debut when third in a recent allowance tilt. Mullins trainee is working well, and I expect her to be closer to the early tempo on Saturday. Victor Espinoza picks up the mount.

#3 FASHION ROYALTY (30-1) -- Longshot showed little in her first appearance on the course and looks to be in a tough spot off of current form. War Front filly will need major improvement to be a contender inside the final furlong of the Honeymoon.

#4 CROUGHAVOUKE (8-1) -- Dandy Man filly put in a few nice efforts as a juvenile and rates a chance in her second off the break. Second from the Mullins barn had too much to do in the China Doll S. in her 3-year-old debut, and improvement makes her interesting at a price on Saturday.

#5 LAURA’S LIGHT (5-2) -- Horse to beat is 2-for-2 on the Santa Anita lawn and comes in fresh for her third local outing. Peter Miller charge is a Grade 3 winner at this locale, and the speedy Constitution filly will be prominent from the start on Saturday. Abel Cedillo will be in the stirrups.

#6 LITTLE BIRD (15-1) -- Daughter of Free Eagle was a smart allowance winner on the course two back, prior to registering a ninth-place result in the China Doll. Baltas trainee will try to run them down from off the pace with Gutierrez in the controls.

#7 RED LARK (12-1) -- Upset pick was a game maiden heroine on the surface two back, which preceded a closing fifth in the China Doll. Irish-bred bay gets another furlong to work with in the Honeymoon, and the return of Drayden Van Dyke in the silks is a positive one. Sophomore will be moving best of all late at a number.

#8 PARKOUR (7-2) -- Carpe Diem homebred ran allowance foes off their feet in her seasonal debut and looms large second time back for Mandella. Chestnut has abundant early presence and figures to get a fine trip establishing or forcing the pace from the start. Mike Smith riding adds to the appeal.

#9 STELA STAR (2-1) -- Morning-line choice from the Sadler shedrow put in a stout late run to be runner-up in the China Doll while making her stateside bow. Irish-bred bay has trained steadily in the interim, and she will have clear sailing from the outside post under turf wizard Flavien Prat.

Honeymoon Wagers

• $15 Win and Place #7 Red Lark ($30)