California legalized pari-mutuel betting in 1933 and just a year later a group of wealthy investors that included celebrities such as Bing Crosby and Al Jolson opened Santa Anita to the public. One of their goals was to create a stakes race with a rich purse that would put the track on the map and draw the best horses to compete. The Santa Anita Handicap, also known as the “Big Cap” was the first race in America to offer a $100,000 purse.
Many great race horses of history have taken their shot at the Santa Anita Handicap. Seabiscuit tried it twice, suffering a defeat in his first attempt and winning the race in 1940. Since that time horses such as Spectacular Bid, John Henry, Round Table, Ack Ack, Game on Dude, and Lava Man have captured the Cap. Game on Dude won the race three times. The race is now worth $1 million in purse money and continues to draw the best horses each year.
EZ Horse Betting Fun Fact
Turf racing at Santa Anita is something of an oddity in American racing. Horses start on a grade and surge down a small hill before crossing the regular track and resuming the race on the grass.
The racetrack also hosts the Santa Anita Derby each spring. This race is one of the final prep races for three-year-old horses trying to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby. It typically features the best Derby candidates on the West Coast. Historically, horses that win the Santa Anita Derby can be legitimate threats in the Triple Crown series. I’ll Have Another won the race in 2012 and went on to capture the first two legs of the Triple Crown before suffering an injury and withdrawing from the Belmont Stakes.
Laffit Pincay hold the record for most jockey wins at Santa Anita with 2,860. The late Bobby Frankel holds the record for most trainer wins at Santa Anita with 917.
The track runs each year from December to April and formerly hosted a fall meet known as Oak Tree at Santa Anita before this meet was moved to the Pleasanton Fair meet.
Did you know that Bet America online racebook often sponsors many bonuses and contests during the Santa Anita Park race meet? You can even get cash back on every dollar you bet at Santa Anita by registering an account. Take a minute to also check our Bovada racebook review, Twinspires review or even our Betamerica review as they are all great choice if you are in the United States. 5Dimes review for folks anywhere!
Graded Stakes run at Santa Anita Park:
Grade 1 Stakes:
Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap
La Brea Stakes
Las Virgenes Stakes
Malibu Stakes
Santa Anita Derby
Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Oaks
Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap
Grade 2 Stakes:
Arcadia Handicap
Buena Vista Handicap
El Encino Stakes
Goldikova Stakes
La Canada Stakes
Palos Verdes Handicap
Potrero Grande Handicap
Providencia Stakes
Robert J. Frankel Memorial Handicap
San Antonio Handicap
San Carlos Handicap
San Felipe Stakes
San Fernando Stakes
San Gabriel Handicap
San Juan Capistrano Handicap
San Luis Obispo Handicap
San Luis Rey Handicap
San Marcos Stakes
San Pasqual Handicap
San Rafael Stakes
San Vicente Stakes
Santa Ana Handicap
Santa Barbara Handicap
Santa Catalina Stakes
Santa Maria Handicap
Santa Monica Handicap
Santa Ynez Stakes
Strub Stakes
Twilight Derby
Grade 3 Stakes:
Autumn Miss Stakes
Baldwin Stakes
Carleton F. Burke Handicap
Daytona Handicap
Eddie D Stakes
El Conejo Handicap
La Habra Stakes
Las Cienegas Handicap
Las Flores Handicap
Monrovia Handicap
San Simeon Handicap
Santa Ysabel Stakes
Sham Stakes
Sir Beaufort Stakes
Tokyo City Cup
Thunder Road Handicap
Tuzla Handicap
