Muth scoring the Shared Belief. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire).
$1 million Grade I, California Crown highlights a five stake program Sept. 28 including the California Crown John Henry Turf Championship and California Crown Eddie D
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—Twenty-three of the top dirt horses from across the country were nominated to compete in the inaugural Grade I, $1 million California Crown at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.
The California Crown, which is contested at 1 1/8 miles, is an automatic qualifier for the $7 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2. It is part of a blockbuster program featuring five stakes races that have attracted a total of 146 nominations. In addition to top-class Thoroughbred racing, attendees will enjoy world-class entertainment from prominent recording artists Shaboozey, Lil Yachty, Gryffin, Frank Walker and Zack Bia.
The fields for all five stakes on California Crown Day will be drawn next Monday, Sept. 23. Supporting the California Crown are the Grade II, $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes presented by FanDuel; Grade II, $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship presented by 1/ST BET; Grade II, $200,000 City of Hope Mile presented by MyRacehorse, which is an automatic qualifier for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 2; and the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
As for the California Crown, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert leads the way with five nominees including Grade I winners Newgate, Muth and National Treasure. Baffert’s other nominees are stakes-winner Reincarnate, most recently third in the Grade I Pacific Classic at Del Mar Aug. 31; and Ultra Power, a lightly raced 3-year-old who exits a smashing allowance win at Del Mar Aug. 31.
A total of six horses exiting the Pacific Classic were nominated to the California Crown led by winner Mixto for trainer Doug O’Neill. Other nominees exiting the Pacific Classic are runner-up Full Serrano for trainer John Sadler; fourth-place finisher Dr. Venkman for trainer Mark Glatt; plus Antonio Sano-trained Il Miracolo and Katonah for O’Neill, who were each well-beaten in the Grade I standard.
Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella’s lone nominee is South American import Subsanador, who most recently got his first North American stakes win in the Grade III Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park going 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 17.
Stronghold, this year’s Grade I Santa Anita Derby winner, was nominated by trainer Phil D’Amato. Stronghold most recently was second in the Grade III Indiana Derby July 6 at Indiana Grand, which followed a seventh-place effort in the Kentucky Derby.
Senor Buscador, winner of the rich Saudi Cup in Riyadh earlier this year, was nominated by trainer Todd Fincher. Senor Buscador exits a fourth-place effort sprinting seven furlongs in the Grade II Pat O’Brien at Del Mar, which came after a nearly five-month layoff.
For full lists of nominees for California Crown Day please visit the “Horsemen” section at equibase.com.
In addition to world-class racing and major musical acts, California Crown Day will also feature premier culinary concepts by Funke and Wally’s, interactive experiences and cutting-edge technology. It’s a day of entertainment that’s not to be missed.
Tickets can be purchased online by visiting Californiacrown.com. For more information, you can also visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
