Santa Anita Park’s Exciting Autumn Meet
Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet is known for its thrilling stakes and Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, setting the pace for an action-packed 18-day meet. The track, located in Southern California, kicks off the meet with a bang by offering 11 stakes races, with seven of them being graded, over the first weekend.
A Stellar Stakes Lineup
The Autumn Meet at Santa Anita Park features a total of 26 stakes races, with an impressive 15 of them being graded. The meet commences on September 30 and concludes on November 6. Horse racing enthusiasts can expect a thrilling lineup of top-quality races throughout the meet.
Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series Races
The first two weekends of the Autumn Meet at Santa Anita Park showcase five graded stakes races that are part of the prestigious Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series. These races offer contenders a chance to secure a spot in the coveted Breeders’ Cup Championships.
Among the Challenge Series races are three Grade 1 events, including the Oct. 1 Awesome Again, the Oct. 8 American Pharoah, and the Rodeo Drive. These races serve as gateways for winners to participate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, respectively.
In addition to the Grade 1 races, two Grade 2 events play a significant role in determining Breeders’ Cup contenders. The Oct. 2 Zenyatta and the Oct. 8 Chandelier Stakes offer winning horses the opportunity to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, respectively.
A Weekend Filled With Excitement
As the Autumn Meet kicks off, the highlight of the opening weekend is the much-anticipated Awesome Again. This Grade 1 race grabs the spotlight and sends its triumphant winner directly to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
However, the excitement doesn’t end there. Santa Anita Park ensures that racing enthusiasts are treated to an unforgettable experience by organizing five other stakes races on the same day. These include the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes, a unique race that takes 3-year-olds and up 6 1/2 furlongs down the hillside turf course.
Moreover, racing fans can enjoy the thrilling Grade 2 John Henry, a 1 1/4-mile turf test specifically designed for 3-year-olds and up. The action continues with the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, a six-furlong blitz on the dirt track, followed by the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf for horses aged three and up. The stakes slate concludes with the non-graded Unzip Me Stakes.
Santa Anita Park 2022 Autumn Meet Key Stakes
| Race | Grade | Distance | Eligible Horses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1 | Awesome Again | I | 1 1/8 miles | 3-and-up |
| Oct. 2 | Zenyatta | II | 1 1/16 miles | 3-and-up fillies & mares |
| Oct. 8 | American Pharoah | I | 1 1/16 miles | 2-year-olds |
| Oct. 8 | Chandelier | II | 1 1/16 miles | 2-year-old fillies |
| Oct. 8 | Rodeo Drive | I | 1 1/4 miles (turf) | 3-and-up fillies & mares |
Mark your calendars for these key stakes races during Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet. The competition promises to be fierce as talented horses battle it out for coveted spots in the Breeders’ Cup Championships.
A Weekend Full of Thrills
The excitement doesn’t stop with the first weekend. The following Sunday, Oct. 2, delivers two more thrilling graded stakes races: the Zenyatta and the Chillingworth. The Zenyatta, a Grade 2 race over 1 1/16 miles, showcases top-class fillies and mares aged three and up, vying for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Simultaneously, the Chillingworth, a spirited 6 1/2 furlong sprint, gathers fillies and mares aged three and up for a thrilling showdown. The day is further embellished by ungraded races like the 1 1/2-mile Tokyo City Cup, an exhilarating turf marathon, and the Senator Ken Maddy, a race for fillies and mares aged three and up, covering 6 1/2 furlongs.
Cal-Bred Stakes Add Local Flavor
The middle and latter half of the Autumn Meet presents four California-bred stakes races that add to the regional excitement. The Cal Distaff, scheduled for Oct. 15, kicks off the series, followed by the California Flag on the following day.
The Golden State Juvenile and Golden State Juvenile Fillies round out the series on Oct. 29. With increased purses of $175,000, these juvenile races are sure to attract talented contenders and thrill racing enthusiasts.
Racing enthusiasts and horsemen can find the complete 2022 Autumn Stakes Schedule on Santa Anita Park’s official website: santaanita.com/horsemen.
Conclusion
Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet promises unparalleled excitement, featuring top-class stakes races and Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series events that offer winners direct entry into the coveted Breeders’ Cup Championships.
With an impressive lineup of graded stakes races, including the prestigious Awesome Again, Zenyatta, American Pharoah, Chandelier, and Rodeo Drive, racing fans are in for a treat. Additionally, the meet showcases ungraded races and Cal-bred stakes, further diversifying the competition and providing a platform for local talent to shine.
FAQs
1. How many stakes races are offered during Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet?
Santa Anita Park offers a total of 26 stakes races during its Autumn Meet, with 15 of them being graded.
2. Which races are part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series?
The Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series races at Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet include the Awesome Again, Zenyatta, American Pharoah, Chandelier, and Rodeo Drive.
3. What is the significance of the graded stakes races?
Graded stakes races are highly esteemed in horse racing and attract top-quality horses. These races serve as gateways for winners to secure a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Championships.
4. Are there any ungraded stakes races during the Autumn Meet?
Yes, in addition to the graded stakes races, Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet includes ungraded races such as the Eddie D Stakes, Tokyo City Cup, and Unzip Me Stakes.
5. What is the Cal-bred stakes series?
The Cal-bred stakes series features races exclusively for California-bred horses, adding a local flavor to the Autumn Meet. These races include the Cal Distaff, California Flag, Golden State Juvenile, and Golden State Juvenile Fillies.
