# Santa Anita Derby

The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is currently run at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt and carries a purse of US$750,000. It is one of the final prep races on the official Road to the Kentucky Derby.

## History

Inaugurated in 1935, the Santa Anita Derby has long been considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby. Since 2013, it has been part of the official Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering the winner 100 points and thus assuring a position in the starting gate. Since its inception, ten Santa Anita Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby (shown in bold in the Winners section below), plus seven horses who lost at Santa Anita went on to triumph in Kentucky. In 1988, Winning Colors became the first and to date only filly to win both Derbies. Santa Anita Derby winners have also been successful in other Triple Crown races, with Affirmed sweeping the series in 1978.
Now run at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles (9 Furlongs), for the first three years it was run at 1+1⁄16 miles, and at 1+1⁄4 miles in 1947. Until 2008, the race had been run on a natural dirt surface. The race has been contested on Cushion Track (2008) and Pro-Ride (2009 & 2010) artificial surfaces. In 2011, the race returned to dirt.
In 1938, Stagehand became the only colt to win both the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap in the same year, defeating eventual Horse of the Year Seabiscuit in the latter.
Prep races leading to the Santa Anita Derby include the San Rafael Stakes, San Miguel Stakes, Sham Stakes, San Vicente Stakes, San Pedro Stakes, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the San Felipe Stakes, all run at Santa Anita Park. The Sham, Robert Lewis and San Felipe are also on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
As a result of World War II, there were no races held from 1942 to 1944. The 2020 race was held on Saturday June 6 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

