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Santa Anita Derby

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Santa Anita Derby
Grade I race
LocationSanta Anita Park
Arcadia, California, USA
Inaugurated1935
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteSanta Anita Park
Race information
Distance1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds only
Weight124 lbs
Purse$750,000 (2024)[1][2]

The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is currently run at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt and carries a purse of US$750,000. It is one of the final prep races on the official Road to the Kentucky Derby.

History

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Inaugurated in 1935, the Santa Anita Derby has long been considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby. Since 2013, it has been part of the official Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering the winner 100 points and thus assuring a position in the starting gate.[3] Since its inception, ten Santa Anita Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby (shown in bold in the Winners section below), plus seven horses who lost at Santa Anita went on to triumph in Kentucky. In 1988, Winning Colors became the first and to date only filly to win both Derbies. Santa Anita Derby winners have also been successful in other Triple Crown races, with Affirmed sweeping the series in 1978.[4]

Now run at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles (9 Furlongs), for the first three years it was run at 1+1⁄16 miles, and at 1+1⁄4 miles in 1947.[5] Until 2008, the race had been run on a natural dirt surface. The race has been contested on Cushion Track (2008) and Pro-Ride (2009 & 2010) artificial surfaces. In 2011, the race returned to dirt.[1]

In 1938, Stagehand became the only colt to win both the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap in the same year, defeating eventual Horse of the Year Seabiscuit in the latter.[5]

Prep races leading to the Santa Anita Derby include the San Rafael Stakes, San Miguel Stakes, Sham Stakes, San Vicente Stakes, San Pedro Stakes, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the San Felipe Stakes, all run at Santa Anita Park. The Sham, Robert Lewis and San Felipe are also on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

As a result of World War II, there were no races held from 1942 to 1944. The 2020 race was held on Saturday June 6 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Records

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  • At age 17, Pat Valenzuela became the youngest jockey to win the Santa Anita Derby when he rode Codex to victory in the 1980 race.
  • In 2000, Jenine Sahadi became the first woman trainer to win the Santa Anita Derby.
  • In 2005, Jeff Mullins became the first trainer to win three consecutive editions of the Santa Anita Derby.

Speed Record:
Three horses share the record for the fastest winning time of 1:47 flat:

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 9 – Gary Stevens (1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003)

Most wins by a Trainer:

  • 9 – Bob Baffert (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019)

