Setsuko, beaten a nose at 25-1 in the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), punched his ticket for a return trip March 3 with a comfortable victory in an allowance test in finale at Santa Anita Feb. 4.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Led by the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) on opening day Dec. 26, Santa Anita Park announced its 2011-12 stakes schedule which will include nine grade I events over the course of its 79-day meet which will conclude April 22.
Friday, November 18, 2011
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
Bob Baffert is hoping to get an invitation to the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) for Game On Dude, while he will keep Misremembered stateside and point for the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Still simmering from the non-call by stewards in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) following a rough stretch run March 5, trainer Richard Mandella reported that runner-up Setsuko sustained an injured left front leg.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Game On Dude survived a 12-minute stewards' inquiry to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) by a nose over Setsuko March 5, making Chantal Sutherland the first female jockey to win the race in 74 renewals.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Jason, Tom and Les handicap the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) and the Santa Anita H. (gr. I).
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
Who will win the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap? Will Twirling Candy keep on rolling? Will First Dude break through? Or will it be another Dude from Bob Baffert's barn?
Twirling Candy, an emerging star in the handicap ranks from John Sadler's barn, worked seven furlongs on Santa Anita's main track Feb. 27 for the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 5.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Santa Anita Handicap is the next goal for the Strub winner.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert got a rare grade I victory as a breeder when Misremembered held off Neko Bay by a half-length to capture the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 6.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Second in his last three starts, Misremembered can make amends for trainer Bob Baffert in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 6. The race that drew 14 entrants.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
St Trinians will attempt to become the first female to win the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 6. Trainer Mike Mitchell likes her chances in the $750,000 fixture presented this year by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
St Trinians, impressive winner of the Santa Maria Handicap (gr. II) Feb. 13, is expected to tackle males in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) on March 6 instead of running against female champion Zenyatta a week later
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Popular 8-year-old won 11 of 30 starts including four grade I races.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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, 2009This Saturday, March 7th, BloodHorse.com will host its first ever live blog. Join host Jason Shandler for a live version of his Triple Crown Talk blog from noon to 1 p.m. EDT.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Two for one, as That Handicapping Show looks at both the Gotham (gr. III) and the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Thursday, March 05, 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
Zambezi Sun, sixth as the 9-10 favorite in his U.S. debut Feb. 22 in the San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT), will wheel back in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, Bobby Frankel said Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Harold Queen's 3-year-old Florida homebred Big Drama breezed an easy half-mile in :50-flat Feb. 22 at Calder, his first workout since Jan. 18 as the colt's training schedule was interrupted by a bone bruise that required surgery after kicking himself in a shin in his stall.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Magnum, a close second to Lava Man in the 2006 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), should get a second chance after his sharp upset win in the $200,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 8.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Cowboy Cal is headed to the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in one month following his hard-fought win in the $250,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 7.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Ruhlmann, the seven-time stakes-winning stallion and winner of the 1990 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), died Dec. 24 at the age of 23, Old Friends owner Michael Blowen said.
Friday, December 26, 2008
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, 2008
The Brazilian-bred Molengao, a two-time grade II winner last year for trainer Paulo Lobo, returns from a six-month layoff in the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 5.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008By Pete Pedersen - Why did this man, at the height of his career, choose death? The answer is locked in the soul of Robert McDaniel, never to be revealed.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007How amazing is Lava Man? Absolutely invincible in California over the past two seasons on turf and dirt, the 6-year-old gelding became the third horse in 70 years to win back-to-back runnings of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) Saturday.
Saturday, March 03, 2007Lava 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, 2007Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Brother Derek will miss the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) due to a chip in his left ankle.
Sunday, February 25, 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, 2007Declan's Moon, racing's 2004 juvenile champion, faces six other older horses Saturday in Santa Anita's $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II).
Thursday, January 04, 2007Former juvenile champion Declan's Moon is expected to make just his fourth start since March 2005 in the San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) on Jan. 6. The 1 1/16-mile event is a leading prep for the Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Miguel Indian Bingo & Casino (gr. I) on March 3.
Sunday, December 31, 2006San 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, 2006California-bred Lava Man, ridden with extreme confidence by Corey Nakatani, shook loose of favored High Limit on the far turn and defeated upset-minded Magnum to win the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in a spectacular effort in front of nearly 50,000 fans Saturday.
Saturday, March 04, 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, 2006Trainer John Shirreffs said Giacomo will be ready when the gates spring open Saturday for the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). The Big 'Cap will be the second start of the year for the 2005 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner who began his 4-year-old season with a third-place effort in the Feb. 4 Strub Stakes (gr. II).
Tuesday, February 28, 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, 2006Often accused of failing to realize his awesome potential, Rock Hard Ten brought his true knockout punch to Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), pulling away for a decisive 1 3/4-length victory over the strongest field he is yet to face.
Saturday, March 05, 2005As the rains arrived once again in Southern California Friday morning, Saint Liam, winner of the Donn Handicap (gr. I) bedded down with Bobby Frankel's horses at Santa Anita after making the trip from Florida Thursday in uneventful fashion.
Friday, March 04, 2005An old-fashioned East vs. West match-up between Saint Liam and Rock Hard Ten looms in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Wednesday, March 02, 2005Mr.& 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, 2005