## Records

* At age 17, Pat Valenzuela became the youngest jockey to win the Santa Anita Derby when he rode Codex to victory in the 1980 race.
* In 2000, Jenine Sahadi became the first woman trainer to win the Santa Anita Derby.
* In 2005, Jeff Mullins became the first trainer to win three consecutive editions of the Santa Anita Derby.
Speed Record: Three horses share the record for the fastest winning time of 1:47 flat:
* Lucky Debonair (1965)
* Sham (1973)
* Indian Charlie (1998)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 – Rex Ellsworth (1955, 1956, 1963)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 9 – Gary Stevens (1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003)
Most wins by a Trainer:
* 9 – Bob Baffert (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance (Miles) | Time | Grade |
| 2024 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Philip D’Amato | Eric M. Waller & Sharon Waller | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.98 | I |
| 2023 | Practical Move | Ramon A. Vazquez | Tim Yakteen | Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. & Roger K. Beasley | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.69 | I |
| 2022 | Taiba | Mike E. Smith | Tim Yakteen | Zedan Racing Stables | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.46 | I |
| 2021 | Rock Your World | Umberto Rispoli | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing LLC and David Michael Talla | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.17 | I |
| 2020 | Honor A. P. | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | C R K Stable LLC | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.97 | I |
| 2019 | Roadster | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Speedway Stable LLC | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.28 | I |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Winstar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Racing LLC | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.72 | I |
| 2017 | Gormley | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | Jerry Moss & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.16 | I |
| 2016 | Exaggerator | Kent J. Desormeaux | J. Keith Desormeaux | Big Chief Racing, Rocker O Ranch, Head Of Plain Parthers & J. Keith Desormeaux | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.66 | I |
| 2015 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.73 | I |
| 2014 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | Martin Perry & Steve Coburn | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.52 | I |
| 2013 | Goldencents | Kevin Krigger | Doug O'Neill | W. C. Racing, D. Kenney, RAP Racing | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.78 | I |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | J. Paul Reddam | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.88 | I |
| 2011 | Midnight Interlude | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Arnold Zetcher | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.56 | I |
| 2010 | Sidney's Candy | Joe Talamo | John W. Sadler | Sid & Jenny Craig | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | I |
| 2009 | Pioneerof the Nile | Garrett Gomez | Bob Baffert | Zayat Stables | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.17 | I |
| 2008 | Colonel John | Corey Nakatani | Eoin G. Harty | WinStar Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.16 | I |
| 2007 | Tiago | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.51 | I |
| 2006 | Brother Derek | Alex Solis | Dan Hendricks | Cecil Peacock | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | I |
| 2005 | Buzzards Bay | Mark Guidry | Jeff Mullins | Fog City Stable | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.18 | I |
| 2004 | Castledale | Jose Valdivia Jr. | Jeff Mullins | Frank Lyons & Greg Knee | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.24 | I |
| 2003 | Buddy Gil | Gary Stevens | Jeff Mullins | Desperado Stables, Donnie McFadden & Merrill Stables | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.36 | I |
| 2002 | Came Home | Chris McCarron | Paco J. Gonzalez | John Toffan, Trudy McCaffery, William S. Farish III & John B. Goodman | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.02 | I |
| 2001 | Point Given | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.77 | I |
| 2000 | The Deputy | Chris McCarron | Jenine Sahadi | Team Valor & Gary Barber | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.08 | I |
| 1999 | General Challenge | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | Golden Eagle Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.92 | I |
| 1998 | Indian Charlie | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | Hal Earnhardt & John R. Gaines | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.00 | I |
| 1997 | Free House | Kent Desormeaux | J. Paco Gonzalez | John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.60 | I |
| 1996 | Cavonnier | Chris McCarron | Bob Baffert | Walter Family Trust | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.91 | I |
| 1995 | Larry the Legend | Gary Stevens | Craig A. Lewis | Craig A. Lewis | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.99 | I |
| 1994 | Brocco | Gary Stevens | Randy Winick | Albert R. Broccoli | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.33 | I |
| 1993 | Personal Hope | Gary Stevens | Mark A. Hennig | Lee & Debi Lewis | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.03 | I |
| 1992 | A.P. Indy | Ed Delahoussaye | Neil Drysdale | Tomonori Tsurumaki | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.25 | I |
| 1991 | Dinard | Chris McCarron | Richard J. Lundy | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | I |
| 1990 | Mister Frisky | Gary Stevens | Laz Barrera | Solymar Stable | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.00 | I |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence | Pat Valenzuela | Charlie Whittingham | H-G-W Partners | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.60 | I |
| 1988 | Winning Colors† | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.80 | I |
| 1987 | Temperate Sil | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Frankfurt Stables & Charlie Whittingham | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.00 | I |
