The San Simeon Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old or older over the distance of about six and one-half furlongs on the turf scheduled annually in March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
History
The event was inaugurated in 2004 as the Daytona Handicap.
Due to course conditions, several runnings of the Daytona Handicap were taken off the turf and run on the dirt track.
The event was upgraded to a Grade III event for 2009.
In 2011 the race was renamed to the Daytona Stakes.
The event was originally scheduled in February but the Los Angeles Turf Club in late 2012 moved the race to the start of the winter racing meet at Santa Anita whereby the race was run twice in the calendar year.
In 2016 the Los Angeles Turf Club renamed the race to the current name. The original San Simeon Stakes was renamed to the Daytona Stakes.
2020 saw the race shortened to furlongs on turf, using the backstretch start, but since 2021, the distance was extended to the current six furlongs.
Records Speed record: furlongs: 1:11.21 – Law Abidin Citizen (2019) furlongs: 1:02.68 – Cistron (2020)
Margins: lengths – Desert Code (2009)
Most wins: 2 – Bettys Bambino (2014, 2016)
Most wins by an owner: 2 – Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable & Ciaglia Racing (2014, 2016) 2 – Gary Barber (2012, 2018)
Most wins by a jockey: 2 – Garrett Gomez (2005, 2011) 2 – Tiago Josue Pereira (2015, 2019) 2 – Juan J. Hernandez (2021, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer: 3 – Philip D'Amato (2015, 2021, 2023)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefSan Simeon Stakes2026Sumter7Mike E. SmithRichard E. MandellaPerry R. Bass II and Ramona S. Bassabt. furlongs1:12.80$100,500III2025Air Force Red7Armando AyusoLeonard PowellEclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Holly Golightlyabt. furlongs1:12.99$101,000III 2024Mucho Del Oro 6Juan J. HernandezDoug F. O'NeillPurple Rein Racingabt. furlongs 1:12.76$101,500III2023Motorious (GB) 4Flavien PratPhilip D'AmatoAnthony Fanticolaabt. furlongs 1:11.34$101,000III2022Barraza 4Daisuke Fukumoto Vladimir Cerin Holly & David Wilsonabt. furlongs 1:12.66$101,500III20216Juan Hernandez Philip D'AmatoOld Bones Racing Stable, Slam Dunk Racing & Michael Nentwig 6 furlongs1:08.79$100,500III2020Cistron6Victor EspinozaJohn W. SadlerHronis Racing furlongs1:02.68$101,000III2019Law Abidin Citizen5Mark GlattDan J. Agnew, Gerry Schneider & John V. Xitco 1:11.21$100,702III2018ƒ Belvoir Bay (GB)6Tyler BazePeter L. MillerTeam Valor International & Gary Barberabt. furlongs1:12.37$100,345III2017Race not held2016Bettys Bambino6Joel RosarioPeter EurtonSharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable & Ciaglia Racing abt. furlongs 1:11.95$102,415IIIDaytona Stakes2015Toowindytohaulrox4Tiago Josue PereiraPhilip D'AmatoQueen Bee Racingabt. furlongs1:14.26$101,750III2014Bettys Bambino4Martin GarciaPeter EurtonSharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable & Ciaglia Racing abt. furlongs1:12.49$101,000III2013Unbridled's Note4Corey NakataniMike McCartyabt. furlongs1:11.89$100,500III2012Comma to the Top4Peter L. MillerGary Barber, Roger Birnbaum & Kevin Tsujihara furlongs1:14.55$100,000IIIDecember2012Caracortado5Rafael BejaranoMichael MachowskyAJL Productions, Blahut Racing & Lo Hi Racing abt. furlongs1:11.59$98,000IIIJanuary2011Dilemma7Garrett K. GomezThomas F. ProctorGlen Hill Farmabt. furlongs1:12.28$100,000III2010Race not heldDaytona Handicap 2009Desert Code5Aaron GryderDavid E. HofmansTarabilla Farmsabt. furlongs1:12.58$100,000III2008Cheroot7Martin A. PedrozaDarrell ViennaCharlotte M. Wratherabt. furlongs1:12.82$98,650Listed 20076Brice BlancRobert J. FrankelRobert J. Frankel & Diamond Pride abt. furlongs1:12.57$80,000 Listed 2006Siren Lure5Alex O. SolisArt ShermanStuart Kesselman, Tony & Marilyn Melkonian furlongs1:16.20$85,140 Listed 2005Royal Place5Garrett K. GomezRafael BecerraK. K. Sangara furlongs1:14.03$78,600 Listed 2004Tsigane (FR)5David R. FloresJulio C. CananiPrestonwood Farmabt. furlongs1:12.49$71,000
Legend:
Notes:
ƒ Filly or Mare
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
References