Winners

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Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
 Distance
(Miles)
Time
Grade
2024 Stronghold Antonio Fresu Philip D’Amato Eric M. Waller & Sharon Waller 1+1⁄8 1:49.98 I
2023 Practical Move Ramon A. Vazquez Tim Yakteen Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. & Roger K. Beasley 1+1⁄8 1:48.69 I
2022 Taiba Mike E. Smith Tim Yakteen Zedan Racing Stables 1+1⁄8 1:48.46 I
2021 Rock Your World Umberto Rispoli John W. Sadler Hronis Racng LLC and David Michael Talla 1+1⁄8 1:49.17 I
2020 Honor A. P. Mike E. Smith John Shirreffs C R K Stable LLC 1+1⁄8 1:48.97 I
2019 Roadster Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Speedway Stable LLC 1+1⁄8 1:51.28 I
2018 Justify Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Winstar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Racing LLC 1+1⁄8 1:49.72 I
2017 Gormley Victor Espinoza John Shirreffs Jerry Moss & Ann Moss 1+1⁄8 1:51.16 I
2016 Exaggerator Kent J. Desormeaux J. Keith Desormeaux Big Chief Racing, Rocker O Ranch, Head Of Plain Parthers & J. Keith Desormeaux 1+1⁄8 1:49.66 I
2015 Dortmund Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Kaleem Shah 1+1⁄8 1:48.73 I
2014 California Chrome Victor Espinoza Art Sherman Martin Perry & Steve Coburn 1+1⁄8 1:47.52 I
2013 Goldencents Kevin Krigger Doug O'Neill W. C. Racing, D. Kenney, RAP Racing 1+1⁄8 1:48.78 I
2012 I'll Have Another Mario Gutierrez Doug O'Neill J. Paul Reddam 1+1⁄8 1:47.88 I
2011 Midnight Interlude Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Arnold Zetcher 1+1⁄8 1:48.56 I
2010 Sidney's Candy Joe Talamo John W. Sadler Sid & Jenny Craig 1+1⁄8 1:48.00 I
2009 Pioneerof the Nile Garrett Gomez Bob Baffert Zayat Stables 1+1⁄8 1:49.17 I
2008 Colonel John Corey Nakatani Eoin G. Harty WinStar Farm 1+1⁄8 1:48.16 I
2007 Tiago Mike E. Smith John Shirreffs Jerry & Ann Moss 1+1⁄8 1:49.51 I
2006 Brother Derek Alex Solis Dan Hendricks Cecil Peacock 1+1⁄8 1:48.00 I
2005 Buzzards Bay Mark Guidry Jeff Mullins Fog City Stable 1+1⁄8 1:49.18 I
2004 Castledale Jose Valdivia Jr. Jeff Mullins Frank Lyons & Greg Knee 1+1⁄8 1:49.24 I
2003 Buddy Gil Gary Stevens Jeff Mullins Desperado Stables, Donnie McFadden & Merrill Stables 1+1⁄8 1:49.36 I
2002 Came Home Chris McCarron Paco J. Gonzalez John Toffan, Trudy McCaffery, William S. Farish III & John B. Goodman 1+1⁄8 1:50.02 I
2001 Point Given Gary Stevens Bob Baffert The Thoroughbred Corp. 1+1⁄8 1:47.77 I
2000 The Deputy Chris McCarron Jenine Sahadi Team Valor & Gary Barber 1+1⁄8 1:49.08 I
1999 General Challenge Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Golden Eagle Farm 1+1⁄8 1:48.92 I
1998 Indian Charlie Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Hal Earnhardt & John R. Gaines 1+1⁄8 1:47.00 I
1997 Free House Kent Desormeaux J. Paco Gonzalez John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery 1+1⁄8 1:47.60 I
1996 Cavonnier Chris McCarron Bob Baffert Walter Family Trust 1+1⁄8 1:48.91 I
1995 Larry the Legend Gary Stevens Craig A. Lewis Craig A. Lewis 1+1⁄8 1:47.99 I
1994 Brocco Gary Stevens Randy Winick Albert R. Broccoli 1+1⁄8 1:48.33 I
1993 Personal Hope Gary Stevens Mark A. Hennig Lee & Debi Lewis 1+1⁄8 1:49.03 I
1992 A.P. Indy Ed Delahoussaye Neil Drysdale Tomonori Tsurumaki 1+1⁄8 1:49.25 I
1991 Dinard Chris McCarron Richard J. Lundy Allen E. Paulson 1+1⁄8 1:48.00 I
1990 Mister Frisky Gary Stevens Laz Barrera Solymar Stable 1+1⁄8 1:49.00 I
1989 Sunday Silence Pat Valenzuela Charlie Whittingham H-G-W Partners 1+1⁄8 1:47.60 I
1988 Winning Colors† Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 1+1⁄8 1:47.80 I
1987 Temperate Sil Bill Shoemaker Charlie Whittingham Frankfurt Stables & Charlie Whittingham 1+1⁄8 1:49.00 I
1986 Snow Chief Alex Solis Melvin F. Stute Grinstead & Rochelle 1+1⁄8 1:48.60 I
1985 Skywalker Laffit Pincay Jr. Michael Whittingham Oak Cliff Stable 1+1⁄8 1:48.40 I
1984 Mighty Adversary Ed Delahoussaye Tommy Doyle M/M Felty J. Yoder 1+1⁄8 1:49.00 I
1983 Marfa Jorge Velásquez D. Wayne Lukas French, Beal, D. Wayne Lukas 1+1⁄8 1:49.40 I
1982 Muttering Laffit Pincay Jr. D. Wayne Lukas Tartan Farms (James & Virginia Binger) 1+1⁄8 1:47.60 I
1981 Splendid Spruce Darrel McHargue Chay R. Knight Surf and Turf Stable 1+1⁄8 1:49.00 I