| 1986 | Snow Chief | Alex Solis | Melvin F. Stute | Grinstead & Rochelle | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.60 | I |
| 1985 | Skywalker | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Michael Whittingham | Oak Cliff Stable | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.40 | I |
| 1984 | Mighty Adversary | Ed Delahoussaye | Tommy Doyle | M/M Felty J. Yoder | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.00 | I |
| 1983 | Marfa | Jorge Velásquez | D. Wayne Lukas | French, Beal, D. Wayne Lukas | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.40 | I |
| 1982 | Muttering | Laffit Pincay Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Tartan Farms (James & Virginia Binger) | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.60 | I |
| 1981 | Splendid Spruce | Darrel McHargue | Chay R. Knight | Surf and Turf Stable | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.00 | I |
| 1980 | Codex | Pat Valenzuela | D. Wayne Lukas | Tartan Stable | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.60 | I |
| 1979 | Flying Paster | Donald Pierce | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | I |
| 1978 | Affirmed | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | I |
| 1977 | Habitony | Bill Shoemaker | Tommy Doyle | Anthony W. Pejsa | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.20 | I |
| 1976 | An Act | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Katz RobertBrun Roberts | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | I |
| 1975 | Avatar | Jorge Tejeira | Tommy Doyle | Arthur A. Seeligson Jr. | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.60 | I |
| 1974 | Destroyer | Ismael Valenzuela | Monti C. Sims | Kenneth Opstein | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.80 | I |
| 1973 | Sham | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Frank "Pancho" Martin | Sigmund Sommer | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.00 | I |
| 1972 | Solar Salute | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Louis Glauburg | M/M John J. Elmore | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.60 | |
| 1971 | Jim French | Ángel Cordero Jr. | John P. Campo | Frank Caldwell | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.20 | |
| 1970 | Terlago | Bill Shoemaker | Jerry M. Fanning | Samuel J. Agnew | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.40 | |
| 1969 | Majestic Prince | Bill Hartack | Johnny Longden | Frank M. McMahon | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.20 | |
| 1968 | Alley Fighter | Laffit Pincay Jr. | James W. Maloney | Cragwood Stables | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.00 | |
| 1967 | Ruken | Fernando Alvarez | Clyde Turk | Louis R. Rowan | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.80 | |
| 1966 | Boldnesian | Walter Blum | James W. Maloney | William Haggin Perry | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.40 | |
| 1965 | Lucky Debonair | Bill Shoemaker | Frank Catrone | Ada L. Rice | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.00 | |
| 1964 | Hill Rise | Donald Pierce | William B. Finnegan | El Peco Ranch | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.40 | |
| 1963 | Candy Spots | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.20 | |
| 1962 | Royal Attack | Edward Burns | William J. Hirsch | Neil S. McCarthy | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.60 | |
| 1961 | Four-and-Twenty | Johnny Longden | Vance Longden | Alberta Ranches, Ltd. | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.00 | |
| 1960 | Tompion | Bill Shoemaker | Robert L. Wheeler | Cornelius V. Whitney | 1+1⁄8 | 1:47.80 | |
| 1959 | Silver Spoon† | Raymond York | Robert L. Wheeler | Cornelius V. Whitney | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.00 | |
| 1958 | Silky Sullivan | Bill Shoemaker | Reggie Cornell | Tom Ross & Phil Klipstein | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.40 | |
| 1957 | Sir William | Henry E. Moreno | Cecil Jolly | Louella & Herbert Armstrong | 1+1⁄8 | 1:54.20 | |
| 1956 | Terrang | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.00 | |
| 1955 | Swaps | Johnny Longden | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.00 | |
| 1954 | Determine | Raymond York | William Molter | Andrew J. Crevolin | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.80 | |
| 1953 | Chanlea | Eddie Arcaro | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:49.80 | |
| 1952 | Hill Gail | Ted Atkinson | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.00 | |
| 1951 | Rough'n Tumble | Eddie Arcaro | Melvin Calvert | Frances Genter | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.40 | |
| 1950 | Your Host | Johnny Longden | Harry L. Daniels | William Goetz | 1+1⁄8 | 1:48.80 | |
| 1949 | Old Rockport | Gordon Glisson | Phil Reilly | Clifford Mooers | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.20 | |
| 1948 | Salmagundi | Johnny Longden | William M. Booth | William G. Helis | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.20 | |
| 1947 | On Trust | Johnny Longden | William Molter | Earl O. Stice & Sons | 1+1⁄4 | 2:03.20 | |
| 1946 | Knockdown | Robert Permane | James W. Smith | Maine Chance Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.60 | |
| 1945 | Bymeabond | George Woolf | Wayne B. Stucki | J. Kel Houssels | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.00 | |
| 1941 | Porter's Cap | Leon Haas | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 1+1⁄8 | 1:54.40 | |
| 1940 | Sweepida | Ralph Neves | L. Roy Staples | H. C. "Dutch" Hill | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.60 | |
| 1939 | Ciencia† | Carroll Bierman | William J. Hirsch | King Ranch | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.60 | |
| 1938 | Stagehand | Jack Westrope | Earl Sande | Maxwell Howard | 1+1⁄8 | 1:50.40 | |
| 1937 | Fairy Hill | Maurice Peters | Richard E. Handlen | William du Pont Jr. | 1 1/16 | 1:45.80 | |
| 1936 | He Did | Wayne D. Wright | J. Thomas Taylor | Suzanne Mason | 1 1/16 | 1:49.40 | |
| 1935 | Gillie | Silvio Coucci | William Brennan | Greentree Stable | 1 1/16 | 1:44.60 | |
† Indicates filly
Bold typeface indicates Kentucky Derby winner