The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up and was once considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season. The ten-furlong Santa Anita Handicap currently offers a purse of $300,000 (2025.)

History The first race was held in 1935, just months after the track opened in late 1934, and the event was open to three-year-olds and up until 1969. The Santa Anita Handicap instantly became one of the nation's top races because it offered a minimum purse of $100,000, then a staggering amount for a horse race. In its early years, the race was most commonly referred to among horsemen and racing media as the "Hundred-Grander." Another nickname for the race dating back to that time, "The Big 'Cap", is still in regular use.

Probably the dominant figure in the early years of the race was Seabiscuit, as the race proved to be a metaphor for his career. In his first two attempts to win it in 1937 and 1938, he lost in photo finishes, with the second loss to a horse carrying 30 pounds less than he was. He suffered what was believed to be a career-ending injury while preparing for the 1939 edition. He came back to run in the Hundred-Grander in 1940, finally winning in his last race.

The 2019 race was postponed from early March to early April due to Santa Anita's safety-related suspension of live racing.

Records Speed record: 1:58.17 – Game On Dude (2014)

Most wins: 3 – Game On Dude (2011, 2013, 2014)

Most wins by a jockey: 11 – Bill Shoemaker (1954, 1955, 1958, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1985)

Most wins by a trainer: 9 – Charlie Whittingham (1957, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1993)

