The West Coast’s crop of 3-year-old fillies will get their chance to punch a ticket to the Longines Kentucky Oaks in Saturday’s Santa Anita Oaks.

A total of 200 qualifying points will be at stake, awarded to the top five finishers in a descending 100-40-30-20-10 fashion. The race attracted a solid field of nine, including the undefeated Faiza, who is ineligible for Oaks points because she is trained by Bob Baffert who is under suspension at Churchill Downs.

1. Venganza (12-1 morning-line odds): Comes off a decisive maiden win by a little more than four lengths. She was a 1-20 choice that day, but it was at six furlongs on the wet main track after the race was washed off the turf course. The speed figure was on the slow side, weakening enthusiasm for her chances despite her top-notch connections.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Richard Mandella

2. Gila (30-1): She romped by 12 ½ lengths last time, which sounds great. Unfortunately, that was in a $30,000 maiden claiming race. This is too big of a jump to view her as a contender.

JOCKEY: Armando Aguilar; TRAINER: Steve Knapp

3. Clearly Unhinged (4-1): She also won her debut easily at a sprint distance, but in her case the time was quite fast and she put in a bullet workout for this race. Her pedigree indicates she can handle the distance, making her one of the top contenders.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy                                          

4. Cliquish (20-1): She was a nine-length maiden winner as a 6-5 favorite, but her effort resulted in a speed figure well below Clearly Unhinged’s and raises some doubts about her chances here.

JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

5. Faiza (9-5): She’s 4-for-4 and has won twice at today’s distance, including one here at Santa Anita in Grade 3 Santa Ysabel. She has enough speed to sit just off the pace and enough of a closing kick to hold off the late chargers. Seems very likely to make it 5-for-5 here.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

6. Window Shopping (4-1): She takes the prize for the most lopsided maiden win among the entrants, a 16 1/2-length romp at a mile. It was an off-the-turf race, but the time was good and her breeding (by American Pharoah out of a Tapit mare) says she can handle dirt. She’s certainly capable of being a factor, especially with Hall of Famer Richard Mandella as her trainer.

JOCKEY: Hector Berrios; TRAINER: Richard Mandella

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7. Princess Bettina (5-1): She’s coming off a turf stakes win, but was well-beaten in two dirt races. Pass.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Peter Eurton

8. And Tell Me Nolies (4-1): She was California’s top 2-year-old filly heading into the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships and was a good second behind Faiza in the Santa Ysabel while making her 3-year-old debut. Should be the main rival for Faiza once again.

JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez; TRAINER: Peter Miller

9. Don’t Get Pickled (30-1): Comes into the race off a distant third in the Sunland Park Oaks. Modest speed figures and the outside post seem tough obstacles for her to overcome.

JOCKEY: Geovanni Franco; TRAINER: Lorenzo Campuzano

THE PICK: Faiza

LIVE LONGSHOT: Cliquish

SUPERFECTA: 5-8-3-6