The first two finishers in the controversial March 5 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) are ready for a rematch -- in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, proof of what a $1 million purse and graded status can do for a race.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Twirling Candy, fresh off a smashing win in the Strub Stakes (gr. II) one month ago, is an overwhelming 4-5 morning-line favorite for the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 5.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Einstein became the first East Coast shipper since Broad Brush in 1987 to capture the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), capitalizing on a perfect trip with jockey Julien Leparoux to defeat the late closer Champs Elysees.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Colonel John, the morning line favorite for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, has been scratched after spiking a temperature on the morning of the race.
Saturday, March 07, 2009Great Britain-based trainer Gerard Butler, whose synthetic track specialist Dansant is entered in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, says he didn't fly across the pond just for a Santa Anita reunion.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Colonel John, winner of the Travers Sakes (gr. I) last summer, makes his 2009 debut as the slight choice in a diverse 14-horse field for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The stretch-running Tiago is expected to face 13 rivals in the $1- million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, but as far as jockey Mike Smith is concerned, the packed field will be better for the 5-year-old son of Pleasant Tap.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Heatseeker gave Northern California kingpin Jerry Hollendorfer a win with the conditioner's first starter in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in a mild surprise March 1.
Saturday, March 01, 2008Lava Man, the most prosperous claiming purchase in racing history, will be out to lay claim to another distinction on Saturday when the 6-year-old gelding will be an overwhelming favorite to win a second $1 million Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manual Indian Bingo & Casino (gr. I).
Wednesday, February 28, 2007Twenty-five years after legendary John Henry became the first two-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Santa Anita will mark the occasion by honoring the great gelding, along with retired Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr., who rode John Henry to his first Big 'Cap victory in 1981.
Monday, January 15, 2007San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino has been named the presenting sponsor for the 2007 edition of the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), the richest race on Santa Anita's stakes calendar. The Big 'Cap will be run for the 70th time on March 3.
Saturday, December 23, 2006Wilko, seeking his first victory in 10 starts since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) in a 28-1 upset in 2004, reunites with Garrett Gomez in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Thursday, March 02, 2006Trainer Bobby Frankel sends out Strub Stakes (gr. II) winner High Limit as the 5-2 morning line favorite for Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Wednesday, March 01, 2006Santa Anita in conjunction with the California Marketing Committee and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, will boost purses for seven overnight races on Santa Anita Handicap day by $105,000.
Monday, February 20, 2006Multiple grade I winner Borrego, who missed a recent workout while attempting to make the March 4 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) without benefit of a prep race for trainer Beau Greely, has not been withdrawn from consideration for the race.
Sunday, February 12, 2006Borrego, who vaulted to the top of the handicap ranks last year with surprise victories in consecutive $1 million races on opposite coasts, will skip a prep race and train up to the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) at 1 ΒΌ miles on March 4, trainer Beau Greely said.
Sunday, January 29, 2006Mr.& Mrs. William Warren's Saint Liam worked six furlongs handily in 1:12 at the Palm Meadows training center Saturday morning in preparation for his engagement in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap March 5.
Saturday, February 26, 2005Donn Handicap (gr. I) winner St. Liam has joined the probable field for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 5, according to racing secretary Rick Hammerle.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) candidate Borrego should be nicknamed "The Rainmaker."
Sunday, February 13, 2005Santa Anita Park joins the worldwide relief effort to aid the victims of the massive Indian Ocean tsunami by auctioning off a special day at the races on March 5, Santa Anita Handicap day.
Thursday, January 06, 2005The 67th running of the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday kicks off a live weekend racing show on KDOC-TV (Channel 56) for the remainder of the meeting.
Thursday, March 04, 2004From forgotten prospect to the doorstep of greatness, Pleasantly Perfect leads the field as the 6-5 morning favorite in Saturday's 67th running of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Wednesday, March 03, 2004Strub Stakes (gr. II) winner Domestic Dispute worked a half-mile in :47 2/5 over Santa Anita's fast main track Wednesday morning and could make his next start in the March 6 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), trainer Paddy Gallagher said.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004No filly has ever won the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), but Island Fashion could become the first in 67 runnings of the 10-furlong race on March 6.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004With rain forecast over much of the next few days, Mandella accelerated the work schedules of Pleasantly Perfect and male 2-year-old colt champion Action This Day, working both Friday.
Friday, February 20, 2004Sarava, who has raced only once in the nearly 19 months since capturing the 2002 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), is being pointed toward a probable start in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), trainer Bob Baffert said.
Thursday, December 11, 2003Edmund Gann's Medaglia d'Oro will miss Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) because trainer Bobby Frankel is dissatisfied with the colt's 124-pound impost.
Tuesday, February 25, 2003The largest field in nearly 20 years was entered Wednesday for Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). Euchre and Milwaukee Brew, a Frank Stronach-owned entry, was made the 7-2 favorite in the 1 1/4-mile race for older horses. A field of 14 will go postward in the evenly-matched field.
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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