Most wins by an owner: 3 – Charles S. Howard (1939, 1940, 1950) 3 – Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa (2011, 2013, 2014) 3 – Hronis Racing LLC (2018, 2019, 2020)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time Win $ Gr.2026British Isles5Diego A. HerreraRichard BaltasSlam Dunk Racing, Deborah A. Baltas and Cynthia McClanahan1-1/4 m2:05.17$180,000G12025Locked4José OrtizTodd A. PletcherEclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm LLC1-1/4 m2:01.71$180,000G12024Newgate4Frankie DettoriBob BaffertSF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing Et Al1-1/4 m2:03.49$242,000G12023Stilleto Boy5Kent DesormeauxEd Moger Jr.Steve Moger1-1/4 m2:01.96$300,000G12022Express Train5Victor EspinozaJohn ShirreffsC R K Stable1-1/4 m2:03.22$390,000G12021Idol4Joel RosarioRichard BaltasCalvin Nguyen1-1/4 m2:02.46$240,000G12020Combatant5Joel RosarioJohn W. SadlerHronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis)1-1/4 m2:02.32$360,000G12019Gift Box6Joel RosarioJohn W. SadlerHronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis)1-1/4 m2:03.02$355,000G12018Accelerate5Victor EspinozaJohn W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis)1-1/4 m2:01.83$355,000G12017Shaman Ghost5Javier CastellanoJimmy JerkensAdena Springs1-1/4 m2:01.57$450,000G12016Melatonin5Joseph TalamoDavid E. HofmansTarabilla Farms Inc. (Susan Osborne)1-1/4 m2:02.01$600,000G12015Shared Belief4Mike SmithJerry HollendorferJungle Racing (Jim & Janet Rome)1-1/4 m2:00.67$600,000G12014Game On Dude7Mike SmithBob BaffertLanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa1-1/4 m1:58.17$450,000G12013Game On Dude6Mike SmithBob BaffertLanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa1-1/4 m2:00.14$450,000G12012Ron the Greek5Jose LezcanoWilliam I. MottBrous Stable (Nils Brous), Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Jack T. Hammer1-1/4 m2:00.41$450,000G12011Game On Dude4Chantal SutherlandBob BaffertLanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernard C. Schiappa1-1/4 m1:59.47$450,000G12010Misremembered4Martin GarciaBob BaffertJill Baffert & George Jacobs1-1/4 m2:00.20$450,000G12009Einstein7Julien LeparouxHelen Pitts-BlasiMidnight Cry Stable1-1/4 m2:01.93$600,000G12008Heatseeker5Rafael BejaranoJerry HollendorferWilliam de Burgh1-1/4 m2:00.42$600,000G12007Lava Man6Corey NakataniDoug O'NeillSTD Racing (Dave & Steve Kenly) & Jason Wood1-1/4 m2:02.11$600,000G12006Lava Man5Corey NakataniDoug O'NeillSTD Racing (Steve & Dave Kenly) & Jason Wood1-1/4 m2:00.57$600,000G12005Rock Hard Ten4Gary StevensRichard MandellaMercedes Stable1-1/4 m2:01.20$600,000G12004Southern Image4Victor EspinozaMichael MachowskyKagele Bros, Tepper and Blahut1-1/4 m2:01.64$600,000G12003Milwaukee Brew6Edgar PradoRobert J. FrankelStronach Stables1-1/4 m1:59.80$600,000G12002Milwaukee Brew5Kent DesormeauxRobert J. FrankelStronach Stables1-1/4 m2:01.02$600,000G12001Tiznow4Chris McCarronJay M. RobbinsMichael Cooper & Cecilia Straub-Rubens1-1/4 m2:01.55$600,000G12000General Challenge4Corey NakataniBob BaffertGolden Eagle Farm1-1/4 m2:01.49$600,000G11999Free House5Chris McCarronJ. Paco GonzalezMcCaffery & Toffan1-1/4 m2:00.67$600,000G11998Malek5Alex SolisRichard MandellaStud Panter (Francisco Cortez)1-1/4 m2:02.26$600,000G11997Siphon6David FloresRichard MandellaRio Claro Thoroughbreds (Linneo Eduardo De Paula Machado)1-1/4 m2:02.23$600,000G11996Mr. Purple4Ed DelahoussayeRon McAnallyAlex G. Campbell Jr.1-1/4 m2:02.04$600,000G11995Urgent Request5Gary StevensRodney RashStewart Aitken1-1/4 m1:59.25$550,000G11994Stuka †4Chris AntleyGary F. JonesAllen E. Paulson1-1/4 m2:00.17$550,000G11993Sir Beaufort6Pat ValenzuelaCharlie WhittinghamVictoria Calantoni1-1/4 m2:00.40$550,000G11992Best Pal4Kent DesormeauxGary F. JonesGolden Eagle Farm1-1/4 m1:59.00$550,000G11991Farma Way4Gary StevensD. Wayne LukasQuarter B Farm (George R. Bunn)1-1/4 m2:00.30$550,000G11990Ruhlmann5Gary StevensCharlie WhittinghamAnn & Jerry Moss1-1/4 m2:01.20$550,000G11989Martial Law4Martin PedrozaJulio C. CananiHughes, Messina Et Al1-1/4 m1:58.80$550,000G11988Alysheba4Chris McCarronJack Van BergDorothy & Pamela Scharbauer1-1/4 m1:59.80$550,000G11987Broad Brush4Ángel Cordero Jr.Richard W. SmallRobert E. Meyerhoff1-1/4 m2:00.60$550,000G11986Greinton5Laffit Pincay Jr.Charlie WhittinghamMary Jones