Santa Anita Park will host 22 stakes, including the inaugural $1 million California Crown (G1), during its 16-day Autumn Meet starting Friday, Sept. 27. The first-ever California Crown Day at Santa Anita, featuring five stakes worth $2.8 million, will be presented the following day, Sept. 28.
The California Crown program, which was formally announced March 1, is a racing and entertainment concept inspired by the popular Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park. The prize money offered on the stakes-laden card is being provided by 1/ST Racing.
The California Crown, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, replaces the Awesome Again on the Santa Anita stakes slate. In addition to its hefty purse, the California Crown provides the winner with an automatic berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
California Crown Day will also include the $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes (G2T) at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course and the $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship (G2T).
Supporting the three California Crown races on Sept. 28 will be the $200,000 City of Hope Mile (G2T) and $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes. The City of Hope Mile is an automatic qualifier for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
Following the California Crown, the next day on Sunday, Sept. 29, Santa Anita will host the $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on dirt and the $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2). Both races are key preps for the Breeders’ Cup.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, Santa Anita will host five stakes, including three Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events. Among them is the newly renamed Oak Leaf Stakes (G2).
The Oak Leaf, for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, was known as the Chandelier from 2012 to 2023. The race was originally known as the Oak Leaf Stakes starting in 1969.
Also on Oct. 5 are the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1); and the $200,000 Rodeo Drive (G2T) for fillies and mares, which awards the winner an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).
On Sunday, Oct. 6, Santa Anita will host three stakes, including the Zuma Beach (G3T) for 2-year-olds and Surfer Girl (G3T) for 2-year-old fillies. Also, that day is the Tokyo City Cup at 1 1/2 miles on dirt.
To view the complete Autumn Meet stakes schedule and for information on opening weekend, please visit www.santaanita.com.
Los Alamitos to Run Two stakes During September Meet
A pair of stakes worth a guaranteed $175,000 will be run during the upcoming September Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos Race Course.
The six-day meet is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 13 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 22. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday both weeks (Sept. 13-15 and Sept. 20-22). Post time will be 1 p.m.
The first stakes race—the $75,000-guaranteed E.B. Johnston—will be run Saturday, Sept. 14. A one-mile race, the Johnston is restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred or sired in California. A week later—Saturday, Sept. 21—fillies and mares—3-year-olds & up—will get together in the $100,000 Dark Mirage at one mile.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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