1980 Codex Pat Valenzuela D. Wayne Lukas Tartan Stable 1+1⁄8 1:47.60 I
1979 Flying Paster Donald Pierce Gordon C. Campbell Bernard J. Ridder 1+1⁄8 1:48.00 I
1978 Affirmed Laffit Pincay Jr. Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 1+1⁄8 1:48.00 I
1977 Habitony Bill Shoemaker Tommy Doyle Anthony W. Pejsa 1+1⁄8 1:48.20 I
1976 An Act Laffit Pincay Jr. Ron McAnally Katz RobertBrun Roberts 1+1⁄8 1:48.00 I
1975 Avatar Jorge Tejeira Tommy Doyle Arthur A. Seeligson Jr. 1+1⁄8 1:47.60 I
1974 Destroyer Ismael Valenzuela Monti C. Sims Kenneth Opstein 1+1⁄8 1:48.80 I
1973 Sham Laffit Pincay Jr. Frank "Pancho" Martin Sigmund Sommer 1+1⁄8 1:47.00 I
1972 Solar Salute Laffit Pincay Jr. Louis Glauburg M/M John J. Elmore 1+1⁄8 1:47.60
1971 Jim French Ángel Cordero Jr. John P. Campo Frank Caldwell 1+1⁄8 1:48.20
1970 Terlago Bill Shoemaker Jerry M. Fanning Samuel J. Agnew 1+1⁄8 1:48.40
1969 Majestic Prince Bill Hartack Johnny Longden Frank M. McMahon 1+1⁄8 1:49.20
1968 Alley Fighter Laffit Pincay Jr. James W. Maloney Cragwood Stables 1+1⁄8 1:49.00
1967 Ruken Fernando Alvarez Clyde Turk Louis R. Rowan 1+1⁄8 1:49.80
1966 Boldnesian Walter Blum James W. Maloney William Haggin Perry 1+1⁄8 1:48.40
1965 Lucky Debonair Bill Shoemaker Frank Catrone Ada L. Rice 1+1⁄8 1:47.00
1964 Hill Rise Donald Pierce William B. Finnegan El Peco Ranch 1+1⁄8 1:47.40
1963 Candy Spots Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1+1⁄8 1:50.20
1962 Royal Attack Edward Burns William J. Hirsch Neil S. McCarthy 1+1⁄8 1:49.60
1961 Four-and-Twenty Johnny Longden Vance Longden Alberta Ranches, Ltd. 1+1⁄8 1:48.00
1960 Tompion Bill Shoemaker Robert L. Wheeler Cornelius V. Whitney 1+1⁄8 1:47.80
1959 Silver Spoon† Raymond York Robert L. Wheeler Cornelius V. Whitney 1+1⁄8 1:49.00
1958 Silky Sullivan Bill Shoemaker Reggie Cornell Tom Ross & Phil Klipstein 1+1⁄8 1:49.40
1957 Sir William Henry E. Moreno Cecil Jolly Louella & Herbert Armstrong 1+1⁄8 1:54.20
1956 Terrang Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1+1⁄8 1:51.00
1955 Swaps Johnny Longden Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1+1⁄8 1:50.00
1954 Determine Raymond York William Molter Andrew J. Crevolin 1+1⁄8 1:48.80
1953 Chanlea Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1+1⁄8 1:49.80
1952 Hill Gail Ted Atkinson Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1+1⁄8 1:50.00
1951 Rough'n Tumble Eddie Arcaro Melvin Calvert Frances Genter 1+1⁄8 1:50.40
1950 Your Host Johnny Longden Harry L. Daniels William Goetz 1+1⁄8 1:48.80
1949 Old Rockport Gordon Glisson Phil Reilly Clifford Mooers 1+1⁄8 1:50.20
1948 Salmagundi Johnny Longden William M. Booth William G. Helis 1+1⁄8 1:51.20
1947 On Trust Johnny Longden William Molter Earl O. Stice & Sons 1+1⁄4 2:03.20
1946 Knockdown Robert Permane James W. Smith Maine Chance Farm 1+1⁄8 1:50.60
1945 Bymeabond George Woolf Wayne B. Stucki J. Kel Houssels 1+1⁄8 1:50.00
1941 Porter's Cap Leon Haas Tom Smith Charles S. Howard 1+1⁄8 1:54.40
1940 Sweepida Ralph Neves L. Roy Staples H. C. "Dutch" Hill 1+1⁄8 1:51.60
1939 Ciencia† Carroll Bierman William J. Hirsch King Ranch 1+1⁄8 1:50.60
1938 Stagehand Jack Westrope Earl Sande Maxwell Howard 1+1⁄8 1:50.40
1937 Fairy Hill Maurice Peters Richard E. Handlen William du Pont Jr. 1 1/16 1:45.80
1936 He Did Wayne D. Wright J. Thomas Taylor Suzanne Mason 1 1/16 1:49.40
1935 Gillie Silvio Coucci William Brennan Greentree Stable 1 1/16 1:44.60

† Indicates filly

Bold typeface indicates Kentucky Derby winner

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Santa Anita Park.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Santa Anita Derby Profile". Equibase. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  2. ^ "Santa Anita Derby purse boosted to $1 million", Daily Racing Form, November 16, 2010.
  3. ^ "Sam F. Davis Joins 'Road to Kentucky Derby'". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  4. ^ "Santa Anita Derby Media Guide" (PDF). santaanita.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Hale, Ron. "History answers: Santa Anita still a gateway to Louisville". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
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