# Twilight Derby

The Twilight Derby is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds over the distance of one-and-one-eighth miles on the turf scheduled annually in late October at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.

## History

The event was inaugurated on 18 October 1969 as the Volante Handicap at the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita Park and was won by the Mrs. Howard B. Keck's entry Tell who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker carrying the imposing weight of 130 pounds by 3⁄4 of a length over Noholme Jr. in a time of 1:464⁄5. The event was named for Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin's 1885 American Derby winner, Volante, who was ridden to victory by jockey Isaac Burns Murphy. Lucky Baldwin had built the original Santa Anita Racetrack Track in 1907 and Volante was buried at the track.
When the grading of races began as a Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association project in 1973 the event was classified as Grade III, however, the event was not held that year due to a strike by pari-mutual clerks.
In 1988 and 1989 the event was upgraded to Grade II before returning to Grade III. In 1996 the event was once again upgraded to Grade II.
In 1997 the event was renamed to the Oak Tree Derby after the Oak Tree Racing Association. In 2012 with the Oak Tree Racing Association abandoning the Santa Anita Track the event was renamed to the Twilight Derby.
The event has been held on the undercard of the Saturday Breeders' Cup card in 2008, 2009, 2016, 2019 and 2023.

## Records

Time record:
* 1:44.48 – The Usual Q.T. (2009)
Margins:
* 4+1⁄4 lengths - Daytona (IRE) (2007)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 – Charles E. Whittingham (1977, 1979)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 6 – Gary Stevens (1986, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2015, 2017)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 5 – Charles E. Whittingham (1969, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1989)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| At Santa Anita Park – Twilight Derby ||||||||||
| 2024 | Atitlan | Hector Berrios | John A. Shirreffs | John M. B. O'Connor | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.12 | $201,000 | II | |
| 2023 | Seal Team (GB) | Umberto Rispoli | Richard E. Mandella | Perry R. & Ramona S. Bass | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.29 | $254,000 | II | |
| 2022 | Cabo Spirit | Joe Bravo | George Papaprodromou | Kretz Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.46 | $201,500 | II | |
| 2021 | Subconscious | Juan Hernandez | Richard E. Mandella | LNJ Foxwoods | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.00 | $202,500 | II | |
| 2020 | Smooth Like Strait | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Cannon Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.89 | $202,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Mo Forza | Joel Rosario | Peter L. Miller | Bardy Farm & OG Boss | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.18 | $202,106 | II | |
| 2018 | River Boyne (IRE) | Flavien Prat | Jeff Mullins | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:45.36 | $201,380 | II | |
| 2017 | Sharp Samurai | Gary L. Stevens | Mark Glatt | Mark Glatt, Red Barron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:45.36 | $201,380 | II | |
| 2016 | Frank Conversation | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.81 | $201,725 | II | |
| 2015 | Om | Gary L. Stevens | Dan L. Hendricks | Sareen Family Trust | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:45.90 | $200,750 | II | |
| 2014 | Long On Value | Rosie Napravnik | William I. Mott | Watchtel Stables & George J. Kerr | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.82 | $201,500 | II | |
| 2013 | Rookie Sensation | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | Stronach Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.54 | $152,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Grandeur (IRE) | William T. Buick | Jeremy Noseda | Yvonne Jacques | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.78 | $150,000 | II | |
| Oak Tree Derby ||||||||||
| 2011 | Ultimate Eagle | Martin A. Pedroza | Michael Pender | B. J. Wright | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.03 | $150,000 | II | |
| At Hollywood Park ||||||||||
| 2010 | Fantastic Pick (GB) | Corey Nakatani | James Lloyd | Jim Ford, Robert Maycock & Ken Smole | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.51 | $150,000 | II | |
| At Santa Anita Park ||||||||||
| 2009 | The Usual Q. T. | Victor Espinoza | James M. Cassidy | Don Van Racing, Michael Nentwig, George Saadeh, Thomas H. Braden | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:44.48 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2008 | Muny | David R. Flores | Mike Puype | Robert Bone, Don Johnson, Richard S. Trontz, Brewer Racing Stable & Robinson | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.69 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2007 | Daytona (IRE) | Mike E. Smith | Dan L. Hendricks | Jeff Davenport, Tom Lenner, Jess Ravich & Thomas W. Murray | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.40 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2006 | Dark Islander (IRE) | Jose Valdivia Jr. | John W. Hills | Donald M. Kerr | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.21 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2005 | Aragorn (IRE) | Pat Valenzuela | Neil D. Drysdale | Ballygallon Stud | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.48 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Greek Sun | Edgar S. Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Peter G. Angelos | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.08 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Devious Boy (GB) | Julie Krone | Kathy Walsh | James R. Vreeland | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.92 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2002 | Johar | Alex O. Solis | Richard E. Mandella | The Thoroughbred Corporation | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.00 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2001 | No Slip (FR) | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Amerman Racing Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.56 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Sign of Hope (GB) | Alex O. Solis | Neil D. Drysdale | Relatively Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.71 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1999 | Mula Gula | Gary L. Stevens | Jerry Hollendorfer | Steven J. Gula | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.67 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1998 | Ladies Din | Gary L. Stevens | Julio C. Canani | J. Terrence Lanni, Bernard Schiappa & Mike Sloan | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.24 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1997 | Lasting Approval | Alex O. Solis | Diane L. Perkins | Wimborne Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.84 | $250,000 | II | |
| Volante Handicap ||||||||||
| 1996 | Odyle | Chris McCarron | J. Paco Gonzalez | Ron Brimacombe, Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.83 | $130,250 | II | |
| 1995 | Helmsman | Chris McCarron | Wallace Dollase | Horizon Stable, Jarvis & Taber, et al. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.98 | $131,900 | III | |
| 1994 | Run Softly | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.96 | $109,800 | III | |
| 1993 | Eastern Memories (IRE) | Jerry D. Bailey | Mark A. Hennig | Team Valor, Amerman & Stibor | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $111,800 | III | |
| 1992 | Blacksburg | Alex O. Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $112,700 | III | |
| 1991 | General Meeting | Kent J. Desormeaux | David E. Hofmans | Golden Eagle Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.78 | $114,500 | III | |
| 1990 | In Excess (IRE) | Gary L. Stevens | Bruce L. Jackson | Jack J. Munari | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.60 | $110,300 | III | |
| 1989 | Seven Rivers | Robbie Davis | Charles E. Whittingham | Enemy Stable & Mandysland Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:45.80 | $111,100 | II | |
| 1988 | Coax Me Clyde | Pat Valenzuela | Barry Knight | Vistas Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $135,000 | II | |
| 1987 | The Medic | Sandy Hawley | Gary F. Jones | Dr. Edward Giammarino | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $84,050 | III | |
| 1986 | Air Display | Gary L. Stevens | Darrell Vienna | Apple, Forgnone, Levy, et al. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $107,450 | III | |
| 1985 | Justoneoftheboys | Alex O. Solis | Ron McAnally | Morris Cohen & Dion Recachina | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $110,000 | III | |
| 1984 | Tights | Chris McCarron | Laz Barrera | Mill House Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.60 | $110,500 | III | |
| 1983 | Mamaison | Chris McCarron | Richard E. Mandella | Sam Bretzfield & Hal Oliver | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.80 | $108,900 | III | |
| 1982 | Lamerok | Laffit Pincay Jr. | LeRoy Jolley | Peter M. Brant | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.20 | $111,300 | III | |
| 1981 | Seafood | Marco Castaneda | Ron McAnally | Elmendorf Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $85,450 | III | Dead heat |
| 1981 | Waterway Drive | Jerry D. Bailey | Robin Frank | Eric Frank | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $85,450 | III | Dead heat |
| 1980 | Pocketful in Vail | Fernando Toro | Jerry M. Fanning | Kahn, Morcus & Rosburg | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $66,400 | III | |
| 1979 | Hyannis Port | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Bell Bloodstock & Charles E. Whittingham | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $54,800 | III | |
| 1978 | Wayside Station | Laffit Pincay Jr. | John H. Adams | El Peco Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $57,100 | III | |
| 1977 | Kulak | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Mary Jones Bradley, Charles E. Whittingham & Buck Wynne Jr. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $33,300 | III | |
| 1976 | Today 'n Tomorrow | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Roger E. Clapp | Connie M. Ring | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $32,950 | III | |
| 1975 | § Messenger of Song | Jerry Lambert | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $43,450 | III | |
| 1974 | Within Hail | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Bwamazon Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $45,250 | III | |
| 1973 | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held | ‡ Race not held |
| 1972 | Bicker | Glen Brogan | Robert Wingfield | Green Thumb Farm Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $33,150 | | |
| 1971 | Vegas Vic | Howard Grant | Randy Sechrest | Betty Sechrest & Charles Fritz | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $33,550 | | |
| 1970 | Mickey McGuire | Bill Shoemaker | Paul K. Parker | Vanguard Stable (Suzanne Reagan) & Anita Madden | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.40 | $25,450 | | |
| 1969 | § Tell | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Elizabeth A. Keck | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $57,500 | | |
Legend:
 Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
‡ In 1973 the Volante Handicap was scheduled to be held on Saturday, 7 October 1973, opening day of the Oak Tree Racing Association's meeting at Santa Anita but was cancelled due to a three-day strike by the pari-mutuel clerks.