Santa Anita Park

The GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes winner Test Score (Lookin At Lucky) returned to his winning ways with a sharp victory in the GII Twilight Derby at Santa Anita Park. Facing elite company in three straight races starting May 3 at Churchill Downs, where he ran second to Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Test Score rebounded to secure the aforementioned Belmont Derby, and again hit the board two back Aug. 2 at Saratoga in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational as World Beater (Oscar Performance) turned the tables on him...

This Saturday at Santa Anita could prove something of a watershed moment in North American horse racing--the carding of two handicaps built upon a new national ratings system. One race, a $35,000 handicap over six furlongs for dirt horses rated between 70 and 79, has drawn seven entries. The next race on the card, a $65,000 handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course for fillies and mares rated between 80 and 95, has drawn six entries. The impetus for launching a ratings system in the U.S. has...

The betting public wagered that the Anoakia Stakes would be a return to winning form for Himika (Curlin), and she gave them no reason to worry in the lane as she powered home with ears pricked. A stylish victress at first-asking June 12 at this venue, the newly minted 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was asked to take on graded company in her second lifetime start, and she passed that test with grace to land the GIII Sorrento Stakes by over four lengths. From there, she ran an even...

6th-SA, $60K, Msw, 3-5yo, 6f, 6:33 p.m. ET. Set for his unveiling is $2-million 2023 Keeneland September grad JUDE (Uncle Mo), who was purchased by Zedan Racing and sent to trainer Bob Baffert. Out of winner at 2 Helena Bay (GB) (Johannesburg), the first-time starter is a half-brother to GI TVG Pacific Classic Stakes hero & sire Collected (City Zip) and a current 2-year-old colt in-training by Gun Runner--himself a $700,000 Keeneland September buy for M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm. TJCIS PPS 8th-BAQ, $85K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6fT, 4:53...

Courtesy Santa Anita The news late Saturday of the passing of Jeff Siegel, the legendary handicapper and longtime member of the Santa Anita Park family, hit with an unexpected weight. Not that his passing at age 74 was unexpected, as he had been fighting aggressive cancer since earlier this year. But the finality of the news brought with it the realization that Jeff was gone and the hole that he left behind is unlikely to be replaced. "Jeff Siegel was, and will always be the epitome of Santa Anita Park,"...

Chanel Minnifield is not typically one for tempered expectations. She moved to Los Angeles from Kentucky with actorly aspirations, and last year appeared in the Oscar-nominated movie, "Rustin." Minnifield started riding when she was a child and now, as a professional showjumper, has her sights set on competing at the 2028 Olympic Games. She has a book coming out; produces a podcast. But when earlier this year Minnifield applied to the California Retirement Management Account's (CARMA) Messineo Makeover Scholarship, she hoped it would help pay for a trip to the...

Multiple graded stakes winner Newgrange (Violence) has retired from racing and will stand at Sequel New York in 2026, the farm announced Friday via press release. A graded stakes winner in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the eye-catching horse won back-to-back GII San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He retires sound with five graded races to his tally--including wins in the GII San Antonio and the GIII Southwest and Sham Stakes--and just north of $1-million in earnings. He was purchased for $125,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale...

Tickets will go on sale Friday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. PT for Santa Anita Park's upcoming Autumn Meet, according to a release from 1/ST on Wednesday. Passes will be available through Ticketmaster as the track opens its 16-day stand on Friday, Sept. 26, with free parking and general admission plus an all-day Happy Hour every Friday. Opening weekend will be showcased by Breeders' Cup Challenge Weekend which includes four "Win and You're In" stakes. Three of the track's promotions--Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival and the Japan Family Weekend--anchor...

At first glance, Jay Hovdey's latest literary output, "The Oak Tree Story: A History of Racing's Most Generous Benefactor," might seem an exercise in nostalgia only, recounting as it does the origins, lifespan and ignominious death of an organization that last put on a show nearly fifteen years ago. The Oak Tree Racing Association came about as an industry-led non-profit to operate a race-meet during the then barren autumnal months when there was no major racing in Southern California, only to grow into a philanthropic powerhouse and gamechanger for the...

7th-Saratoga, $110,000, Alw, 8-3, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.83, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. MIDLAND MONEY (c, 3, Shancelot--Magnolias in Bloom, by Flatter) was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his six-length debut victory at Santa Anita last June, but had not been seen since. The 6-5 favorite went out quickly to the early lead and took the field through an opening quarter in :22.08 and a half in :44.91. He turned for home two lengths in front and was geared down while sailing home 3 1/4 lengths in front of Aggelos...

Jockey Flavien Prat had himself a year in 2024 on the way to his first Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. How good was he? He set records for Stakes wins (82) and Graded Stakes wins (56). He won the Breeders' Cup Classic. He won 16 Grade I races. The list could go on, but he has turned the page. He will make no predictions for 2025. The 32-year-old French native just wants to keep on riding. He sat down with Tim Wilkin to talk about life as a top jockey...

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Nitti in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes.  Make Believe Brings Up A Santa Anita Double Make Believe's Nitti captured the GIII San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita for trainer Leonard Powell on June 15 (video). It was a first black-type win for the 4-year-old gelding who races for Innergy Racing Corp, Zephyr Racing and Sonny Pais. Bred by John Walsh, Jerry O'Brien and the...