Juan Hernandez & Phil D’Amato. (Benoit Photo)
D’Amato, Baffert & O’Neill Pegged To Top Trainer Race At Santa Anita
Track’s 49-Day Classic Meet Set To Open Dec. 26 And Run Through April 7
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—With Santa Anita’s traditional Classic Meet set to open on Tuesday, Dec. 26, linemaker Jon White has established an imaginary morning line for top jockey and trainer at the upcoming 49-day stand, which runs through April 7 and will be followed by the track’s 29-day Hollywood Meet, which gets underway on Friday, April 19 and runs through June 16.
With defending champion Juan Hernandez and three-time leader Flavien Prat back to ride full-time this winter, they’ll be joined by 2021 Eclipse Champion Joel Rosario, European legend Frankie Dettori, Japanese-born stalwart Kazushi Kimura and others—ensuring the 2023-24 Santa Anita jockey colony is truly world class.
In the trainer’s division, Phil D’Amato, who has become a dominant force on turf, will be bidding for his fourth Classic Meet crown and his second in a row. Santa Anita’s all-time Classic Meet leader in both stakes and races-won Bob Baffert, is back with another awe-inspiring group of soon-to-be 3-year-olds as he seeks his record 13th training title. He’ll be joined by Doug O’Neill, who is in search of his fifth Classic Meet crown, Mark Glatt, Richard Mandella, John Sadler, Peter Miller and a host of other conditioners.
Here is Santa Anita Morning Line Maker Jon White’s Jockey & Trainer Classic Meet early Morning Line:
JOCKEYS:
• Juan Hernandez 8-5
• Flavien Prat 9-5
• Joel Rosario 5-1
• Frankie Dettori 8-1
• Antonio Fresu 8-1
• Kazushi Kimura 8-1
• Umberto Rispoli 8-1
Any other Jockey 15-1
TRAINERS:
• Phil D’Amato 8-5
• Bob Baffert 5-2
• Doug O’Neill 5-2
• Mark Glatt 12-1
• Richard Mandella 12-1
• Peter Miller 12-1
• John Sadler 12-1
Any other trainer 15-1
Entries will be taken for opening day on Dec. 22 and will be available at santaanita.com later that afternoon. Special early first post time on opening day, Tuesday, Dec. 26, is at 11 a.m. with admission gates opening at 9 a.m.
Santa Anita’s traditional Wall Calendar will again be available free of charge with paid admission. An outstanding opening day card will be highlighted by six graded stakes. Three Grade I, $300,000 races, the Malibu, La Brea and the American Oaks will top the racing agenda. They’ll be complemented by three Grade II, $200,000 stakes, the Mathis Mile, the San Antonio and the San Gabriel.
For additional information regarding opening day and Santa Anita’s holiday racing schedule, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
