Buetane set to return in San Vicente as Santa Anita reshuffles stakes

Buetane, a lightly raced son of Tiz the Law trained by Bob Baffert and most recently second in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, was entered to make a comeback from a four-month layoff in the Grade 2 San Vicente at seven furlongs. Connections opted for the sprint test as Santa Anita adjusted its winter stakes schedule following weather-related cancellations that forced the track to reschedule juvenile and fillies’ events.

The entry marked a significant early-season appearance for a horse that showed top-level form as a juvenile. Buetane’s campaign includes a record of high-class placement and an OBS purchase that drew attention when he first changed hands. Returning in a seven-furlong dash gives him a chance to demonstrate whether he retains his late-season spark and whether he can handle the speed-and-stamina mix needed before potentially stretching out later in the spring.

Santa Anita’s racing office reworked several stakes placements to accommodate cards lost to rain, shifting entries and likely rider plans across the juvenile and fillies’ ranks. Among the stakes affected were the Santa Ynez and Las Flores, which were rescheduled as part of that reshuffle. Those adjustments had ripple effects on who ships in, which barns target which spots, and how jockeys play their early-season commitments. For horsemen, that means reevaluating travel plans, gate assignments, and short-term fitness targets; for bettors, it means studying late scratches, recent morning lines, and morning workouts closely before wagering.

The San Vicente traditionally serves as a quick barometer for three-year-olds moving toward the spring classics or remaining sprint-focused. In Buetane’s case, a strong performance fresh off the bench would affirm both his recovery from the layoff and the placement choice by his connections. A below-par return would raise questions about whether he needs more conditioning or a different path forward this winter-spring season.

The takeaway? Treat Buetane’s reappearance as a meaningful litmus test: check his recent works and final jockey assignment, pay attention to how the shuffled stakes lists affect overall fields, and factor layoff risk into your tickets. Our two cents? If you follow the 3-year-old division, keep an eye on fitness signals—a sharp San Vicente can launch a contender, while a lukewarm run often points to more patient placement.