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| Grade I race | |
| Location | Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1935 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $400,000 (2024) |
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up [1] and was once considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season. The ten-furlong Santa Anita Handicap currently offers a purse of $400,000.
The first race was held in 1935, just months after the track opened in late 1934, and the event was open to three-year-olds and up until 1969. The Santa Anita Handicap instantly became one of the nation's top races because it offered a minimum purse of $100,000, then a staggering amount for a horse race. In its early years, the race was most commonly referred to among horsemen and racing media as the "Hundred-Grander." Another nickname for the race dating back to that time, "The Big 'Cap", is still in regular use.
Probably the dominant figure in the early years of the race was Seabiscuit, as the race proved to be a metaphor for his career. In his first two attempts to win it in 1937 and 1938, he lost in photo finishes, with the second loss to a horse carrying 30 pounds less than he was. He suffered what was believed to be a career-ending injury while preparing for the 1939 edition. He came back to run in the Hundred-Grander in 1940, finally winning in his last race.
The 2019 race was postponed from early March to early April due to Santa Anita's safety-related suspension of live racing. [2]
Speed record:
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Win $ | Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Newgate | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Bob Baffert | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing Et Al | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.49 | $242,000 | G1 |
| 2023 | Stilleto Boy | 5 | Kent Desormeaux | Ed Moger Jr. | Steve Moger | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.96 | $300,000 | G1 |
| 2022 | Express Train | 5 | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | C R K Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.22 | $390,000 | G1 |
| 2021 | Idol | 4 | Joel Rosario | Richard Baltas | Calvin Nguyen | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.46 | $240,000 | G1 |
| 2020 | Combatant | 5 | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.32 | $360,000 | G1 |
| 2019 | Gift Box | 6 | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis) | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.02 | $355,000 | G1 |
| 2018 | Accelerate | 5 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis) | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.83 | $355,000 | G1 |
| 2017 | Shaman Ghost | 5 | Javier Castellano | Jimmy Jerkens | Adena Springs | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.57 | $450,000 | G1 |
| 2016 | Melatonin | 5 | Joseph Talamo | David E. Hofmans | Tarabilla Farms Inc. (Susan Osborne) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.01 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2015 | Shared Belief | 4 | Mike Smith | Jerry Hollendorfer | Jungle Racing (Jim & Janet Rome) | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.67 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2014 | Game On Dude | 7 | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa | 1-1/4 m | 1:58.17 | $450,000 | G1 |
| 2013 | Game On Dude | 6 | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.14 | $450,000 | G1 |
| 2012 | Ron the Greek | 5 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Brous Stable (Nils Brous), Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Jack T. Hammer | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.41 | $450,000 | G1 |
| 2011 | Game On Dude | 4 | Chantal Sutherland | Bob Baffert | Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.47 | $450,000 | G1 |
| 2010 | Misremembered | 4 | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Jill Baffert & George Jacobs | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.20 | $450,000 | G1 |
| 2009 | Einstein | 7 | Julien Leparoux | Helen Pitts-Blasi | Midnight Cry Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.93 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2008 | Heatseeker | 5 | Rafael Bejarano | Jerry Hollendorfer | William de Burgh | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.42 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2007 | Lava Man | 6 | Corey Nakatani | Doug O'Neill | STD Racing (Dave & Steve Kenly) & Jason Wood | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.11 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2006 | Lava Man | 5 | Corey Nakatani | Doug O'Neill | STD Racing (Steve & Dave Kenly) & Jason Wood | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.57 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2005 | Rock Hard Ten | 4 | Gary Stevens | Richard Mandella | Mercedes Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2004 | Southern Image | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Michael Machowsky | Kagele Bros, Tepper and Blahut | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.64 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2003 | Milwaukee Brew | 6 | Edgar Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stables | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.80 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2002 | Milwaukee Brew | 5 | Kent Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stables | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.02 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2001 | Tiznow | 4 | Chris McCarron | Jay M. Robbins | Michael Cooper & Cecilia Straub-Rubens | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.55 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 2000 | General Challenge | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Bob Baffert | Golden Eagle Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.49 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 1999 | Free House | 5 | Chris McCarron | J. Paco Gonzalez | McCaffery & Toffan | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.67 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 1998 | Malek | 5 | Alex Solis | Richard Mandella | Stud Panter (Francisco Cortez) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.26 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 1997 | Siphon | 6 | David Flores | Richard Mandella | Rio Claro Thoroughbreds (Linneo Eduardo De Paula Machado) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.23 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 1996 | Mr. Purple | 4 | Ed Delahoussaye | Ron McAnally | Alex G. Campbell Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.04 | $600,000 | G1 |
| 1995 | Urgent Request | 5 | Gary Stevens | Rodney Rash | Stewart Aitken | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.25 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1994 | Stuka † | 4 | Chris Antley | Gary F. Jones | Allen E. Paulson | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.17 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1993 | Sir Beaufort | 6 | Pat Valenzuela | Charlie Whittingham | Victoria Calantoni | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.40 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1992 | Best Pal | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | Gary F. Jones | Golden Eagle Farm | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.00 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1991 | Farma Way | 4 | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Quarter B Farm (George R. Bunn) | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.30 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1990 | Ruhlmann | 5 | Gary Stevens | Charlie Whittingham | Ann & Jerry Moss | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1989 | Martial Law | 4 | Martin Pedroza | Julio C. Canani | Hughes, Messina Et Al | 1-1/4 m | 1:58.80 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1988 | Alysheba | 4 | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg | Dorothy & Pamela Scharbauer | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.80 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1987 | Broad Brush | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $550,000 | G1 |
| 1986 | Greinton | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Charlie Whittingham | Mary Jones Bradley, Whittingham, Howell Wynne | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.00 | $689,500 | G1 |
| 1985 | Lord at War (ARG) | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Peter Perkins | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $275,600 | G1 |
| 1984 | Interco | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Ted West | David I. Sofro | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $298,650 | G1 |
| 1983 | Bates Motel | 4 | Terry Lipham | John H. M. Gosden | Jacqueline Getty Phillips & Michael D. Riordan | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.60 | $317,350 | G1 |
| 1982 | John Henry † | 7 | Bill Shoemaker | Ron McAnally | Dotsam Stable | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.00 | $318,800 | G1 |
| 1981 | John Henry | 6 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Dotsam Stable | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.40 | $238,150 | G1 |
| 1980 | Spectacular Bid | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Bud Delp | Hawksworth Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $190,000 | G1 |
| 1979 | Affirmed | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1-1/4 m | 1:58.60 | $192,800 | G1 |
| 1978 | Vigors | 5 | Darrel McHargue | Larry J. Sterling | William R. Hawn | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $180,000 | G1 |
| 1977 | Crystal Water | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Roger Clapp | Connie M. Ring | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.20 | $173,550 | G1 |
| 1976 | Royal Glint | 6 | Jorge Tejeira | Gordon R. Potter | Dan Lasater | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.40 | $155,900 | G1 |
| 1975 | Stardust Mel | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Marjorie L. Everett | 1-1/4 m | 2:06.40 | $105,500 | G1 |
| 1974 | Prince Dantan | 4 | Ron Turcotte | Frank "Pancho" Martin | Sigmund Sommer | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.60 | $105,000 | G1 |
| 1973 | Cougar II | 7 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Charlie Whittingham | Mary F. Jones | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.00 | $105,000 | G1 |