Bradley, Whittingham, Howell Wynne1-1/4 m2:00.00$689,500G11985Lord at War (ARG)5Bill ShoemakerCharlie WhittinghamPeter Perkins1-1/4 m2:00.60$275,600G11984Interco4Pat ValenzuelaTed WestDavid I. Sofro1-1/4 m2:00.60$298,650G11983Bates Motel4Terry LiphamJohn H. M. GosdenJacqueline Getty Phillips & Michael D. Riordan1-1/4 m1:59.60$317,350G11982John Henry †7Bill ShoemakerRon McAnallyDotsam Stable1-1/4 m1:59.00$318,800G11981John Henry6Laffit Pincay Jr.Ron McAnallyDotsam Stable1-1/4 m1:59.40$238,150G11980Spectacular Bid4Bill ShoemakerBud DelpHawksworth Farm1-1/4 m2:00.60$190,000G11979Affirmed4Laffit Pincay Jr.Laz BarreraHarbor View Farm1-1/4 m1:58.60$192,800G11978Vigors5Darrel McHargueLarry J. SterlingWilliam R. Hawn1-1/4 m2:01.20$180,000G11977Crystal Water4Laffit Pincay Jr.Roger ClappConnie M. Ring1-1/4 m1:59.20$173,550G11976Royal Glint6Jorge TejeiraGordon R. PotterDan Lasater1-1/4 m2:00.40$155,900G11975Stardust Mel4Bill ShoemakerCharlie WhittinghamMarjorie L. Everett1-1/4 m2:06.40$105,500G11974Prince Dantan4Ron TurcotteFrank "Pancho" MartinSigmund Sommer1-1/4 m2:03.60$105,000G11973Cougar II7Laffit Pincay Jr.Charlie WhittinghamMary F. Jones1-1/4 m2:00.00$105,000G11972Triple Bend4Donald PierceVance LongdenFrank M. McMahon1-1/4 m2:00.00$105,0001971Ack Ack5Bill ShoemakerCharlie WhittinghamForked Lightning Ranch1-1/4 m2:03.00$100,0001970Quicken Tree7Fernando AlvarezWilliam T. CanneyLouis R. Rowan & Wheelock Whitney Jr.1-1/4 m1:59.60$100,0001969Nodouble4Eddie BelmonteJ. Bert SonnierVerna Lea Farm (Gene Goff)1-1/4 m2:01.80$100,0001968Mr. Right5Moises YanezEvan S. JacksonCheray Duchin1-1/4 m2:04.60$100,0001967Pretense4Bill ShoemakerCharlie WhittinghamLlangollen Farm Stable1-1/4 m2:00.80$100,0001966Lucky Debonair4Bill ShoemakerFrank CatroneAda L. Rice1-1/4 m2:00.20$100,0001965Hill Rise4Donald PierceWilliam B. FinneganEl Peco Ranch1-1/4 m2:00.60$100,0001964Mr. Consistency6Kenneth ChurchJames I. NazworthyAnn Peppers1-1/4 m2:01.00$102,1001963Crozier5Braulio BaezaJulius E. Tinsley Jr.Fred W. Hooper1-1/4 m2:00.80$100,0001962Physician5Donald PierceLynn A. BoiceLynn A. Boice1-1/4 m2:02.60$100,0001961Prove It4Bill ShoemakerMesh TenneyRex C. Ellsworth1-1/4 m2:00.00$100,0001960Linmold4Donald PierceHarold C. McBrideLinne I. & Hazel Nelson1-1/4 m2:00.60$97,9001959Terrang6William BolandCarl A. RolesPoltex Stable (Lawrence S. Pollock) & Roland Bond1-1/4 m2:00.00$97,9001958Round Table4Bill ShoemakerWilliam MolterKerr Stable1-1/4 m1:59.80$97,9001957Corn Husker4Ralph NevesCharlie WhittinghamLlangollen Farm Stable1-1/4 m2:01.80$103,6001956Bobby Brocato5Johnny LongdenWilliam MolterKerr Stable1-1/4 m2:04.60$97,9001955Poona II4Bill ShoemakerRed McDanielHelbush Farm (Herman H. Helbush)1-1/4 m2:03.00$103,3001954Rejected4Bill ShoemakerWilliam J. HirschKing Ranch1-1/4 m2:00.60$105,9001953Mark-Ye-Well4Eddie ArcaroHorace A. JonesCalumet Farm1-1/4 m2:01.20$97,9001952Miche †7John S. CovalliDon CameronMuriel Vanderbilt Adams2:01.001-1/4 m$104,100 1951Moonrush5Johnny LongdenWillie AlvaradoAnita King & Gus Luellwitz2:02.601-1/4 m$97,9001950Noor5Johnny LongdenBurley ParkeCharles S. Howard2:00.001-1/4 m$97,9001949Vulcan's Forge4Dave GormanDon CameronIsaac J. Collins1-1/4 m2:02.80$102,0001948Talon6Eddie ArcaroHoratio LuroRichard N. Ryan1-1/4 m2:03.40$102,5001947Olhaverry8Melvin PetersonAnthony E. SilverPan De Azucar Stable (Raoul Espinosa)1-1/4 m2:01.80$98,9001946War Knight6John H. AdamsCharlie LeavittEthel Hill1-1/4 m2:01.60$101,2201945Thumbs Up6Johnny LongdenGeorge M. OdomLouis B. Mayer1-1/4 m2:01.20$82,9251941Bay View4Nick WallPatrick F. DwyerAnthony Pelleteri1-1/4 m2:05.40$89,3601940Seabiscuit7Red PollardTom SmithCharles S. Howard1-1/4 m2:01.20$86,6501939Kayak II4John H. AdamsTom SmithCharles S. Howard1-1/4 m2:01.40$91,1001938Stagehand3Nick WallEarl H. SandeMaxwell Howard1-1/4 m2:01.60$91,4501937Rosemont5Harry RichardsRichard E. HandlenFoxcatcher Farms1-1/4 m2:02.80$90,7001936Top Row5Wayne D. WrightAlbert A. BaroniAlbert A. Baroni1-1/4 m2:04.20$104,6001935Azucar7George WoolfJames RushtonFrederick M. Alger Jr.1-1/4 m2:02.20$108,400

† In 1952, Intent won the race but was disqualified to second place. † In 1982, Perrault won the race but was disqualified to second place. † In 1994, The Wicked North won the race but was disqualified to fourth place.

Notes

External links

Santa Anita Handicap at Pedigree Query