The Agua Caliente Handicap is a defunct thoroughbred horse race that was once the premier event at Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, and the richest race in North America. Inaugurated in 1917 as the Coffroth Handicap, it was named in honor of James Wood Coffroth, President of the Lower California Jockey Club. Daily Racing Form February 25, 1923 article titled "Coffroth Handicap and James W. Coffroth" Retrieved July 19, 2018 It was run at the Tijuana Racetrack through 1929 after which it was hosted by the newly built Agua Caliente Racetrack.Thoroughbred Heritage - Agua Caliente Handicap history Retrieved July 22, 2018
In the 1930s the event offered a $100,000 purse which drew high-profile stable owners from the United States and Canada such as Adolph B. Spreckels,Runstar Winner of the Coffroth Handicap: Victor Owned by A. B. Spreckels, Daily Racing Form March 31, 1931 article titled Runstar Winner of the Coffroth Handicap: Victor Owned by A. B. Spreckels Retrieved July 19, 2018 J. K. L. Ross, J. K. L. Ross Wins The Coffroth Handicap., Daily Racing Form March 26, 1923 article titled J. K. L. Ross Wins The Coffroth Handicap Retrieved July 19, 2018 Charles Howard, Suzanne Mason and the Seagram family stables. Among the champions to win the race were Round Table, Gallant Sir, who won it twice and in record time, Seabiscuit, and Phar Lap, who won the 1932 race, ridden by Billy Elliot, in track record time. It was the great Australian champion's only North American appearance.
After the 1934 racing season, the government of Mexico outlawed gambling until 1938 by which time the track had been effectively replaced by the new Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, United States, the choice of convenience for owners as a place to train, stable, and race their horses. The Agua Caliente Handicap was only run twice more: in 1938, when it was won by Seabiscuit, and in 1958, when it was won by Round Table.
Distances: 1917–1934 : 1¼ miles 1938 : 1 miles 1958 : 1 miles
Records Speed record: (at 1¼ miles) Gallant Sir in 1933, 2:02 3/5
Most wins: 2 - Gallant Sir (1933, 1934)
Most wins by a jockey: no jockey won this race more than once
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - Harry M. Unna (1921, 1929) 2 - Elwood L. Fitzgerald (1933, 1934)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Northway Stable (1933, 1934)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time Win$1958Round Table4Bill ShoemakerWilliam MolterKerr Stable1 M1:41.20$31,8001939 - 1957 Race not held1938Seabiscuit5Noel RichardsonTom SmithCharles S. Howard 1 M1:50.40$8,6001935 - 1937 Race not held1934Gallant Sir5Red PollardElwood L. FitzgeraldNorthway Stable (Norman W. Church)1 M2:02.80$23,3001933Gallant Sir4George WoolfElwood L. FitzgeraldNorthway Stable (Norman W. Church)1 M2:02.60$24,2001932Phar Lap6Billy ElliotTommy WoodcockDavid Davis & Harry R. Telford1 M2:02.80$50,0501931Mike Hall7Steve O'DonnellWalter W. TaylorRobert M. Eastman1 M2:03.001930Victorian5George EllisJ. Thomas TaylorWarm Stable (Suzanne Mason & W. A. Hanger)1 M2:03.20$98,4001929Golden Prince5Jack ParmaleeHarry M. UnnaHarry M. Unna1 M2:03.60$98,2501928Crystal Pennant4Tommy LutherEarl LinnellR. C. Stable (Walter H. Hoffman)1 M2:05.00$92,7001927Sir Harry3Ovila BourassaWilliam H. BringloeSeagram Stables1 M2:03.40$84,4001926Carlaris3Willie MundenFred KraftChula Vista Stable1 M2:02.60$70,7001925Atherstone5Harry WakoffDavid R. McDanielMrs. Victor Vivaudou1 M2:07.40$56,4251924Runstar5Edgar BarnesCharles W. CarrollAdolph B. Spreckels1 M2:05.40$43,6501923Rebuke4William PoolHenry McDanielJ. K. L. Ross1 M2:06.20$29,4751922Mulciber4Jack HuntamerGribley R. AllenGribley R. Allen1 M2:06.40$15,0001921Be Frank5W. McIntyreHarry M. UnnaBronx Stable (George P. Fuller)1 M2:05.60$14,7751918 - 1920 Race not held1917Sasin4Willie KelsayClarence BuxtonClarence Buxton1 M2:22.00$4,000
References
Hillenbrand, Laura. Seabiscuit: An American Legend. "The Cougar and the Iceman." (2001) Ballantine Books