| 1972 | Triple Bend | 4 | Donald Pierce | Vance Longden | Frank M. McMahon | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.00 | $105,000 | |
| 1971 | Ack Ack | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Forked Lightning Ranch | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | $100,000 | |
| 1970 | Quicken Tree | 7 | Fernando Alvarez | William T. Canney | Louis R. Rowan & Wheelock Whitney Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.60 | $100,000 | |
| 1969 | Nodouble | 4 | Eddie Belmonte | J. Bert Sonnier | Verna Lea Farm (Gene Goff) | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | $100,000 | |
| 1968 | Mr. Right | 5 | Moises Yanez | Evan S. Jackson | Cheray Duchin | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.60 | $100,000 | |
| 1967 | Pretense | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Llangollen Farm Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.80 | $100,000 | |
| 1966 | Lucky Debonair | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Frank Catrone | Ada L. Rice | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.20 | $100,000 | |
| 1965 | Hill Rise | 4 | Donald Pierce | William B. Finnegan | El Peco Ranch | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $100,000 | |
| 1964 | Mr. Consistency | 6 | Kenneth Church | James I. Nazworthy | Ann Peppers | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.00 | $102,100 | |
| 1963 | Crozier | 5 | Braulio Baeza | Julius E. Tinsley Jr. | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.80 | $100,000 | |
| 1962 | Physician | 5 | Donald Pierce | Lynn A. Boice | Lynn A. Boice | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | $100,000 | |
| 1961 | Prove It | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.00 | $100,000 | |
| 1960 | Linmold | 4 | Donald Pierce | Harold C. McBride | Linne I. & Hazel Nelson | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $97,900 | |
| 1959 | Terrang | 6 | William Boland | Carl A. Roles | Poltex Stable (Lawrence S. Pollock) & Roland Bond | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.00 | $97,900 | |
| 1958 | Round Table | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | William Molter | Kerr Stable | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.80 | $97,900 | |
| 1957 | Corn Husker | 4 | Ralph Neves | Charlie Whittingham | Llangollen Farm Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | $103,600 | |
| 1956 | Bobby Brocato | 5 | Johnny Longden | William Molter | Kerr Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.60 | $97,900 | |
| 1955 | Poona II | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Red McDaniel | Helbush Farm (Herman H. Helbush) | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | $103,300 | |
| 1954 | Rejected | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | William J. Hirsch | King Ranch | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $105,900 | |
| 1953 | Mark-Ye-Well | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $97,900 | |
| 1952 | Miche † | 7 | John S. Covalli | Don Cameron | Muriel Vanderbilt Adams | 2:01.00 | 1-1/4 m | $104,100 | |
| 1951 | Moonrush | 5 | Johnny Longden | Willie Alvarado | Anita King & Gus Luellwitz | 2:02.60 | 1-1/4 m | $97,900 | |
| 1950 | Noor | 5 | Johnny Longden | Burley Parke | Charles S. Howard | 2:00.00 | 1-1/4 m | $97,900 | |
| 1949 | Vulcan's Forge | 4 | Dave Gorman | Don Cameron | Isaac J. Collins | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | $102,000 | |
| 1948 | Talon | 6 | Eddie Arcaro | Horatio Luro | Richard N. Ryan | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.40 | $102,500 | |
| 1947 | Olhaverry | 8 | Melvin Peterson | Anthony E. Silver | Pan De Azucar Stable (Raoul Espinosa) | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | $98,900 | |
| 1946 | War Knight | 6 | John H. Adams | Charlie Leavitt | Ethel Hill | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.60 | $101,220 | |
| 1945 | Thumbs Up | 6 | Johnny Longden | George M. Odom | Louis B. Mayer | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $82,925 | |
| 1941 | Bay View | 4 | Nick Wall | Patrick F. Dwyer | Anthony Pelleteri | 1-1/4 m | 2:05.40 | $89,360 | |
| 1940 | Seabiscuit | 7 | Red Pollard | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $86,650 | |
| 1939 | Kayak II | 4 | John H. Adams | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.40 | $91,100 | |
| 1938 | Stagehand | 3 | Nick Wall | Earl H. Sande | Maxwell Howard | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.60 | $91,450 | |
| 1937 | Rosemont | 5 | Harry Richards | Richard E. Handlen | Foxcatcher Farms | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | $90,700 | |
| 1936 | Top Row | 5 | Wayne D. Wright | Albert A. Baroni | Albert A. Baroni | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.20 | $104,600 | |
| 1935 | Azucar | 7 | George Woolf | James Rushton | Frederick M. Alger Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | $108,400 | |
Seabiscuit was a champion thoroughbred racehorse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. He beat the 1937 Triple Crown winner, War Admiral, by four lengths in a two-horse special at Pimlico and was voted American Horse of the Year for 1938.
