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Pick Pony | July 9, 2024, 8:53 p.m.
Santa Anita will host 22 stakes, including the inaugural GI $1 million California Crown, 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 in prize money, will be held the following day on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The California Crown program, officially announced on March 1, is a new racing and entertainment concept inspired by the popular Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park. California Crown Day aims to combine world-class Thoroughbred racing with live performances, interactive experiences, and cutting-edge technology. The substantial prize money for these stakes is provided by 1/ST Racing.
The event’s main race, the Grade I $1 million California Crown, is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. It replaces the Awesome Again on the Santa Anita stakes schedule. In addition to its significant purse, the California Crown offers the winner an automatic berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
California Crown Day will also feature the GII $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course, and the GII $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship at 1 ¼ miles on turf.
Supporting these races on Sept. 28 will be the GII $200,000 City of Hope Mile and the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The City of Hope Mile is an automatic qualifier for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, Santa Anita will host both the GII $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on dirt and the GII $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship presented by Estrella Jalisco. Both races are key preparatory events for the Breeders’ Cup five weeks later.
World-class racing will continue the following weekend on Oct. 5-6. On Saturday, Oct. 5, Santa Anita will host five stakes, including three Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events. Among these qualifiers is the newly renamed Oak Leaf Stakes presented by Oak Tree Racing Association, formerly known as the Chandelier Stakes.
The Oak Leaf, a Grade II event 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 called the Oak Leaf Stakes starting in 1969 when held at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita in the fall.
Joining the Oak Leaf on Oct. 5 are the GI $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and the GII $200,000 Rodeo Drive for fillies and mares at 1 ¼ miles on turf, which grants the winner an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, Santa Anita will host three stakes, including a pair of Grade III’s at one mile on turf: the Zuma Beach for 2-year-olds and the Surfer Girl for 2-year-old fillies. Also that day will be the Tokyo City Cup at 1 ½ miles on dirt.
Closing weekend of the Autumn Meet will feature the GII Twilight Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Saturday, Oct. 26, and the GIII Autumn Miss for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf on Oct. 27.