Santa Anita's Jockeys in Tight Race as Stakes Weekend Approaches
A thrilling weekend at Santa Anita features jockeys vying for the lead, along with several stakes races.
Jockeys Compete for Top Position
The upcoming weekend at Santa Anita promises excitement as it marks the near conclusion of the autumn meet, which starts Friday. Four jockeys are neck and neck, each vying for the leading jockey title. Currently, Juan Hernandez holds the lead with 15 wins, followed closely by Emisael Jaramillo and Joel Rosario, who both have 14, and Kazushi Kimura at 13.
Among these contenders, Jaramillo stands out with impressive winning percentages across the board, including 29% overall, and similar stats on both dirt and turf. His adept performance in various race lengths showcases his versatility as a rider.
High Stakes Ahead
The stakes are particularly high this weekend as Jaramillo aims to match Umberto Rispoli’s record in stakes wins. He will take the reins of the 9-5 morning-line favorite Mr. A.P. in the Tokyo City Cup, a 1-mile race scheduled for Saturday. Mr. A.P. has already shown promise by competing against Grade I winners in previous races and is looking for his first stakes victory.
Meanwhile, Kimura is set to ride the favored Amorita, a 7-5 choice trained by Richard Mandella, in the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes. This 4-year-old filly looks to build on her previous strong performances in high-stakes hillside turf sprints.
Sunday Showdowns
On Sunday, Umberto Rispoli is set to compete aboard Green Carrera for Leonard Powell in the Grade III Autumn Miss, catering to 3-year-old fillies going a mile on turf. Expect a thrilling race as they face tough competition from the likes of John Sadler’s Somerset West and Armando Ayuso.
Notable Achievements at Santa Anita
In other significant news, Santa Anita announced that the weight carried by Grand Slam Smile during her victory in the California Distaff Handicap on October 11th was the highest for a stakes winner at the venue since 1982. Counting 128 pounds, she set this record alongside notable historic winners like John Henry and Affirmed.
Los Alamitos Racing Highlights
In quarter-horse racing at Los Alamitos, Political Twist stands out with the fastest qualifying time of 19.573 seconds in trials for the upcoming Grade I Los Alamitos Super Derby. Doodah Cartel followed closely with a time of 19.783 seconds. Other contenders like Lightning Vaquera and Revenantly have also secured top qualifying times for the Grade I Golden State Million Futurity this Sunday.
Memorials and Auctions
Sadly, the racing community mourned the loss of Soo Bronx, a 2-year-old filly who sustained injuries during a recent race at Los Alamitos. This incident marks the 31st horse death this year across major California tracks, reportedly exceeding the average fatalities in recent years.
In a lighter note, a racing memorabilia auction is on the horizon for December 3, taking place online and at Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, KY. Highlights include items linked to the legendary Zenyatta and collectibles from Hall of Fame trainer John Shirreffs. Proceeds from the auction will benefit several charities focused on supporting jockeys and retired racehorses.
Upcoming Races at Santa Anita
- Saturday: $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes
- Saturday: $85,000 Tokyo City Cup Stakes
- Sunday: $100,000, Grade III Autumn Miss Stakes
Events at Los Alamitos
- Grade I Golden State Million Futurity: $1 million, 2-year-old quarter horses, 400 yards
- Ah Sigh Handicap: $30,000, 2-year-old quarter horses, 400 yards