John Eric "Johnny" Longden was an American Hall of Fame and National Champion jockey and a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses who was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. His father emigrated to Canada in 1909, settling in Taber, Alberta.
The Vosburgh Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Run at the end of September/early October, it is open to horses three-years-old and up of either gender. A Grade II sprint race, it is raced at a distance of seven furlongs and is a major prep to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
The Frank E. Kilroe Mile is an American Thoroughbred horse race run in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to horses four years of age and older, it is raced over a distance of one mile (1.6 km). The Grade I race currently offers a purse of $500,000.
Santa Anita Oaks is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to three-year-old fillies willing to race 8.5 furlongs on the dirt. The race is a Grade II event with a current purse of $200,000 and has been a prep race to the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing, including the Kentucky Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and Mother Goose Stakes.
The Awesome Again Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old or older over the distance of one and one-eighth miles on the dirt scheduled annually in September at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
The Palos Verdes Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt track held annually in late January or early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently carries a purse of $100,000.
The San Antonio Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Raced on the dirt, it is for horses age three and older. In 2017, the distance was shortened from 1+1⁄8 miles to 1+1⁄16 miles. The race was originally run under handicap conditions but is now run under allowance weight conditions, with specified weight reductions for horses who meet certain conditions. The San Antonio has been a Grade II event since 1990. The current purse is $200,000.
The San Felipe Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade II event open to three-year-old horses. Normally held in early -March, it is raced at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on dirt and currently offers a purse of $400,000. It is listed as an official prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The San Carlos Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race once held during the third week of February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, but now run in March. The Grade II stakes race is open to horses, aged three and up, willing to race seven furlongs on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $200,000.
The San Juan Capistrano Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of 1 mi 1,232 yd (2.736 km) run on the turf track held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in June. The event currently offers a purse of $100,000. It is one of the longest graded grass races in the United States.
The San Vicente Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park. A Grade II event, the race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race seven furlongs on the dirt and currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles on the dirt held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in May. The race currently offers a purse of $400,000.
The Widener Handicap at Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah, Florida was a Grade III stakes race for Thoroughbred racehorses 3-years-old and up. It was run over a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles until 1993 when it was modified to 1+1⁄8 miles. Initially called the Widener Challenge Cup Handicap, the race was named for Hialeah Park owner Joseph E. Widener. It was first run in 1936 as the East Coast counterpart to the Santa Anita Handicap in California.
Challedon (1936–1958) was an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred in Maryland by William L. Brann and Robert S. Castle, he raced under the colors of their Branncastle Farm.
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three year old horses at the distance of one mile on the dirt held annually in late January or early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
Awesome Gem is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2007 San Fernando Stakes, 2009 Hawthorne Gold Cup, and 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup.
Nodouble (1965–1990) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1967 to 1970, he won eleven races from across the country, including the Arkansas Derby, Hawthorne Gold Cup (twice) and the Santa Anita, Brooklyn and Metropolitan Handicaps. He was twice voted American Champion Older Male Horse by the Thoroughbred Racing Association. After retirement to stud, he became the leading sire in North America of 1981 and was also a notable broodmare sire.
Game On Dude is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse gelding. He won fourteen graded stakes races, including eight Grade I stakes: the Santa Anita Handicap in 2011, 2013, and 2014 the only horse to have won that race three times; he also won the Goodwood Stakes twice, the 2013 Pacific Classic Stakes, and the Hollywood Gold Cup twice. He has beaten many of the leading North American racehorses including Awesome Gem, Tizway, Ruler on Ice, Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty, Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge and has been rated among the best thirty racehorses in the world in the annual World Thoroughbred Rankings. Upon his retirement, he was compared favorably as one of the greatest racing geldings of all time, along with Kelso, John Henry and Forego.
The 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic was the 30th running of the Breeders' Cup Classic, part of the 2013 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships program. It was run on November 2, 2013 at Santa Anita race track in Arcadia, California for a purse of $5,000,000.