A Golden Day at Santa Anita

The last Saturday of the Santa Anita Park spring meet had plenty of things to look forward to including a 10-race card that featured four graded stakes highlighted by $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. In addition to an exciting afternoon of racing, the fans in attendance were looking forward to an appearance by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah who was scheduled to parade between races 7 and 8.
During the day, fans lined up to take a photo with this life-size poster of American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza while they waited for the real one to parade later on.

After taking the photos and sharing them on social media, fans were able to print them immediately through a free printing station courtesy of Santa Anita.
I made my way to the Chandelier Room to meet up with a few guests. Santa Anita Park has been hosting a Chef Guest Series event on select days throughout the meet and today’s event featured smoked brisket from the restaurant Barrel & Ashes located in Studio City. I highly recommend giving the events in the Chandelier Room a try. It’s a terrific space to enjoy a day at the races.

The first stakes race of the day was approaching so I decided to head out to the paddock to check out the contenders and on my way there I ran into this enjoyable scene. The pony riders usually hang out underneath the tunnel that leads from the paddock to the track while they wait for the horses in each race. In between races the gentle ponies are usually getting attention from the fans that are walking by. It is great to see fans of all ages get up close and personal with the horses.

Race 6 was the running of the Grade 3 Señorita Stakes and it went to Prize Exhibit ridden by jockey Santiago Gonzalez for trainer Tom Cassidy and owners DP Racing.

Gonzalez celebrated as they enter the winner’s circle

As Race 7 approached, fans began to gather around the paddock in anticipation of American Pharoah’s arrival.

This group of fans made sure they secured their spot on the rail so they could get a good look at American Pharoah when he paraded after the Triple Bend Stakes.

Race 7 was the running of the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes and the betting favorite Masochistic did not disappoint. He looked good in the paddock and went on to post an impressive performance while earning the first Grade 1 win of his career. I watched the race from the paddock video boards because American Pharoah was scheduled to come into the paddock immediately after this race.

Soon after the race, American Pharoah entered the paddock from the saddling area. He took a few laps around the paddock as the replay of his Belmont Stakes victory was shown on the video boards.

His jockey Victor Espinoza was all smiles as American Pharoah made his way onto the track.

After a few laps on the track, American Pharoah joined his connections in the winner’s circle for a few photos.

Soon it was time for the featured event of the day: The Grade 1 Gold Cup. The betting favorite was Catch a Flight who was coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes on May 30. Jockey Gary Stevens was up for trainer Richard Mandella.

The second betting favorite on the board was Hoppertunity, from the barn of Bob Baffert, who was coming off a third place finish in the Stephen Foster on June 13 at Churchill Downs. Jockey Martin Garcia had the call.

The third betting favorite on the board was Moreno from the barn of Eric Guillot. He was coming off a second place finish in the Grade 2 Californian behind fellow rival Catch A Flight. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez was in the saddle once again.

Batti Man (No.1), Motown Men (No.4), and Big Cazanova (No.7) went on the lead and set a fast early pace going past the stands for the first time. Moreno (No.8) was not too far behind heading into the first turn.

It came down to a thrilling stretch run between Hard Aces (No.2), Catch A Flight (No.9), and Hoppertunity (No.6). It was too close to call and there was a photo finish between Hard Aces and Hoppertunity.

While they waited for the result, jockey Victor Espinoza looked towards the video board to watch the replay of the photo finish, wondering if Hard Aces won.

Espinoza with a thumbs up as Hard Aces is posted the winner of the photo. Hard Aces earned the winner’s share of the $500,000 purse and also got a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic this October at Keeneland. Hard Aces is trained by John Sadler for owners Hronis Racing LLC.

And that wrapped up this Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita Park. A terrific day of racing combined with great weather and an appearance from Triple Crown winner American Pharoah attracted a crowd of 21,528. That was an increase in attendance compared with Gold Cup day 2014 which had a crowd of 12,396.